Community Economic Development Information

Local News

Pasture with Rainbow

2011 Cash Rent Survey
(Posted on 5/19/2011)
2011 Cash Rent Survey

Words on Wellness
(Posted on 4/1/2011)
Start slowly and make it a habit. Drastic changes can be a recipe for failure; small changes can make a big difference, if they last.

2011 ISU Extension Current News
(Posted on 4/1/2011)
Current ISU News and Updates

Kids eating apples

Parenting
(Posted on 4/1/2011)
News for Parents contains information on family fun and everyday activities!

Group Discussion

Balancing Sick Time & Work Time
(Posted on 4/1/2011)
If you’ve ever worked in an office seated next to a coughing, sneezing co-worker, you can appreciate the instruction from public health officials to stay home from work when ill.

parenting

eXtension Just in Time Parenting?
(Posted on 4/1/2011)
A national extension Web site that brings quality, research-based information to families at the time it can be most useful and make the biggest difference in their lives.

Cows eating

Latest information on Fields and Feedlots
(Posted on 3/3/2010)
Field & Feedlot- a monthly newsletter to help with all of your Livestock questions and updates.

Ag Decision Maker

Ag Decision Maker
(Posted on 3/1/2010)
The latest on all of your farming needs and updates for the farming community.

2010 Palo Alto County Extension Council
(Posted on 3/1/2010)
The 2010 Palo Alto County Extension Council

Conservation Buffer

2011 Custom Rate Sheet
(Posted on 3/1/2010)
Many Iowa farmers hire some custom machine work in their farm business, or perform custom work for others. Others rent machinery or perform other services. See the attached survey to find out

Fruits and Vegetables

Want to know what is a healthy snack, or something good for you to eat?
(Posted on 3/1/2010)
Avoid Getting the Flu It’s everywhere; it’s everywhere! -- Critical information about the flu and how to avoid it!

Answer Line

AnswerLine for all of your needs!
(Posted on 3/1/2010)
Have Questions relating to your home or family? Call or visit the Answer Line on-line by clicking on the link below!

Community Builder

Community Builder
(Posted on 3/1/2010)
Community Builder is a web based marketplace where community leaders can review and make selections from a variety of technical assistance, consulting and educational programs that will improve the quality of life in your community.

News from Iowa State University Extension
Towns Selected for 2012 Community Visioning Program
(Posted on 1/12/2012)
Twelve Iowa communities have been selected to participate in the Iowa's Living Roadways Community Visioning Program in 2012: Calmar, Center Point, Chariton, Colo, Dyersville, Manning, Paullina, Perry, Rock Valley, Schaller, Tripoli and Villisca.
Farmland Value Reaches Historic $6,708 Statewide Average
(Posted on 12/14/2011)
Average Iowa farmland value is estimated to be $6,708 per acre, an increase of 32.5 percent from 2010, according to results of the Iowa Land Value Survey conducted in November. This is the highest percentage increase ever recorded by the Iowa State University annual survey.
ISU Extension and Outreach Works with Citizens to Chart a Course for Maquoketa's Future
(Posted on 12/5/2011)
The Maquoketa Area Chamber of Commerce and Office of Economic Development has partnered with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Community and Economic Development (CED) unit for a two-year project to develop a vision for Maquoketa’s future.
Registration Open for Rural Entrepreneurs Summit
(Posted on 11/2/2011)
Registration is open for Rural YES (Young Entrepreneur Summit) Nov. 9 in Ames. Summit sponsors include the Community Vitality Center, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the U.S. Small Business Administration and USDA Rural Development.
Symposium to Feature Fruit and Vegetable Production, Marketing Strategies
(Posted on 10/14/2011)
Fruit and vegetable growers are invited to attend the Tri-State Fruit and Vegetable Growers Symposium Friday, Dec. 2, 12–5:15 p.m. at Stoney Creek Inn, 300 Third Street, Sioux City, Iowa.
 
Community Visioning Program Application Deadline Extended
(Posted on 10/7/2011)
The application deadline for the 2012 Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program has been extended to Friday, Dec. 1. Eligible communities are those with populations of fewer than 10,000, existing transportation-related issues, and a committee of volunteers willing to dedicate their time and talent to the visioning process.
Summit at Iowa State Says “YES” to Rural Entrepreneurs
(Posted on 10/7/2011)
The Community Vitality Center (CVC) and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development are partnering with the U.S. Small Business Administration, USDA Rural Development and other sponsors to host a Rural YES (Young Entrepreneur Summit) on Nov. 9.
City Clerks and Finance Officers Can Now Register for Budget Workshops
(Posted on 10/4/2011)
In an ongoing effort to help Iowa’s city clerks and finance officers prepare for the fiscal year budget, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office of State and Local Government Programs (OSLGP) and the Iowa League of Cities are holding budget workshops throughout the state in November and December.
Work Begins on Iowa’s New Local Food and Farm Initiative
(Posted on 8/11/2011)
Craig Chase, ISU Extension farm management specialist and interim marketing program leader at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, will coordinate the Local Food and Farm Initiative, a new statewide program that aims to boost production, processing, distribution, marketing and consumption of Iowa-grown food.
Wanted: Photos for ISU State Fair Exhibit
(Posted on 8/3/2011)
Iowa State University (ISU) is giving Iowans the chance to display photos at the Iowa State Fair. As part of the university's exhibit in the northeast corner of the Varied Industries Building during the fair, Iowa residents are encouraged to submit photos to illustrate how Iowa State and ISU Extension and Outreach are making a difference in their communities.

Staff

Melissa O'Rourke - Farm Management Program Specialist
Phone: 712-737-4230
Fax:
Email: morourke@iastate.edu

Malisa Rader - Family Life Program Specialist
Phone: 515-832-9597
Fax:
Email: mrader@iastate.edu

Kris Kohl - Agricultural Engineering Field Specialist
Phone: 712-732-5056
Fax: 712-732-5006
Email: kkohl1@iastate.edu

Lisa Berkland - NorthWest Youth Field Specialist
Phone: 712-837-5596
Fax: 712-837-5596
Email: lisaberk@iastate.edu

Jane Goeken - Communities Field Specialist
Phone: 712-262-2264
Fax: 712-262-8481
Email: jngoeken@iastate.edu

Resources from ISU Extension