Articles

Proper care of roses from planting through pruning will show them off to their best advantage. To confront insect and disease problems in roses, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulture specialists say to correctly identify the pest and use appropriate control measures. 

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will participate in the 2012 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., this summer.

How parents handle their divorce affects how well their children will adapt to life with mom and life with dad. This month’s Science of Parenting podcast from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach examines what parents can do to help their children live through divorce.

The National 4-H Council and the Walmart Foundation are supporting 4-H Healthy Living programs across the country through Walmart Foundation Healthy Living Youth Voice, Youth Choice grants. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has received one of the 15 state grants and is using a portion of the money to provide mini-grants to Master Gardeners and 4-H youth to develop partnerships at the county level.

Learn how to emulate nature with permaculture during the May 3 Virtual Eco Family Conference taught by Fred Meyer, chair and executive director of Backyard Abundance. Meyer will teach about the principles of permaculture and how to mimic nature to produce food in small spaces.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is growing strong families in southern Iowa, and now has the credential to prove it. The Growing Strong Families Program has earned the Iowa Family Support Credential from the Iowa Department of Management and Public Health. The program is a comprehensive family experience for expectant parents as well as parents and caregivers of children from birth through age 5.

Warm spring weather brings out many critters, including some that homeowners may not like to see in their yards — snakes. While there is no 100-percent effective snake deterrent, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has tips on making a home landscape as “snake-free” as possible.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has developed a new plastic version as a replacement for metal swine identification tags. The tags are available from Iowa practicing veterinarians and are considered official ID for both intrastate and interstate transport of swine.

During the long summer months, youth can experience summer learning loss. The Iowa 4-H Center will participate in the American Camp Association (ACA) Explore 30 camp reading program to diminish the effects of learning loss on campers.