ISU Extension and Outreach empowers Iowans with research-based education related to family, food, and finance, and well-being. They gain knowledge and build skills to strengthen their relationships, improve nutrition, increase financial security, and address mental health. 

In Cass County, our Family Wellness specialists hosted “A Journey Through Parkinson’s Disease” at Heritage House Senior Living Community in Atlantic throughout September. 

Open to residents of Heritage House and the general public, participants included individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), caregivers and family members, professional staff and those wanting to know more about PD. The partnership with Heritage House allowed us to host the class right after their Rock Steady Boxing Group, which promotes physical activity and strength-building movement for individuals with PD, and many participants joined our program immediately after their exercise class.

Series participants learned about symptoms of PD, seeking medical care, what to expect when seeing a Movement Disorder Specialist, and how a diagnosis occurs. They also learned about causes and treatments for PD, alternative therapies (including singing), and at-home activities and tools.

• One hundred percent of the participants reported same or more understanding of signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) after attending the session.
• Over 90 percent reported more understanding of how a neuron functions and the causes of neuron death.
• Over 75 percent reported more understanding that physical activity and exercise are good for people with PD, using music helps people with PD move better, and singing can improve the voice, breathing, and swallowing. 

When asked what actions or changes they plan to make because of participation in this program, participants stated they will do more exercise, will get more music/singing involved in their activities, and will make sure they do their exercises as prescribed. Specific parts of the program most enjoyed by participants included the different exercises and singing, gaining new information on PD, learning about music therapy, and the online videos used in the class. 

Empowering individuals to be in control of their own disease progression can help them lead a more fulfilling life. It also benefits their family members and larger communities by having healthier and more engaged members. 

ISU Extension and Outreach engages Iowans through hands-on education in agriculture and natural resources stewardship. Our research-based information and resources help residents make informed decisions about producing healthy food, protecting natural resources, optimizing input costs, and growing the economic base of Iowa agriculture. 

Like many communities across Iowa, Cass County residents are seeing a decline in trees in landscapes and wooded areas due to pressure from weather events and diseases. To assist tree owners in learning best practices to manage and replace damaged trees, ISU Extension and Outreach Cass County and the Cass County Master Gardeners hosted a Tree Care Workshop in March. 

Iowa DNR District Forester Sarah Bell shared information on native trees and current tree diseases and pest concerns, including emerald ash borer. Attendees learned tips for selecting and purchasing appropriate trees for the area, including information on trees native to southwest Iowa. Following the presentation, Bell led a walking tour of the Cass County fairgrounds, where participants were able to practice tree evaluation and planting skills, including looking for symptoms of decay, weakly attached branches, splits, and root problems. Participants also discussed best practices for tree pruning and were able to evaluate trees for needed pruning cuts.

Twenty-nine local residents attended the workshop and learned about tree care, managing trees in the landscape, and selection and planting of new trees. Following the program, attendees were able to take home a variety of resources and publications with information about specific tree care issues of interest to them. They also engaged with Bell in discussions about individual problem-solving. 

Participants shared that they plan to use this information to adjust their tree management practices in home landscapes and manage woodland areas. This will help rebuild the health and diversity of the tree population in Cass County, providing wildlife habitat, shade, and enjoyment to residents and visitors.

ISU Extension and Outreach helps Iowa youth grow by participating in hands-on learning experiences through 4-H, gaining knowledge and building skills with guidance from caring adults. They are learning how to become Iowa’s innovators, entrepreneurs, communicators, leaders, and more.

In Cass County, the “Speak Out For Agriculture” program offers a multi-county overnight bus trip where high-school aged students have the opportunity to explore a variety of careers in agriculture. As part of that trip, youth in 8-12th grade from Adair, Cass, and Pottawattamie Counties traveled to the Ames area and to Iowa State University. 

The first day involved a stop at Hawkeye Breeders to learn about livestock breeding technologies. Youth toured livestock facilities and office spaces and asked questions about the different aspects of the business, animals, technology and techniques used at the facility. A second stop at the Iowa Corn Growers Association in Des Moines involved a presentation on the upcoming initiatives and how youth can get involved in the association and help the community around them. The afternoon was spent on Iowa State University ‘s campus. A tour of the agronomy department allowed youth to learn about soils, seed identification, technology and data in agriculture, DNA extraction, and an infrared thermometer activity. That evening, participants glimpsed what college life would be like, staying in the dorms and experiencing campus life at the Memorial Union with bowling and other games. This was a unique opportunity and spin on our ‘normal’ educational college tours we generally provide. 

The second day of the trip started at John Deere Works with a tour of the campus office and production buildings to see the assembly lines of how cotton pickers and other machinery are made. The final stop was the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge near Prairie City, Iowa. A park conservationist led a large group session about how the refuge was created, all the different species that are on the refuge, and how it is maintained. We took a guided tour through the buffalo habitat and were able to see the herd including a calf only a few hours old. 

The “Speak Out For Agriculture” program is a long-standing program in Cass and Adair Counties. This year’s trip was led by a youth planning committee of 10 previous trip participants. Working with staff, these youth selected trip locations, contacted hosts, and coordinated the details of each stop. After loading the bus this year, youth were also assigned to complete a thank you note to each presenter or tour guide. Participants practiced writing an impactful thank you and including all the necessary parts in their letter. They could also collaborate with friends on the bus if they struggled. 

Through this trip, older youth explored the many diverse career opportunities available in the agricultural industry, built communication skills by interacting with peers and host sites, and gained an appreciation of how local industries can benefit the communities around them. In addition, planning committee members gained leadership skills as they planned and led the activities throughout the event. 

Trip participants reported excitement at their new experiences, a desire to share what they had learned with other peers and club members, and appreciation for the education gained at each stop.