Mark Licht, ISU Extension field agronomist, visits with a few Iowa farmers about their experiences with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach crop production and protection initiatives. Crops Extension learning opportunities for farmers and field advisers include the statewide crop advantage series, integrated crop management conference, crop diagnostic clinics, crop management clinics and crop scouting schools. ISU Extension and Outreach also has partnered with industry and commodity groups to create additional tools, such as field guides.

 

Other highlights from Cherokee, Buena Vista, Pocahontas, Ida, Sac and Calhoun counties:

• Developing Dynamic Leaders Series
  Calhoun County Extension and Outreach coordinated a five-session leadership series taught by Jane Goeken, ISU Extension and Outreach community and economic development program specialist. Thirty-two residents completed the program that focused on individual skill building and developing participants’ self-confidence to get involved in their communities. The program studied differences in management and leadership styles, improving communication skills, dealing with change in the community and personal lives, and working with community volunteers. Ninety-six percent of the participants had a better understanding of how groups/communities function and 80 percent felt more confident in their ability to lead groups as a result of their participation in the program.

• Farmland Leasing Meetings
  Forty-four landowners, tenants and agribusiness professionals attended a farmland leasing meeting in Cherokee in August, hosted by Cherokee County Extension and Outreach. Tom Olsen, ISU Extension and Outreach farm management program specialist, led the discussion on the cash rental rate survey, land value survey, different types of leases, lease termination and the impact of ethanol on the value of corn and land.

• Beef Facilities Tour
  More than 260 producers and agribusiness staff toured five beef operations near Holstein. The tour was sponsored by the Ida County Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. Brian Waddingham, executive director of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, reported that the economic impact of a new 312-head cattle farm in Ida County would provide 4.2 jobs and provide almost $1.5 million of output as sales. In addition, it would generate $136,483 of labor income and added value of more than $358,000.

• Food Preservation Education Part of Youth Programming
  Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Sac County conducted two food preservation workshops for youth with the assistance of Holly VanHeel, ISU Extension and Outreach nutrition and health program specialist. Nine youth and eight adults attended the June “In a Jam” workshop, and later in September, attended the “Salsa” workshop. The four-hour workshops taught a variety of skills ranging from food safety to proper knife skills to selecting quality fruits and vegetables. The workshops provided USDA-approved recipes and preservation methods.
• For more information, visit: Cherokee, Buena Vista, Pocahontas, Ida, Sac and Calhoun county webpages