There are many traditions associated with the holidays. Many involve plants. Evergreen trees, poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe played important roles in ancient legends and rituals, but have evolved into traditions associated with the Christmas season.

AMES, Iowa – One hundred Iowa 4-H youth participated in behind-the-scenes workshops before attending iLuminate Oct. 21 at Stephens Auditorium in Ames. The workshops and the performance showcased the connections between STEM and the arts.

The Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program is seeking eligible communities: those with populations of fewer than 10,000 residents, within one mile of a state or federal highway, with existing transportation-related issues, and that have volunteers willing to dedicate their time and talent to the visioning process.

Two new ventilation checklists from the Iowa Pork Industry Center and ISU Extension and Outreach offer a seasonal approach to checking the various components in a swine facility.

“The Undergrowth,” recorded by the Integrated Pest Management team with ISU Extension and Outreach, features plant and insect experts at Iowa State, in conversation with Sebastian Bartholomew, aka Adam Sisson, an industry extension specialist with the IPM program.

Deepen your understanding of gardening, horticulture and the impact these activities can have on local communities by applying for Master Gardener Training. Sessions will be offered this fall by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Participants of all ages can test their knowledge of common weeds found in Iowa at the weed identification contest, run by ISU Extension and Outreach.

The Iowa Suicide Prevention Coalition Summit: Building Hope in Rural Communities will be held in Ames on Aug. 30.

Horticulturists with ISU Extension & Outreach answer common questions about the care and maintenance of perennial gardens in the summer. 

The 10th year of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy shows improvements with manure application in Iowa, with room to still improve, according to specialists with the ISU Extension & Outreach.