Open enrollment for health insurance plans takes place during October, November and December. Smart Choice: Health Insurance Basics and Smart Choice: Health Insurance Actions are two ISU Extension and Outreach classes that make comparing policies and understanding coverage easier. The two classes are free and will be available online in November. Read more about Free Online Classes Explain Health Insurance Coverage Choices
The Integrated Crop Management Conference will be held Dec. 4-5 in Ames. This year’s conference will feature 39 workshops to choose from, along with presentations on new planter technology, cover crop interseeding, glyphosate and cancer findings, nitrogen recommendations and global changes in the fertilizer industry. Read more about Integrated Crop Management Conference Set for December
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has developed a curriculum for educators who want youth to know how agriculture is involved in every day human life. The curriculum was created by ISU Extension and Outreach 4-H youth specialists and is offered as a free download from the Extension store. Read more about Resource for Educators Adds Agriculture to Every Day Lessons
Native and ornamental grasses are wonderful for adding multiple seasons of interest in the garden. ISU Extension and Outreach horticulturists recommend native and ornamental grasses with good fall color. Read more about Yard and Garden: Add Autumn Color with Grasses
Floyd County farmer Ben Johnson will share his family's cover crops experiences as participants in the Conservation Learning Lab project during the field day. Iowa State researchers and Iowa Learning Farms specialists are also on the field day agenda. Read more about Nashua Cover Crop and Wetland Field Day Is Nov. 7
Nearly 33,000 K-12 students in Iowa were singing, hopping, drawing and discovering as they learned about Iowa’s natural resources and ecosystems during high-energy Water Rocks! lessons delivered during the 2018-2019 academic school year. Read more about Water Rocks! Reaches More Students, Builds Environmental Awareness
Two educational programs led by Kimberly Greder from Iowa State University will receive the 2019 National Extension Diversity Award. The 2019 award acknowledges Greder and the work teams who provide the “Juntos Para Una Mejor Educación” and “Abriendo Caminos” programs. Read more about Greder and Colleagues Receive 2019 National Extension Diversity Award
Beef Quality Assurance Transportation is the latest certification needed for beef cattle haulers and producers who deliver cattle to major packing plants. Read more about Beef Quality Assurance Transportation Certification Session Is Dec. 10
The annual Iowa Organic Conference will be held Nov. 24-25, at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Producers and experts from across the country will share tips for transitioning into organic production and methods to enhance organic operations. Read more about Iowa Organic Conference to Focus on Diversity and Profitability
The field day, which is hosted by ISU Extension and Outreach, the STRIPS project, and the Southeast Iowa Agricultural Research Association, will be held Nov. 19, from 3-6:30 p.m. Read more about Crawfordsville Field Day to Feature Conservation, Prairie STRIPS Project
Chris Rademacher, extension swine veterinarian at Iowa State University, is coordinating the Nov. 22 session, which is the latest in an ongoing effort to help meet industry demand. Read more about PQA Plus 4.0 Advisor Certification Session Nov. 22 in Ames
Fish producers need to consider their impact on the larger ecosystem, making sure their operation is doing its part to limit the spread of aquatic invasive species. Read more about Fish Farmers Face Unique Challenges with Invasive Species
Protect trees and shrubs in the home landscape to limit damage done by wildlife during winter. Voles, rabbits and deer can cause severe damage to plants in the winter by feeding on twigs, bark, leaves and stems. Read more about Yard and Garden: Prevent Wildlife Damage to Trees and Shrubs
Iowans will celebrate the second annual statewide Local Food Day on Oct. 11, as part of National Farm to School Month. Read more about Iowa Schools to Celebrate Local Food Day
Fish processors and farmers who are involved with any part of fish processing need to be aware of food safety requirements for their industry. Read more about Fish Processors Need to Follow HACCP Rules
From acorns to walnuts, hickory nuts and more – Iowa’s forests are steadily dropping seeds, and with a few basic steps, those same seeds can be gathered and planted. Read more about Fall Is Perfect Time for Gathering and Planting Tree Seeds
All types of farmers depend on strong leaders, and that is especially true for aquaculture, as fish producers emerge and compete in today’s marketplace. Read more about Aquaculture Needs Strong Leaders for Industry to Thrive
Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 12 p.m. about the research being done at Iowa State University on bees in agricultural settings. Read more about ISU Bee Research and Best Management Practices Topic of Monthly Webinar
“Welcome to Class” is a new serial podcast that examines a wide array of agricultural topics, and shares tips on how best to illustrate, explain and teach these topics in a classroom. Read more about Welcome to Class Podcast Is Resource for Agricultural Educators
Jennifer Drinkwater and Clark Colby are artists, Iowa State faculty and program specialists with ISU Extension and Outreach. They are participating in Iowa's 20 Artists, 20 Parks project commemorating the 100th anniversary of Iowa State Parks during 2020. Read more about Extension Artists Inspire Communities and 4-H Youth, Celebrate Iowa State Parks
It's the time of year that homeowners must decide when and how to remove fallen leaves, before the Iowa winter freezes them in place. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists respond to questions about removing and using autumn leaves. Read more about Yard and Garden: Getting Rid of Autumn Leaves
One of the unique assets of the Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm is a remnant sand prairie. A cleanup day is planned for Oct. 12 to remove invasive tree species from the natural landscape. Read more about Muscatine Island Research Farm to Hold Cleanup Day
Farmers are constantly searching for new solutions to controlling weeds. Some practical, but innovative ideas will be explored during an Oct. 21 workshop, when Australian researcher Michael Walsh visits Iowa State University to talk about the various ways farmers can harvest and destroy weed seeds from the combine. Read more about Weed Seed Control Clinic Will Explore Harvest as a Control Method
A four-session course called Women Managing Horses begins Nov. 14 and covers the major business risks of raising, handling and marketing healthy horses. The course also provides opportunities for participants to interact with some of the state’s most qualified equine experts. Read more about Women Managing Horses Course Is for Female Equine Owners
The I-29 Moo University will host two on-farm dairy field days in November. Topics will include managing forages and silage, crossbreeding, housing and parlor setup. Read more about Dairy Field Days to Spotlight Forage Management and Crossbreeding
