Small changes can have a big impact for long-term financial security. This is the message of a new financial management course for K-12 educators offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Small Change: Building Financial Security” will be offered at several locations throughout the state beginning in late September. Read more about Game-based Course Offers Small Changes to Build Financial Security

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dairy team has scheduled a series of farm tours to offer first-hand looks at the way fellow dairy farmers are managing automatic milking systems in new or retrofit facilities. Read more about Tours of Automatic Milking Systems Feature Precision Management

Matt Helmers, professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and extension agricultural engineer, began his duties as the director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center on Sept. 1. Read more about New Director Named for Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State University

Water Rocks!, a statewide water education program based at Iowa State University, recently updated its website at www.waterrocks.org. The update includes an interactive county map and optimization to ensure compatibility with mobile devices, tablets and popular web browsers. Read more about Water Rocks! Refreshes and Streamlines Online Presence

Erika Lundy has been hired as an extension beef specialist. She will be housed in the ISU Extension and Outreach Adair County office and will work with producers in the southwest part of the state. Read more about Lundy Named Beef Specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach

The emerald ash borer, a destructive insect that attacks and kills ash trees, has been detected for the first time in Grundy County. There are now 65 counties in Iowa with confirmed infestations. Read more about Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Grundy County

After attending the “Planning to Take Action against Opioids in Your Community” workshop in Ames on Sept. 12, community leaders from 30 Iowa counties are returning home equipped to reach various age groups with substance misuse prevention programming. Read more about Iowa State University Opioid Prevention Workshop Draws Community Leaders

As harvest approaches, Chad Hart, associate professor of economics at Iowa State University, urged Iowa farmers to watch their costs and be patient as they face a difficult market for corn and soybeans. Read more about Iowa State University Economist Advises Cost Containment, and Patience, for Farmers Marketing Crop

Bulb forcing can bring the bright colors and fragrances of spring indoors during winter. Tulips can be forced indoors from December through March, if steps are taken in the fall to prepare the bulbs. Read more about Yard and Garden: Forcing Tulips to Bloom Indoors

Understanding how to grow cereal rye and best use the crop is the focus of a new Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publication titled “Grazing Opportunities with Cereal Rye," written by Beth Doran, extension beef specialist. Read more about Publication Addresses Value of Cereal Rye for Cow-Calf Producers

Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation will host its annual September seminars, “Keeping Up with Change,” Thursday and Friday, Sept. 20-21 at Quality Inn & Suites in Ames, Iowa. The two-day program is available onsite or online. Read more about Register Now for Agricultural Law Seminar and Farm Tax Workshops

By starting early and making learning part of everyday activities, parents can encourage the skills children need for success in school later on, says Joy Rouse, a human sciences specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Read more about Develop Early Literacy One Step at a Time