Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources

Twenty-five Iowans recently graduated from the inaugural Landowner Education Program. The graduation ceremony was held Aug. 29 at the Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library. Organized by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the program includes a half-dozen in-person educational sessions with the aim of improving conservation knowledge and implementation within the Des Moines River Watershed. The Landowner Education Program is intended for Iowa landowners who want to learn about soil health practices, understand relevant financial and legal considerations, and build a supportive network of peers and experts. “In Iowa, some 58% of farmland is owned by someone who does not farm the land,” said Catherine DeLong, water quality program manager with ISU Extension and Outreach, and program co-leader. “Our goal is to help landowners initiate conversations about conservation and land stewardship with their tenants, and to provide useful resources for Iowa landowners. https://lnkd.in/gxyQBZV9

Iowa dairy professionals, farmers and industry stakeholders are invited to join a unique two-day event this fall. The Iowa Dairy Industry Doubleheader will take place on Friday, Nov. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 2, featuring a professional development workshop and a social networking tailgate co-hosted by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team and the Dairy Science Club at Iowa State University. On Friday, Nov. 1, the event kicks off at the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association headquarters in Ankeny, with an afternoon session titled "Professional Development for Iowa Dairy Industry Consultants." Beginning at 1:30 p.m., the program will offer hands-on learning opportunities and presentations from expert speakers on cutting-edge topics in dairy management. Space is limited, ensuring a highly interactive learning experience. https://lnkd.in/gXAsRPAP

Agricultural lenders will receive useful, research-based information during upcoming Ag Lender Seminars planned in northeast and northwest Iowa. The Tri-State Agricultural Lenders Seminar will be held Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Best Western Plus Hotel, 3100 Dodge St., Dubuque. The event begins with registration at 9:45 a.m. and concludes around 3:15 p.m. The Siouxland Agricultural Lenders Seminar will be held Oct. 30, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Dordt Stewardship Center located at 3648 U.S. Highway 75, Sioux Center. The seminars will offer current information to assist lenders, consultants and farm financial advisers in their portfolio management, which is especially important in this era of low profits and market variability. Lenders who serve agricultural clients – especially those who work with dairy producers, are encouraged to attend. https://lnkd.in/gzE5MZmR

Water Rocks!, the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach youth water education program, recently published its 2023-24 Water Rocks! Evaluation Report, which details its activities and programs, summarizes encounters with youth across the state and includes feedback from teachers, conservation educators and students who have participated in programming including summit workshops, in-school visits and virtual classroom visits. The report also highlights visits to community fairs and events with the organization’s signature fleet of Conservation Station trailers. “This was a watershed year that saw growth in the number of students and community members we reached, expansion of our professional development programs and progress toward our goal of delivering content to every public school district in Iowa,” said Jacqueline Comito, Water Rocks! executive director. https://lnkd.in/gzT6g3VD

 The Farm, Food and Enterprise Development unit, ISU Live Green! initiative, Horticulture Research Station and ISU Dining, along with support from other departments and organizations, at Iowa State University are hosting the annual ISU Local Food Festival on Sept. 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Iowa State’s Central Campus, between Curtiss Hall and Beardshear Hall. The festival was first organized in 2015 and features local farm and food businesses, community organizations, ISU departments and student organizations. The Local Food Festival offers the ISU community an opportunity to source local products and meet the producers; engage around topics such as local food systems, health, wellness and sustainability; and learn about the initiatives of various organizations and departments. https://lnkd.in/g6w94GPM

We're Hiring!! Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) within Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Extension Field Agronomist in south central Iowa. ANR Extension Field Specialists provide leadership in the application of knowledge, grounded in research-based science, to help Iowans and agricultural industry prosper. The individual for this position will be serving counties in south central Iowa. The specific counties served will be discussed at time of hire as it will be determined by the location of the successful candidate. The primary office location for this position will be a county extension office in the state of Iowa and the location will be dependent on the successful candidate and office availability. Because the position will support multiple counties, travel is required. Apply Today! https://lnkd.in/gYU9UAvC

Sometimes all it takes to make a plan work is good communication and networking. Those have been the keys of success for the Marshall County food access program, which relies on cooperation among businesses and nonprofits to operate free food pantries in nearly all of the county’s communities. Faced with a devastating tornado in 2018, plus a derecho and the COVID-19 epidemic of 2020, the county has experienced setback after setback from disaster. As of 2022, the county was also listed in the top third of Iowa counties in poverty. https://lnkd.in/gmJMTvhv

Paul Martin has spent his career educating Iowans about the dynamics of ag business and farm management. For 32 years, he taught ag classes at Muscatine Community College in southeastern Iowa. Now, he is educating Iowa farmers about farm management and decision making. Martin joined Iowa State University Extension and Outreach on Aug. 1 as the new farm business management field specialist for a 12-county region in southeast Iowa. “I look forward to giving back to the people I grew up with,” he said. “The mission of extension and outreach is far-reaching, and it means a lot to me to be able to help those in farming and in other walks of life.” https://lnkd.in/gvjcdhRF

Those who want to gain a better understanding of soil organic carbon – what it is, why it matters, and how it is measured – can do so at the organic soil carbon display inside Iowa State University’s exhibit at the Farm Progress Show near Boone, Aug. 27-29. Mary Tiedeman, a soil scientist with the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State, is developing multiple interactive features to translate the science of organic soil carbon. Her team’s exhibit will also showcase how management choices shape soil health – or ability to support life - and soil organic carbon. https://lnkd.in/gr9sndja

Ethan Thies has joined Iowa State University Extension and Outreach as the program’s first conservation field specialist. He previously served as a watershed coordinator with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and has first-hand experience dealing with water quality issues in Iowa. “In my past role, I enjoyed getting to work directly with producers and landowners in northwestern Iowa,” he said. “Now I get to expand to the whole state and even farther across the Midwest – even outside of the state – all practices I’m passionate about as I serve Iowans.” https://lnkd.in/gYCsymy7