Winnebago County Happenings
February 2022
#StrongIowa
Taking Steps for a Strong Iowa
Every day Iowa State University Extension and Outreach engages Iowans in research, education and extension experiences to address current and emerging real-life challenges. We are taking steps to build a strong Iowa. Check out the new Taking Steps for a #StrongIowa videoUPCOMING PROGRAMS:
February 16: Commercial Pesticide Applicator CIC
Seed Treatment Course Set for February 16
Preregister before February 9 for spring commercial pesticide applicator Continuing Instruction Course
Thompson, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Winnebago County will host a Seed Treatment Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Wednesday, February 16, 2022. The program, provided by the ISU Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP), is available at office locations across Iowa.
The local attendance site is the ISU Extension and Outreach Office in Winnebago County, 183 1st Av, Thompson, Iowa. Due to social distancing requirements, preregistration is required. Walk-ins on the day of the program will only be admitted if room allows. The course runs from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The registration fee is $35 on or before February 9 and $45 after February 9. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact Lori Nelson at the ISU Extension and Outreach Winnebago County office at 641-584-2261.
The course will provide continuing instruction credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in category 4. Topics covered will include pesticide use and the environment, pesticide labels and comprehension, and pests, pest management and pesticides.
Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered at this program. Interested participants should bring their CCA number.
Additional information and registration forms for this and other courses offered by the PSEP program can be accessed at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/PSEP.
Contact:
Betsy Danielson, ISU Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program, 515-294-1122, betsydan@iastate.edu
February 16: ISU Winter Webinar Series: Advanced Seed Starting, 6-7 pm
February 16, 2022, 6-7 p.m.: Advanced Seed Starting with Cindy Haynes (ISU Dept. of Horticulture)
There is more to seed germination than many people realize. In this session we will discuss the importance of environmental control, stratification and scarification techniques, and other tips to improve germination of temperate or tricky species.
This webinar is being hosted in-person in the following counties: Benton, Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Dallas, Dickinson, Jasper, Story and Tama. Contact the county office to register to attend in-person.
If you'd like to attend virtually, click on the link in the the title to register. A recording of this webinar will be shown at a later date in Sioux County. Contact Sioux County to learn more.
February 19: Sewing Club, 9 am-12 noon
The purpose of this meeting is to finish the pajama pants project. Members who could not attend the prior meeting, please come at 9 am to catch up. Members who did attend the prior meeting should plan to come at 10:30 am.
February 19: Clover Kids, 1-3 pm
Meg Sage recently joined our region as the Youth Program Specialist. She is highly experienced in all things 4-H and will deliver a fun Clover Kids event on Saturday, February 19th called “Exploring 4-H”. We will meet at the Thompson office from 1-3 pm. The two hour Exploring 4-H event will include a variety of hands-on 4-H project-based activities. Parents/guardians are invited to stay with their Clover Kids for the event or can drop off and pick up. We will provide a snack and water for everyone. We would love to have your 2nd or 3rd grader take part!
February 21: Gravel Gardens – Gardens That Rock! 4:25 – 5:15 pm
This live-streamed virtual seminar from the ISU Department of Horticulture is free and open to the public. Master Gardeners - this may be of particular interest to you! Please call the Extension Office to reserve your space! 641-584-2261.
Gravel Gardens – Gardens That Rock!
February 21, 4:25-5:15
Speaker: Jeff Epping, Director of Horticulture @ Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, WI
February 24: Virtual field day planned with Iowa farmers
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with C-CHANGE -- the Consortium for Cultivating Human and Naturally Regenerative Enterprises -- and the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and Conservation Learning Group, will present a virtual field day on Thursday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m. CST. Join for a live conversation with Iowa farmers Matt Russell, Wade Dooley, Rob Stout, Seth Watkins and Bryan Sievers.Iowa Learning Farms is part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Native perennials can generate profit as material for livestock feed and bedding, as well as anaerobic digestion. Targeted plantings on marginal land can also increase overall farm profitability, while providing numerous benefits for wildlife and pollinators, as well as improving soil and water quality and capturing carbon. This virtual field day will highlight the cooperation between the farmer partners and the C-CHANGE research group to explore the potential for perennial vegetation and future diversification of the agricultural landscape in Iowa.
“As farmers, we need to rethink how we do agriculture – it’s what we have always done as farmers,” said Marion County farmer Matt Russell. “We’re in a place where in the next 10-15 years, we will need to change from relying on fossil fuels to force nature to do what we need it to do to grow crops, but instead partnering with nature to do what we need to do. Working with nature and diversifying the landscape has a lot of potential to help achieve that goal.”
Participants in Iowa Learning Farms virtual field days are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.
Virtual field day access instructions: To participate in the live virtual field day,
- Shortly before 1 p.m. CST on Feb. 24, click this URL: https://iastate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpduihpj8iE9ZHcjpsenc2DWQILG41wg0D.
- Or visit www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/events for the registration link.
- Or, join from a dial-in phone line by dialing 1-312-626-6799; meeting ID 914 1198 4892.
The field day will be recorded and archived on the ILF website so that it can be watched at any time.
Participants will be eligible for a Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit. Information about how to apply to receive the CEU will be provided at the end of the live field day.
February 28: Edgerton Hospital Healing Gardens, 4:25-5:15 pm
This live-streamed virtual seminar from the ISU Department of Horticulture is free and open to the public. Master Gardeners - this may be of particular interest to you! Please call the Extension Office to reserve your space! 641-584-2261.
Edgerton Hospital Healing Gardens
February 28, 4:25-5:15 pm
Speaker: Mark Dwyer, Horticulturalist @ Landscape Prescriptions by MD in Janesville, WI
March 2, ISU Winter Webinar Series: Grafting Biology, 6-7 pm
March 2, 2022, 6-7 p.m.: Grafting Biology & Techniques with Grant Thompson (ISU Dept. of Horticulture) and Patrick O'Malley (ISU Extension and Outreach)
During the webinar, the audience will learn about the biological and physiological processes involved with grafting that can lead to a more successful take or graft incompatibilities. The webinar will include a demonstration of two ways to propagate fruit trees with whip-and-tongue grafting and chip budding.
This webinar is being hosted in-person in the following counties: Benton, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clinton, Dallas, Dickinson. Contact the county office to register to attend in-person.
If you'd like to attend virtually, click on the link in the the title to register.
March 8: ISU Winter Webinar Series, Starting a Cutting Garden, 7-8 pm
March 8, 2022, 7-8 p.m.: Starting a Cutting Garden with Cindy Haynes
Want to grow your own bouquets? In this session you will learn about designing, starting seeds, planting, spacing, maintaining, and harvesting different species suitable for cutting.
This webinar is being hosted in-person in the following counties: Benton, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Dallas, Dickinson, Jasper, Marshall, Story, and Tama. Contact the county office to register to attend in-person.
If you'd like to attend virtually, click on the link in the the title to register.
A recording of this webinar will be shown at a later date in Sioux County. Contact Sioux County to learn more.
March 9: Private Pesticide Recertification
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Winnebago County office will be offering opportunities to attend the Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Course (P-CIC), led by Extension Field Agronomist, Gentry Sorenson. Pre-registration is REQUIRED to attend. Please preregister by visiting our website, using the QR code to the right or call 641-584-2261. The registration fee is $20 and is paid at the time of the class.
March 9 at 6:30pm: NSB Bank, Forest City
For more information, please contact the Extension Office.
March 1 deadline: 4-H Scholarship
Are you an Iowa 4-H'er planning to attend college? The Iowa 4-H Foundation knows it's not easy to finance a college education, and we know that many Iowa 4-H'ers can use help achieving their educational goals. Consider applying for an Iowa 4-H Scholarship, funded by donors through the Iowa 4-H Foundation. Designed to encourage Iowa 4-H members to continue their education beyond high school, our current scholarship program offers over 90 scholarships worth more than $100,000. Scholarships range in value from $250 to $5,000.
Thank you to the donors who make these scholarships possible! More information available at www.Iowa4hfoundation.org/scholarships
Deadline March 1, 2022
March 12: Lego Movie Project
The Lego movie project is well underway. We can't wait to share the movie with you. Mark your calendars for our big premiere at the Boman Fine Arts Center in Forest City on Saturday, March 12th at 7 p.m.
Winnebago County Extension and Outreach
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-3:30pm
Friday: CLOSED
Email: xwinnebago@iastate.edu
Website: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/winnebago/
Location: 183 1st Avenue, Thompson, IA, United States
Phone: (641) 584-2261
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WinnebagoCoExt/