Extension Information
CLAYTON COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE CALENDAR
13 Budget Basics Online Course, 12:00 p.m.
13 Budget Basics Online Course, 5:30 p.m.
13 Clayton County Extension Council Meeting, 8:00 p.m., Elkader
14 Nutritious Snacks for Kids, 6:30 p.m., Clayton Ridge Comm. School, Guttenberg
Heims Quilt Selected to Help Showcase 4-H Talent
Clayton County 4-H member, Melissa Heims of Edgewood is one of 92 young people who has her 2010 State Fair exhibit on display on the Iowa State University campus. The exhibits were selected to showcase the many talents of Iowa's 4-H members beyond a fair setting and are displayed in the Why Opportunity Works Center in the Extension 4-H Youth Building.
The exhibits selected for display include everything from an original illustrated children's story to a metal rose sculpture to a child's family crisis bag. Also included in the display are the communication posters from state fair that received a Seal of Excellence.
Melissa's Iowa State Lap Quilt was selected to be a part of this display.
According to Chuck Morris, 4-H Youth Development Program director, "ISU staff and visitors who come to the Extension 4-H Building for conferences and meetings marvel at the extraordinary talents of Iowa's 4-H members. We appreciate the loan of their exhibits. They add color and life to our building and remind us of what we are about!"
Mitch Hoyer, 4-H State Fair Exhibit Superintendent, says 4-H members have many project areas to explore and many of these project areas can connect to majors at Iowa State University and on to careers.
For more information about 4-H in Clayton County, contact the Clayton County Extension office at 563-245-1415.
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Clayton County 4-H'er Receives Pioneer Community College 4-H Scholarship
A $500 scholarship has been awarded to a Clayton County 4-H member. Andrew Vlazny, Farmersburg, received a Pioneer Community College 4-H scholarship sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc.
Vlazny, a nine-year member, is the son of Joe and Lori Vlazny. He has been involved in the sheep, photography, safety and horticulture project areas. He served on his county 4-H council and as president, vice president and treasurer of his 4-H club.
"4-H has helped me learn to set goals and develop a plan to achieve them. By belonging to 4-H, my self-confidence has increased," Vlazny said. "I have gained knowledge about many areas, including agriculture and natural resources, and I plan to further my education in this area."
Vlazny plans to attend Kirkwood Community College.
In Iowa, the 4-H program is a part of Iowa State University Extension and headquartered on the ISU campus in Ames. For more information about 4-H, how to get involved or how to apply for a 4-H scholarship, contact the Clayton County Extension office at 563-245-1451.
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Contacts :
Mitchell Hoyer, ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development, 515-294-1513, mhoyer@iastate.edu
Sarah Gonzalez, Extension Communications and External Relations, 515-294-9807, sarahg@iastate.edu
Laura Sternweis, Extension Communications and External Relations, 515-294-0775,
Bulb Workshop To Be Held
Iowa State Extension in Clayton County will sponsor a Bulb workshop on Thursday, September 23rd at the Clayton County Extension Office, 120 S. Main St., Elkader. The workshop is scheduled for 6:30 pm.
While some spring flowering bulbs tend to "peter out" after a few years, others get bigger and better every year. Bulbs for naturalizing will continue to grow and multiply over the years. Some will even self-sow. The hardy bulbs of summer are also great for dependable color and reliability. Bob Hauer, Northeast Iowa Extension horticulturist, will talk about bulb selection and care so you get the most for your investment. You may even walk away with a few "samples".
Cost for this workshop is $5 and pre-registration is required. To register, call the Clayton County Extension Office at 245-1451. Registration deadline is Wednesday, September 22nd.
For more information about other ISU Extension programs, visit www.extension.iastate.edu. "
The fees for service will be used to off-set direct expenses and to support the County Extension Program."
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New and Revised Commercial Pesticide Applicator Manuals Available
The Iowa State University Pest Management and the Environment Program (PME) has revised several training manuals for commercial pesticide applicators and certified handlers. The full-color training manuals are intended to provide Iowans with the basic understanding of safe and responsible pesticide use and the information needed to successfully pass certification exams.
The updated 128-page Iowa Core Manual, IC 445, contains the basic information on state and federal laws and regulations, pest management, label comprehension, pesticides, safety, the environment, and equipment and application techniques.
The Certified Handler Manual, IC 500, is a new publication. Previously, Iowans who mix, load and/or repackage pesticides would read certain chapters of the Iowa Core Manual to prepare for the certified handlers exam. Now, with a stand-alone 64-page manual, it should be easier for Iowans to prepare for the certified handler examination.
Seed Treatment - Commercial Pesticide Applicator Manual, CS 16, has been revised by industry and ISU experts. The 40-page manual provides updated information on how to select, apply, handle and dispose of seed treatments in a safe and effective manner.
All three manuals will be available beginning Sept.3 on the ISU Extension Distribution Center Online Store at www.extension.iastate.edu/store/ or by contacting the ISU Extension Distribution Center, 119 Printing and Publications Building, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011-3171; telephone 515- 294-5247 or e-mail pubdist@iastate.edu.
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Contacts :
Betsy Buffington, Pest Management and the Environment, 515-294-7293, bbuffing@iastate.edu
Willy Klein, Extension Communications and External Relations, 515-294-0662, wklein@iastate.edu
Fall Lawn Care
The nursery industry sells plants with their "Fall is for Planting" campaign. And it is a good time to plant most trees and shrubs. It is also the most important time of the year for lawn care!
If you only fertilize your lawn once a year, it should be done in the fall, right around Labor Day. You've got the day off, the weather's nice and no football on until later! Your lawn has been battling crabgrass all summer and needs some help to recover. Crabgrass is an annual weed that dies with freezing weather, but it has left some seeds that will sprout next spring. If the lawn is thick and lush, crabgrass will have more trouble germinating. You may still want to put down a pre-emergent weed-killer in the spring, but a healthy stand of turfgrass is the best protection against weeds.
Dandelions, clover and plantain have also enjoyed the above-normal rainfall we've gotten this summer and are busily sending carbohydrates down to the root system for next year. If we send a bit of broadleaf weed killer along, according to label directions, it will kill the roots too. There are several products that do a good job of controlling broadleaf weeds in the fall.
Fall is also a good time to aerate the soil if it is compacted. The seeds that are brought to the surface will freeze out if they germinate in the fall. Dethatching is also best done in the fall. It gives the plants a chance to recover before the blanket of snow puts the lawn to bed.
While raking leaves can be a pleasant fall chore, it may not be necessary. A thick layer of leaves can "suffocate" the lawn, but if you simply chop them up as you mow the lawn, you'll be helping the trees and grass by adding nutrients and organic matter to the soil instead of hauling it to a compost site.
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