Kaley HohenshellProgram Coordinator515-745-2401kaleyh@iastate.edu The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of resilient local food systems. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has transitioned its nationally recognized Local Food Leader professional development certification course to a virtual format. This certification includes cohort workshops hosted through Zoom and online curricula through Moodle. The first online workshop of 2021 . . . read more

A popular source of online information for the agricultural industry in Iowa has a new and improved look. The Ag Decision Maker, published by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, unveiled a new design Jan. 16. The new site offers the same timely information Iowans and farmers across the Midwest have depended on for years, but . . . read more

The Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT), a statewide nonprofit that works with landowners to permanently dedicate their land to table food and market farming, will host a virtual showcase of Buffalo Ridge Orchard, a Central City, Iowa-based farm, on March 9. The showcase is designed to help Iowa landowners and heirs to land who are . . . read more

The 2021 Iowa Specialty Producers Conference, moved virtual for the first time due to COVID-19 restrictions, was held Jan. 19 & 20, 2021, and event organizers are calling it a success.   “We were fortunate to be able to still provide the same top notch speakers and a wide variety of quality programming to fulfill continuing educational needs . . . read more

Joe HannanExtension Commercial Horticulture Specialist515-993-4281jmhannan@iastate.edu The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Pesticide Bureau has approved a continuing instruction course for fruit and vegetable commercial (Category 1D) and private pesticide applicators. The training session is scheduled for Feb. 22 from 9-11:20 a.m. and is separate from the Iowa Specialty Producers Conference this year.  For . . . read more

Ajay NairExtension Commercial Horticulture Specialist515-294-7080nairajay@iastate.edu Specialty crop growers experienced a wild year in 2020, with complications from the drought, derecho and the COVID-19 pandemic. This trio of events served as a reminder for many growers about the importance of risk management and being prepared for rapid change. While many specialty crop growers saw increased demand . . . read more

The Iowa Specialty Producers Conference is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 19-20, 2021. This second joint gathering of the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the Iowa Wine Growers Association will take place entirely online. Keynote speaker Hugh McPherson will share best practices for incorporating “agri-tainment” into a farming operation. He owns Maize Quest Fun Park near . . . read more

Olivia HanlonFFED Extension Education Specialistohanlon@iastate.edu The pandemic of 2020 provided opportunity for specialty producers in Iowa to expand production and sales. But managing risk for specialty production is critical to capitalizing on new market opportunities. Beginning Jan. 6, 2021, the Farm, Food and Enterprise Development program of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will sponsor . . . read more

Ajay NairISU Extension and OutreachDepartment of Horticulturenairajay@iastate.edu Many commercial growers and home gardeners often confront the issue of Blossom End Rot (BER) in their tomato, pepper, and eggplant. The BER is a physiological disorder caused by a localized calcium deficiency in the blossom-end of the fruit. It is a physiological disorder and is not caused by fungi, . . . read more

Gail NonneckeHorticulture Professor515-294-0037nonnecke@iastate.edu There is still plenty to do in the garden during the fall in preparation for winter. In this installment of Yard and Garden, Iowa State University horticulture expert Gail Nonnecke discusses the steps to take to prepare fruits for winter. How should I prepare my strawberry bed for winter? Strawberries should be . . . read more