Nearly two-thirds of Iowa farmers increasing soil health practices according to ISU Extension and Outreach study
Article | Mon, 03/28/2016 - 13:46 | By Grant Wall, J. Gordon Arbuckle Jr.
AMES, Iowa – Practices and strategies that minimize nutrient loss and soil erosion and increase soil health can have positive impacts on water quality while maintaining and improving productivity. The 2015 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll found that many farmers have increased their use of key practices in recent years.
Farm Poll participants were asked about how their use of various types of tillage, nutrient management, pest management and other conservation and agronomic practices may have changed over the last 10 years. The list of practices was drawn primarily from the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Farmers were asked to report whether they had made a major decrease, a moderate decrease, no change, a moderate increase or a major increase in their use of each of the practices.
It is important to note that the "no change" category could signify that a farmer had adopted the practice more than 10 years before the 2015 survey.
“On the whole, the results indicate that Iowa farmers are moving in the right direction on most of these key practices,” said J. Arbuckle, associate professor of sociology and extension sociologist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Many farmers report that they are increasing their use of practices that can reduce or prevent soil degradation and nutrient loss, and reducing their use of practices that can have negative impacts.”
Nearly half of farmers surveyed - 46 percent - reported increasing use of no-till over the last decade. The use of fall tillage had decreased, with 36 percent of farmers reporting a moderate or major drop in use of that practice, while 14 percent reported an increase in their use of tillage in the autumn months. There was a similar trend for spring tillage; 36 percent of farmers reported a decrease and 10 percent reported an increase in tillage during the spring.
Farmers also appear to be changing their nutrient management practices in ways that align with Nutrient Reduction Strategy recommendations. Sixty-one percent of farmers indicated they had increased their use of soil testing and other related methods to determine optimal fertilizer rates. Additionally, 47 percent had increased their use of GPS-facilitated precision practices like variable rate fertilizer application, and 46 percent reported that they had increased use of nitrogen stabilizers.
The timing of nitrogen fertilizer application can have a substantial effect on nutrient loss. The Nutrient Reduction Strategy recommends that nitrogen be applied in the spring and/or during the growing season, and discourages fall application. Results showed that almost a third of farmers had shifted away from fall application of nitrogen. Conversely, 38 percent reported an increase in the use of growing-season application of nitrogen, and 33 percent had increased their use of spring application.
“Farmers often adopt practices on a gradual basis, trying them out first on a small scale to see if they make sense for their operations,” Arbuckle noted. “For a lot of the practices, farmers reported ‘moderate increases’ that may represent such trial adoption. It’s very important to provide information and technical assistance necessary to help them transform those initial steps into long-term adoption.”
Farmers reported changes in several other major types of conservation and agronomic practices. Sixty-two percent indicated that they had increased use of practices focused on improving soil health. Nearly 60 percent reported increased installation of agricultural drainage such as tile or ditches, 54 percent had increased use of structural conservation practices such as terraces, grassed waterways, contour buffer strips, and buffer strips along streams, and 35 percent had increased use of cover crops to some extent.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done to meet Nutrient Reduction Strategy nutrient loss goals, and soil erosion and poor soil health continue to be major problems in Iowa,” Arbuckle said. “But results from the 2015 Farm Poll suggest that many Iowa farmers are taking important steps to improve water quality and reduce soil degradation.”
The Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll has been in existence since 1982, surveying Iowa farmers on issues of importance to agricultural stakeholders. It is the longest-running survey of its kind in the nation.
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GARDEN ART CLASSES
On June 4th 2016 the Scott County Master Gardeners are offering 4 garden art classes in the Cyclone Room at the Scott County Extension Office located at 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf Iowa.
Registration will be accepted at the Scott County Extension office by calling 563-359-7577. Classes need to be paid for in advance by dropping off the fee at the Extension office or by mailing payment.
Only cash or checks will be accepted. Checks need to be made out to ISU Scott County Extension. Registration will end on May 20, 2016. Sign up for one or all of our educational and creative classes to personalize your garden.
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9am to 10am Terra Cotta Pot people fee $30.00
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10:30am to 11:30am Paper Crete Mushrooms – Fee $20.00
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1-2pm Wren Gourd Birdhouses – Fee $25.00
2:30pm to 3:30pm Shoe Garden Fee $20.00
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'Just in Time Parenting' Helps Parents Better Understand Children
ISU Extension and Outreach electronic newsletter provides useful information on child development
Article | Mon, 03/28/2016 - 11:55 | By Kimberly Greder, Kendall Evans
AMES, Iowa – Parenting is an important and sometimes scary job, especially for new parents. The “Just in Time Parenting” newsletter is there to help parents understand their children’s development and provides other helpful information and tips.
“Just in Time Parenting” is a free newsletter available via email by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. It focuses on providing parents with reliable, researched-based information to help children grow well mentally, emotionally, physically and socially. The newsletter is sent out via email or text automatically every month, and is based on the age of the child, said Kimberly Greder, an associate professor and extension specialist in human development and family studies at Iowa State.
“We are helping parents be the best parents they can be,” said Greder, “by providing them with information and tips that science tells us work to help children grow well.”
This national newsletter is currently benefitting about 500 parents in Iowa and many more parents across the nation. A Spanish option of the “Just in Time Parenting” newsletter also is available to download as PDF files from the “Just in Time Parenting” website.
Information found in this newsletter touches on a variety of subjects like feeding children healthful foods, helping children develop small and large motor skills through play, promoting language skills and parent-child relationships, creating a safe home environment and financially planning for a child’s future. Parents can subscribe or unsubscribe at any time.
Benefits parents have reported from receiving the “Just in Time Parenting” newsletter include increasing understanding of simple things they can do at home to promote their children’s development and becoming aware of strategies to help guide their children’s behavior, which led to a decrease in spanking by parents, said Greder.
“ISU Extension and Outreach and Extension and Outreach across the country, historically has provided information about growth and development in children, positive parents and child interaction, and how to create strong families,” said Greder. “’Just in Time Parenting’ provides doable and simple strategies that promote healthy growth development for parents to incorporate in their everyday lives.”
Parents are given tools and information through this newsletter to help their children succeed. “Just in Time Parenting” is an easy-to-read resource that comes directly to the parent every month with information and strategies only related to the current age of the child.
“’Just in Time Parenting’ is benefitting parents by being fun, free and researched-based. It addresses timely topics about growth and development of children and parents and is all about education,” said Greder.
For more information or to subscribe to the ‘Just in Time Parenting’ newsletter visit www.jitp.extension.org.
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Scott County Extension Offers Master Gardener Classes, Fall 2016
Scott County residents can become an Extension Master Gardener by completing the core training course this fall. Gardeners will learn best practices for choosing plants, designing gardens and managing pests. Classes start in September 2016 and continue through the fall. Classes will be held at the Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf. There is a Saturday trip to Iowa State University in Ames for numerous topics taught in the labs.
Those interested in the course can apply at http://mastergardenerhours.hort.iastate.edu/application-form.php. Fee for the course is $195 and financial assistance is available. Questions can be directed to the Scott County Extension office at 563-359-7577.
“Starting this fall, people can begin their journey to become a master gardener volunteer,” said Susan DeBlieck, program assistant in the Master Gardener program at ISU Extension and Outreach. “The training course includes lectures on gardening subjects, from growing vegetables and fruits to designing gardens with native plants.”
After completing the course, master gardener trainees start their work as volunteers within the community. Upon completion of 40 hours of volunteer service, the master gardener title becomes official and they join thousands of other Iowa volunteers. Master Gardeners in Scott County work to answer questions from homeowners, participate in gardening projects throughout the community and provide speakers for various groups. In 2015, over 700 volunteer hours were logged by Scott County Extension Master Gardeners.
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Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference to be held in Ames
ISU’s oldest conference to discuss issues related to soil management and land valuation
Article | Wed, 04/13/2016 - 11:39 | By Wendong Zhang
AMES, Iowa – The 89th annual Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference, the longest running conference at Iowa State University, will be held on May 18 in the Scheman Building on the ISU campus.
The conference, which runs from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., is sponsored by the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and ISU Extension and Outreach. It is intended for farm managers, rural land appraisers, real estate brokers and others interested in the land market in Iowa.
“This is the longest-running conference at Iowa State and it has consistently provided up to date information on issues that are relevant to the broader agricultural community,” said Wendong Zhang, assistant professor of economics and extension economist at Iowa State University.
The conference will feature discussions on six topics, with ISU Extension and Outreach researchers having a strong presence throughout the event. The overall theme will be the issues with implications for soil management and land valuation. The topics of conversation for the conference include:
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Global Economic Outlook: What does a slowing China and a strong U.S. dollar mean for U.S. agriculture? Presented by Nathan Kauffman, assistant vice president, Omaha Branch executive and economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
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Panel Discussion on Current and Future Cash Rents in Iowa by three agricultural lenders and farm managers. Moderated by Alejandro Plastina, assistant professor and extension economist at Iowa State University
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Excessive Spring Rain Will Be More Frequent (except this year): Weather tools to manage it. Presented by Chris Anderson, assistant director Climate Science Group at Iowa State University
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Soil Fertility Management with Tight Crop Production Margins. Presented by John Sawyer, professor and extension specialist in soil fertility and nutrient management at Iowa State University
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Cover Crops, Wetlands and Conservation Drainage: Why we need to adopt and how many acres are needed.Presented by Matt Helmers, professor and extension agricultural engineer in agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University
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Evaluating Hunting Leases: Implications for recreational land values. Presented by Tom Steen, the Hunting Lease Network, Farmers National Company
The Iowa Appraiser Examining Board has approved the conference for six hours of continuing education. The Iowa Real Estate Commission also has approved the conference for six hours of continuing education for renewal of a real estate and broker’s license.
Conference registration can be done online, with the event costing $100 for those who register on or before May 4 and $110 after May 4.
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Webinar Features the Women, Land & Legacy project
Iowa Learning Farms monthly webinar is April 20
Article | Mon, 04/04/2016 - 11:02 | By Julie Whitson, Jacqueline Comito
AMES, Iowa — The regular monthly Iowa Learning Farms webinar is Wednesday, April 20 at 1 p.m. This month’s guest speakers are Wren Almitra, Women, Land & Legacy coordinator, and Tanya Meyer-Dideriksen, NRCS area easement specialist.
Women, Land & Legacy is a USDA outreach project that gives agricultural women in Iowa the opportunity to network with other local women landowners, to inform agencies of their needs and to become a well-informed decision maker for their land and farming operation. The program is led through local teams in 24 Iowa counties and has successfully reached more than 3,000 individuals to date. These local teams create a network of agricultural women who decide what programs, projects and information they specifically need to assist them in farming and conservation decision making. The presentation will cover the program’s statewide presence and how new counties can become involved in Iowa as well as in other states.
The ILF webinars are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. They are free, and all that is needed to participate is a computer with Internet access. To log in, go to https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/ at 1 p.m. on the afternoon of the webinar and log in through the “guest” option. Webinar participants will be able to converse with Almitra and Meyer-Dideriksen by typing their questions through the chat function. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the ILF website for viewing at any time at www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/Webinars/.
ILF has hosted a webinar every month since January 2011. To date, there are 63 webinars to view on a wide range of topics including soil erosion, water quality, cover crops, buffers, bioreactors and farmer perspectives.
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Yard and Garden: Spring Planting of Annual Flowers and Vegetables
AMES, Iowa - Spring and warmer weather have arrived, and that means it’s time to think about planting annual flowers and vegetables. To get optimal performance, these plants require some careful treatment.
What is the best way to handle annual plantings? Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists can help create and cultivate an ideal group of annuals. To have additional questions answered, contact the ISU Hortline at 515-294-3108 or hortline@iastate.edu.
What should I look for when buying annual flower and vegetable plants?
Select short, stocky plants with dark green foliage. Avoid tall, spindly plants. Small to medium-sized transplants become established in the garden more quickly than large ones. Short, stocky vegetable transplants often are more productive than large plants with flowers or fruits. When selecting annual flower and vegetable plants, large transplants are usually not the best choice.
Do annual flower and vegetable plants need any special care before planting?
Annual flower and vegetable plants started indoors or purchased from greenhouses should not be planted directly into the garden. The intense sun and strong winds may damage or kill the tender transplants. Plants should be “hardened” (acclimated to outdoor growing conditions) before transplanting them into the garden. Initially place the plants in a shady, protected site. Then gradually expose the plants to longer periods of direct sun. Closely watch the plants during this period. Check on them at least once or twice a day. Thoroughly water the transplants when the soil surface becomes dry to the touch. Move the plants indoors if strong winds, a severe storm or an overnight frost threatens them. Transplants should be ready to plant after six or seven days of hardening.
What is the proper way to plant annual flower and vegetable plants?
Carefully remove plants from plastic cell packs by gently squeezing the bottom on each compartment. Plants in plastic pots can be removed by tipping them on their sides and tapping the bottom of the pots.
If possible, plant annual flowers and vegetables in the garden in the evening or on a cloudy day. Planting at these times lessens transplant stress and allows the plants to recover somewhat before being exposed to the strong, mid-day sun. Place plants in the ground at the same depth or slightly deeper (no more than ½ inch deeper) than they were in their containers. (Tall, leggy tomato plants can be planted much deeper than previously grown as roots will develop all along the buried stems.)
Many annuals, such as petunia, snapdragon, zinnia, salvia and periwinkle, should be pinched back to encourage branching. Others, such as impatiens, are self-branching and don’t require pinching. It’s also advisable to remove flowers on blooming annuals. Blossom removal aids plant establishment. Vegetable transplants should not be pinched.
After planting, water each plant with a dilute fertilizer solution. A dilute fertilizer solution can be prepared by adding a small amount of a water soluble fertilizer to one gallon of water.
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