Poweshiek County 4-H

02/26/2026

Calling all animal-loving Clover Kids! 🐐

Our Goat Lab is happening THIS Saturday, and kids will get to meet goats, learn how to care for them, and get information about exhibiting an animal at the fair!

Tag or share this with a Clover Kid Family who would LOVE spending time with goats!

Email [email protected] to register. Spots are still open!

02/25/2026

A quick update from IowaWORKS: we’re seeing strong hiring activity across multiple industries, and now is a great time for job seekers to strengthen their résumé and interview skills. Our team is offering free skills assessments and résumé reviews in the IowaWORKS office to help individuals prepare for new opportunities. Check out the full post for details and current trends.

Frank Sposeto III
Operations Manager
IowaWORKS - Marshalltown

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BvKS9NVHn/

Happy Monday, everyone!

Winter isn’t quite ready to let go, so I hope you’re all staying warm and safe.

Resumes and interviews continue to be a major focus in today’s hiring process. A résumé that clearly highlights your skills—and how they connect to the job you want—can make the difference between getting an interview or getting overlooked. And once you’re in the interview, being able to confidently talk about your experience is just as important.

The IowaWORKS team is here to help. Stop into your local office for a skills assessment and a free résumé review. Our Career Planners can help you strengthen your application materials and prepare for interviews so you can stand out.

We’re seeing strong hiring across manufacturing and related industries, along with steady openings in office roles and non‑degree medical positions. Many of these jobs offer valuable experience that can lead to advancement within a year. Construction and agriculture‑related employers are also beginning to ramp up hiring as the season shifts.

Stay warm, and reach out if you or someone you know could use support in their job search!

Frank Sposeto III
Operations Manager
IowaWORKS - Marshalltown
[email protected]
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-sposeto-iii/

02/23/2026

Don't forget to get registered for our Pond Management Workshop this Thursday, February 26th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Extension Office (1017 Ogan Ave, Grinnell, IA 50112)!
Please email Alathia Andera at [email protected] to register.

Thanks to the DNR donating their time, this event is free and open to the public!

🐠 Healthy pond = happy fish + clear water + less guesswork

Thinking about improving or starting your pond this year? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Iowa DNR Fisheries Biologist Chris Mack at our Pond Management Workshop on February 26 (6:00–7:30 PM) in Grinnell.

You’ll gain science-based, practical guidance on:
🌱 Pond plants & habitat
💧 Improving water quality
🎣 Stocking the right fish
⚖️ Balancing your pond ecosystem

✔️ Free to attend
✔️ Open to pond owners, landowners, and anyone interested

Poweshiek County Extension Office- 1017 Ogan Ave, Grinnell, IA 50112
Email [email protected] to let us know you’re coming

02/21/2026

We had an amazing time at Pagliai’s today for our Clover Kids Chef for a Day experience! 🍕👨‍🍳👩‍🍳
Our Clover Kids got a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a real kitchen. They practiced pizza problem-solving using their math skills, entered orders just like real servers, delivered drinks and pizza boxes, and even made their very own pizzas alongside Joey Pagliai!

Hands-on experiences like this help our Clover Kids build confidence, teamwork, and real-world skills all while having a ton of fun.

A huge THANK YOU to Joey Pagliai and the entire Pagliai staff for welcoming us into your kitchen and making today such a memorable and fun learning experience. We appreciate your partnership and support of our youth! ❤️

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers who helped make today possible. Your time, energy, and dedication help create meaningful opportunities and unforgettable experiences for our Clover Kids. We couldn’t do this without you! 💚

02/20/2026

Don't forget to signed up for the Private Pesticide showing on Wednesday!! We are looking forward to seeing you there!

🚜🌱 Poweshiek County Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Course

Need to keep your certification current? Join us Tuesday, February 24 at 9:00 AM at Key Co-Op in Grinnell for this required continuing education opportunity.

📍 1128 Pinder Ave, Grinnell, IA
💵 $30 (cash or check only)
⏰ Arrive early — class begins promptly at 9:00 AM

Please email Emelie at [email protected] or call 641-659-6800 to register. Pre-registration is REQUIRED!

02/18/2026

I wanted to share a quick update that expands on the HotJobs Facebook post.

This week brings a strong mix of opportunities, along with great training and financial assistance options through community colleges and IowaWORKS Title I services.

With so many applicants competing for each role, our Career Planners are ready to help job seekers strengthen their résumés, and our Business Services team continues supporting employers across the state with job postings, career fair connections, and apprenticeship development.

Be sure to Like and Follow the IowaWORKS page!

Frank Sposeto III
IowaWORKS – Marshalltown
www.linkedin.com/in/frank-sposeto-iii

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/189gwsehyU/

Good morning, friends!

We’ve had some gorgeous weather lately… though let’s be honest, it is Iowa, so I’m still waiting to see if winter has one last surprise up its sleeve.

I wanted to share a quick update on this week’s job opportunities. There’s a solid mix of supervisory, manufacturing, and medical roles—many of which don’t require a degree. For careers like Registered Nurse or CDL positions, there are training requirements, but that’s where our community colleges and IowaWORKS Title I services really shine. There’s financial assistance available to help Iowans level up their skills and move into higher‑paying careers.

Michelle Roseburrough, Business Engagement Consultant with Iowa Workforce Development, and I were recently on the radio talking about business services and the power of a strong résumé. With so many applicants for each job, a résumé that doesn’t tell your story clearly just won’t get noticed. Every IowaWORKS office has trained Career Planners who can help job seekers polish their résumé and boost their chances of landing an interview.

Direct Link to 1230 KFJB: https://www.1230kfjb.com/2026/02/06/resumes-need-to-pop/

On the employer side, our Business Services team is working hard to support companies of all sizes. Michelle and the other BECs help ensure job postings reach the statewide system—accessible to colleges, universities, and thousands of Iowans. They also help businesses connect with high school career fairs and even build Apprenticeship programs to grow their own future workforce.

Wishing you a great week ahead. Take care out there—and stay ready in case Iowa decides to throw us a curveball.

Frank Sposeto III
IowaWORKS - Marshalltown
www.linkedin.com/in/frank-sposeto-iii

02/17/2026

🦒🌙 Only a few spots left for the Region 18 4-H Jr. Sleeping Bag Safari! 🐘✨

Imagine sleeping near zoo animals, exploring behind-the-scenes areas, going on a night hike, and experiencing the incredible Lozier IMAX Theater, all with your fellow 4-H friends! This overnight adventure at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha is one they’ll never forget.

WHO: Region 18 4-H members in grades 4th–6th (Jasper, Marion, Mahaska & Poweshiek Counties)
WHEN: April 10 (4:00 PM) – April 11 (5:00 PM)
COST: Only $95 per youth (discounted from $190 thanks to our generous Extension Council!)

⚠️ Registration deadline: March 20th
⚠️ Only a few spots remain, bus seats are almost full!

Register now in 4-H Online under the Events tab. Payment can be made online, by mail, or dropped off at the office.

Don’t miss this wild overnight experience! 🐾💚

02/13/2026

🎉 Spread the Birthday Love! 🎉

Our Poweshiek County Clover Kids are teaming up to support our local food pantries, because EVERYONE deserves to celebrate their birthday! 🥳💚

This year, our goal is to assemble 100 Birthday Kits (and thanks to a generous match from the Poweshiek County Extension Office, we could provide up to 200 kits total!).

Each Birthday Kit includes:
🎂Cake mix
🧁Frosting
🕯 Candles
🥤Can of soda (used as a mixing agent)
✨Sprinkles
🥧Tin baking pan

💚Become a Birthday Kit Sponsor!
• Sponsor 1 kit for $8
• 5 kits for $40
•10 kits for $80

For EVERY kit sponsored, we will MATCH it, up to 100 kits!

Kits will be assembled by our Clover Kids on Monday, April 6th from 5:30–7:00 PM at the Poweshiek County Extension Office!

📩 To sponsor a birthday kit:
Email Alathia at [email protected] with your commitment amount. Mail or drop off check/cash by Wednesday, March 25th to:
1017 Ogan Ave, Grinnell, IA 50112
(Make checks payable to Poweshiek County Extension and Outreach)

Let’s make sure every family in Poweshiek County has the chance to celebrate their special day. 💛

02/12/2026

🔒 Stay Independent: Spot, Stop, and Avoid Fraud

Protect yourself and others from becoming a victim of fraud. Learn about common scams, warning signs, and how to take action to protect against theft of money, property, or belongings.

📅 Friday, March 13th
⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 Montezuma City Hall
501 East Main St.
Montezuma, IA

💲 Cost: $10 per person
🗓 Registration deadline: March 9th

This program is designed for adults 60+ and their caregivers, but everyone can benefit. Financial crimes impact all ages, and knowledge is your best protection.

📲 Register here: https://go.iastate.edu/AOOGP4

📧 Questions? Contact Alathia Andera at [email protected]

Help us spread the word — share this post with someone who could benefit. 💛

02/11/2026

Happy Monday….

The weather is warming, daylight savings is in a month, and the sun is showing up earlier in the sky… before you know it, we will be complaining about how hot it is outside!

With many similar positions around Central Iowa, job seekers should be encouraged to look for the opportunity that fits their need.

The IowaWORKS offices have free computer skills training available for anyone seeking to increase their skill levels. The digital literacy programs can be done in our computer lab, at home, or in a class with a teacher. Teacher-led classes are held once a month on the third Thursday of each month and anyone that wants to sign up for any of the learning options only need to reach out and talk with a career planner.

Have a great week and remember that as the weather warms up the construction and farming positions will begin to open!

Like our page and share with your friends and family!!

Take care.

Frank Sposeto III
Operations Manager
IowaWORKS - Marshalltown
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-sposeto-iii/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HFcYeKAZK/

Happy Monday….

The weather is warming, daylight savings is in a month, and the sun is showing up earlier in the sky… before you know it, we will be complaining about how hot it is outside!

In creating the Hot Jobs this week, I sought out companies that were looking for office team members. There are positions like Danfoss with Associate Analyst (Ames), Receptionist at Wolfe Eye Clinic (Grundy Center), Customer Service at Farmers Savings Bank (Marshalltown), and an Admin Assistant at Credit Bureau Services of Iowa (Oskaloosa). With many similar positions around Central Iowa, job seekers should be encouraged to look for the opportunity that fits their need.

The IowaWORKS offices have free computer skills training available for anyone seeking to increase their skill levels. The digital literacy programs can be done in our computer lab, at home, or in a class with a teacher. Teacher-led classes are held once a month on the third Thursday of each month and anyone that wants to sign up for any of the learning options only need to reach out and talk with a career planner.

Have a great week and remember that as the weather warms up the construction and farming positions will begin to open!

Like our page and share with your friends and family!!

Take care.

Frank Sposeto III
Operations Manager
IowaWORKS - Marshalltown
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-sposeto-iii/

02/09/2026

Stronger Boards. Stronger Communities.

Serving on a board or council? Ready to sharpen your leadership skills, tackle real challenges, and leave with tools you can use immediately?

Join Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for a full-day, hands-on leadership workshop featuring keynote speakers Eric Heininger and Beth Shelton!

📅April 18, 2026
⏰8:30 AM–3:00 PM
📍DMACC College – Newton
💲$40 per person (includes breakfast & lunch!)

✨You’ll learn how to:
✔️Clarify your organization’s purpose and impact
✔️Strengthen donor and partner relationships
✔️Solve challenges with confidence
✔️Build connections with fellow community leaders

Perfect for board members, council members, and nonprofit leaders across Jasper, Poweshiek, and surrounding counties.

Registration required by April 13!
To register contact Sarah Patterson ([email protected]) or Alathia Andera ([email protected]).

Let’s grow stronger leaders, and even stronger communities together!

02/06/2026

🌲 Join Us for a Virtual Field Day! 🌲

Curious about woodland management, water quality, and innovative conservation practices? Mark your calendar for Thursday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. CST for the Forestry On Tap: Microbiome, Local Wood Resources and Bioreactors virtual field day hosted by Iowa Learning Farms! 📅🌐

This free online event will feature a live discussion with forestry and engineering experts from Iowa State University as they explore how local wood resources and woodchip bioreactors can help improve water quality and forest health, and how the microbiome plays a role in those solutions. 🌿💧

👉 Whether you’re a woodland owner, conservation enthusiast, or just interested in sustainable land management, you’re welcome to attend and bring your questions!

📌Details:
🗓 Date: Thursday, Feb. 26
⏰Time: 1:00–2:00 p.m. CST
💻Where: Virtual — join live online or by phone
📚CEUs may be available for Certified Crop Adviser continuing education.

🔗 Learn more and join:

Iowa Learning Farms will host a virtual field day on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 1 p.m. CST. The virtual field day aims to highlight how woodland management and woodchip bioreactors can work together to reduce nitrate and improve water quality.