ISU Extension and Outreach - Delaware County

08/28/2026

What time is it? 👉 SILAGE TIME - and not only for corn.

Do you currently ensile forage or are you looking at options to start? Take a look at this field day demonstration at Kirkwood Community College.

📅When? September 1st

🕚What time? 11:00 AM

📍Where? Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids. The plots are directly south of the Kirkwood horse barn parking lot. Signs will be posted to help you find the plots!

The demo will feature a variety of warm season annual forages ready for silage harvest. The mixes were seeded in early July following an oat/pea mix harvest. Most plots are a blend of the following: sorghum x sudangrass, turnips, radish, millets, sunn h**p, buckwheat, mung beans, Korean Lespedeza and more! 🌾

The day will be informal, with time for attendees to inspect plots and hear from our forage specialist Shelby Gruss, along with the farm managers.

Contact Denise Schwab with questions: 319-721-9624.

08/20/2026

Hello! Our Steam Club Registration is now full! Here is the link to our waitlist.

08/20/2026

🎉Registrations for the Fall 2026 After School STEAM Club are open!!🎉

Available for youth that are in Kindergarten-4th Grade!

Use the link below to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScH6QWGNNxwvT4E4cqFqH2k8vc69hMH6brb8CP5-TUDzOlB5w/viewform?usp=header

Spots are LIMITED!! Register now to reserve a spot!

08/18/2026

🚨Don't forget!!🚨

After School STEAM Club Registrations open this Thursday at 9:00AM!!🎉

Available for youth that are in Kindergarten through 4th Grade!

Spots are LIMITED!!

Register after 9:00AM using the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScH6QWGNNxwvT4E4cqFqH2k8vc69hMH6brb8CP5-TUDzOlB5w/viewform?usp=header

08/17/2026

Our Theatre STEM day camp was a hit!

Youth spent the day exploring their imaginations and their engineering skills. From high-energy theatre sessions to hands-on STEM challenges, youth worked together, problem solved and brought fairytale stories to life in their own
creative way!

They planned scripts, built their own set, rehearsed, and wrapped up the day with fantastic performances in their engineering, building, and theatre skills. We loved seeing their confidence grow as they took the stage!

08/13/2026

🌽 HAD STORM DAMAGE TO YOUR CROPS? THIS MEETING IS FOR YOU.

Last week’s heavy winds and hail caused significant damage to area corn and soybean fields — from bent plants to crops stripped of leaves. For many farmers, that damage brings some big questions: What now?

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting a Crop Damage Meeting to help farmers and landowners navigate the decisions ahead.

📅 Tuesday, August 18
⏰ 6:00 p.m.
📍 23603 County Road X31, Monticello, IA 52310
(Rural Monticello, near the residence of Kevin Miller)

ISU Extension specialists will be on hand to discuss:
🌾 Options for handling and harvesting storm-damaged crops
📋 Crop insurance considerations
🏠 Storage considerations
🐄 Grazing options
💰 Other economic and management considerations

If your corn or soybeans were damaged by last week’s storm, we strongly encourage you to attend. Getting information early can help you make the best decisions for your farm.

👉 NO cost to attend. Open to the public. No registration required.

Please share this with a farmer or landowner who may have been affected by the storm.

08/12/2026

🌾 Farmland leases are more than just numbers on paper. They’re an important part of building strong, long-term relationships between landowners and tenants.

Join Iowa State University Extension and Outreach farm management specialists for the 2026 Farmland Leasing Arrangements Webinar: Better Leases, Better Relationships on Wednesday, August 19, from 9–11:30 a.m.

You’ll learn about:
🌱 Current trends and topics affecting farmland ownership and tenancy
🤝 Ways to strengthen communication and relationships
📋 Practical steps to improve your lease agreements
💰 Important considerations for farmland rental arrangements

Registration is $25 and includes an electronic copy of the Farmland Leasing Arrangements handbook and access to the webinar recording.

👉 Register here: https://go.iastate.edu/FLA4WEB

08/12/2026

🌾 Hail Damage in Your Fields? What Now?

We saw hail last week here in eastern Iowa! Late-season hail can be frustrating — especially when crops are this far along.

But before making decisions about damaged fields, it’s important to take a closer look at the extent of the damage and understand your options.

🌽 How severe is the damage?
🌱 Is there potential for the crop to recover?
🚜 What should you consider before deciding whether to harvest, salvage, or leave the crop?

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has put together guidance to help farmers work through the situation and make informed decisions following late-season hail damage.

👉 https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/late-season-hail-damage-how-salvage-situation

If your fields were affected by recent storms, don’t make a decision based on the first look — assess the damage carefully and consider your options.

AMES, Iowa – This past weekend, a severe hailstorm ravaged parts of eastern Iowa, destroying what was expected to be a record-contending corn crop. Following any hail event, a call to your insurance agent and crop advisor is the first step. After insurance adjustments, next is: how do we best salv...

08/12/2026

🌎 Great gardens grow communities.

We’re looking for the next group of gardeners to join us! 🌱

The Master Gardener program is more than just learning about plants — it’s about meeting new people, serving your community, and using your knowledge to help others succeed.

Imagine the impact we can make when more neighbors have the confidence and knowledge to grow beautiful, healthy gardens. 🌻

Could 2026 be your year to become a Master Gardener? Applications close Aug. 14!

🌿 Learn. Grow. Volunteer. Connect.

Apply today:
👉

Learn. Grow. Serve.Do you love gardening, enjoy learning, and want to make a difference in your community? The ISU Extension and Outreach Delaware County Master Gardener Program is designed for gardening enthusiasts of all experience levels who want to expand their horticulture knowledge while givin...

08/10/2026

🌽 Ready to get more out of your combine this harvest?

Extension is offering Combine University this fall to help farmers fine-tune combine performance, improve harvest efficiency, and make better use of the data coming from their machines.

This hands-on training will focus on practical strategies you can take straight back to the farm!!

📅Learn more and register at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/upcoming-combine-university-workshops-help-farmers-optimize-harvest-performance-and-data

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Digital Ag Innovation Lab at Iowa State will offer Combine University, a premier educational experience designed for operators to meet the technical demands of the 2026 harvest season. The single-day, hands-on training will be offer...