ISU Extension Pocahontas County

06/01/2026

The Fashion and Communication judging event will be held on Monday, June 08 at the Rialto Theatre. FairEntry is required to participate in this event. If you have questions about this event, please reach out to Ashlie at 712-335-3103.

05/31/2026

Spring greens are cool weather vegetables and will soon be coming to an end. While they are still at their prime, consider preserving them by freezing, drying, or canning. Learn more about using, storing and preserving greens to enjoy now and later. go.iastate.edu/W8BXZN

05/30/2026

Ingredients for Home Garden W**d Management

Home gardeners often face decisions about whether and how to use herbicides. While some gardeners prefer nonchemical approaches, there are situations where herbicides can be effective tools for managing difficult weeds. To use herbicides safely and effectively, it is important to understand how common active ingredients work, how they affect plants, and how to properly interpret herbicide labels.

Get all the information you need here:

With so many different products available, understanding the active ingredient and how to use the label is essential for proper use of herbicides. Learn about how herbicides work and how to use them effectively by reading the label.

05/29/2026

Farmers navigating the business side of their operations can access a new resource from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The Beginning Farmer Center at Iowa State has created “County Roads,” a new podcast series offering a practical, expert-backed look at the everyday challenges farmers face.
https://go.iastate.edu/5KOB9E

05/28/2026

Growing Peaches in Iowa

There is nothing like a fresh, ripe peach right off the tree! Iowans want that experience for themselves, but often face challenges due ot Iowa's cold winters and unpredictable spring temperatures.

Peaches can be grown in Iowa, but success is inconsistent and depends on cultivar selection, site, and management. Even under good conditions, peach trees are often short-lived and may produce fruit only occasionally.

Read about the challenges of growing peaches in Iowa, and also the recommended cultivars. https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-peaches-iowa

Peaches can be grown in Iowa, but they require careful management and realistic expectations. Cold winters, spring frosts, and pest pressure limit reliability. Selecting hardy cultivars, planting in well-drained sites, and providing consistent care improve the chances of success.For most gardeners,....

05/27/2026

An estimated one in every two adults has high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age.

To reduce your risk for high blood pressure:

- Consider the “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension,” or DASH, diet. This diet emphasizes vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy foods, as well as a moderate amount of whole grains, fish, poultry and nuts.

- Reduce sodium. Aim for less than 1,500 milligrams per day.

Read on >>> https://www.ndsu.edu/.../healthwise-guys-high-blood-pressure

05/27/2026

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Webster County will be hosting a ServSafe® food safety certification class in Fort Dodge on July 13.

This class will be held in the meeting room at the Webster County Extension and Outreach office in Fort Dodge. Registration is due by June 22 by registering online at: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/servsafe-events For more information about the class, contact the Webster County ISU Extension and Outreach Office at (515) 576-2119 . Class size is limited so sign up now.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/servsafe

05/26/2026

Late Leaf Emergence on Fruit and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs

Many gardeners notice that some trees and shrubs leaf out later than others in spring. This can raise concerns about plant health, especially after a harsh winter or late frost. In many cases, delayed leaf emergence is normal. In other situations, it can signal environmental stress or injury.

Common Causes of Late Leaf Emergence

Several factors can influence when trees and shrubs break dormancy and produce leaves. Read the full article below:
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/late-leaf-emergence-fruit-and-ornamental-trees-and-shrubs

05/26/2026

TOMORROW-May 26: To participate in our Fashion and/or Communication event, you must make FairEntry by May 26. Once entry is made, a schedule will be sent out with your presentation time(s) for the day of the event.

05/25/2026

We will be closed today, Memorial Day as we pause to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

We hope everyone has a safe and meaningful day of remembrance.

We will reopen on our next regular business day, Tuesday, May 26th.