Scott County will offer the Ornamental and Turfgrass Applicators Continuing Instructional Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Wednesday, November 9, 2011. The program can be seen at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment (PME) program.

The local attendance site is the ISU Scott County Extension office. Registration begins at 1 p.m., and the course runs from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The registration fee is $35 on or before Nov. 2 and $45 after Nov. 2. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the ISU Extension office in Scott County by phoning 563-359-7577.

The course will provide continuing instructional credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 2, 3O, 3T, 3OT and 10. Topics to be covered include effects of pesticides on groundwater and other nontarget sites; phytotoxicity; pesticide stewardship; Iowa forest health update; and turfgrass herbicide research updates.

Additional information and registration forms for this and other courses being offered by the PME program can be accessed at www.extension.iastate.edu/PME.

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Scott County Extension Office will host a Mosquito/Public Health Pest Management Continuing Instructional Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011. The program will be shown at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment (PME) program.

The local site for the Oct. 27 CIC is the ISU Scott County Extension office. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. followed by sessions from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The registration fee is $35 on or before Oc. 20 and $45 after Oct. 20. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the Scott County Extension office by phoning 563-359-7577.

The 2011 course will provide continuing instructional credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 7D (Community Insect Management); 8 (Public Health Pest Control); and 10 (Demonstration and Research). The course will cover topics such as laws and regulations; pesticide toxicity and exposure; mosquitoes, ticks, and spiders.

Additional information about this and other courses offered through the PME Program may be accessed at www.extension.iastate.edu/PME.

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Scott County Extension office will host an Aquatic, Forest, and Roadside, Continuing Instructional Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators on Wednesday, October 5, 2011. The program can be seen at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment (PME) Program.

The local site for the Oct. 5 CIC is the ISU Scott County Extension office. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. followed by sessions 9 to 11:30 a.m. The registration fee is $35 on or before Sept. 28 and $45 after Sept. 28. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the Scott County Extension office by phoning 563-359-7577.

The 2011 course will provide continuing instructional credits for commercial and public pesticide applicators certified in categories 2 (Forest Pest Control), 5 (Aquatic Pest Control), 6 (Right-of-Way Pest Control), and 10 (Demonstration and Research). Topics to be covered are water quality and phytotoxicity, nontarget organisms and pesticides, pesticide stewardship, thousand canker disease, snakegrass and teasel control, Japanese beetle update, and an aquatic weed update.

Additional information and registration forms for this and other courses offered through the PME Program can be accessed at www.extension.iastate.edu/PME.

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September 2                        Pesticide Applicator Testing

10am-2pm at the Extension Office

 

September 27                      Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office

7pm

 

October 5                              Aquatic, Forest and Roadside Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 9/28/11, after that $45

At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

 

October 7                              Pesticide Applicator Testing

10am-2pm at the Extension Office

 

October 25                            Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office

7pm

 

October 27                            Mosquito & Public Health Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 10/20/11, after that $45

At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

 

November 4                         Pesticide Applicator Testing

10am-2pm at the Extension Office

 

November 9                         Ornamental & Turf Applicators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/2/11, after that $45

At the Scott County Extension Office, 1:30pm-4pm

 

November 16                       Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management CIC, $35 if registered by 11/9/11, after that

$45, at the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

 

November 29                       Fumigation CIC, $35 if registered by 11/22/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension Office,

9am-11:30am

 

December 2                         Pesticide Applicator Testing

10am-2pm at the Extension Office

 

December 7                         Pest Control Operators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/30/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension

Office, 9am-11:30am

Gene and Shirley Newell of Scott Coounty have been inducted into the 2011 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 21.

Eighty-eight Iowa counties are participating this year and have selected 121 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members will be presented a certificate by the Iowa 4-H Foundation as they are introduced on stage.

Gene and Shirley Newell feel 4-H is an educational experience no one should miss! Their lives have been involved with Extension and they value the influences it has had in their lives and the lives of their children. Skills learned in 4-H enabled their 3 children to find fun filled careers. Projects such as dairy and public speaking taught responsibility and leadership. Shirley has been an advocate for 4-H for 32 years on the fair board for the Mississippi Valley Fair with Gene assisting as a 4-H supervisor at the fair. They have been generous donors to the Iowa 4-H Foundation and Scott County 4-H. Their perseverance and enthusiasm has been an asset to generations of 4-H members and Extension staff.

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program, said Becky Bray ISU Extension Director.  Many inductees served as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension county council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa's 4-H'ers through the years.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the counties and state to recognize and celebrate 4-H volunteers and staff who have shown outstanding service and dedication to Iowa's 4-H program," said Chuck Morris, director of ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development.

The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. Information about previous inductees will be available at the 2011 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building. Information about previous inductees also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to http://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and select "Recognition."

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Davenport, Iowa -- On September 6, Iowa State University Extension of Scott County, Lutheran Social Services of Iowa and Genesis Bright Beginnings will sponsor the parenting support and education program PACT (Parenting All Children Together) for an eight week series. The program is financially supported by Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa. The program is designed to educate and offer support to parents and caregivers of children age birth through five years old and reside in Scott County.

"Parenting is the most important job we will ever have. It is also the toughest! What we provide our children from birth through age five stays with them for the rest of their life. With this huge responsibility, we need to work together. This series will bring together parents and caregivers who want the very best for the children in their life," said Jennifer Best, Extension Educator and PACT instructor.

The upcoming PACT series will be the second time the program has been offered to the Scott County community. The last series ending in June was very successful. "It was very rewarding to watch the families open themselves up to the learning process," said Marisa Bloom, Families Program Assistant. "A lot of learning was happening and families were forming bonds and creating informal support systems with their peers. PACT is a needed resource for these very reasons."

For participating in the PACT program member will receive a free meal at every session, free childcare while adults are learning, a free gift at each session, bus tokens to get to the sessions if transportation is needed, $40 worth of items chosen by the participant if they attend at least 5 of the 8 sessions, fun and friendship with other families, and great information to help parents and caregivers help their children be all they can be.

For more information about PACT or to register, contact Marisa at the Iowa State University Extension office at 563-359-7577 or mbloom@iastate.edu.

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Grant will help create a health education program for older adults

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will use a $21,580 grant from The Wellmark Foundation to help revise the Chef Charles nutrition education program for older Iowans.

The Chef Charles Revision Project

According to the Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Iowa Department on Aging (IDA), Iowa ranks fifth in the nation in adults over age 65, with almost 15 percent of the state's population at least 65 years of age. By 2030, more than 22 percent of Iowa's total population is expected to be 65 or older.

Good nutrition and physical activity are integral parts to successful aging, making it important to remind older adults of the best choices in purchasing and preparing food and staying active and alert, said Carlene Russell, IDA Nutrition Manager. "Older adults who consume an adequate diet are more likely to maintain a healthy weight, be mentally and physically fit, and live independently for a longer time."

The Wellmark Foundation grant will fund the Chef Charles Revision Project. The revision will integrate information attained through qualitative program evaluation, professional independent program review, and future needs and preference assessment to create an evidence-based nutrition education program for older adults. This collaborative project is being conducted by ISU Extension and Outreach, Iowa Nutrition Network at the Iowa Department of Health and the IDA.

Currently, the Chef Charles program is offered at about one-third of Iowan congregate meal sites serving more than 3,000 older Iowans, said Sarah Francis, ISU Extension and Outreach nutrition specialist and assistant professor. "We expect this project will result in a nutrition education program that has greater impact and is more cost effective. Our goal is that older Iowans will be less at-risk for poor nutrition, eat more fruits and vegetables, and learn to make more healthful food choices overall. We also expect higher participant satisfaction than the current Chef Charles program."

Grant one of only six competitively selected

The Wellmark Foundation is a nonprofit foundation that seeks to improve the health of Iowans, South Dakotans and their communities. Through its initial 2011 Healthy Communities Grant Program, the foundation received more than 80 grant requests seeking seed support for smaller community health projects. This grant award to Iowa State represents one of six competitively awarded grants to establish pilot efforts or expand health initiatives throughout Iowa and South Dakota.

The Wellmark Foundation awarded a cumulative total of $140,000 to these six grants to serve as catalyst funding for local health projects.

"With a significant number of Iowans age 65 and older, the revised Chef Charles Program has great potential to make an even more significant impact on the physical and mental health of older Iowans, and we're excited to see results in the years to come," said Matt McGarvey, director of The Wellmark Foundation.

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers practical, how-to education based on university research. It's available to any resident of Iowa and is tailored to meet the needs of Iowans. ISU Extension and Outreach educators, specialists and volunteers live and work in all 99 Iowa counties.

For more information on the Chef Charles Revision Project, contact Sarah Francis, 515-294-1456 or slfranci@iastate.edu. For more information regarding The Wellmark Foundation and its grant programs, visit www.wellmark.com/foundation.

About The Wellmark Foundation

The Wellmark Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created by Wellmark Inc., doing business as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa. Please visit The Wellmark Foundation's website at www.wellmark.com/foundation to learn more about the grant program, as well as a list of previous grant recipients. Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and The Wellmark Foundation are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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The garden peony is a popular, long-lived perennial that provides abundant flowers in spring and attractive foliage throughout the growing season. If given a good site and proper care, an established peony will flower for many years. To have additional questions answered, contact the horticulturists at hortline@iastate.edu or call 515-294-3108.

 

When is the best time to transplant peonies?

September is the best time to transplant peonies. Begin by cutting the peony stems near ground level. Then carefully dig around and under each plant. Try to retain as much of the root system as possible.  Promptly replant the peony in a sunny, well-drained site.

 

What would be a good planting site for peonies?

Peonies perform best in full sun and well-drained soils. When selecting a planting site, choose a location that receives at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day. Avoid shady areas near large trees and shrubs. Poorly drained soils can often be improved by working in large amounts of compost, peat moss or leaf mold.

 

What is the proper way to divide peonies?

September is the best time to divide peonies. The first step is to cut off the peony stems near ground level. Then carefully dig up the plant. Gently shake the clump to remove loose soil from the root system. Using a sharp knife, divide the clump into sections. Each division should have at least three to five buds (eyes) and a good root system. Smaller divisions will require several years to develop into attractive plants.

 

When planting a peony, dig a hole large enough to comfortably accommodate its entire root system. Position the peony plant in the hole so the buds are 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface (peonies often fail to bloom satisfactorily if the buds are more than 2 inches deep). Fill the hole with soil, firming the soil around the plant as you backfill. Then water thoroughly. Space peonies 3 to 4 feet apart.

 

Is it necessary to periodically divide peonies?

Peonies do not need to be divided on a regular basis. Peonies can be left undisturbed in the garden for 50 or more years. However, large, vigorous peonies can be divided if you want additional plants.

 

When should I cut back the peony foliage?

Peony foliage should not be cut back until it is destroyed by a hard freeze in fall. The foliage manufactures food for the plant. Some of the food is stored in the plant's root system. The more food the peony plant can store in its roots, the better the flower display next spring. Cut off the peony stems at ground level in late October or November. Remove the peony foliage from the garden and destroy it. The removal and destruction of the peony debris helps to control leaf blotch and other fungal diseases.

 

 

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Many of the bids in the 41st Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup included putting native grasses or native pollinator habitat on a portion of the CRP acres. To help landowners learn more about getting good establishment of the native grasses, a field day has been set for Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 6:00 p.m. at the Iowa State University (ISU) Southeast Iowa Research and Demonstration Farm near Crawfordsville.

Native grasses are slower to establish than many of the cool season forages farmers normally use for haying and grazing. The seed is also fluffier and may require some different seeding techniques. With proper planning, seeding, and weed control, excellent stands can be established in the first year.

Field day topics will include species selection, seeding mixes, seeding methods, weed control and maximizing wildlife benefits. Special focus will be on establishing native grasses on existing CRP where presently there is brome grass cover. Participants will also have the chance to compare native grass stands that were done as a dormant seeding in the late fall, an early spring frost seeding, and a late spring seeding.

To get to the SE Iowa Research and Demonstration Farm, go 1¾ miles south of Crawfordsville on Hwy 218, then 2 miles east on G-62, then ¾ mile north on the Louisa - Washington Rd. Watch for signs.

The field day is sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). For more information, call 319-337-2145.

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Music Therapy

Music therapy is the clinical use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals that address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. According to the American Music Therapy Association's web site (www.musictherapy.org), the idea that music could serve a healing purpose has been around for centuries. However, it was not until the late 1950s that the discipline of music therapy was formally developed and first recognized in this country after doctors and nurses in veterans' hospitals noticed positive physical and emotional responses evoked by injured soldiers, after musicians played for them.

Music therapists are trained to assess the strengths and needs of each client and to provide indicated  treatment by creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. Through musical involvement, in a therapeutic context, an individual's abilities are strengthened and transferred throughout other areas of life. Essentially, music therapy can improve the quality of life for persons throughout the lifespan, despite diversity, disability, or illness. Music therapy interventions can be designed to:

? promote wellness

? manage stress and anxiety

? alleviate pain

? express feelings

? enhance memory and retrieval

? improve communication

? decrease frequency and duration of aggressive or agitated behaviors

? promote physical rehabilitation increase self-awareness

? motivate change and personal growth

? reinforce self-identity and self-worth

? alter mood

? encourage meaningful social interaction and emotional intimacy

? empower individuals and decrease feelings of helplessness

? foster successful experiences and a sense of control over life

Research highlights music therapy's usefulness specifically in working with older adults, as well as their families and caregivers. Music therapy has been proven to successfully address psychological, social, physical, and cognitive needs associated with aging issues. In addition, music therapy literature and research indicates effectiveness specifically in working with those who have suffered from strokes, or those who have Alzheimer's or other dementias.

Overall, music therapy offers a unique treatment approach, as music is a normal part of many facets of life. As a result, music therapy provokes unique responses and positive outcomes due to the sense of familiarity, predictability, and feelings of security associated with music. Research indicates that music therapy is a viable treatment mode even for those who have no musical background or for those who have been resistive to other treatment approaches.

Contact:

Keith L. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, Ohio State University Extension

TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868

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