AMES, Iowa - Youth and adults "aimed for adventure" and found it at the 2011 Iowa 4-H Youth Conference. This year 849 people participated in the June 28-30 conference on the Iowa State University campus.

The broad theme, "Aiming for Adventure," emphasized the purpose of the conference, said Brenda Allen, a 4-H youth development specialist with Iowa State University Extension. "This is a leadership development conference for high school students. We hope they build many skills while they're here, and experience the four components of 4-H: fun, friends, voice and choice."

The Iowa 4-H Youth Conference is one of the largest youth-led 4-H conferences in the nation, drawing nearly 1,000 4-H'ers and non 4-H'ers every year for workshops, motivational speakers, service projects, games and dances. Although the conference format often stays the same from year to year, the theme, speakers and content of the workshops change to give the event new flavor. Workshop directors are given the theme, and then create workshops that tie in.

"Whether you're in 4-H or not, it's good to explore what you might want to study in the future and learn leadership and teamwork skills and skills to help you become more assertive and able to contribute to your community," Allen said.

Conference Provides Opportunities
"One of the biggest aspects of the conference is that students see what opportunities are out there, that the world is greater than their local community," Allen said. "We want them to see that if they push themselves, they can take advantage of those opportunities."

The workshops and community service projects help youth develop those skills. Workshop topics range from food and art to money and robotics and everything in between.

"We hope that the students build a variety of skills with the workshops we provide," Allen said. "We partner with academic departments on campus, so this is a chance for young people to explore potential careers or majors in college and to develop a relationship with faculty.

The workshops take place all over the Iowa State campus.

A new workshop that focuses on evaluating the impact of conference attendance in the lives of youth participants from the students' perspective was offered this year. The workshop, called "Uncovering the Adventure's Treasures," placed 12 conference youth in the role of evaluators. They developed questions for a survey to distribute to 200 randomly selected students on the last day of the conference.

"Students' collective voice makes a difference, as do their thoughts and perspectives. The 4-H Youth Conference is theirs and they have a voice in how it is run, how it is evaluated and how the conference changes based on the skills and needs of young people," said Uncovering the Adventure's Treasures workshop co-director Keli Tallman, an ISU Extension 4-H youth development state specialist. "The students who attended the workshop developed the questions, determined the most effective evaluation tool to obtain responses and strategized how to effectively distribute the questions to conference participants. They led their own workshop."

Education and service projects are not the only aspects that make the conference an adventure to remember. Fun activities and meeting new people are key components as well. Each year, a banquet is held for conference participants and youth and adult conference planners. This allows the planners and participants to kick back and relax and get to know one another.

"I came because I knew it would be fun," said Morgan Sladek, a Johnson County senior. "I not only had an amazing time, but met many awesome people as well."

Non 4-H'ers Can Get Involved Too
The adventure isn't just for 4-H'ers. This year 45 non 4-H members attended the conference with their friends.

"4-H isn't just for students interested in agriculture or who live on farms, it hasn't been for decades," said Uncovering the Adventure's Treasures workshop co-director Sorrel Brown, a program evaluator with Iowa State University Extension to Agriculture and Natural Resources. "The leaders are trying to overcome this view by creating more activities and interests geared toward urban students."

Anyone can find an adventure at the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference. For more information, contact Brenda Allen at bsallen@iastate.edu.

In Iowa, the 4-H program is part of Iowa State University Extension and headquartered on the ISU campus in Ames. For more information about 4-H, how to get involved or how to apply, contact any ISU Extension county office.

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Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable crop in Iowa. Many diseases and disorders can affect tomatoes during the growing season. Iowa State University Extension specialists describe the symptoms and management of common problems. To have additional questions answered, contact the experts at hortline@iastate.edu or call 515-294-3108.

Why are my tomatoes cracking?
Fruit cracking is a common problem on tomatoes. Cracks usually appear at the top or stem end of the fruit. Cracks radiate out from the stem (radial cracks) or circle the fruit in concentric rings (concentric cracks). Fruit cracking is associated with wide fluctuations in soil moisture levels. A heavy rain or deep watering after a long, dry period results in rapid water uptake by the plant. The sudden uptake of water results in cracking of ripening fruit. Generally, fruit cracking is most common on the large, beefsteak-type tomatoes.

Fruit cracking can be prevented by supplying the tomato plants with a consistent supply of moisture during the summer months. During dry periods, a thorough soaking once every seven days should be adequate for most tomato plants. Conserve soil moisture by mulching the area around tomato plants with dried grass clippings, straw, shredded leaves or other materials. Also, plant tomato varieties that possess good crack resistance. Tomato varieties that possess good to excellent crack resistance include Jetstar, Mountain Spring and Mountain Fresh.

Several of my tomatoes are misshapen. Why?
Misshapen (catfaced) fruit may be due to cool weather during fruit set. Exposure to 2,4-D or similar broadleaf herbicides is another possibility. Catfacing is most common on large-fruited tomato varieties. Affected fruit show leathery scars, bulges, or holes at the blossom end of the fruit. The incidence of catfacing is typically highest on the early maturing fruit and declines during the remainder of the growing season.

A blackish spot develops on the bottom of my tomato fruit. What is the problem and how can it be prevented?
Blossom end rot is probably responsible for the blackish spots on the tomato fruit. Blossom end rot is a common problem on tomatoes. It appears as a brownish black spot on the blossom end (bottom) of the fruit. Secondary organisms invade the brownish black spot and cause the fruit to rot. Blossom end rot is most common on the earliest maturing fruit that ripen in July and early August.

Blossom end rot is caused by a calcium deficiency in the developing fruit. Wide fluctuations in soil moisture levels impair calcium uptake by the root system of the tomato plant. Excessive nitrogen fertilization may also contribute to blossom end rot.

To reduce blossom end rot, water tomato plants on a weekly basis during dry weather to provide a consistent supply of moisture to the plants (tomato plants require about 1 to 1½ inches of water per week during the growing season). Mulch the area around the tomato plants to conserve soil moisture. Avoid over-fertilization. There is no need to apply calcium to the soil as most Iowa soils contain more than adequate levels of calcium.

Pick and discard fruit affected with blossom end rot. The removal of the affected fruit will allow the tomato plant to channel all of its resources into the growth and development of the remaining fruit.

Blossom end rot can also occur on pepper, eggplant, summer squash and watermelon.

My tomatoes are developing white or yellow areas on the sides of the fruit exposed to the sun. Why?The white or yellow areas on your tomatoes are due to sunscald. Sunscald occurs on fruit exposed to the sun during periods of extreme heat. Initial symptoms of sunscald are the development of shiny white or yellow areas on the fruit. Later, the affected tissue dries out and collapses, forming slightly sunken, wrinkled areas. Secondary organisms invade the affected areas causing the fruit to rot.

Losses due to sunscald can be reduced by growing tomatoes in wire cages. Cage-grown tomato plants provide good foliage protection for the fruit. Also, control Septoria leaf spot and other foliar diseases which defoliate the plants and expose the fruit to direct sunlight.

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AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) have released a collaborative second edition of the Soybean Aphid Field Guide.

The guide's authors are Erin Hodgson, ISU Extension entomologist, and Matt O'Neal, ISU research entomologist.

"Every year we learn more about the biology of soybean aphids and new ways to prevent this pest from causing yield loss," O'Neal said. "These insights have been made possible through funding from the soybean checkoff program. We have incorporated these discoveries and tools into the revised edition of the guide in an effort to return this checkoff-funded research back to soybean farmers."

The second edition of the Soybean Aphid Field Guide is expanded in every section. "We incorporated research from around the region and developed a more comprehensive management program," Hodgson said. "We encourage growers to use multiple tools to protect soybean yield against the soybean aphid."

One of the biggest additions to the toolbox of aphid management strategies is aphid-resistant soybeans. The guide includes a review of the research that led to aphid resistance becoming a common component of soybean genetics for many current and future commercial soybean varieties. "This resource is a must-have for all Iowa soybean producers. It is the most comprehensive reference guide available for sustainable management of Iowa's most serious soybean insect pest," said David Wright, ISA director of contract research.

Funding for printing and distribution of the guide was provided by the Iowa soybean checkoff and ISU Extension. Printed copies of the Soybean Aphid Field Guide can be ordered from the ISU Extension Online Store at www.extension.iastate.edu/store/ or by calling 515-294-5247; or obtained by contacting the Iowa Soybean Association at 800-383-1423. The guide can also be viewed online at www.iasoybeans.com/productionresearch/

To learn more about ISA, visit its website at www.iasoybeans.com.

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AMES, Iowa - The 2011 Cook This! 4-H Culinary Challenge teams have been chosen. Twenty-four teams of Iowa youths are gearing up to compete in the kitchen at the Iowa State Fair.

"We're very excited about the number of teams and interest in the challenge," said Lisa Schmidt, a Cook This coordinator, with Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development. "We had a cap of 10 teams per level, so we're excited that we had our junior level maxed out. We're hoping that the numbers will keep progressing for the other levels for future challenges over the next few years."

Each team consists of three or four youth, and at least one member must be in 4-H. The teams will compete in three age brackets, Schmidt explained. The junior level competition takes place on Aug. 15, the intermediate level takes place on Aug. 16 and the senior level competition will take place on Aug. 17. All events occur in the 4-H Exhibits Building.

Teams will demonstrate their knowledge of kitchen equipment and show off their creativity in food preparation.

The College of Human Sciences will provide $500 Iowa State University scholarships to the members of the winning senior team. Successful Farming Magazine will highlight the winning senior team on its recipe page. The magazine also is providing all winning teams a tour of the Better Homes & Garden test kitchen and photo studios. All first-place winning teams will receive a Cook This chef's hat. Second-place winners will receive gift baskets from Cookies Food Products, Wall Lake, Iowa. Every participant will receive a Cook This apron.

Sponsors for the challenge include the Iowa Beef Industry Council, the Iowa Pork Producers Association and the Iowa Turkey Federation.

2011 Cook This! Teams

Iowa youth who completed any of grades 5 through 12 were eligible to apply for the competition. The following teams will participate in Cook This at the Iowa State Fair.

Junior Teams (5th and 6th graders)

·       Cooking Cousins: Nick Sandeen, Anna Beckman and Hallie Sandeen, Henry County

·       Calhoun County Corn COB: Becca Krueger, Olivia Hanlon and Courtney Melohn, Calhoun County

·       Cherokee Chefs: Clare Conley, Fan Conley and Elizabeth Wulfsen, Cherokee County

·       Cookin' C.A.T.: Collin Svenby, Audra Weber and Tanner Halleran, Keokuk 

·       IEI Chefs: Everett Wegge, Indigo Fish and Isaac Fish, Winneshiek and Allamakee counties

·       Tiger Pack Cooks: Zachary Roll, Malcom Wright and Blaire Card,Hardin County

·       We 3 Chefs!: Alexandria Schwerin, Gabbi Struchen and Shea Hassebrock, Hamilton County

·       Kitchen Fanatics: Scott Star, Nolan King and Amanda Riley, West Pottawattamie and Madison counties

·       Early Achievers: Megan Drey, Kallie Goettsch and Jack Mentzer, Sac County

·       Greenbrier Groovy Gourmet: Landra Reece, Emily Heupel and Abby Badger, Boone and Greene counties

Intermediate Teams (7th and 8th graders)

·       Kitchen Heat: Hanna McCoy, Bailey Olivia and Claire Birchmier, Warren and Marion counties

·       Triple B Country Cooks: Maree Bean, Attylissa Bailey and Sylvia Bain, Linn, Marion and Monroe counties

·       The 3 Amigo Cooks: Hannah Al-Mazroa, Christan Bertelson and Beth Wells, Madison County

·       Panthers: Melinda Goulette, Faith Seggerman and Hope Bollin, Woodbury and Plymouth counties

·       Cute & Culinary: Cali Westergard, Krayton Schnepf, Leah Bunkers and Rachel Wedemeyer, Plymouth, O'Brien and Calhoun counties

·       Early Achievers: Austin Goettsch, Devin Mentzer and Brooke Hoeppner, Sac County

Senior Teams (9th through 12th graders)

·       Sizzlin' Sauters: Shelby Storesund, Grant Vrba and Tanner Allensworth, Montgomery County

·       The Kitchen Cabinet: Janna Timmerman, Nicole Malott and Jamie Rohlf, Cedar County

·       Thumbs Up: Olivia Grimes, John Nidy, Geremiah Grimes and Brianna Lipa, Wayne and Howard counties

·       Bake to Beat: Shelby Vansteenwyk, Rachel Morgan and Jocelyn Beaver, Marion County

·       Cookin' Thyme: Rachel Hauglan, Olivia Cechota and Kenton Reece, Johnson, Linn and Boone counties

·       Blonde Brigade: Megan Haupert, Paris Schnepf and Leab Schroeder, O'Brien counties

·       Team Cuisine: Marcus Foltz, Dalton Rhum and Keegan Bintz, Decatur and Fremont counties

·       Chopping Trio: Carrie Adrian, Jenny Adrian and Luke Oberbroecking, Marion County

Sponsor a Cook This! Team

It costs $200 to support a Cook This team, Schmidt said. Sponsorship helps coordinators provide upkeep for the kitchen equipment and utensils, admission tickets for participants, t-shirts/aprons for participants and volunteers, printing of marketing and promotional materials and other items as needed.

For more information, contact Lisa Schmidt at schmidt5@iastate.edu or AnnaBear Vance at ajvance@iastate.edu.

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