HILLSDALE, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, attended a service project to benefit the River Bend Foodbank as part of the North American College and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Judging Conference, a large agriculture convention and competition, hosted by Blackhawk College on April 10.

"I'd like to thank Blackhawk College and agriculture teachers for setting up this excellent service project benefitting the River Bend Foodbank," Smiddy said. "I enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many fine young leaders in agriculture and join their effort to feed our community."

The service project was held on April 10 at the iWireless Center Lobby in Moline. Smiddy and other volunteers worked in teams to package American made meals which were later delivered to Riverbend Foodbank. In total, volunteers at the service day packaged over 49,000 meals for donation.

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CASI, The Center for Active Seniors will host Money Smart for Older Adults Wednesday, April 22, 2015 beginning at 7:30am at the CASI Center, 1035 West Kimberly Road, Davenport.

"Money Smart Week is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. This is achieved through the collaboration and coordination effort of organizations across the country including not-for-profits such as CASI, AARP, government agencies, the media and more", said Laura Kopp, President/CEO of CASI.  "Our focus is on older adults stressing the importance of safety, scam awareness and bringing the senior consumer in touch with resources and experts to help protect their financial future and provide educational information on fraud protection."

CASI will kick-off their annual event at 7:30am next Wednesday with its first session presented by Jenefer Duane and Kari Gomer, both with FDIC.  Together they will present Money Smart for Older Adults - an educational seminar geared towards professionals working with Older Adults and financial exploitation protection.  They'll cover ways to identifying older adults who may be vulnerable to scams or financial abuse.

Mary Muehl, Executive Council at AARP Iowa, will present the second session will discuss ways of protecting yourself, enrolling in AARP's Watchdog Alerts.  The day wraps up with local representatives of the TRIAD group, a joint venture of Scott County Law enforcement agencies and those working with the senior population in and around the Quad City area.

CASI's Money Smart Event for Older Adults is open to the public and is free of charge, however, reservations are required as the session will end with a light lunch provided and sponsored by AARP.  For reservations to CASI's Fraud Protection for Older Adults event, call 563.386.7477 or email your reservations to info@casiseniors.org.

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AMES, IA - The Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair was held at Hilton Coliseum in Ames on Thursday, March 26, 2015. The Iowa FFA Agriscience Fair is open to 7-12 grade students. First Place winning students have the opportunity to exhibit their Agriscience research in six different categories: Animal Systems; Environment Services/Natural Resource Systems; Food Products and Processing Systems; Plant Systems; Power, Structural and Technical Systems; and Social Systems. FFA members from Iowa that are selected as a national finalist in grades 7-12 may earn the opportunity to exhibit at the National FFA Agriscience Fair in Louisville, Kentucky, in October.
While at the National FFA Convention & Expo, students put up a display showcasing their project and interview with a panel of judges. After all students have been interviewed, national summer judging scores are then combined with convention interview scores to calculate the overall ranking of projects within each category and division. Each participant is ranked gold, silver or bronze and receives a pin. The top three projects in each category and division are recognized for their efforts on the main stage during a general convention session. During this recognition ceremony, final ranking is announced.
The top three projects in each category received medals for their achievements and each division winner will receive a plaque and be recognized at the 87th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. The Agriscience Fair was made possible with support from Animal Health International through the Iowa FFA Foundation.
The results from the FFA Agriscience Fair are listed below.
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About Iowa FFA Association
The Iowa FFA Association is a youth organization of over 14,700 student members as part of 225 local FFA chapters across Iowa. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The Iowa FFA Association was organized by delegates from 23 schools at Iowa State College on May 17, 1929 and is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The Iowa Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the Iowa FFA Association online at IowaFFA.com, on Facebook, and Twitter.

WEST BRANCH, IOWA– On Saturday April 25th help the National Park Service plant trees around the historic site commemorating Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States. People of all ages are welcome to come out and help.  The tree planting is part of National Park Week and is a great chance to help make your National Park an even better place to be.

If you would like to help, contact Denise Collar at (319) 643-2541. Meet at the Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m. for an orientation and to get signed up. Work will be from 9:00 a.m. to about 1:00 p.m. Please dress for the weather, and wear comfortable work clothes.  Long pants and closed toe shoes are required.  Bring a water bottle, hat, sunscreen, long sleeved shirt, and a snack.  The park has work gloves and other required tools.

National Park Week is from April 18th to the 26th.  It the annual week to celebrate and recognize your national parks.  This year's event is also the beginning of the "Find Your Park" campaign that will run through 2016, the National Park Service's 100th anniversary.  "Find Your Park" is aimed at getting people out to experience all their national parks have to offer and to share their favorite stories about National Parks. Visit www.findyourpark.com to learn more.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

110 Parkside Drive

PO Box 607

West Branch, Iowa 52358

319 643-2541 phone

319 643-7864 fax

www.nps.gov/heho

Twitter: @HooverNPS

Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS