AMES, Iowa - A second group of Iowa women traveled to Uganda as part of the rural development program, Bridging the Gap: Increasing Competitiveness of Ugandan Women Farmers in the Marketplace. This farmer-to-farmer program connects Iowa farmers with eight groups of women farmers in the Kamuli District of Uganda.

The yearlong project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Iowa State University's Global Extension Program has partnered with a Ugandan nonprofit organization, Volunteer Efforts for Developing Concerns (VEDCO), to provide production and marketing expertise to Ugandan farmers. Iowa State University's Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (CSRL) and VEDCO have been providing outreach and education in the district since 2004. As a result, many of the area Ugandan farm families are now poised to increase crop diversity, as well as increase grain yields and quality for sale to commercial markets.

The project focuses on improving maize (corn) grain quality and collaborative or group marketing of the grain. In addition, soybeans are being introduced as a food and as a cash crop. The Iowa volunteers are training Ugandan farmers to keep written farm business records.

The first group of Iowa farmers traveled to the Kamuli District in March. In late May, farmers Jennifer Steffen and Jenny Thomas and Mercy Kabahuma, a graduate student in agronomy at Iowa State, visited the district to verify progress toward the project's objectives and to continue training the farmer groups. The women spent six days with the groups of farmers and each brought unique experiences to the group's visit in the Kamuli District.

Kabahuma grew up in the city of Kampala, Uganda. In 2008 as an undergraduate, she interned with a CSRL service-learning program, coordinated by Iowa State University in the Kamuli District, and became familiar with the area farmers. When she learned of Bridging the Gap, she couldn't wait to return. She's noticed some changes since then.

"There's a huge difference from when I left and when I returned this year. I noticed that most of the women have grown into larger-scale producers and they are thinking bigger now and producing for market," Kabahuma said.

The Iowa volunteers started their trip investigating potential maize markets. They toured a local maize mill in Kamuli and a local warehouse where grain can be stored and the quality maintained for future sales. They noted both good and poor quality maize and other local grains. The mill owner expressed interest in receiving high quality maize from the local women farmers and offered to pay them a premium. This price difference based on quality was only recently made available to farmers.

Later that day, the Iowans met up with the eight women farmer group leaders and traveled four hours to Agroways, a grain warehouse in Jinja. The warehouse is similar, though smaller, to the grain elevators in Iowa. At this potential marketing outlet, the Ugandan farmers were introduced to East African Grain Standards and the process and fees required to sell or store their maize for later sales. The farmers are able to secure loans on stored grain at this facility, though most do not have a bank account that would allow them to do so.

During the majority of the trip, the Iowa volunteers met with the farmer groups to discuss post-harvest handling of the grain and joint marketing, monitor individuals' farm record books and evaluate their new soybean plantings.

The Ugandan farmers impressed Steffen, a farmer from southeast Iowa. "The women farmers in the Kamuli District are industrious, hardworking and resilient. They are wonderful communicators and willing to learn new, improved and economically advantageous methods of farming that have the potential to improve their livelihoods," Steffen said.

One group in particular, led by farmer Rose Mbiira, shows great potential, said ISU Extension Value Added Agriculture Specialist Margaret Smith, co-director of the Bridging the Gap project. While meeting and working with Mbiira's group, the Iowa volunteers readily observed these women's increasing business savvy, but were equally impressed by the laughter and joy shared among the group members. Smith hopes to begin joint marketing efforts with Mbiira's group.

The volunteers reported two other groups that also appear to be ready for joint marketing, Smith added. Because quality of maize varies from farm to farm, the Bridging the Gap project will begin with group trucking. Each farmer will bag and weigh her crops on the farm, and then transport and sell as a group to one of the markets investigated during this work trip.

"In Iowa, we have an amazing system in place to market our crops. Our Iowa farmers' experiences allow them to identify the gaps in the Ugandan marketing system and help identify steps for improving local farmers' maize grain quality and marketing. The ultimate goal is to improve profitability and bring more money to the household," said Smith. "This farm-based technology and information transfer is a wonderful benefit to this program."

Thomas has been in the agriculture and livestock industry for more than 30 years. She prepared for her first trip to Africa by watching films and reading books on the culture.

"I was prepared for large cultural differences. Rural Ugandan families live very simply, with no running water, electricity, cars, or mechanized farm equipment. What struck me most, though, were the similarities between our cultures. I found that we have the same basic challenges, to adapt our production systems and our lives to changing circumstances so that we can produce enough to meet the needs of our families. They are interested in developing cash-generating enterprises, because they need to pay for educational and growing family expenses," observed Thomas. "Elementary and secondary education is subsidized by the Ugandan government, but not completely free. These new and expanded enterprises are where they hope to use our expertise. With two students in college, I can relate to the challenge of providing for my family."

"In Uganda, women are in charge of the household by growing and preparing food for the family and looking after everyone at home," said Kabahuma. "By empowering the women and making them think of production for market in addition to feeding their families, more money will come in to the family and more kids will go to school. This project is going to have a big impact with cooperating farmers in the Kamuli District."

The next group of Iowa women farmers is scheduled to arrive in Uganda on Aug. 21. They will meet with both farmers and VEDCO administrators to continue helping improve on-site farm production, crop quality and farm business record keeping in the Kamuli District.

For more information, contact Margaret Smith at mrgsmith@iastate.edu.

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As Japanese beetles are spreading throughout Iowa and populations are increasing, more and more gardeners are dealing with these very hungry garden pests. Japanese beetle adults feed on a wide variety of plants. Iowa State University Extension specialists answer questions concerning these difficult to control pests. To have additional questions answered, contact the experts at hortline@iastate.edu or call 515-294-3108.

What are the Japanese beetle's favorite food plants?

Adult Japanese beetles have been documented to feed on the foliage, flowers and fruits of more than 300 different plants. Their top favorites are grape, cherry, apple, rose, raspberry and linden. A link to a list of the Japanese beetle's most- and least-favored woody plants can be found at the following website: www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2010/7-14/japanesebeetle.html

Can Japanese beetles be effectively controlled by using traps?

In a word, no. Several kinds of traps are available that use a floral scent and/or sex attractant to lure beetles into a net, jar or bag where the beetles can be contained till disposed of. In heavily-infested areas, traps may catch hundreds or thousands of beetles in the course of the summer. Unfortunately, this is a small percentage of the beetles in the area and makes no lasting impact on the beetle population or on the plant damage experienced.

The use of traps is not recommended. Research conducted in Kentucky and elsewhere found the traps do not control moderate to heavy infestations. The traps may attract more beetles than they catch and actually add more beetles to the yard than would occur otherwise.

In isolated locations far away from other Japanese beetle infestations, and in very lightly-infested areas, trapping may provide some benefit. Otherwise, traps will not make a difference.

Will treating my lawn for white grubs reduce the population of Japanese beetles on my plants next summer?

It would be nice if life could be that simple, but the relatively small area you can treat (compared to the grassy sites in the surrounding area) will not have any impact on the following year's adult population. Japanese beetle adults are very strong and capable fliers and may travel long distances from where they developed as larvae in fence rows, roadside ditches and other grass sites, to where they are feeding. You are likely to have beetles next summer whether you treat the grub stage in your lawn or not. Controlling one life stage does not preclude potential problems with the other.

This does not mean you should not treat the turfgrass. If desired, high value turf can be protected from the root-feeding larvae by treating the soil with a preventive insecticide in a timely fashion and according to label directions. Most of the available insecticides must be applied before mid-August to be effective as preventive treatments. Treating for grubs will protect the turfgrass. It will not prevent beetles from feeding in your landscape the following year.

What is the life cycle of the Japanese beetle?

In Iowa, adult beetles emerge in mid-June through July. Japanese beetles are similar to other Junebugs in appearance and 3/8 inch long and 1/4 inch wide. The head and thorax are shiny metallic green and the wing covers are coppery red. A distinguishing feature of the beetles is five tufts of white hairs on each side of the abdomen.

Japanese beetle larvae are typical white grubs. The larvae are in the soil from August until June where they feed on plant roots (especially turfgrass) and organic matter. The grubs are C-shaped and approximately 1.25 inches long when full grown.

Japanese beetles are defoliating my linden tree. Will they kill it?

Japanese beetles feed on more than 300 different plants. However, lindens are one of their favorites. Defoliation of well established, healthy lindens (and other trees) is usually not fatal. Defoliation is most harmful to recently planted trees (those planted in the last two to three years) and trees in poor health.

The foliage of recently planted and high-value trees can be protected with a soil-drench application of a systemic insecticide, such as imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control and other products). To be effective, treatments must be made several weeks ahead of beetle emergence.

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AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Learning Farms' (ILF) June webinar, to be held Wednesday, July 20, at noon, will feature Emily Heaton, who will present "Giant Miscanthus and other perennial energy crops." The webinar is part of a series, hosted by ILF, held on the third Wednesday of each month. The webinars are held over the noon hour through Adobe Connect. All that is needed to participate is a computer with Internet access.

Emily Heaton is an assistant professor of agronomy at Iowa State University, focusing on biomass crop production and physiology. While pursuing her doctorate in crop sciences at the University of Illinois, she pioneered and led research comparing the biomass production of Miscanthus and switchgrass in the U.S., research that indicated Miscanthus could produce 250 percent more ethanol than corn, without requiring additional land. Heaton joined Iowa State from Ceres, a plant genetics company in California that specializes in biomass crop breeding for fuel. At Iowa State, Heaton focuses on best management practices for perennial energy crops, with particular emphasis on Miscanthus and switchgrass.

To connect to the webinar, go to: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/. Heaton will be able to answer questions from webinar "attendees" via the Adobe Connect chat box. The ILF website homepage contains links for archived webinars from previous months: www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf.

Upcoming webinars include : ISU Agronomy professor Richard Cruse will discuss the report "Losing Ground" in August; Drake University Agricultural Law Center fellow Edward Cox will present information on the land tenure project with the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture in September. Please contact ILF with other topic ideas for future webinar sessions.

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AMES, Iowa ? Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) is sponsoring a field day at the Iowa State University (ISU) Neely-Kinyon Research and Demonstration Farm near Greenfield, Adair County, on Wednesday, July 27, from 6 - 8 p.m. The field day will include a complimentary dinner, and information about strategies for no-till as well as information about incorporating perennial vegetation to enhance no-till. Attendees will be able to see and learn about Giant Miscanthus and other perennial energy crops. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

Farmers and landowners interested in beginning no-till or who are experienced no-tillers can learn from the speakers at the field day. Greenfield area no-till farmer Randy Caviness will share his experiences from more than 20 years of no-till crop management. Jeremy Singer, research agronomist with the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, will answer questions about managing fall-seeded cover crops. The benefits of cover crops include enhancing no-till by reducing soil erosion and improving long-term soil tilth and water quality.

Also speaking are ISU Extension agricultural engineer Matt Helmers, who will discuss the potential of integrating perennial prairie strips with row crops to limit sediment and nutrient losses from crop acres. Emily Heaton, ISU assistant professor of agronomy, will showcase Giant Miscanthus plants that are being grown at the research farm. These perennial plants are being tested as an alternate source for biofuel energy production. ISU Extension agricultural engineer Mark Hanna will show farmers how to equip planters for successful no-till corn or soybean planting in high residue levels and will also offer farm energy and money-saving management tips.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their families to the field day to see the Conservation Station ? a mobile learning lab that teaches audiences of all ages about the importance of soil and water quality. The back of the Conservation Station houses a rainfall simulator, demonstrating the effects of rainfall on undisturbed soils with a variety of land covers, showing both surface water runoff as well as subsurface drainage. At the front is a learning center with displays and activities to learn about soil and water quality. Kids who attend the field day can become members of the "conservation pack" by participating in the Conservation Station's activities.

The ISU Neely-Kinyon Research and Demonstration Farm is located two miles south of Greenfield on Highway 25, then one-half mile east on 260th Street and a one-half mile north on Norfolk Avenue.

 

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