17 Jul 2015

News from the ISU Scott County Extension Office

By Amanda Heitz

ISU Extension and Outreach Offers Weeds Week Aug. 3-7

Weeds, herbicides and the effectiveness of herbicides to control weeds are topics of agronomic and economic importance to farmers and agribusinesses. It is so important that Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomists are hosting Weeds Week, a weeklong series of informational meetings. As part of Weeds Week, a session will be held August 3, 2015 in Crawfordsville, Iowa.

"Farmers are challenged with producing crops and implementing effective weed management programs in a profitable manner," said Virgil Schmitt, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach in southeast Iowa. "Our goal is to help farmers develop effective weed management plans."

Schmitt said the meetings are intended to help farmers and ag retailers support each other in this process.  "By supporting each other, they can increase their profitability and minimize negative impacts on the environment," Schmitt said. "The sessions have been developed to provide tools that help farmers and agribusinesses work together to develop long-term weed management plans that identify sites of action, promote timely application of herbicides and avoid the expenses of dealing with herbicide resistance."

Each session will include presentations, hands-on weed management planning, small group discussion and plot tours presented by extension field agronomists. In the farmer-oriented session, farmers will learn how to select herbicides from the herbicide effectiveness table, identify which herbicides to apply and develop their own four-year weed management plan. Agribusiness representatives will receive similar information, but it will be presented with a focus on how to support farmers and their operations.

On August 3, 2015 a session will be held at the Southeast Research Farm. 3115 Louisa-Washington Road, Crawfordsville, Iowa.  At 9:30 a.m. a Farmer Session will be held with an Agribussiness Session to follow at 1 p.m.

Registration is $25 for each session and includes refreshments, lunch and materials. To assist with facility and meal planning there is a registration deadline four days prior to the meeting. Register online with a credit card at www.aep.iastate.edu/weeds/. For more information, call 515-294-6429 or anr@isstate.edu.

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ISU Scott County Extension Master Gardener Fall 2015 Openings

Do you like to garden and share your gardening experiences with others? Are you a plant enthusiast who looks forward to spring time and the outdoors?   Then the Iowa State University (ISU) Scott County Extension Master Gardeners wants you!

Master Gardeners are volunteers, trained by ISU in horticulture, who return service to the community through a variety of educational projects.  Trainees attend over 40 hours of classes and complete volunteer service.  Each master gardener has the opportunity to learn and share their unique skills and knowledge with others in a variety of way.

Each year this opportunity is extended to a limited number of residents of Scott County.  Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings this fall at the ISU Scott County Extension and Outreach office, starting September 10th.  There is a fee which covers the training and reference materials provided by ISU Scott County Extension and Outreach Office.

If you are interested in joining the Master Gardener program, additional information and an application for the 2015 fall session is available at our website http://www.extension.iastate.edu/scott/.  The deadline for receipt of applications is July 31st.  Applicants can attend a Master Gardener informational session scheduled in August.  Send completed applications to Scott County Extension and Outreach, 875 Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf.  Call 359-7577 with any questions.

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Webinar to Focus on Pollinators and Growing Herbs

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Scott County office will wrap up the sixth annual "Growing Season" webinar series in August.

The August webinar, Pollinators and Growing Herbs, with Nathan Brockman and Susan Appleget Hurst, will be offered on August 19, 2015, at the Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf, IA from 7 to 9 pm. Participants will learn about attracting bees, birds, and butterflies to their gardens as well as growing, harvesting and preserving culinary herbs.  There is a $5.00 fee that is payable at the door, however, pre-registration for the webinar is requested.

To register please contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Scott County office at 563-359-7577 or aheitz@iastate.edu.  All Master Gardeners who attend will earn two continuing education hours for each webinar.

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Scott County Master Gardeners to Host an English Afternoon Tea

The Scott County Master Gardeners cordially invite you to attend an English Afternoon Tea on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at the Butterworth Center, 1105 8th Street, Moline, Illinois.  From 1-2 p.m. tour the gardens at the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House with a light refreshment provided.  Beginning at 2 p.m. Master Gardener Dan Mays will present "Garden Designs."  To wrap up the afternoon an English Afternoon Tea will be served at 3 p.m.  The cost of this event is $20.00 per person, it is open to the public with limited seating.  Please R.S.V.P. with your check by July 24th made payable to Scott County Extension, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722.  For additional information contact the Scott County Extension office at 563-359-7577.

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EXTENSION CALENDAR

August 7, 2015    Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10 am-2pm

August 19, 2015    Pollinators and Growing Herbs, Scott County Extension Office, 7-9 pm

August 25, 2015    Extension Council Meeting, Scoot County Extension Office, 7 pm

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

17 Jul 2015

USDA and NASA Expand Innovative Partnership to Better Predict Wildfires, Monitor Drought from Space

By USDA Office of Communications

Updated Memorandum of Understanding strengthens research and data sharing, promotes STEM and agriculture to younger generations

MOFFETT FIELD, California, July 16, 2015–Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden and NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman today announced an expanded partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) designed to better protect America's working lands, predict and prevent natural disasters, and inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and agriculture.

"Space is a unique laboratory that can be a gateway to solving some of the greatest agricultural challenges of our time," says Deputy Secretary Harden. "This partnership is a powerful opportunity for USDA and NASA to yield new tools and techniques to help farmers and ranchers as they deal with the ongoing impacts of climate change and drought. Perhaps most importantly, this partnership will expose more young people to the power of science and innovation to solve some of the world's most pressing challenges."

"There are many areas where NASA and USDA have overlapping interests," said NASA's Deputy Administrator Dava Newman. "We can now better coordinate and build on the resources of both NASA and the USDA to help learn more about our planet's vital resources and inspire the next generation to become better stewards of our planet."

Among other things, the agreement will expand cooperation on space-borne remote sensing efforts to gather soil moisture data. One potential outcome of the expanded partnership between USDA and NASA could be using satellite data to create a series of soil moisture maps for California that could be used to improve weather and water availability forecasting and provide a drought early-warning system to producers, particularly in California.

Under the new agreement, USDA now has expanded access to data from NASA satellites that will help Forest Service fire fighters and first responders better detect wildfires and predict their behavior. USDA and the Department of the Interior have spent nearly $1.5 billion annually over the past decade on wildfire suppression, but this new technology has the potential to stop wildfires before they start, saving money, land, and even lives.

Deputy Secretary Harden and Deputy Administrator Newman were joined by California 4-H members at NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the expanded collaboration between USDA and NASA. As hunger and climate change are rapidly escalating threats to public health and national security, both NASA and USDA have a role to play in inspiring the next generation of students to pursue careers in STEM and agricultural fields.

Ames Research Center, one of ten NASA field enters, is located in the heart of California's Silicon Valley. For more than 75 years, Ames has led NASA in conducting world-class research and development in aeronautics, exploration technology and science aligned with the center's core capabilities. The International Space Station (ISS), operated by NASA, includes a National Laboratory where ground-breaking scientific research is conducted every day. Currently, NASA has a mini veggie farm at the International Space Station to grow fresh produce like lettuce.

Since 2009, USDA has invested $4.32 billion in research and development grants. Studies have shown that every dollar invested in agricultural research now returns over $20 to our economy. In recent years, research by USDA scientists has led to discoveries of everything from a potential solution for millions who suffer allergies from peanuts to safe mosquito control that can help halt the transmission of diseases they spread, among others. For the latest on discoveries by USDA researchers, read the 2014 Annual Report on Technology Transfer.

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17 Jul 2015

Gov. Branstad issues disaster proclamation for Jefferson and Wayne counties

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) –Governor Terry E. Branstad yesterday issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for Jefferson and Wayne counties in response to recent severe weather.

The governor`s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of severe storms and flooding that significantly impacted the two counties beginning on June 20, 2015, and continuing.

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17 Jul 2015

Governor Surveys Tornado Damage

By Catherine Kelly

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner will survey the tornado damage in Tazewell and Warren Counties today. He will visit Delavan in Tazewell County and Cameron in Warren County, where he will hold a media briefing.

 

What: Governor Surveys Tornado Damage

Where: Delavan Fire Department

416 Pine Street, Delavan

Date: Friday, July 17, 2015

Time: 10:30 a.m.

 

What: Governor Surveys Tornado Damage and Holds Media Briefing

Where: Central Warren Fire Protection District - Cameron Fire Station

654 Railroad Street, Cameron

Time: Governor Arrives - 12:30 p.m.

Media Briefing - 1:15 p.m.

 

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15 Jul 2015

Making Summer More Energy Efficient

By Steve Burke

By Nathaniel Sillin

It's expected to be a hotter summer this year, but don't confine your money-saving efforts to the thermostat.

The warm months can be the best time to focus on cutting year-round energy costs (http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/steo/report/electricity.cfm). Free of snow, ice and wind, it's easier to spot problems, do repairs and budget for energy-efficient appliances and fix-up projects that can save considerable money in the future.

Your first step should be better tracking and analysis of the energy you buy. The most common sources of energy spending are home utilities and fuel costs for vehicles. However, if you own a vacation home, operate a business within your residential space or have different vehicles for land or water, see if you can separate those numbers so you can more clearly identify usage patterns month to month and find ways to cut back.

Think about an energy audit. Whether you do it yourself or pay for the services of a certified professional summer is the best time to do a basement-to-rooftop energy audit (http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/professional-home-energy-audits). Some utility companies have home energy audits online so you can see where your energy is going. Prospective homeowners might make an energy audit part of their home inspection process. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 2014, the average American spent 60 percent of their energy dollars heating rooms and water. Another 16 percent goes to lighting, cooling and food refrigeration. The remainder - nearly a quarter of total home energy uses - covers all miscellaneous energy use in the house.

Then focus on the thermostat. In the summer, confine heavy air conditioning use to the hottest nights, and the rest of the time, try to set the thermostat a little higher than you do now. For example, the U.S. Energy Department says that setting your air conditioning to 78 degrees instead of 72 can save between 6-18 percent on your summer cooling bill. Before you spend money on a programmable thermostat or convert your real-time utility billing to a budget plan, note that some research questions their value (https://today.duke.edu/2015/04/autopay). First, see how much you can save by shutting off vents and doors and drawing curtains in unused rooms and spaces. If you don't have pets, you may consider setting your thermostat significantly higher than 78 before you leave for work.

Lights out. We've all been admonished to turn off the lights when we leave a room, but there are other things we can do to capture random, or "vampire," energy waste. Sensors, dimmers and timers can reduce lighting use, and installing power strips can keep computers, microwaves, cable boxes, DVRs and high-end TV sets from sucking energy even when they're not turned on. Unplugging between uses works too. Also, swapping conventional incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) can provide lighting that lasts longer and saves money on replacements.

Check for tax credits and rebates. Make a call to your tax professional, check the Internal Revenue Service's website (http://www.irs.gov/uac/Form-5695,-Residential-Energy-Credits) and EnergyStar.gov for news on residential energy credits for specific replacement appliances and energy-saving improvements to your home. Keep in mind that Congress traditionally acts late each year to renew old credits or to approve new ones.

Consider energy-smart landscaping. Keep in mind that well-placed trees and shrubs can shield a home from the sun and the elements year-round and potentially save 25 percent on energy costs annually.

Cars, gas, and public transportation. If you drive, consolidate errands, fill up your tank at cheaper times and consider smartphone apps to find low gas prices for commuting and vacation use. And if you don't regularly use public transportation, start testing it during the summer. The additional walking most people do when they take public transportation has health benefits as well.

Bottom line: This summer, don't just try to keep cool. Save money by changing your year-round energy behavior.

03 Jul 2015

USDA Reminds Conservation Groups of Impending Deadline

By USDA Office of Communications

Eligible conservation coalitions nationwide have about a week to submit pre-proposals to improve soil heath, preserve clean water, combat drought and protect wildlife habitat. The deadline is July 8th.

For more information see: http://blogs.usda.gov/2015/07/02/conservation-program-pre-proposals-due-july-8/

03 Jul 2015

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS: REGISTER FOR XSTREAM CLEANUP TODAY!

By Brandy Walvaert

QUAD-CITIES–Xstream Cleanup, presented by Group O and Riverboat Development Authority, is seeking hundreds of volunteers to clean up about 35 sites in the Quad-Cities area on Saturday, August 8 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Cleanup sites are located in Bettendorf, Davenport and LeClaire, Iowa; and Hampton, Milan, Moline, Rock Island and Silvis, Illinois.

Volunteers can choose to participate in light-duty cleanup, heavy-duty cleanup, or removal of invasive plants and other vegetation. Removal of invasive plants continues to be an important part of the cleanup because these harmful species negatively affect water quality in the Quad-Cities and beyond.

No previous cleanup experience is necessary, and supplies will be provided. A parent or guardian must accompany volunteers under the age of 18.

In an effort to reduce waste from the event, cases of bottled water will not be provided at cleanup sites this year. Volunteers will receive a reusable, BPA-free water bottle as a token of gratitude for their efforts. Event-themed T-shirts will not be given away as in previous years.

Xstream Cleanup is made possible by generous support provided by the following: Group O, Riverboat Development Authority, Alcoa, Triumph Community Bank, Iowa American Water, Eastern Iowa Grain Inspection and Weighing Service, Rock Island County Waste Management Agency, Alter Metal Recycling, DHL Global Forwarding, McCarthy Bush Corporation, MidAmerican Energy, Quad City Conservation Alliance, Sears Seating, Wallace's Garden Center, Radish Magazine, and Midas Auto Systems Experts.

For more information or to register, visit www.xstreamcleanup.org.
01 Jul 2015

Governor Branstad issues disaster proclamation for 18 counties

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Governor Terry E. Branstad today issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for 18 counties in response to recent severe weather.

The governor's proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of severe storms and an EF 1 tornado that impacted portions of Wapello County on June 20, 2015, and continuing. The proclamation also allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of severe storms and flooding that significantly impacted the following 17 counties beginning on June 24, 2015, and continuing: Adair, Allamakee, Appanoose, Butler, Clayton, Dallas, Des Moines, Guthrie, Henry, Howard, Lee, Lucas, Marion, Mitchell, Polk, , Warren and Winneshiek.

In addition, the governor's proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Program in the following 10 counties: Adair, Appanoose, Dallas, Guthrie, Henry, Lucas, Marion, Polk, Wapello and Warren.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or a maximum annual income of $40,180, for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

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01 Jul 2015

National Geographic Mississippi River Geotourism Community Outreach Meetings August 10-11

By LeClaire Chamber of Commerce

Jim Dion, Director of Tourism Projects, National Geographic Society, will return to the Quad Cities for a series of community outreach meetings, as a follow-up to the original meeting held here March 9-10.

The community outreach meeting schedule follows:

Monday, Aug. 10, 5:30 p.m, LeClaire City Hall, 325 Wisconsin Street, LeClaire, Iowa

Tuesday, Aug. 11

8 a.m., Rogalski Center, Saint Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa

11 a.m., Bier Stube, 415 15th Street, Moline, Illinois

1:30 p.m., Establishment Theatre, 220 19th Street, Rock Island, Illinois

3:30 p.m., Isle Center, Isle Casino Complex, 1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf, Iowa

Each meeting will last about 90 minutes and will inform local residents and businesses about the National Geographic Mississippi River Geotourism Project. Special emphasis will be given on participation in the project and adding content to the geotourism website. Residents are invited to nominate local businesses, landmarks, attractions, activities, events and local foods by November 1, 2015 at mississippiriver.natgeotourism.com

The completed website is set to be launched in August 2016.

To RSVP or for more information, contact: Joe Taylor at jtaylor@visitquadcities.com or (309) 736-6820
26 Jun 2015

Webinar to Focus on Water in the Garden

By Amanda Heitz

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Scott County office will continue hosting the sixth annual "Growing Season" webinar series in July.


The July webinar, Water in the Garden, with Denny Schrock, PhD and Jamie Beyer, will be offered on July 15, 2015, at the Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf, IA from 7 to 9 pm. Participants will learn about various water saving techniques to apply to their garden.  They will also find out how to incorporate creative water features into their home gardens.  There is a $5.00 fee that is payable at the door, however, pre-registration for the webinar is requested.


To register please contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Scott County office at 563-359-7577 or aheitz@iastate.edu.  All master gardeners attending will earn two continuing education hours for each webinar.


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