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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WASHINGTON - Members of the Iowa congressional delegation have added their support for Governor Terry Branstad's request for a federal declaration of a major disaster for the state due to catastrophic losses because of the avian flu outbreak.

"The Governor determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments to handle effectively and federal assistance is needed," the members wrote.

The disease has wiped out tens of millions of birds and cost producers hundreds of millions of dollars in losses.  Dozens of poultry farms in the state have been hit by the disease.

A copy of the text of the letter is below.  A signed copy of the letter can be found here.

Clinton, IA (June 11, 2015) The Rotary Club of Clinton's "Celebrate our Heritage, Invest in our Future" campaign to raise $1 Million to renovate the Eagle Point Park Lodge is over half-way to its goal thanks to great endorsements and community support..

The Rotary Club of Clinton led project to renovate the 1930's built Eagle Point Park Lodge announced this week that it has raised over $538,000 so far and still anticipates getting to $1 Million by July 1^st.  Dedicated Rotarians picked this project and set the lofty, but attainable, goal as a way to give back to the community in celebration of the Rotary Club of Clinton's 100 years of service.

"We wanted to celebrate our 100^th anniversary by doing something remarkable and bigger than normal to show our gratitude to the community for their support the past 100 years.  We couldn't think of a better way of giving back then making sure one of the area's treasures stands tall for 100 more years," said Kellie Hillis, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clinton and campaign co-chair.

The fundraising campaign, which started seeking funding the beginning of April, has been endorsed by numerous local groups including the Chamber of Commerce, Clinton Convention & Visitors Bureau, Clinton Regional Development Corporation and the Lyons Business Group.

The Eagle Point Park Lodge was built in the 1930's by WPA workmen.  There have been some additions and upgrades since then, but with crumbling walls, outdated fixtures and increased usage, the lodge is in need of some improvements.  The $1 million renovation includes leveling out the entrances and updating the bathrooms for ADA compliance, creating a grand entrance with lodge feel that can accommodate buses, expanding the veranda on the river side to allow for outdoor event space, aesthetic interior and exterior improvements plus the addition of a small meeting/bridal room.

If you'd like to contribute to the "Celebrate our Heritage, Invest in our Future" campaign.  Please mail check to: Gateway Area Foundation, PO Box 1024, Clinton, IA 52732 or email epplodgeproject@gmail.com.

Secretary Hails Program's 30th Anniversary, Announces General Signup Period

MILWAUKEE, May 29, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that an additional 800,000 acres of highly environmentally sensitive land may be enrolled in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) under certain wetland and wildlife initiatives that provide multiple benefits on the same land.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will accept new offers to participate in CRP under a general signup to be held Dec. 1, 2015, through Feb. 26, 2016. Eligible existing program participants with contracts expiring Sept. 30, 2015, will be granted an option for one-year extensions. Farmers and ranchers interested in removing sensitive land from agricultural production and planting grasses or trees to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and restore wildlife habitat are encouraged to enroll. Secretary Vilsack made the announcement during a speech delivered at the Ducks Unlimited National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

"For 30 years, the Conservation Reserve Program has supported farmers and ranchers as they continue to be good stewards of land and water. This initiative has helped farmers and ranchers prevent more than 8 billion tons of soil from eroding, reduce nitrogen and phosphorous runoff relative to cropland by 95 and 85 percent respectively, and even sequester 43 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, equal to taking 8 million cars off the road," said Vilsack. "This has been one of most successful conservation programs in the history of the country, and today's announcement keeps that momentum moving forward."

The voluntary Conservation Reserve Program allows USDA to contract with agricultural producers so that environmentally sensitive land is conserved. Participants establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species to control soil erosion, improve water quality and develop wildlife habitat. In return, USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years.

"CRP protects water quality and restores significant habitat for ducks, pheasants, turkey, quail, deer and other important wildlife. That spurs economic development like hunting and fishing, outdoor recreation and tourism all over rural America," said Vilsack. "Today we're allowing an additional 800,000 acres for duck nesting habitat and other wetland and wildlife habitat initiatives to be enrolled in the program."

In addition to Ducks Unlimited's partnership with the Conservation Reserve Program, other longtime partners include Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, National Association of State Foresters, National Wild Turkey Federation, Audubon Society, National Bobwhite Technical Committee, Quality Deer Management Association, National Rural Water Association, Playa Lakes Joint Venture, Longleaf Alliance, state soil and water conservation districts, and state forestry, agriculture and natural resource agencies.

"I encourage all farmers and ranchers to consider the various CRP continuous sign-up initiatives that may help target specific resource concerns," said Vilsack. "Financial assistance is offered for many practices including conservation buffers and pollinator habitat plantings, and initiatives such as the highly erodible lands, bottomland hardwood tree and longleaf pine, all of which are extremely important."

Farmers and ranchers may visit their FSA county office for additional information. The 2014 Farm Bill authorized the enrollment of grasslands in CRP and information on grasslands enrollment will be available after the regulation is published later this summer.

The Conservation Reserve Program was re-authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing, and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

For more information about CRP, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/conservation, or contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency office. To find your local FSA office, visit http://offices.usda.gov.