Feb. 24, 2015 Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7 pm-9 pm

March 4, 2015 Ornamental and Turf Applicators, Scott County Extension Office, 9:00 am-11:30 am

March 12, 2015 Master Gardener 2015 Webinar Series: Supporting Local Food Systems, Scott County Extension Office, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm

March 20, 2015 Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10:00 am-2:00pm

March 24, 2015 Certified Handlers, Scott County Extension Office, 9:00 am-11:30 am

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

Area hay and forage producers are invited to attend the 32nd^t Annual Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association (EIHPA) Annual Meeting and Conference on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Buzzy's in Welton. Registration will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the program scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.

This year's conference will focus on forage rotation and cover crops. Dr. Matt Liebman, ISU Professor of Agronomy, will speak on forages as part of a crop rotation. Liebman's research focuses on diversified cropping systems, weed ecology and management, and the use of native perennial species for soil and water conservation and biofuel production, including crop rotations, cover crops, green manures, intercrops, reconstructed prairies, conservation strips, animal manures, composts, and insects and rodents. Mark Carlton, ISU Extension Field Agronomist, will speak on utilizing cover crops as a forage. He will be followed by a panel of producers who are using cover crops as a forage source for their livestock operation. Following lunch and a brief annual meeting to elect officers and directors, will be regional updates from Virgil Schmitt, ISU Extension Field Agronomist, and Denise Schwab, ISU Extension Beef Specialist. Specific regional topics to be addressed include information on the newly released low lignin alfalfa and concerns about molds and mycotoxins in corn stover.

Registration for the conference is $30 and includes a membership to EIHPA and meal. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Certified crop advisor credits have been applied for. This conference is sponsored by EIHPA, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach, and the Iowa Beef Center.

The Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association provides educational workshops and field days for forage producers in Jackson, Jones, Clinton, Cedar, Scott and Muscatine counties. However, forage producers from other counties are also welcome to participate. For more information contact Denise Schwab at dschwab@iastate.edu or Kevin Brown at brofarm@windstream.net or 563-872-4475.

-30-

Prairie View, Texas, Feb. 9, 2015 - USDA's Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Joe Leonard today announced the availability of more than $18 million to strengthen the research, teaching and extension capabilities at 19 historically black land-grant colleges and universities in an effort to recruit and train students for careers in agriculture. Leonard made the announcement today during a visit to Prairie View A&M University.

"This support for the 1890 land-grant universities is an example of the Obama Administration and Secretary Vilsack's commitment to the 1890 Institutions," Leonard said. "This funding will continue to positively impact students, professors, and institutions for future generations."

The funding is being made available through the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) 1890 Institution Research, Extension, and Teaching Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program. NIFA provides support to historically black colleges and universities that were designated at as land-grant universities in the Second Morrill Act in 1890. Grants to these 1890 universities support research, extension and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences by building the institutional capacities of these schools.

The 1890 CBG Program strengthens the linkages among the 1890 universities, other colleges and universities, USDA, and private industry. It focuses on strengthening research and extension programs at the 1890 institutions and advancing cultural diversity in the scientific and professional workforce by attracting and educating more students from underrepresented groups.

Full applications for the 1890 CBG program are due March 26, 2015. Please see the request for applications for specific program requirements.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.

#

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2015 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced the availability of more than $16 million in funding to support research, education and Extension efforts to improve food production and increase food security, defined as regular access to affordable, nutritious food. NIFA is funding the grants through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Food Security program.

"Agricultural production is inextricably linked to the health of our nation, and every American deserves access to safe, nutrient-rich food," said Sonny Ramaswamy, NIFA director. "This funding will increase food security by improving agricultural production systems at the regional and national levels and by encouraging diverse agricultural production."

The goal of the AFRI Food Security challenge area in 2015 is to develop more sustainable, productive, and economically viable plant and animal production systems. This program will also develop regionally-adapted crop cultivars and livestock breeds that contribute to rural economic development and prosperity while enhancing food security.

The fiscal year 2015 AFRI Food Security request for applications addresses four priorities of the 2014 Farm Bill to continue building a foundation of knowledge in fundamental and applied food and agricultural sciences that are critical for solving current and future societal challenges. The four priority areas include : plant health, production, and products; animal health, production, and products; food safety, nutrition and health; and agriculture economics and rural communities.

A letter of intent is due March 19, 2015, and full applications are due May 21, 2015. Please see the request for applications for specific program requirements.

The purpose of AFRI is to support research, education, and extension work by awarding grants that address key problems of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture. AFRI is NIFA's flagship competitive grant program authorized under the 2014 Farm Bill and supports work in six priority areas: 1) plant health and production and plant products; 2) animal health and production and animal products; 3) food safety, nutrition and health; 4) bioenergy, natural resources and environment; 5) agriculture systems and technology; and 6) agriculture economics and rural communities.

The 2014 Farm Bill requires NIFA to establish Centers of Excellence for food and agricultural research, education, and extension. Applicants who meet the requirements of this funding opportunity are also eligible to apply for Center of Excellence designation as part of their grant application, which gives them priority consideration during the external peer review process. Information on applying for this designation can be found in the RFA.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. More information is at: www.nifa.usda.gov.

#