top of page
FM 100.1 banners2.png
AMFM LOGO2.png

Clayton County Extension and Outreach for November 13th

8 hours ago
6 min read

Clayton County ISU Extension & Outreach Media Packet for 11/13/26

November 18

9:00 AM Ag Pest Control C-CIC Elkader, IA


November 19

8:00AM Driftless Water Forum Edgewood, IA


November 25 - 27

8:00AM Clayton County Office Closed Elkader, IA


December 9

9:00AM Pest Control Operators C-CIC Elkader, IA



Iowa 4-H and Iowa FFA Launch Ag Unlocked Youth Leadership Summit

New partnership creates immersive agricultural experiences for Iowa youth, supported by Pioneer sales reps

A MES, Iowa — Iowa 4-H and Iowa FFA are proud to announce the launch of “Ag Unlocked: Explore. Connect. Lead.”, a new agricultural leadership summit designed to inspire the next generation of agricultural innovators, entrepreneurs and community leaders. This event is made possible through the generous financial support from Pioneer®, Vylor's flagship seed brand, sales representatives across Iowa.

Scheduled for March 22-23, 2027, at Iowa State University, Ag Unlocked will bring together up to 100 Iowa high school students for a two-day immersive experience focused on agriculture, technology, leadership, business and career exploration. The program is open to students in grades 9-12, including FFA and 4-H members and youth interested in agriculture, STEM and rural community leadership. 

"Our goal is to help youth connect their interests and talents to meaningful careers and opportunities in agriculture," said Mitchell Hoyer, Iowa 4-H Youth Development program leader. "By bringing together young leaders from across Iowa, we're creating an experience that encourages curiosity, confidence and a vision for what's possible."

Throughout the summit, students will participate in hands-on workshops, mentorship opportunities, networking with industry professionals, leadership development activities and a campus experience at Iowa State University. 

"This program is about helping young people discover the breadth of opportunities available in agriculture today," said Shannon Latham, Iowa FFA Foundation executive director. "Whether a student's interests are in technology, animal science, agronomy, communications, business or leadership, Ag Unlocked will help them envision how they can shape the future of agriculture."

Participants will select from four learning pathways:

  • Innovate – AI, robotics, digital agriculture and emerging technologies

  • Grow – crops, soils, agronomy and food production

  • Raise – livestock, animal science, genetics and animal agriculture

  • Lead – entrepreneurship, business, communications, engineering and leadership

The summit will be offered at no cost to selected participants thanks to the generous donations from Iowa Pioneer sales reps. Students will submit an application that includes essay questions, a résumé and a letter of recommendation. Applications will open Nov. 1, and participants will be notified in early February. 

“For 100 years, Pioneer has helped advance agriculture through science, technology and innovation and we know the industry’s continued progress will depend on curious, talented young people who are excited to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges,” said Amanda Rinehart, Pioneer area sales leader. "The enthusiasm and generosity of our sales representatives and employees made this opportunity possible. We're proud to support Iowa FFA and Iowa 4-H in helping young people explore careers, build leadership skills and discover their potential."

Ag Unlocked represents a first-of-its-kind partnership between Iowa 4-H, Iowa FFA, Iowa State University and Pioneer, creating a unique opportunity for students to explore the many pathways that drive agriculture and rural communities forward.

For more information and application details, please visit the Ag Unlocked website or contact Celine Beggs-Shoemaker, 4-H animal science specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, at cmbeggs@iastate.edu. 



Ag Leadership Conference Highlights Local Roots and Global Perspectives

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host the 10th Annual Ag Leadership Conference Dec. 2–3 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. This year’s conference theme, “Local Roots. Global Perspectives.,” will explore how leadership, innovation and community action create impacts that reach far beyond local communities.

The two-day event will bring together farmers, agribusiness professionals and others to learn, connect and gain new perspectives on the future of agriculture and rural communities.

“This conference will support attendees as they strengthen their leadership skills, build meaningful relationships and explore ideas shaping agriculture locally and globally,” said Madeline Schultz, extension agriculture specialist with the Beginning Farmer Center at Iowa State. 

Conference speakers


Featured keynote speaker Mashal Husain, president of the World Food Prize Foundation, will open the conference. Husain brings an international perspective shaped by a career dedicated to advancing global food security and agricultural innovation.

The conference also features Tim Glenn, retired executive vice president of Corteva Agriscience. His keynote offers lessons learned from a career spanning more than 40 countries. 

Award-winning author, filmmaker and pie advocate Beth Howard will explain why “Pie Is Always the Answer” following a screening of her documentary “PIEOWA: A Piece of America.” A pie social will highlight the power of food, storytelling and shared experiences to build stronger communities.

Panelists Arti Singh, associate professor of agronomy at Iowa State, and Karl Kerns, assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State, will share insights on how artificial intelligence is opening doors to innovative solutions for complex agricultural challenges.  

Conference attendees will gain perspectives on navigating change, building relationships and shaping the future of agriculture as capstone speaker Courtney Knupp, chief executive officer of the United Soybean Board, closes out the event. 

The conference will also recognize three agricultural leaders during the annual Iowans Impacting Agriculture awards program. Honorees Ann Leonard, Joanne Tupper and Dave Wise will be recognized for their lasting contributions to Iowa agriculture, leadership and community development. 

Participants will have the opportunity to experience innovation firsthand through guided Iowa State University tours:

  • Digital Ag Innovation Lab

  • Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex

  • Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

  • Student Innovation Center

  • Reiman Gardens

  • Brunnier Art Museum

  • Therkildsen Industrial Engineering Building

Additional conference sessions will address high-stakes communication, health and wellness, agricultural policy, leadership, authentic storytelling, preparing to lead, local food system building and business succession planning.

“The true impact of this conference will be measured by what happens after participants return home,” said Lisa Scarbrough, communications specialist with the Beginning Farmer Center at Iowa State. “We hope the attendees leave inspired to start new conversations, build new partnerships and create positive change within agriculture and rural communities.”

Registration

Early registration for the conference is $170 through Nov. 17. Beginning Nov. 18, registration is $215. Student registration is $50.

Registration information and a complete conference agenda are available at the Ag Leadership Conference website.

Conference sponsors include Farm Credit Services of America, Landus, ISU Extension and Outreach Polk County, ISU Extension and Outreach Ag Decision Maker, Bank Iowa, the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development at Iowa State and Corteva. 

For more information, contact Madeline Schultz at schultz@iastate.edu or Lisa Scarbrough at lscarb@iastate.edu.


Additional Stories Published Online

The following news releases have been published on the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach website.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host the 10th Annual Ag Leadership Conference Dec. 2–3 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames.


The Open Meetings and Open Records training will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the ISU Extension and Outreach Warren County Office, 200 W. Second Ave., Indianola.



Iowa crop producers should review their farm bill program options and complete enrollment decisions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency ahead of upcoming Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage deadlines.


Iowa city officials and staff can learn practical ways to explain local budgets, taxes, services and difficult funding decisions during an online workshop offered Dec. 4 by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.


The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team will host its annual Dairy Goat Management Seminar at two locations in December. The focus is healthy herds and profitable practices.


Combining international travel, college credit and hands-on learning, Iowa 4-H's STEM AgriVenture is preparing youth to become leaders, educators and changemakers.


Newly elected and appointed public officials, including board and commission members, can learn about Iowa's open meetings and public records laws during five online training sessions offered in December by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development.

 
 
bottom of page