Clayton County Extension and Outreach for October 29th
Clayton County ISU Extension & Outreach Media Packet for 10/29/26
November 5
12:30 PM Dairy Queso Fresco Chesse Making Workshop Manchester, IA
November 11
7:30 PM Clayton County Extension Council Meeting Elkader, IA
November 15
5:30 PM 4-H Pizzazz Night Elkader, IA
November 17
9:00 AM Fumigation C-CIC Elkader, IA
November 18
9:00 AM Ag Pest Control C-CIC Elkader, IA

4-H Citizenship Group Welcomes Guest Speakers
Tate Berns, an active-duty member of the Marion Police Department, and Luke Tuecke, an active-duty Marine with the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, were welcomed as guest speakers at the Northeast Iowa 4-H Citizenship meeting on Sunday, October 25, at Keystone AEA.
Berns and Tuecke took turns answering questions from 4-H Citizenship youth representing Clayton, Delaware, and Fayette counties. They shared where they grew up, where they attended high school, and what inspired them to pursue their current careers. Youth also asked about their training, what it is like to learn and perform their jobs, the stresses they experience in their positions, and how they manage stress. Both speakers emphasized the importance of physical activity as a way to relieve stress.
The speakers also shared that some of their favorite aspects of their jobs are community outreach and interacting with the public. In addition, they discussed their future aspirations and goals.
When asked about their experiences in 4-H, both men reflected on the valuable skills and opportunities the youth organization provided. They highlighted leadership, communication, interacting with others, and taking advantage of the opportunities 4-H offers. Berns also participated in the Northeast Iowa 4-H Citizenship program and traveled to Washington, D.C., in 2021.
Both Berns and Tuecke graduated from Clayton County high schools, were active 4-H club members, and served on the Clayton County 4-H Youth Council.
Their visit was a testament to the values and opportunities that 4-H provides. A portion of the 4-H pledge states, “My hands to larger service,” and concludes with a commitment to “my club, my community, my country, and my world.” Through their experiences, Berns and Tuecke demonstrated how the skills and opportunities they gained through 4-H continue to influence their careers as public servants and their contributions to their communities.
To learn more about the Northeast Iowa 4-H Citizenship program or other 4-H opportunities, contact Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Clayton County or visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/clayton/4h.

Farmers, Ag Professionals Invited to Beginner and Intermediate Grain Marketing Workshop Jan. 5–6 in Peosta
October 27, 2026 |
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm Business Management Team invites farmers and agriculture professionals to a Grain Marketing Workshop in Peosta, Jan. 5–6, 2027. The two-day workshop is designed for participants of all experience levels, from those with limited or intermediate skills to seasoned, successful grain marketers. The program is developed and facilitated by ISU Extension and Outreach staff; those from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois are also welcome and encouraged to attend.
Paul Martin, farm management specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, said the event offers a valuable opportunity for farmers. The primary goal of the workshop is that any farmer, farm family member or employee will learn more about how to create successful grain marketing plans to improve selling price. There is also value in stepping away from day-to-day work and hearing from marketing experts.
Before attending the workshop, participants will complete several pre-workshop activities, including calculating their 2027 cost of production and developing a cash flow budget, completing self-assessment exercises, answering questions about risk aversion and watching a short series of videos from former economics professor and extension grain markets specialist at Iowa State, Chad Hart. Another pre-workshop activity is the “Business IQ” survey, which identifies strengths and weaknesses of agricultural producers in managing uncertainty and achieving business success. The activities will be provided upon registration and should be completed before the workshop.
Workshop speakers and topics include:
Paul Martin: “Cost of Production for 2027 and Beyond”
Mike Rusch, sales director at Total Farm Marketing: “From Gut Feel to Revenue Management: How Grain Marketing Has Evolved"
Matt Campbell, risk management consultant at StoneX: “Charts and Graphs, Basis and Other Exciting Things”
Cully Cederberg, commodity sales consultant, Total Farm Marketing: “Grain Futures and Options 101: Understanding the Tools and How They Work”
Joseph Lensing and Eric Wueve, farm management specialists with ISU Extension and Outreach: “Tools in Your Toolbox and Fundamental Difference in Mindset for New Crop and Old Crop Marketing”
Ed Usset, grain marketing economist at the University of Minnesota Center for Farm Financial Management: “5 Common Mistakes in Grain Marketing” and “Considering All Things, Developing a Marketing Plan”
Ryan Benes, risk management consultant at Elite Ag Insurance: “Marketing with Crop Insurance as your partner”
Sponsor Panel Q&A
Registration and accommodations
Those who wish to attend the workshop must register online by Dec. 26. The registration cost is $125, and the workshop is limited to 80 participants.
The workshop will take place at Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta, located at 8342 NICC Dr.
Participants who require hotel accommodations can arrange lodging at the American Inn and Suites in Peosta, which is conveniently located minutes from the NICC campus. A group rate for the conference is available for guests who contact the hotel directly at 563-557-8878 and book a room with David or Faye under the “ISU Grain Group.”
For more information, including a complete agenda, visit the Ag Decision Maker website or contact Paul Martin at pmartin1@iastate.edu.
Additional Stories Published Online
The following news releases have been published on the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach website.
What to Do With Pumpkins After HalloweenPublished: October 29, 2026
As Halloween decorations come down, pumpkins do not have to go to the landfill, according to Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Farmers, Ag Professionals Invited to Beginner and Intermediate Grain Marketing Workshop Jan. 5–6 Published: October 27, 2026
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm Business Management Team invites farmers and agriculture professionals to a Grain Marketing Workshop in Peosta, Iowa, Jan. 5–6, 2027.
Introductory Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation 2 and Iowa Phosphorus Index Workshop Planned for DecemberPublished: October 27, 2026
A Dec. 17 workshop will provide an opportunity for producers to learn more about the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation 2 (RUSLE2).
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Releases 2027 Garden CalendarPublished: October 27, 2026
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has released its 2027 Garden Calendar, “Thyme for Herbs.”
Registration Open for Integrated Crop Management ConferencePublished: October 27, 2026
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will host the 37th Annual Integrated Crop Management Conference Dec. 9–10.
Open Meetings and Open Records Training Offered Five Times in NovemberPublished: October 23, 2026
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 November by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development.
Iowa State University Honored for Commodity Dashboards Connecting Market Data and BusinessesPublished: October 23, 2026
Iowa State University received Second Runner-Up recognition in the 2026 Farm Credit MarketMaker Innovation Awards. The project makes MarketMaker business information available through 19 commodity-specific dashboards.
Cover Crop and Grazing Field Day to Be Held Near Epworth Nov. 12Published: October 22, 2026
Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop and grazing field day as part of their “Beyond the Basics: Advanced Cover Crop Series” in rural Epworth on Thursday, Nov. 12.




