Clayton County Extension and Outreach Information for December 18th
- kctn28
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Clayton County ISU Extension & Outreach Media Packet for 12/18/25
December 24
8:00AM Clayton County Office Closed Elkader, IA
December 25
8:00AM Clayton County Office Closed Elkader, IA
December 26
8:00AM Clayton County Office Closed Elkader, IA
January 1
8:00AM Clayton County Office Closed Elkader, IA
Advanced Beef Cow Calving Clinics to Prepare Producers for Calving Season
Four advanced calving clinics will be offered in January
Denise Schwab, Erika Lundy-Woolfolk
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Beef Center is offering four Advanced Calving Clinics to help Iowa cattlemen and women prepare for a successful calving season and subsequent breeding period. Clinics will be offered at four locations across Iowa: on Jan. 6 in Fayette and Clinton counties and on Jan. 7 in Greene and Montgomery counties.
Session topics will cover essentials from conception to calving, including strategies for managing dystocia with practice using a life-size calving model, beef cow nutrition basics, neonatal calf health and care and calving distribution management. Attendees of previous Advanced Calving Clinics have reported substantial satisfaction with the program, estimating an average benefit of $1,480 per operation.
“Whether you’ve calved 10 cows or 10,000 cows, there’s always a new tip or technique to learn to help you get one more calf born alive,” said Denise Schwab, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “These clinics will feature a variety of hands-on and classroom sessions and opportunities to share questions and experiences.”
Local veterinarians Dr. Cody Sacquitne of South Winn Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Michelle Hohrman of DeWitt Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Amy Klauer and Dr. Charles Martin of Fairview Veterinary Clinic and Dr. Aimee Anderson of Anderson Veterinary Services will be present at their respective locations to provide insights on neonatal calf health and common reproductive challenges in the local area.
“A popular feature of the calving clinics is the life-size calving model,” said Erika Woolfolk, beef specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Dr. Caitlin Wiley from the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine will help participants with tips and tricks for handling difficult delivery situations.”
Additionally, Randie Culbertson, assistant professor and cow-calf specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, will present a session on improving rebreeding success. Schwab and Woolfolk will also lead a presentation on pre- and post-calving nutrition.
Because the sessions are designed for individual hands-on learning, attendance is limited to 50 participants per clinic location, and preregistration is required. The cost is $25 per person, which includes a meal.
Those who want to attend should register at least two days in advance of their desired location date by contacting the respective county extension office:
Fayette County: Jan. 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 504 South Vine Street, West Union. To register, call 563-425-3331.
Clinton County: Jan. 6, 4:30 to 9:30 p.m., 512 10th Street, DeWitt. To register, call 563-659-5125.
Greene County: Jan. 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Clover Hall at the Greene County Fairgrounds,601 E. Lincoln Way, Jefferson. To register, call 515-386-2138.
Montgomery County: Jan. 7, 4:30 to 9:30 p.m., White Fair Building at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 1809 N 4th Street, Red Oak. To register, call 712-623-2529.
This statewide program is supported through sponsorship of the calving model from Boehringer Ingelheim. Additionally, local sponsors include the Greene and Clinton County Cattlemen’s Association.
For more information, contact Erika Lundy-Woolfolk at ellundy@iastate.edu or Denise Schwab at dschwab@iastate.edu.
Online Grant Writing 101 Workshop Scheduled for Jan. 14
Esther Crompton
AMES, Iowa – Nonprofit, government and school district representatives can strengthen their grant writing skills by attending an online Grant Writing 101 workshop on Jan. 14, from 1–3 p.m. The virtual session is offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development.
T he online workshop provides practical training for identifying funding opportunities and crafting strong, competitive grant applications. Participants learn key terminology, how to locate public and private funding sources, and strategies for planning and writing effective proposals. The training is designed for individuals who are new to grant writing as well as those looking to refresh or expand their skills.
“Many Iowans want to bring new resources into their communities but aren’t always sure where to start,” said Lindsay Henderson, community and development specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “This workshop gives people a clear path, from finding the right funder to submitting a well-organized proposal.”
Henderson said the training emphasizes simple, repeatable processes that organizations can use long after the workshop ends. “We focus on practical steps that build confidence,” she said. “Participants walk away understanding how to frame their ideas, gather the information funders expect and tell a compelling story about their project’s impact.”
The session also includes tips for aligning projects with community needs, avoiding common proposal pitfalls and strengthening the narrative and budget components of an application.
The registration fee is $40 per participant, and advance enrollment is required.
For more information, visit the Grant Writing webpage or contact Lindsay Henderson at lindsayh@iastate.edu.
Additional Stories Published Online
The following news releases have been published on the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach website.
Nonprofit, government and school district representatives can strengthen their grant writing skills by attending an online Grant Writing 101 workshop on Jan. 14, from 1–3 p.m. The virtual session is offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development.
12/16/2025 Four Iowans Honored for Agricultural Impact
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Women in Ag program recognized four Iowa agricultural leaders during the ninth annual Women in Ag Leadership Conference, which was open to all and held in Ames on Dec. 3–4.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, will offer manure applicator certification workshops for dry/solid manure operators on five different dates and locations in February. These workshops meet manure applicator certification requirements for confinement site and commercial manure applicators who primarily apply dry or solid manure.
The Iowa Pork Industry Center has announced the Pork Quality Assurance Plus Advisor certification sessions for the 2026 year. With PQA version 6.0 now in effect, training is required to maintain certification. IPIC associate director and extension swine veterinarian Chris Rademacher organizes PQA advisor certification sessions provided by IPIC.
Iowa public officials can meet state training requirements and strengthen their understanding of government transparency by attending Open Meeting and Open Records sessions offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development this January.
Elected officials, city and county clerks, grant writers, nonprofit staff and community planners can learn a practical way to use information in project decisions through a new virtual workshop on Jan. 15 from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development.
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener Program will provide its statewide horticulture training in the spring and fall of 2026. Garden Academy, previously known as Iowa Master Gardener training, offers a comprehensive approach to consumer horticulture education. Interested participants can choose the Iowa Master Gardener Volunteer track or Iowa Home Gardener track.
The National 4-H AI in Agriculture Challenge has announced its 2025 fall winners, with Iowa youth taking center stage. The challenge celebrates youth innovators nationwide, inviting youth to design AI-powered solutions that tackle real-world agricultural challenges, support farmers, strengthen food systems, and advance the future of agriculture.
12/10/2025 Applications Open for First Impressions
Iowa communities have the chance to see themselves through the eyes of first-time visitors by applying for the 2026 First Impressions Tourism and Community Assessment program. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Feb. 18.