ELKADER, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week is April 6-11. With county extension offices, specialists and staff located in all 99 counties, ISU Extension and Outreach connects Iowans throughout the state with education and resources. This celebration thanks Iowans for their support.

“ISU Extension and Outreach Week is one way we show our appreciation for the people who participate in our educational programs, as well as the many volunteers, community leaders, organizations, agencies and other partners who support our work in Clayton County,” said Holly Loan, County Extension Director.

ISU Extension and Outreach is part of the federal Cooperative Extension Service — a network of more than 100 land-grant institutions including Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, serving communities and counties across the United States. Every county in Iowa has an elected extension council that decides how to support ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs at the county level.

The Clayton County Extension Council members are Trent Henkes, Katherine Ruff, Amanda Meyer, Julie Bergan, Cindy Petsche, Blair Lincoln, Joe Shirbroun, Nicole Parker, and Shana Hilgerson.

“In Clayton County, ISU Extension and Outreach is here with you because learning happens where you are. You can find educational resources online and in your county – for you, your family, community, business or farm,” Holly Loan said.

We are celebrating ISU Extension and Outreach Week in Clayton County with coloring contests in the local schools. We will have Extension Trivia on KCTN FM100 radio and we are having free milk shakes at the Clayton County Extension Office April 6-9^that 120 South Main St in Elkader.

For more information about ISU Extension and Outreach, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/ or contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Clayton County office.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For the full non-discrimination statement or accommodation inquiries, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/legal.

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Free Tax Prep Available for Qualified Taxpayers

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program) and Northeast Iowa RSVP offer tax preparation help for seniors, low-income and disabled citizens. Filing federal and state income tax forms can be expensive and complicated. But with the help of a group of local tax-specialist volunteers, you can submit your 2025 tax forms hassle-free, eliminating both the cost and the worry.

Who qualifies

The local Northeast Iowa RSVP program cooperates with VITA to provide free tax preparation and filing services to low-income, senior, and disabled members of the community.

Guidelines to qualify for VITA assistance are:

● Persons with income of $69,000 or less,

● Persons with disabilities

● Persons with limited English-language fluency

How to get started

Call the VITA appointment line at telephone number 563-277-7246 and a VITA volunteer will help you determine if you are eligible for tax preparation services and the best method for submission of your materials. Each eligible client will receive assistance from a VITA volunteer to process and submit their tax filing information

There is no charge for VITA tax-filing services; however, RSVP and VITA recommend that you call soon. The last date to call for an appointment is March 31st.

Services available

VITA volunteers offer four types of client service:

Face-to-Face – taxpayer client (and spouse) meets with two tax-law certified volunteers who will prepare your return while you wait.

Drop-off – taxpayer client meets with a tax-law certified volunteer, discusses client’s tax documents and an intake form, then leaves. At a later scheduled time, the client picks up the completed tax returns.

Virtual – client scans all the required tax documents and intake form to the tax-law certified volunteers who prepare the tax return. When completed, the volunteer sends the completed returns to the client online.

FREE software to do it yourself– VITA provides free software access for both federal and state returns to anyone making less than $89,000 adjusted gross income. The taxpayer completes his or her own return. VITA volunteers are available to answer any tax-law questions you might have as you prepare your return.

Appointments are needed at all locations. Call 563-277-7246 or email NEIVITA.Assist.@gmail.com to make an appointment.

The regional VITA sites include:

Decorah ISU Extension office

2316 Sweet Parkway Road, Decorah

Decorah Public Library

202 Winnebago Street, Decorah

Waukon ISU Extension office

218 7th Avenue SE, Suite 102, Waukon

Howard County Farm Bureau

124 1st Ave W, Cresco

Postville Public Library

235 W Tilden Street, Postville

Elkader ISU Extension Office

120 S. Main St., Elkader

VITA has provided tax filing assistance for more than 50 years and is a reliable and trusted service. All VITA volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards. This training includes maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of all taxpayer information.

In addition to requiring volunteers to certify their knowledge of the tax laws, the IRS requires a quality review check for every return prepared at a VITA site prior to filing. Each filing season, tens of thousands of dedicated VITA volunteers prepare millions of federal and state returns.

The RSVP Volunteer program matches people who are age 55 & older with needs in their community. Volunteers choose where they would like to volunteer and how much time they will spend volunteering.

For more information about the RSVP volunteer program and to learn about other volunteer opportunities in your community, contact Deana at the Decorah Public Library 563-277-5181 or rsvp@decorahlibrary.org

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Additional Stories Published Online

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

3/26/2026 Private Well Stewardship Program Helps Iowans Safeguard Drinking Water

Owners of private wells can connect with local experts and access funding to test their wells by attending one of several workshops being held across the state in late March and April. The Private Well Stewardship Program, offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, educates well owners about the responsibilities and risks of being a private well owner and connects them with additional resources to manage their wells.

3/23/2026 Educational Series from ISU Extension and Outreach Helps Iowans Navigate Parkinson’s Disease

Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease brings challenges not only to individuals but also to their families and caregivers. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers “A Journey through Parkinson’s Disease” to help Iowans navigate the complexities of a diagnosis with confidence and research-based support.

3/23/2026 Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Celebrates National Agriculture Day, Supports Iowa Agriculture All Year

With a fundamental role in teaching, research and extension, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach reflects this year’s National Agriculture Day theme, “Agriculture: Together We Grow.” All year long, ISU Extension and Outreach provides research-based information and resources to engage Iowa’s farmers, producers and agribusinesses in educational opportunities that support both profitability and sustainability.

3/23/2026 Food Processing Environmental Monitoring Course to Be Held May 7

The North Central Region Center for Food Safety Modernization Act Training will host an Environmental Monitoring Course on May 7 in Des Moines. Food safety and quality professionals, including quality assurance managers, coordinators, sanitation leaders, auditors and technical staff, along with consultants advising food businesses, are invited to attend.