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Clayton County Extension and Outreach Release for January 8th

  • kctn28
  • 2 days ago
  • 6 min read

Clayton County ISU Extension & Outreach Media Packet for 1/8/26

January 19

January 22

January 23

January 25

January 26

January 28

January 29


Build Confidence in Grain Marketing This Winter

Edgewood, Iowa — With unpredictable crop prices and tight profit margins, grain marketing decisions can make or break the profitability of corn and soybean operations. This winter, farmers in northeast Iowa will have an opportunity to strengthen their marketing skills through Annie’s Inspired: Grain Marketing, a four-week educational course coming to Edgewood.

Hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the program is designed to help participants confidently navigate today’s volatile grain markets. While the course is women-centered and taught in the tradition of Annie’s Project, it is open to all and offers a supportive, hands-on learning environment.

The course will be held on Mondays, January 19, January 26, February 2, and February 9, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., with a snow date of February 16. Sessions will take place at Woods Edge Golf Course in Edgewood. The cost is $100, which includes all four sessions, take-home materials, and a meal each night.

Participants will learn how to manage price risk using tools such as forward contracts, futures and options, alternative marketing contracts, and crop insurance. The course also provides access to online decision tools and guides participants through the development of a personalized grain marketing plan.

“Grain marketing can feel overwhelming, especially with so many variables impacting prices,” said Joseph Lensing, ISU Extension and Outreach farm management specialist. “This course breaks it down into manageable steps and gives participants the confidence to make informed decisions that protect their bottom line.”

In addition to contract fundamentals, the course emphasizes long-term marketing strategies and the strategic use of options to protect margins and create new opportunities. By the end of the program, participants will leave with the tools to customize a marketing plan tailored to their own farming operation.

“Annie’s Inspired programs are designed to empower women in agriculture with practical tools and strategies,” said Madeline Schultz, program manager for Women in Ag. “This grain marketing course is hands-on, interactive, and focused on real-world applications participants can use immediately.”

Registration is available online at www.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag . For more information, contact Holly Loan at the Clayton County Extension Office at 563-245-1451.

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Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to Host 2026 Dairy Days across Iowa including Elkader

Gail Carpenter

AMES, Iowa – Iowa dairy producers and allied industry members are invited to attend 2026 Iowa Dairy Days, a statewide series of in-person educational meetings hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, this January and February. The 2026 theme, “Near-Term Strategies for Long-Term Pay-Off,” highlights practical, actionable decisions producers can make to strengthen herd performance, manage risk and support long-term profitability.

Dairy Days brings together regional and statewide extension specialists to address timely topics in milk markets, herd health, forage management and farm-level decision-making. Each location offers a full day of programming, interactive discussion and opportunities to network with fellow producers and industry partners. Lunch will be provided through local sponsorships.

“Many dairy producers are looking at predictions for 2026 milk prices and are getting nervous,” said Gail Carpenter, assistant professor and extension dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Our goal when developing this year’s program was to bring practical tools for dairy farmers who want to improve their management today to prepare for whatever the next year brings.”

The 2026 program features speakers from the ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Team, as well as forage specialists:

  • Fred Hall, northwest Iowa dairy field specialist, will discuss current milk market dynamics and their implications for component-based pricing.

  • Dr. Phillip Jardon, clinical associate professor and dairy extension veterinarian, will review emerging disease and parasite issues and their implications for Iowa dairy herds.

  • Larry Tranel, northeast/southeast Iowa dairy field specialist, will explore cost-of-production strategies across herd sizes and production systems.

  • Shelby Gruss, assistant professor and extension forage specialist, will lead a forage identification session followed by a producer listening session.

  • Gail Carpenter will discuss how near-term culling decisions can influence long-term herd health, efficiency and profitability.

  • Jenn Bentley, northeast Iowa dairy field specialist, will share applied colostrum management strategies.

This program will be presented at five locations around the state. Additionally, the northwest Iowa location in Spencer will feature a tour of Jones Dairy beginning at 9 a.m. At all other locations, the program will begin at 9:30 a.m. with registration and refreshments, and speakers will begin at 10 a.m.

  • Jan. 29: Jones Dairy — 2680 250th Avenue, Spencer (farm tour at 9 a.m.)

  • Feb. 3: Elma Community Complex — 319 Oak Street, Elma

  • Feb. 5: Johnson’s Restaurant — 916 North High Street NE, Elkader

  • Feb. 17: Chamber of Commerce — 514 B Avenue, Kalona

  • Feb. 19: Community Center — 1951 Church Street, New Vienna

Dairy Days is open to dairy producers, farm employees and allied industry professionals. To register and view more program information, visit the ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Team website. For more information, contact Gail Carpenter at ajcarpen@iastate.edu or 515-294-9085.


Additional Stories Published Online

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

Nonprofit, government and education professionals who are preparing grant proposals still have time to register for the Grant Proposal Boot Camp, scheduled for Jan. 27–28 in Ames. The two-day, in-person workshop is offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Community and Economic Development program.


The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Safe Produce program will host a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training at various dates and locations. This U.S. Food and Drug Administration-recognized food safety education program is designed for farmers who grow and harvest fruits and vegetables for human consumption and intend to enter the commercial market or public distribution.


The 2026 Farm Transitions Conference will be held Feb. 5–6 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Ankeny, Iowa. The conference is hosted by the Beginning Farmer Center at Iowa State University.

Registration is open for the first three sessions of Community Matters Live, a new monthly webinar series for people involved in housing, planning and community development work across Iowa. The series is delivered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development.


Nichol Kleespies has accepted the position of regional director with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach serving Cherokee, Buena Vista, Ida, Sac and Calhoun counties. She begins the position Jan. 26.


The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team will continue its dairy goat webinar series in 2026 for the state’s dairy goat producers and allied industry members. Topics will include timely updates on various aspects of financial management, herd health, animal care and nutrition. All webinars will take place from noon to 1:15 p.m. Central time.


January is more than a fresh calendar – it’s a chance to reset priorities and build habits that last. For many Iowans, mental health and financial stability top the list of New Year’s resolutions. These goals aren’t just related; they actually reinforce each other, says Danielle Day, a health and human sciences educator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.


Iowa dairy producers planning to apply for a 2026 Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grant are invited to attend grant-writing workshops designed to strengthen applications and improve competitiveness. Hosted by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team, the 90-minute workshops will focus on practical tools and strategies producers can apply to their grant proposals.


Iowa dairy producers and allied industry members are invited to attend 2026 Iowa Dairy Days, a statewide series of in-person educational meetings hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, this January and February. The 2026 theme, “Near-Term Strategies for Long-Term Pay-Off,” highlights practical, actionable decisions producers can make to strengthen herd performance, manage risk and support long-term profitability.


CropsTV, powered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, is returning for its sixth season in 2026. The online program aims to deliver timely and relevant crop production information directly to farmers and agricultural service providers.

 
 
 
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