Clayton, Fayette, and Buchanan County 4-H programs are teaming up to offer an overnight Junior Camp on June 3–4, featuring the 2026 theme “Go for the Green.” This Olympic-themed camp will be held at Beulahland Christian Camp, near Elgin, Iowa. Campers will enjoy a fun-filled experience that includes team challenges, outdoor adventures, mini boat building, swimming, fishing, campfires, and more.

Junior Camp is open to 4-H members in grades 4–6. Registration opens March 1 and closes April 15. Space is limited. Register online at: https://tinyurl.com/jrcamp2026 For more information, contact the Clayton County Extension Office at 563-245-1451.

4-H Planning a Summer Adventure Trip

4-H members in grades 6, 7, and 8 are invited to take part in the 2026 4-H Intermediate Summer Adventure Trip, scheduled for June 10–11 in central Iowa. Youth will enjoy two days and one night packed with hands-on learning, exploration, and fun. Planned stops include Story City’s historic 1913 Antique Carousel, the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, the Amana Colonies, Harris Racing and Boone Speedway.

This adventure is open to youth currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades from Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Clayton, and Fayette Counties. Registration opens March 1 and closes April 15. Space is limited. Register online at: https://tinyurl.com/4HIntTrip2026 For more information, contact the Clayton County Extension and Outreach Office at 563-245-1451.

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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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Online Grant Writing 101 Workshop Set for April 1

Esther Crompton

Representatives of nonprofits, government agencies and school districts can learn the essentials of developing strong grant proposals during an online Grant Writing 101 workshop on April 1, from 9–11 a.m. The session is offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development.

Grant Writing 101 provides foundational training for individuals who want to identify funding opportunities and prepare clear, competitive applications. The workshop reviews common grant terminology, how to locate funding sources and practical strategies for planning and writing a successful proposal.

“ Grant writing is easier to approach when you understand the process,” said Lindsay Henderson, development specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “This workshop breaks the work into practical steps, helping you move from identifying funders to writing a strong proposal.”

Henderson emphasized that the workshop is designed for people at all levels of experience. “Some participants come in having never written a grant, while others want to refine their approach,” she said. “No matter their background, they leave with tools they can immediately apply to improve their next application.”

The session also covers how to outline project goals, gather supporting information, avoid frequent pitfalls and strengthen budget and narrative components.

The registration fee is $40 per participant, and advance enrollment is required.

For more information, visit our Grant Writing webpage or contact Lindsay Henderson at lindsayh@iastate.edu.

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Additional Stories Published Online

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

3/5/2026 Virtual Field Day to Discuss Impacts of Restoring Wetlands for Nutrient Reduction

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, will host a virtual field day on Thursday, March 26, at 1 p.m. CDT. The event aims to provide insights into both the ecological values of nutrient reduction wetlands and whether they might pose unintended risks.

3/3/2026 Request System Open for 2026 Conservation Station Trailer Visits

Water Rocks! and Iowa Learning Farms announced that the system to request an appearance of its award-winning Conservation Station educational trailers during 2026 is now live.

3/3/2026 Updated Worker Protection Standard Resources Now Available

The Iowa State University Pesticide Safety Education Program has updated its EPA-approved narrated video and PowerPoint to train agricultural workers and pesticide handlers in accordance with the 2015 Worker Protection Standard and the 2024 Application Exclusion Zone Rule.

3/3/2026 ‘Money Smart’ Statewide Virtual Series Begins March 24

Beginning March 24, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host “Money Smart: Prioritizing Bills, Credit and Debt,” a no-fee, three-part virtual series providing practical tools to help Iowans regain control, reduce stress and set themselves up for success.

3/3/2026 Online Grant Writing 101 Workshop Set for April 1

3/3/2026 Cover Crop and Plant Disease Workshop to Be Held in Ames March 24

Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop and plant disease workshop as part of their “Beyond the Basics: Advanced Cover Crop Series” in Ames on Tuesday, March 24, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. The event is open to farmers and landowners at no cost and includes a complimentary meal.

3/2/2026 Getting a Head Start: How to Successfully Start Seeds Indoors

Starting seeds indoors gives gardeners greater control over growing conditions, resulting in healthier, more resilient transplants. To be successful, gardeners must provide the right conditions for seedlings to thrive and develop into stocky, resilient plants.

2/27/2026 Broccoli Production Resource Highlights Relevant Research for Midwest Growers

Home gardeners and commercial broccoli growers preparing for spring planting are encouraged to review practical insights from a new Iowa State University Extension and Outreach resource. “Broccoli Production in the Midwest” is available for download at no cost from the ISU Extension Store.

2/27/2026 Water Line Management Guide for Swine Production Published by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

A new publication from the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University helps producers evaluate water quality and manage water line systems in swine barns. "Water Line System Management for Swine Production" is available for download at no cost from the ISU Extension Store.