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Claytono County Extension and Outreach Media for October 1st

19 hours ago
10 min read

Clayton County ISU Extension & Outreach Media Packet for 10/1/26

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12:30 PM Dairy Queso Fresco Workshop Manchester, IA



State Legislators Talk Public Service with Northeast Iowa 4-H Citizenship Group


Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh told 39 northeast Iowa 4-H Citizenship participants Sunday that some of the best opportunities in life are the ones you never planned on.


Senator Mike Klimesh, from Spillville, joined Representative Jason Gearhart, from Strawberry Point, and Representative Chad Ingels, from Randalia, on Sept. 27 at Keystone AEA for a meeting of the Northeast Iowa 4-H Citizenship group. The visit was part of the youths' citizenship education and their preparation for a March 2027 trip to Springfield, Gettysburg and Washington, D.C.


The three lawmakers answered questions about government, public service and what it is like to hold elected office, then talked about where they grew up and what they did before running.


Klimesh has represented Senate District 32 since 2021 and served 22 years as mayor of Spillville. His Republican colleagues elected him Senate majority leader on Sept. 24, 2025. As majority leader, he helps set the Senate's agenda and decides which bills come up for debate and a vote.


Gearhart has represented House District 64 since taking office in January 2025. He served five years in the U.S. Army as a military police officer and investigator, works as an environmental specialist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and previously served on the Strawberry Point City Council and the Starmont school board.


Ingels has represented House District 68 since January 2021. He has farmed since 1991, founded Clearwater Ag Strategies and worked as a watershed specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach from 1999 to 2016.


The lawmakers also shared what they do outside the Capitol. Klimesh enjoys the outdoors and has coached trap-shooting teams for Northeast Iowa Community College and South Winneshiek High School. Gearhart enjoys hunting, fishing, and growing giant pumpkins. Ingels enjoys being with people. He plays basketball, and referees games.


All three closed with the same message: don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something, and don't be afraid to try something new. The legislators encouraged the group to stay open to opportunities they had never considered.”


The Northeast Iowa 4-H Citizenship program is a tri-county program for 39 4-H members in grades 8–12 from Clayton, Delaware and Fayette counties. Over 15 months, the program teaches youth what it means to be a good citizen while building leadership and communication skills.

Members meet monthly, tour the State Capitol in Des Moines, meet with local legislators and prepare an educational presentation on a person, place or monument they will visit in Washington. They also lead service projects in their home counties. Participants have volunteered on improvement projects at the fairgrounds, planted trees, collected stuffed toys for emergency crews to give children in crisis situations, and held several food drives for local food pantries.


The program ends with the March 2027 trip, when members and adult chaperones will visit many of the historic sites they have studied.


For information about the Northeast Iowa 4-H Citizenship program, contact the Clayton, Delaware or Fayette County ISU Extension and Outreach office.

Iowa Teams Place First and Tie for Second at the 2026 Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition

AMES, Iowa – Iowa youth crop scouting teams earned top honors at the 2026 Regional Crop Scouting Competition, with one team placing first and another tying for second among competitors from six Midwestern states. 

Hosted by the University of Illinois on Sept. 12 at the Crop Sciences Research and Education Center in Champaign, the competition brought together top youth crop scouting teams from Iowa, Nebraska, Indiana, Minnesota, Kentucky and Illinois. The top two teams from each state’s crop scouting competition advance to the regional event, where they tackle more advanced scouting challenges and apply their knowledge in a real-world setting. 



The Crop Doctors of Clayton County earned first place in the Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition. Team members are Owen Walz, Caleb Zuercher, Garrett Burns, and Henry Reimer, with coach Bob Schilling (back center).


This year, Iowa teams excelled. The Crop Doctors of Clayton County claimed first place, with team members Owen Walz, Garrett Burns, Caleb Zuercher and Henry Reimer, coached by Bob Schilling.

The GDUs, coached by Joe Shirbroun, tied for second place with members Cora Keehner, Brooke Donlon, Haylee Hillers and Tyler Hoeger. Teams from Minnesota’s Dakota, Rice and Polk counties and Illinois’ Richland County also tied for second. The Nebraska team from Colfax County placed third. 

The regional competition builds on skills developed through state-level contests, challenging youth to apply crop science concepts in a real-world setting while working as a team. Participants answer questions and complete hands-on tasks focused on pest identification, pest management, crop disorders, crop staging and responsible pesticide use.

The competition is designed to both test and expand youth’s knowledge of integrated pest management, crop growth and pest identification. It also introduces participants to the wide range of career opportunities in the agricultural industry. By tackling real-world scouting scenarios, youth strengthen their problem-solving and decision-making skills while learning practices that support both economic and environmental sustainability. 

“The regional competition is a chance for youth to interact with peers and professionals from other states,” said Maya Hayslett, Iowa State University youth crop science education specialist and Iowa program organizer. “In addition to learning about agriculture in another state, they have the opportunity to network with youth and professionals from multiple states.”


Participants in the Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition discuss pesticides and pesticide labels with judges from the University of Illinois during a field-based competition station.



A primary goal of the competition is to help youth understand the principles and value of integrated pest management. By learning to identify and manage crop pests effectively, participants gain knowledge that supports economic and environmental sustainability while exploring careers in the agricultural industry.

Post-event evaluation highlighted the experience’s positive impact. Participants reported gaining knowledge and skills across a range of crop science areas while also enjoying opportunities to meet new people and learn about agriculture beyond their home state. One participant from Kentucky commented, “We actually learned from our mistakes and are taking home information that we can apply to our farms!”

Coaches also noted significant growth in teamwork, communication and critical-thinking skills. When asked what they enjoyed most about the competition, one Minnesota coach responded, “Being able to follow the teams and see them work through challenges together.”

Funding for Iowa teams’ participation in the regional competition was provided by Farm Credit Services of America and the Iowa 4-H Foundation.

To learn more about the Iowa Youth Crop Scouting Competition, visit the IPM website. For more information on the Iowa 4-H Youth Development program, contact your ISU Extension and Outreach county office or visit the Iowa 4-H website.

Shareable Photos

  • A team from Iowa participates in the Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition, discussing pesticides and pesticide labels with judges from the University of Illinois.

  • The Crop Doctors of Clayton County earned first place at the Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition. Team members are Owen Walz, Caleb Zuercher, Garrett Burns, and Henry Reimer, pictured with coach Bob Schilling.

  • T he GDUs of Clayton County placed second at the Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition. Team members are Brooke Donlon, Haylee Hillers, Tyler Hoeger, and Cora Keehner, pictured with coach Joe Shirbroun.







Iowa 4-H Introduces New Livestock SPIN Clubs for Youth Interested in Swine and Rabbits

AMES, Iowa – Iowa 4-H is expanding year-round learning opportunities for livestock project members with the launch of two new statewide Livestock SPIN Clubs focused on swine and rabbits.

Special Interest (SPIN) Clubs offer youth the chance to dive deeper into a specific project area, connect with peers who share their interests and build skills beyond the traditional fair and exhibition season. Through monthly virtual meetings, hands-on learning activities and opportunities to interact with subject-matter experts, participants can continue developing their livestock knowledge throughout the year.

"One of 4-H's strengths is providing young people with opportunities to explore their interests in greater depth," said Celine Beggs-Shoemaker, 4-H animal science specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “These SPIN Clubs allow youth to stay engaged year-round, build project-specific skills, and connect with other young people from across Iowa who share similar passions.”

The new clubs focus on two popular livestock project areas and offer age-appropriate educational experiences tailored to participants' interests.

Iowa 4-H Swine SPIN Club



Brinlynn Alliger of Webster County exhibits a market hog during a 4-H swine show at the Iowa State Fair.


The Iowa 4-H Swine SPIN Club is designed for youth in grades 5-12 who want to learn more about raising pigs, preparing for shows and improving their swine project knowledge. Offered through a partnership between Iowa 4-H and the Iowa Pork Industry Center, the club connects youth with research-based information and industry expertise to help them build knowledge and skills in swine production and showmanship.

The virtual club will meet on the third Wednesday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m., starting in October.

Throughout the year, participants will explore topics such as:

  • Animal handling and show preparation

  • Nutrition

  • Health and wellness

  • Animal selection and evaluation

  • Biosecurity and management practices

  • Genetics

Members will also have opportunities to participate in optional field trips and complete activities outside club meetings to earn points and recognition throughout the year. 

"Whether a young person is preparing for their first swine project or looking to improve their knowledge and skills, the Swine SPIN Club provides a welcoming environment where they can learn from experts and each other,” said Amy Powell, an animal science extension specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Iowa 4-H Rabbit SPIN Club

The Iowa 4-H Rabbit SPIN Club is open to Iowa 4-H members in grades 5-12 who want to expand their knowledge of rabbit projects and connect with young people from across the state who share similar interests.


A 4-H member holds a rabbit while waiting to enter the ring at the Iowa 4-H Rabbit Show during the 2026 Iowa State Fair.


Virtual meetings will be held on the second Thursday of each month, beginning Oct. 8, at 6:30 p.m.

Through the club, participants will learn about:

  • Rabbit care and management

  • Rabbit breeds

  • Showmanship and exhibition

  • Health and nutrition

  • Industry and career connections

  • Additional rabbit-related educational topics

The club aims to create a statewide community for youth interested in rabbit projects.

"Rabbit projects often attract youth with a wide range of interests, and this club provides a space where members can connect across county lines, expand their knowledge and share experiences with other rabbit enthusiasts from around Iowa,” said Maggie Hougland, 4-H youth program specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Learning Beyond the Fair Season

Livestock projects extend far beyond preparing animals for county and state fair exhibitions. Successful project members build their knowledge and skills throughout the year, learning about animal care, management practices, record keeping, nutrition, animal evaluation and industry trends, while developing valuable life skills along the way. 

The new Livestock SPIN Clubs offer a structured way for youth to continue that learning year-round while connecting with peers and project experts from across Iowa. In addition to expanding technical livestock knowledge, participants can strengthen communication, decision-making, critical thinking, and leadership skills while exploring future educational and career opportunities in animal science and agriculture. 

“SPIN Clubs create opportunities for youth from all corners of Iowa to connect over shared interests and continue learning long after fair season ends,” said Beggs-Shoemaker. “Whether they're passionate about rabbits, swine or another project area, participants can learn from experts, ask questions, build friendships and explore new ideas while developing skills that will benefit them throughout their 4-H experience and beyond.”

The Swine and Rabbit SPIN Clubs are offered at no cost to Iowa 4-H members. Current members can register through the 4-H Online Event Module to begin participating in club activities. 

Youth not currently enrolled in Iowa 4-H are encouraged to join through their ISU Extension and Outreach county office. Once enrolled as a 4-H member, they may participate in the SPIN Clubs at no additional cost. Standard county 4-H enrollment fees may apply, and financial assistance is available to ensure all interested youth have access to the program. 

For more information about the Rabbit SPIN Club, please contact Maggie Hougland at maggieh2@iastate.edu or Celine Beggs-Shoemaker at cmbeggs@iastate.edu. For questions about the Swine SPIN Club, please contact Amy Powell at ampowell@iastate.edu. 

Shareable Photos


  • Brinlynn Alliger of Webster County exhibits a market hog during the 4-H swine show at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. Photo courtesy of Sydney Peterson.

  • A 4-H member waits with a rabbit before participating in the Iowa 4-H Rabbit Show at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. Rabbit projects help youth build skills in animal care, responsibility and communication while connecting with fellow rabbit enthusiasts from across the state. Photo courtesy of Sydney Peterson.



Additional Stories Published Online

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

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer virtual workshops for local leaders and public-serving professionals: Community-Powered Engagement from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 16 and AI Basics for Community Leaders from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 20 and Nov. 19.


The Iowa 4-H Dairy Judging Contest challenged youth to evaluate dairy cattle, rank classes and communicate their decisions while building leadership and career-ready skills.


Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has released the Iowa Conservation Professionals Map, an online resource that helps farmers and landowners easily connect with conservation professionals.


The Community Matters Live webinar on Oct. 28, from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will examine the recent increase in evictions in Iowa and the problems people are having in retaining their housing.


Iowa youth crop scouting teams earned top honors at the 2026 Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition, taking first and tying for second while showcasing advanced crop science and IPM skills.


Iowa State University Extension and Outreach reminds farm workers that extended time outdoors increases the risk of skin damage and skin cancer from UV exposure — even outside the hot and sunny summer months.


Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is reminding farmers and manure applicators that manure storage can create one of the most dangerous storage atmospheres on a farm.


Iowa 4-H is launching new Swine and Rabbit SPIN Clubs, offering monthly virtual learning, expert connections and year-round opportunities for youth to build livestock knowledge and skills.

 
 
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