The Clayton County Extension Media and Outreach information is now available on our Community Page
- kctn28
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Clayton County ISU Extension & Outreach Media Packet for 12/4/25
December 10
9:00AM Pest Control Operators C-CIC Elkader, IA
7:30PM Extension Council Meeting Elkader, IA
December 20
10:00AM 4-H & FFA Market Beef Weigh-In Edgewood, IA
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
4-H & FFA Market Beef Weigh-In Will Be December 20
Clayton County 4-H and FFA members planning to exhibit market beef projects during 2026 need to have their animals weighed and ear tagged to make them eligible for competition. The weigh-in will take place on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the Edgewood Livestock Commission in Edgewood from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. A maximum of 10 head can be identified. State Fair qualifying animals will be retinal imaged.
Market beef classes for the 2026 Clayton County Fair will be in three divisions--Market Steers, Market Heifers, and Straight-Bred Dairy Market Steers. County fair classes within each division will be established from the beginning weights (weight of the calves on December 20, 2025).
Any 4-H or FFA member who has questions about the market beef project requirements should contact their 4-H club leader or FFA advisor. They can also obtain a copy of the project regulations at the Clayton County Extension Office in Elkader (phone 563-245-1451).
-30-
2026 Garden Calendar Now Available: A Bounty of Bulbs
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach calendar features year-long gardening tips and resources
AMES, Iowa – The 2026 Garden Calendar, “A Bounty of Bulbs,” is now available for purchase through the Iowa State University Extension Store. This year’s edition highlights the beauty and variety of bulbs, such as spring tulips, summer lilies, autumn crocuses and even winter’s amaryllis, bringing color to landscapes all year long.
Just as bulbs lie beneath the soil, waiting for the perfect moment to bloom, the Garden Calendar offers readers timely reminders to learn, grow and enjoy gardening year-round.
Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist and author of the 2026 Garden Calendar, said one of his favorite types of garden plants inspired this year’s theme.
“I love how bulbs appear and disappear in the landscape. After noting that we have never done a bulb-focused garden calendar, it seemed natural to feature their bright, colorful blooms for 2026.”
The calendar, now in its 48th year of publication, is a collaborative effort between ISU Extension and Outreach horticulturists and the Agriculture and Natural Resources communications team. Inside, readers will find extension resources, practical tips for growing various bulbs both in the house and in the garden, seasonal garden reminders and 12 lovely bulb photographs.
Steil noted that the calendar is a thoughtful gift for any gardener, and it can serve as a garden journal.
“Recording things that happen in your garden is a great way to learn and connect more with your garden and with nature,” he said. “For the 2026 calendar, we have provided even more space for you to take notes and record inspirations.”
The 2026 Garden Calendar is available for purchase through the ISU Extension Store. Iowa residents can also reach out to their county extension office for availability.
For more information, review the 2026 Garden Calendar – A Bounty of Bulbs.
-30-
Additional Stories Published Online
The following news releases have been published on the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach website.
The Iowa Beef Center has planned six workshops across Iowa to help producers learn about proactively planning to take advantage of market conditions and animal reproductive efficiency. The Breed Back Better workshops will run from Jan. 8-29, in different Iowa locations.
The Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference, Iowa’s premier educational event for Iowa’s cow-calf sector, enters its 54th year. The trade show and program are set for Jan. 23–24, 2026. The Bridge View Center in Ottumwa will again host the conference, and admission will continue to be available at no cost thanks to ag industry vendors.
The 2025 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll, conducted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Sociology, highlights ongoing economic and policy challenges faced by Iowa’s farmers. The annual survey, which gathered responses from nearly 950 farmers statewide, provides insights into farmers’ perspectives on the ups and downs of specialized commodity production.
The Midwest Cover Crops Council's annual meeting and cover crop conference will be held in Dubuque, Iowa, in February 2026. Producers, students, researchers and industry partners are invited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the MCCC, whose mission is to empower a network of producers, landowners, researchers, industry professionals, agencies, extension specialists and government stakeholders to increase cover crop adoption.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach news releases are available from our website at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/.
Comments