tag:https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/feeds/%25 2026-04-11T22:33:53-05:00 Anonymous extensionweb@iastate.edu https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/join-monthly-garden-qa-live-spring-iowa-state-university-extension-and-outreach 2026-04-07T12:56:21-05:00 2026-04-07T11:12:06-05:00 Yard and Garden

As lawns green up and gardens come to life across Iowa, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach invites gardeners to take advantage of Garden Q&A Live, a monthly interactive program designed to provide timely help throughout the growing season.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/new-statewide-initiative-advances-value-added-fruit-and-vegetable-processing 2026-03-30T13:53:59-05:00 2026-03-30T13:47:19-05:00 Food, Nutrition and Health, Community Economic Development, Yard and Garden, Local Foods

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is leading a statewide initiative that brings innovative, mobile processing equipment and hands-on education to communities across Iowa. The newly developed Crop Cart is designed to support farmers’ and small businesses’ efforts to create new value-added products, offer opportunities for event and educational taste-testing and strengthen Iowa’s food system.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/iowa-state-university-extension-and-outreach-releases-urban-agriculture-publication-series 2026-03-16T11:07:10-05:00 2026-03-16T10:51:51-05:00 Yard and Garden, Local Foods

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Urban Agriculture Program has released a new series of publications covering key topics that influence urban farm success.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/iowa-state-university-extension-and-outreach-releases-new-guide-urban-community-scale-composting 2026-03-09T10:48:22-05:00 2026-03-09T09:40:47-05:00 Yard and Garden

As urban farms and community gardens work to improve productivity, reduce food waste and build healthy soils, on-site composting is becoming more essential. The Iowa State University Urban Agriculture Program has released a new publication, “The ABCs of Urban Composting,” to help communities and urban growers compost safely, effectively and in compliance with state and local regulations.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/updated-worker-protection-standard-resources-now-available 2026-03-03T12:33:29-06:00 2026-03-03T11:36:20-06:00 Crops, Environment, Yard and Garden

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.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/getting-head-start-how-successfully-start-seeds-indoors 2026-03-02T15:38:53-06:00 2026-03-02T12:58:55-06:00 Yard and Garden

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.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/broccoli-production-resource-highlights-relevant-research-midwest-growers 2026-03-02T14:16:11-06:00 2026-02-27T09:51:11-06:00 Yard and Garden, Local Foods

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.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/new-training-materials-available-iowa-pesticide-applicators 2026-01-28T09:17:33-06:00 2026-01-28T08:52:08-06:00 Crops, Yard and Garden

The Iowa State University Pesticide Safety Education Program has revised several applicator manuals and exams to reflect the updated pesticide applicator certification and training rules implemented by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on Jan. 1.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/siouxland-garden-symposium-set-april-11 2026-01-23T11:34:19-06:00 2026-01-23T09:23:22-06:00 Yard and Garden

The Siouxland Garden Symposium will take place on Saturday, April 11, at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Sioux City. The annual event offers valuable, research-based information applicable to both home gardeners and small-scale growers.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/webinar-organic-gardening-tips-success-showcases-innovative-practices 2026-01-21T13:02:21-06:00 2026-01-21T11:08:39-06:00 Yard and Garden

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Urban Agriculture program invites those interested in organic gardening to an upcoming webinar on Jan. 28 from 1 to 2 p.m. Kathleen Delate, extension organic specialist and professor of horticulture at Iowa State, will share best practices for organic fertilization, pest management and postharvest strategies.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/african-violets-bring-winter-color-indoors-proper-care 2026-01-09T10:56:05-06:00 2026-01-09T09:03:42-06:00 Yard and Garden

African violets (Saintpaulia) have long been favorites among indoor gardeners for their velvety leaves and vivid blooms while many outdoor landscapes are dormant. When properly cared for, these plants can bring vibrant color to homes during the winter months.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/produce-safety-training-available-fruit-and-vegetable-growers 2026-01-08T10:19:56-06:00 2026-01-08T08:28:18-06:00 Yard and Garden, Local Foods

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.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/garden-academy-be-offered-spring-and-fall-2026 2025-12-12T09:07:47-06:00 2025-12-12T08:26:27-06:00 Yard and Garden

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener Program will provide its statewide horticulture training in the spring and fall of 2026. Garden Academy, previously known as Iowa Master Gardener training, offers a comprehensive approach to consumer horticulture education. Interested participants can choose the Iowa Master Gardener Volunteer track or Iowa Home Gardener track.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/holiday-plant-care 2025-12-08T15:26:44-06:00 2025-12-08T14:17:40-06:00 Yard and Garden

Holiday plants bring color and life to our homes during the winter months. From the scent of a fresh-cut Christmas tree to the bright bracts of poinsettias and the bold blooms of amaryllis, these plants are a big part of seasonal decor. Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist at Iowa State University, offers care tips to keep holiday plants healthy and appealing throughout the holidays and beyond.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/home-gardening-webinar-series-returns-jan-8 2025-12-08T16:22:37-06:00 2025-12-08T08:24:38-06:00 Yard and Garden

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener program will again host its annual Home Gardening Webinar Series, which will begin in January 2026 and end in March. Sessions will take place every Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. Central time, concluding on March 12.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/fall-composting-tips-gardeners 2025-11-05T13:21:27-06:00 2025-11-05T10:15:14-06:00 Yard and Garden

Gardeners are encouraged to compost leaves this fall to improve soil health. With plenty of leaves, grass clippings and garden debris available, residents can create compost piles that benefit the environment, recycle yard waste and nourish their gardens, according to Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/iowa-state-university-extension-and-outreach-and-iowa-total-care-launch-garden-network-initiative 2025-10-29T13:47:56-05:00 2025-10-29T12:16:35-05:00 Food, Nutrition and Health, Yard and Garden, Local Foods

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in collaboration with Iowa Total Care, a provider of Medicaid healthcare coverage in Iowa and a Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) company, is launching a statewide initiative to support community gardens that donate fresh produce. The Iowa Donation Garden Network is designed to connect and empower garden organizers through expert-led education, shared resources and collaborative programming.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/growers-invited-2025-high-tunnel-short-course-madrid 2025-10-23T09:28:48-05:00 2025-10-23T08:58:20-05:00 Yard and Garden, Local Foods

The Iowa State University Commercial Horticulture program will hold the 2025 High Tunnel Short Course at the Iowa Arboretum in Madrid, Iowa, on Nov. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm. Commercial growers, as well as those interested in high tunnel production for fruit and vegetable crops, are invited to learn, connect and explore the arboretum.  

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/iowa-state-university-plant-and-insect-diagnostic-clinic-earns-national-accreditation 2025-10-20T09:35:02-05:00 2025-10-20T08:56:01-05:00 Crops, Yard and Garden

The Iowa State University Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic has earned national accreditation from the National Plant Diagnostic Network, recognizing the clinic’s commitment to high-quality, reliable diagnostic services. Clinic diagnosticians invite Iowans to submit samples for diagnosis.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/iowa-learning-farms-releases-new-pollinator-infographic-series-inform-and-inspire-action 2025-10-13T14:22:07-05:00 2025-10-13T13:46:14-05:00 Environment, Yard and Garden

Iowa Learning Farms, a conservation education and outreach program from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, has published the Protecting our Pollinators infographic series. Each document in the series provides accessible and fact-based information about pollinators as well as tangible actions that Iowans can take to support these important contributors to the local and global food web.