Human Sciences

• The early childhood team is working with the Iowa Department of Public Health and Healthy Child Care Iowa to develop a Medication Administration Skills Course (a two-hour online course with a one-hour, in-person, skills test) for child care center directors, assistant directors, supervisors, and lead teachers. Participants will learn how to schedule and administer oral medication, eye drops, ear drops, inhalers, medicated creams, and epi-pens. The course should be available July 2023.
• ¡Salir Adelante! was awarded a $10,000 grant from the National Extension Foundation to help strengthen internal and external relationships to build sustainability for the program across Iowa. During 2022, more than 250 Latino youth and their parents from 13 Iowa communities participated. Significant improvements were made in youth social emotional competencies, parent involvement, and family communication – all factors related to youth academic success and participation in postsecondary training.
• Jill Weber hosted the Food and Health team’s first Zoom, English/Spanish interpreted ServSafe class at the ISU Extension and Outreach Black Hawk County office for 20 restaurant managers. In one conference room Jill taught 15 class members in English. The class was shared over Zoom to another conference room, where an interpreter from Hands Up in Cedar Rapids interpreted the class in Spanish for five class members. Since the exam is available in Spanish, the five Spanish-speaking managers then joined the English classroom for the proctored exam.

4-H Youth Development

• Three teams of Iowa 4-H members received honors from the Western National Roundup held Jan. 4-7 in Denver, Colorado. These members, ages 14-19, competed in livestock quiz bowl, meat judging, and livestock judging. They earned the opportunity to compete nationally through state competitions and events held throughout the year. The Western National Roundup provides a place for youth to compete nationally while encouraging teamwork, self-confidence and leadership through participation in animal science educational events. Youth also participate in educational tours that provide community-based and service-learning opportunities.
• Junior and senior high-school students from across the state are gearing up to compete for prizes, awards, and scholarships during the upcoming State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa on March 30-31. SSTFI holds the Governor’s STEM Seal of Approval. The event is the largest STEM competition for youth in grades 6-12 and will be hosted in person at Iowa State. The fair is organized through 4-H Youth Development.
• You can watch the videos on the Iowa 4-H Foundation YouTube channel to learn about the 2023 Iowa 4-H Legacy Award honorees: Corporate Partner, Kemin; Outstanding Alum, O. Kay Henderson, Iowa journalist and Taylor County 4-H alum; Individual Supporter, Sue and Harold Peyton, of Sac City; and Contributing Youth, Sasha McCoy, Warren County 4-H’er.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

• In Rural Iowa at a Glance, Farm Trends (2022 Edition), David Peters, professor and extension rural sociologist at Iowa State, discusses changing farm trends between 2011 and 2021, including farm sizes, production values, net incomes, and debt.
• The food systems team is offering Food Systems Certification workshops beginning April 24. The Food Systems Certification is intended for experienced local food system practitioners looking for new skills to work with various communities in the development of their place-based community food system, with resources to both engage and complete projects relating to systemic community food system change. The course is taught through virtual workshops and online modules.
• Antonio Mallarino, professor in agronomy and extension specialist at Iowa State, announced research-based updates to the extension publication PM 1688, A General Guide for Crop Nutrient and Limestone Recommendations in Iowa. The publication provides phosphorus (P), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), and lime application guidelines based on soil testing for the major agronomic crops grown in Iowa. It describes new soil-test interpretations and categories of soil testing as well as new suggested nutrient application rates.

Community and Economic Development

• The community assessment process for the 2023 Community Visioning Program continues in March with CED-led transportation focus groups in Glenwood, Denison, Marquette, and McGregor; a focus group for Slater high-school students in Huxley; and bioregional assessment data presentations from Trees Forever field coordinators to steering committees in Denison, West Burlington, Vinton, Glenwood, and Slater.
• Many township trustees and clerks assume their jobs with little or no training and experience. CED’s Office of State and Local Government Programs offers township trustee and clerk training upon request for township trustees, township clerks, and elected and appointed county officials. In March CED specialists will be conducting the Township Trustee training in Madison, Jackson, and Pocahontas counties.
• Business Model Acceleration is a follow-up to the Business Model Canvas strategic management tool, providing an in-depth analysis of the business model, along with checking on external factors that impact the small business. This workshop leads to an entrepreneur establishing an action plan to take necessary steps to strengthen or grow their business model. Participation in a Business Model Canvas workshop is a prerequisite for participating in the Business Model Acceleration workshop. In March Victor Oyervides will conduct both workshops in partnership with the Small Business Solution Center of the Evelyn K. Davis Center.