Iowa Master Gardener Program Accepting Applications for its Spring 2012 Class

Training for the Spring 2012 Master Gardener class is being offered jointly by the Benton and Black Hawk County Extension Offices in January, February and March on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm. If you are interested in becoming an Iowa Master Gardener, contact the Benton County Extension Office at phone: 319-472-4739 for an application or to find out more information. Applications will be accepted until December 20 and interviews will be scheduled later in December to select participants for classes that begin in January.

The requirements to become a Master Gardener include a $150 fee to cover the cost of educational materials and a commitment to do 40 hours of extension service. Individuals receive instruction in a wide range of horticulture and related areas: houseplants, herbaceous ornamentals, turf grass, vegetables, woody landscape plants, plant propagation, fruits, soils, wildlife management, pesticide safety, integrated pest management, plant pathology, entomology and garden design.

Source: http://www.vintoniowa.org/articles/News/article105243.html

ScoutPro - Winner of the Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition

What if you could create an app for a smartphone or tablet? What if your app would allow the user to identify weeds, insects, and diseases in a farm field, so the farmer can make on-the-go adjustments right then and there? What if you could win a competition because of that idea?

Iowa State students Michael Koenig, Holden Nyhus, and Stuart McCulloh did exactly that. These three first met in an agricultural entrepreneurship class and formed their business, ScoutPro. Their business plan for this ingenious innovation won the top prize of $5,000 in the Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition, an open competition for all students at Iowa colleges and universities.

Whether it's in the classroom, lab or competition, Iowa State offers students a wide range of entrepreneurial academic opportunities. The Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship inspires students to create a new business. And the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Learning Community at Iowa State helps them develop an understanding of new business fundamentals by providing a unique hands-on environment.

Right now, Michael, Holden and Stuart are working on ways to improve their idea and get it on the market. So the next time you look at the app store, ScoutPro will be there.

Source: http://www.iastate.edu/stories/2011/08/scoutpro

Guide for Preparing Cut Flowers and House Plants for Exhibit

The Iowa State University Extension has a guide on "Preparing Cut Flowers and House Plants for Exhibits".

Link to PDF file; http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/4H464.pdf

Iowa State University Master Gardener Training

Master Gardener training for the ISU Extension Region 7 (Hamilton, Humboldt, Webster and Wright counties) will begin January 17.

To register for the training, contact Yvonne McCormick at 832-9597 or e-mail her at Yvonne@iastate.edu for further information on the program.