Latest news with #IowaStateUniversityExtensionandOutreach
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Warren County gardeners to donate crops to fight food insecurity
INDIANOLA, Iowa — A new initiative in Warren County is helping fight food insecurity by inviting local gardeners to donate their crops. The Master Gardeners program is part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Through this program, garden enthusiasts learn more about plants and gardening in the home landscape and get connected to other local gardeners. The Warren County Master Gardeners is just one of the local groups associated with the program. Bethany Cecot is the Master Gardener Coordinator in Warren County. She said one of their missions is to fight food insecurity. Three years ago, they partnered with the Parks and Recreation Department to create a Donation Garden, where they grow crops like tomatoes, peppers, asparagus, onions, eggplant, artichokes, strawberries, rhubarb, apples, peaches, pears, cherries, peas, potatoes, and several herbs. Summer vibes off at Saylorville Lake Marina amid new restaurant construction Over the last three years, all of the food grown in the garden was donated to the Helping Hands of Warren County, a local food pantry in Indianola. However, the Master Gardeners wanted to expand their services and help more people throughout the county. Cecot said that many residents in the southern parts of Warren County are experiencing more food insecurity because of the distance they have to travel to grocery stores. She said some people have to travel up to 20 miles, and as a result, this limits access to food that is nutrient-dense. Therefore, she spearheaded the Plant, Grow, Share a Row project. Gardeners in Warren County can either donate their crop surplus at the end of the growing season or intentionally plant extra fruits and vegetables, and the Master Gardeners will donate this food to pantries and community fridges across the county. Free seeds will also be provided to community members who want to take part but don't have the extra supply. Cecot said this project will help amplify the efforts of the Donation Garden. Cool temps keep some central Iowa pools closed over holiday weekend 'There are seasons where things don't always grow as planned and so this is a way to bring in the community to help make sure that our pantries are stocked with nutritious foods and making that accessible to everyone,' she said. Stacey Cole is a Warren County resident who just moved to the county two years ago. She said she wanted to join this program for the sense of community. 'I retired out of law enforcement, military a couple years ago. And having that group and sense of belonging, I've missed that the last couple of years. And it's nice to have a place to follow to and a group of gardeners is the place that I want to be with,' she said. Residents can learn more about the program through the Warren County Master Gardeners. Their extension is located at 200 West 2nd Avenue in Indianola, or they can reach out through the following email and phone number: xwarren@ / (515)961-6237. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Residents advised not to plant more Bradford pear trees
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — While the Callery pear tree (also known as the Bradford pear tree) may look and smell nice, local experts are encouraging residents to not plant this invasive tree. 'The problem with Bradford pears, it's way overused,' said Gene Maffit with the South Sioux City Parks & Recreation Department. 'It's a nice tree, but it's way overused and it is susceptible to diseases just like most trees are. But when you plant a tree that's over-planted like the ash tree or the palm tree was back in the seventies, when you get a disease for those trees, it wipes them all out.' USDA Crop Progress Report for Siouxland states for April 21, 2025 The Bradford pear tree is considered an invasive species due to the fact that they reduce biodiversity and cause other kinds of ecological damage across the entire country, even making it illegal to own in some states. Lindsay Meylor with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach says it used to be a popular tree to plant back in the day, but it quickly got out of hand. '20 years ago, it was a big push to plant them because they're so pretty and they flower nice,' Meylor said. 'But now they've just become so invasive that they are out-competing the other native species, especially in woodland areas. They make it hard for the natives to thrive, and because they produce such good fruiting bodies that are carried by those birds and other pollinators, they spread quicker, more quickly than we thought they would.' Callery pear trees were once thought to be sterile, but only if planted far away from other Callery pear trees. Iowa Gov. Reynolds signs bill to help 2024 flood, tornado victims Meylor wants residents to know that there are plenty of good choices if you're interested in planting a tree. 'Good options would be anything that flowers,' Meylor said. 'If you're looking to replace that flowering tree, dwarf crab apples, service berries, wild plums of red buds are a good option. They're more suitable for this area.' For more advice on native trees that will suit your property, reach out to your local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Morningside University hosts first ‘She Grows' event
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — Morningside University's agricultural department and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach collaborated to hold their first 'She Grows' event at Eppley Auditorium on Friday. Designed for women in all areas of agriculture, 'She Grows – Women in Agriculture' is a celebration of strength and resilience of women in the agriculture industry, as well as a way for students to connect with, learn from and be inspired by industry peers. MercyOne Moville Family Medicine moving to new location in town One staff member said this event is a great way to continue to spread the need for agriculture in Iowa. 'Siouxland is really founded in agriculture,' said Dee McKenna, Experiential Learning Coordinator at Morningside University. 'You look around and it's cattle and corn, and we're very proud of the history that we have. We want Siouxland agriculture to continue to grow and thrive, so it's really important for us to invest in inspiring and sharing knowledge with each other.' Morningside University plans to make this an annual event. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
