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Summer is in full swing, and we’ve been buzzing with activity! From teaching essential skills in Babysitting Basics, to sparking curiosity in Discover Clover Kids, and building creativity at LEGO Camp, to many more, our youth programs have been keeping young minds engaged and growing all season long.
And the excitement doesn’t stop there—mark your calendars for the Story County Youth Fair, July 16–20! Come out to enjoy the shows, explore the exhibits, and most importantly, support our incredible 4-H’ers as they showcase their hard work and talents. Whether you're cheering from the stands or chatting with exhibitors, your presence helps make this event a true celebration of community.
For the full schedule of events, see the Story County Fair Association Website. We hope to see you all there!
As we soak up the last stretch of summer, don’t forget to check out our late summer and early fall programming! We’ve got some great opportunities for Adult Learning with Master Conservationists, Food Entrepreneurs, and more! Stay tuned for details—you won’t want to miss what’s coming next!
| | 4-H Career Pathways Academy Empowers Local Youth | |
This June, 11 students from three communities and school districts came together to complete the 4-H Career Pathways Academy—a dynamic program designed to help youth explore career possibilities, build essential life skills, and connect with professionals from a wide range of industries.
Throughout the academy, students identified career pathways that sparked their interest and learned about opportunities in fields such as healthcare, local governance, early childhood education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and more. Guest speakers brought these careers to life, helping students discover not only what excited them—but also what didn’t. By the end of the program, all participants reported feeling the same or more confident in their career direction.
Students expressed interest in diving deeper into careers like medicine, veterinary science, engineering, teaching, architecture, and even poultry farming. Their curiosity and enthusiasm were matched by the support they received: transportation was provided for families in need, and childcare was available for younger siblings, who enjoyed their own youth programming thanks to Story County Extension and Outreach staff.
The success of the 4-H Career Pathways Academy was made possible through the collaboration of several community partners: United Way of Story County, Story County College Access Network, Iowa College Access Network, City of Ames, YSS, Ames Community School District, Story County Extension and Outreach, and the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Program.
Looking ahead, plans are in motion to continue this club experience year-round, offering students ongoing support and exploration in their career journeys. The future is bright—and these young leaders are just getting started.
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Master Conservationist
Join us for a unique conservation experience this summer! The Master Conservationist Program blends online learning with in-person field sessions across Boone, Greene, and Story Counties. Explore Iowa’s rich natural heritage and learn practical conservation strategies from local experts.
Session Dates:
Tuesdays, July 31st-September 11th
Time: 5:30 p.m.-Dusk
Location:
Various Sites in Boone, Greene, & Story Counties
Fee:$100 per participant
Register by July 24!
For more information: Ben Wilson, Boone County Director 📧 btwilson@iastate.edu | 📱 515-432-3882
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Crop Walks
A three-part hands-on series to help you make decisions.
Dates:
- July 16th: Mid-summer insect and disease scouting
- August 13th: Late-season crop scouting'
- September 10th: Pre-harvest decisions and soil sampling, and fertility
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m. (All Dates)
Location:
Hemesath Crop Services
1116 240th St
State Center, IA
This series has no cost thanks to the Marshall and Story County Extension office and Hemesath Crop Services.
Please pre-register for each session by contacting:
Katherine MacKenzie at 515-337-1601 or katmack@iastate.edu
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Garden Academy Registration Opens July 14th
New Name, Same Quality!
The Iowa Master Gardener Program is continuing our tradition of offering top-notch gardening information through our revamped ISU Garden Academy! This Moodle course offers 10 weeks of asynchronous horticulture training for gardening enthusiasts. This course is required for all aspiring Iowa Master Gardener volunteers.
Whether you're aiming to become an Iowa Master Gardener or just want to improve your home gardening skills, we have the perfect track for you!
Master Gardener Volunteer Track:
- Apply, train, and volunteer to earn your title.
- Iowa Home Gardener Track: Complete the course and receive your certificate.
Join us and grow your horticulture knowledge!
For more information, visit our website: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener/become-master-gardener
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Open House at the Alliant Energy Solar Farm at ISU
Learn about solar energy and growing crops within a solar farm. All are welcome!
Dates & Times:
- July 12th | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- July 25th | 5:30-7:00 p.m.
- August 23rd | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- September 12th | 5:30-7:00 p.m.
- September 27th | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Attendance is limited to 50 per tour. Please RSVP in advance.
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Join 4-H
Join the exciting 4-H journey, a global program engaging nearly 6 million youth! Explore 4-H through school clubs, camps, and after-school programs in areas like Agriculture, Communication, Healthy Living, Leadership, and STEM. Open to K-12 youth, including Clover Kids (K-3) and 4-H Clubs (4-12).
Enroll by April 1st, 2025, to be eligible to participate at the Story County Fair. For more information on enrollment, contact us at xstory@iastate.edu or 515-337-1601.
For more 4-H News & Happenings, see the Story County 4-H Newsletter!
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Food Entrepreneur Best Practices
This workshop is designed to provide essential knowledge and practical skills for home food entrepreneurs.
Workshop Highlights:
- Guidelines and Food Safety
- Testing Equipment
- Batch Records
- Food Labels
- Best Practices
Date: July 30th
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Story County Extension
Fee: $85 per participant
More Information: Contact Holly Van Heel at 515-576-2119 or vanheel@iastate.edu
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Spend Smart. Eat Smart
Feed your family nutritious meals for less money! Recipes and ideas to help you eat healthy, save money, and stretch your food budget. Check out the Spend Smart. Eat Smart website for recipes, meal planning, and exercise videos.
Watch the video below to see how to make the Mango Salsa Recipe from Spend Smart. Eat Smart with Story County Nutrition Educator, Jasmine!
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Financial Consultation
Connect with an educator for a financial consultation to walk through ideas and options to revise a budget, prioritize bills, pay down debt, and connect with community resources.
Barb Wollan
515-832-9597
bwollan@iastate.edu
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Iowa Concern | 800-447-1985
A confidential, free resource answered 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Language interpretation available. Dial 711 for TTY/TDD.
- Phone Support - Trained staff take your calls via the toll-free hotline.
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Email an Expert - Send your questions related to legal issues, finances, stress and crisis or disaster to our staff.
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Live Chat - One-on-one, secure communication through typed text with a stress counselor.
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AnswerLine | 800-262-3804 (in Iowa)
Information and resources for consumers with home and family questions. Language interpretation available. Dial 711 for TTY/TDD.
Toll-free Monday through Friday, 9 am - noon and 1 - 4 pm.
Email an Expert - Send your questions to our trained staff.
| | This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For the full non-discrimination statement or accommodation inquiries, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/legal. | | | | |
