ISU Extension and Outreach - Polk County

10/22/2026

Parents, this one's for you! 👨‍👩‍👧

The Science of Parenting team from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering four virtual workshops this December — research-based strategies that fit your family's real life. All at 8:00 PM CT:

📅 Tue, Dec 1 — Understanding Research and Reality: how research can inform your parenting, plus helpful tools and techniques.
📅 Thu, Dec 3 — Understanding Temperament: how your child's temperament shapes their feelings and behavior.
📅 Tue, Dec 8 — Children's Ages and Parenting Stages: adapting your parenting to your child's age and abilities.
📅 Thu, Dec 10 — Positive Discipline: guidance as a way to build a stronger parent-child relationship.

✅ Approved for foster parent credit hours. Registration is required for each workshop — sign up at scienceofparenting.org to get the class link and materials.

Questions? Hailey Walker: [email protected] · 641-895-9037

Which topic speaks to your family right now? 👇

10/21/2026

The Polk County Fall 2026 Master Conservationist class enjoys a Woodland Walk at Jester Park with Naturalist Lindsey Page from Polk County Conservation.

10/15/2026

Leave your leaves!🍁🍂🪾

Not all fall leaves need to be raked away. In fact, leaving some leaves and garden debris in place can benefit your landscape through the winter.

Leaves in flower beds and around shrubs help insulate plant roots, add organic matter to the soil as they break down, and provide habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects. Many perennial stems and seed heads can also be left standing until spring.

When it comes to the lawn, though, don't let leaves pile up and completely cover the grass. A thick layer can block sunlight and lead to thin, patchy turf next year. Instead of bagging every leaf, try mowing them with a mulching mower so the shredded pieces can decompose and improve the soil. If you do need to remove leaves, consider composting them or spreading them lightly in landscape beds.

The goal of fall cleanup isn't to remove everything. Focus on clearing out diseased or insect-damaged plant material while leaving healthy leaves and stems where they can continue benefiting your landscape.

Get more details: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/managing-fall-leaves-home-landscape

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach ISU Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources

10/13/2026

🪴 Love succulents or want to learn more about them?
Join Natural Resource Program Coordinator Stephanie Harrington with ISU Polk County Extension for a fun, hands-on program all about succulents! We’ll talk about the basics of keeping your succulents happy and healthy, including the right amount of light, when and how to water, and easy ways to propagate new plants.
And the best part? You’ll get to create your own planter with three succulents to take home and continue growing and propagating!

Whether you’re new to succulents or already have a collection at home, you’ll pick up some helpful tips and get a chance to get your hands in the dirt. 🌱🪴

🪴Nov. 3, 6-7 p.m.
🍃Giovanetti Community Shelter, 8900 Douglas Ave in Urbandale
🌿Register by 10/26 at: https://facebook.com/events/s/succulent-care-propagation-wor/1656637862492795/ under "tickets"
⭐Cost: $40

10/12/2026

🧸 Interested in becoming a babysitter? 🧸

Join Polk County 4-H for Babysitting Basics on November 9! This hands-on class will help youth learn the skills and confidence they need to be a great babysitter.

Participants will learn about:
👶 Basic first aid and home safety
🍼 Diapering a baby
🏠 Babysitting do’s and don’ts
🥪 Preparing their own lunch and snack
…and more!

📅 When: November 9, 2026, | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Where: Giovanetti Community Shelter, 8900 Douglas Ave., Urbandale
💲 Cost: $55/youth

Ready to get started? Register online:
https://facebook.com/events/s/babysitting-basics/1110963084751276/

It’s a great opportunity for youth to build practical skills they can use both now and in the future! 🌟

10/07/2026

Take a step toward learning more about radon and creating a healthier home environment! 🏡
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can enter homes, but the good news is that it can be tested for and, when needed, steps can be taken to reduce it.
Join us for an informative program where we’ll talk about:
🔹 The health effects of radon
🔹 Where to place a radon testing kit for the most accurate results
🔹 How to understand and read your test results
🔹 Steps you can take to mitigate radon gas in your home
💲 Cost: No cost — registration is required!
📋 Registration link below in comments!

10/07/2026

One hour left of 4-H Giving Day!!!
💚 Help Iowa 4-H'ers Become Beyond Ready this October 7th! 💚
Every day, across the state of Iowa, 4-H'ers are building the skills, confidence, and experiences they need to be Beyond Ready for what’s next—whether that’s college, a career, or life.
Your support of Iowa 4-H Giving Day helps ensure that 4-H program priorities and local 4-H programs have the resources they need to reach more young people and create meaningful opportunities for growth and learning.
Together, we can help more Iowa youth discover their potential, develop real-world skills, and prepare for a bright future. 🌟
Thank you for supporting Iowa 4-H and investing in the next generation of Iowa leaders! 💚
🍀Visit the link below in the comments to donate now!!!

10/07/2026

Take a minute and like the original photo from Polk County 4-H in this post. The county with the most likes by 10 am wins and additional $250 for the Iowa 4-H Foundation Day of Giving!

10/06/2026

Are you a grant writer feeling overwhelmed looking for the best data to illustrate the need and impact of your project? Get help at our upcoming Data for Grant Writing Workshop on Oct. 20.

👉 97% of recent workshop attendees say they increased their ability to successfully deep-dive into online data resources.
👉 100% say they would recommend the workshop to others and learned something new that is relative to their job.

On Oct. 20, join us at our office in Altoona to build your grant writing skills and get hands-on practice finding and using the data you need. Space is limited! 😮Save your spot and register today! https://ow.ly/o22V50ZQFn1