Leah Ten Napel, Extension Field Agronomist
Throughout the winter season, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach focuses on bringing educational resources to producers across the state. We will cover a variety of topics this winter while offering both in-person and online learning opportunities. If you would like to learn more about any of the events listed below, please contact your local extension office!

Continuing Education Courses:
With a little extra time to spare throughout the winter months, it is a great time to attend a continuing education course. We offer Private Pesticide Applicator Training, Commercial Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction and Manure Applicator Certification. If you are in need of one of these courses, please contact your local extension office for dates and times.

Integrated Crop Management Conference:
Join us for the 35th Integrated Crop Management Conference, December 11th and 12th in Altoona, IA. This conference brings together a diverse range of topics, expert presenters, and the latest results from university research. This conference draws crop production professionals from across Iowa and the Midwest together for two days to learn, listen, and share. Don’t miss this key opportunity for networking and education.
Crop Advantage Series:
Crop Advantage meetings provide a solid foundation of current, research-based crop production information to help make smart, informed decisions in the farming operation. There will be 12 meetings held across the state, including 4 held locally in Northwest Iowa.
January 2, 2025 Storm Lake Crop Advantage
January 7, 2025 Sioux Center Crop Advantage – NEW LOCATION!
January 14, 2025 Okoboji Crop Advantage
January 28, 2025 Le Mars Crop Advantage

CropsTV:
CropsTV provides the convenience of crop production education at home, office or anywhere there’s an internet connection. Watch the episodes on-demand, on your schedule. The CropsTV program contains topics selected to best fit an online learning environment with supplemental materials and links to resources. Many topics are unique to CropsTV. Instructors are Iowa State University faculty, staff, extension specialists and guest presenters from around the Midwest. CropsTV will return for its 5th season this coming winter. Additional information, program lineup will be available later in early December and registration will open late December/early January.

Planter University:
Planter University a brand-neutral learning opportunity to help you continue to better understand and optimize your planting setup, no matter what color you run. The focus won’t be on telling you what settings you should be running, but rather the theory behind planting equipment and new planting technology allowing you to evaluate and identify the right setting for you, your seed, your field, and your equipment setup. Registration is limited to allow for hands on demonstrations with both high speed and traditional row unit demo stands. This program will be held at 6 locations across the state, including 1 meeting in Northwest Iowa.
February 4, 2025 Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm – Sutherland, IA