Education

New scholarship honors farmer from Bremer County who dedicated his career to efforts in conservation

High school students in northeast Iowa who plan to pursue agriculture-related studies after graduation are encouraged to apply for Iowa Farm Bureau’s Robert H. Rewoldt Scholarship. This new scholarship awards two students $3,000, renewable for two years, up to $6,000.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a two or four-year agriculture-related program at an Iowa-based institution and reside in one of the following counties: Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Howard or Winneshiek.

High school students who plan to pursue an agricultural major or minor after their 2024 graduation are encouraged to apply for Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s $2,500 scholarship. Awarded to 27 students, this scholarship is renewable for four years, up to $10,000.

“The future of agriculture hinges on the passion and ingenuity of the next generation,” says Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “As we look forward, it’s essential we cultivate young leaders who not only understand the rich heritage of farming but are also equipped to navigate the complexities of a global food system. That’s why Farm Bureau has committed over half a million dollars in scholarships each year to nurture future leaders and ensure the legacy of Iowa’s agricultural excellence.”

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener program will again host the Home Gardening Webinar Series, beginning in January and ending in March. Sessions will take place every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. Central time, ending March 12.

Designed for anyone who is interested in gardening or horticulture, the series aims to inspire and educate. Throughout the series, participants will hear from experts at Iowa State, Cornell University, Jung Seed, Seed Savers Exchange, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

The sessions are free and open to the public. Attendees can register to join through Zoom or join on Facebook Live.

Four sessions in January will cover edible topics including tomato diseases and disorders, grape pruning and canopy management, identifying and managing fruit and vegetable insect pests and seed saving.

Confinement site manure applicators should plan to attend a two-hour workshop offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to maintain or renew their confinement site manure applicator certification.

“Iowa law requires confinement site manure applicators to attend two hours of continuing education each year of their three-year certification period or take and pass the exam once every three years,” said Dan Andersen, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and extension agriculture engineering specialist at Iowa State University, and coordinator of the manure applicator certification program. “If applicators fail to attend the two hours of continuing education each year, they will be required to pass a written exam to be eligible to recertify.”

Waukon Middle School eighth grade student Gavin Rounds finished in second place in the state of Iowa in the Iowa Stock Market Game Middle School Division. As part of the contest offered by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Foundation, each student was given $100,000 in pretend money to invest. Rounds was able to turn his $100,000 into $119,132.76 in 10 weeks, a return of 19.1%. Rounds’ results beat the S&P 500 return by 11.1% during that same timeframe, and his biggest gaining stocks were Netflix and Spotify. The students participating in the annual contest learn the basics of saving and investing. Submitted photo.
 

What’s small, round, red and associated with Thanksgiving? The cranberry! Students at Cora B. Darling Elementary School in Postville learned many fascinating facts about cranberries in the month of November as part of the Pick A Better Snack™ program. They watched a drone video of the cranberry harvest, learning the bogs must be flooded so the berry can float to the surface making it easier to harvest.

Students saw the four chambers inside the fruit and watched as a cranberry was placed in a tub of water, proving they float. Other fun facts are that cranberry juice is the most popular way cranberries are consumed and they are full of vitamin C, fiber and potassium.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, December 18. Under the consent agenda, the following personnel were approved, pending a satisfactory background check: Kids Club staff. The board also accepted a resignation from Mandee Dundee from her elementary paraprofessional position.

The board heard from the Science Professional Learning team, who explained how they determine what students should learn,  how best to teach it and what to do if students are not understanding content or if they are proficient in the content. Methods such as science journals and lab reports are used to measure how students are doing. Students often collaborate and the ones who know the material can help those who may not quite understand the material.

The Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Waukon Center will offer High School Driver Education for Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) students. Students may register for one of these sessions:

• Monday and Wednesday, January 3-February 28, from 5-7 p.m. (#94864)
• Monday and Wednesday, March 4-April 29, from 5-7:30 p.m. (#94865)

To satisfy the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements, students must attend 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of Behind the Wheel (BTW) driving experience. Attendance is required at all sessions. Students must have an Iowa driver’s permit before the first class.

The deadline for paid registration is one week before each class start date (for free and reduced lunch scenarios, students should contact the school office). To register, call the NICC Waukon Center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

Alliant Energy is seeking applications for its 2024 Innovation Scholarships. Across Iowa and Wisconsin, up to 25 students will receive $1,000 scholarships to further their academic goals.

“I was extremely honored to be a recipient of this award to continue my dedication to academic excellence in college,” said Abigail Bence, 2023 Innovation Scholarship recipient and Central College (Pella) student. “I can further my education and give back to my community once I begin my career in physical therapy. I am thankful to Alliant Energy for your confidence and willingness to help me achieve my goals.”

Applicants will write an essay that identifies a problem in their community and presents their own innovative solution using science, technology, engineering and/or math. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on essay content, participation in leadership roles, volunteer work, community service, activities and grade-point average.

by Marcia Rogers, Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation board member

College bills for the next semester are looming, and students and families are looking for ways to pay for any amount not covered by financial aid, savings or earnings. Many turn to private education loans. Because most traditional-age students need cosigners to qualify or receive better rates or because you would like take out a loan in your name to help pay a child’s expenses, you as a parent may be investigating student loan options specifically for yourself.

Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation educates students and families on planning and paying for college, as well as providing education loans under the name ISL Education Lending. As an ISL board member, I want to help ensure that families understand the pros and cons of taking out student loans. I encourage you to remember the following tips for parents who want to help with education loans: