ISU Extension and Outreach - Story County

LAST CHANCE to become an Iowa Master Gardener volunteer this fall? This is a reminder that applications for Garden Academy are open through, tomorrow August 14!

What's required to become an Iowa Master Gardener?
- Apply!
- Complete a background check
- Be accepted and pay the Garden Academy fee
- Complete Garden Academy and pass the final test
- Complete a county-specific, in-person volunteer orientation
- Complete a 40-hour volunteer internship

We are seeking dedicated, passionate volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities and learn more about horticulture. No experience necessary!

Scholarships are available for new volunteers experiencing financial difficulties thanks to a generous donation from Iowa Total Care.

Have questions? Reach out to us at 515-337-1601.

See our website for full details: https://go.iastate.edu/IAMASTERGARDENER

📣 Story County 4-H County Council – Now Accepting Members! 🍀

Calling all 7th-12th graders! Join the 2026-2027 Story County 4-H Council and get involved in leadership, community service, and fun with fellow 4-H members!

✅ How to Apply:
Fill out the New Member Application and return it to Madalyn by Monday, August 28th , either by email or in person at the office.

🆕 New This Year:
Interviews will be held prior to accepting members, so be sure to apply early!

📅 Before You Apply:
All meeting dates are listed in the application. Please only apply if you're able to attend at least ⅔ of meetings this year.

Questions? Reach out to Madalyn 🌟

🌿Can you identify 30 Iowa weeds? See how your skills stack up against the best at the Iowa State Fair W**d ID Contest on Fri., Aug. 14 anytime between 9-11:30am outside the ag building!

More info: https://go.iastate.edu/XZYFGB

Want to become an Iowa Master Gardener volunteer this fall? This is a reminder that applications for Garden Academy are open through August 14!

What's required to become an Iowa Master Gardener?
- Apply!
- Complete a background check
- Be accepted and pay the Garden Academy fee
- Complete Garden Academy and pass the final test
- Complete a county-specific, in-person volunteer orientation
- Complete a 40-hour volunteer internship

We are seeking dedicated, passionate volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities and learn more about horticulture. No experience necessary!

Scholarships are available for new volunteers experiencing financial difficulties thanks to a generous donation from Iowa Total Care.

Have questions? Reach out to us at 515-337-1601.

See our website for full details: https://go.iastate.edu/IAMASTERGARDENER

🎉 The results are in for the 2026 Story County Fair!

This year, 715 exhibitors showcased their hard work and talents through 3,017 entries in livestock shows, static exhibits, and communication events.

From outstanding livestock champions to creative and innovative static projects, Story County youth demonstrated dedication, leadership, and skill across every project area. We're proud of all the exhibitors who spent months preparing for this year's fair and putting their best work on display.

View complete results, award winners, and entry categories here in the link below.

🎉Welcome to Story County Extension, Dustin!

Please join us in welcoming Dustin to the Story County Extension team! Dustin grew up on his family's farm near Cherokee, Iowa, and brings a strong background in horticulture and agricultural leadership.

He earned his bachelor's degree in Horticulture and Agricultural Leadership, with a minor in Agronomy, from South Dakota State University in 2024, and just this past May completed his Master of Science in Horticulture at Kansas State University, focusing on Urban Food Systems.

Dustin is no stranger to Extension work, he previously served as the Horticulture Intern for Sioux, O'Brien, Lyon, and Osceola counties in northwest Iowa.

We're excited to have his knowledge and enthusiasm here in Story County!

🍀THANK YOU, STORY COUNTY!🍀

Another incredible fair is in the books, and it wouldn't have been possible without YOU!

To the volunteers who gave countless hours of your time, THANK YOU. To our dedicated club leaders who guide our youth all year long, THANK YOU. To Story County Fair and Fair board, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all come together, THANK YOU!

And to every exhibitor, family, sponsor, and fairgoer who showed up and made the 2026 fair amazing! We see you, and we appreciate you!🎉

The Story County Fair may have wrapped up yesterday, but we're not ready to say goodbye just yet! 🍀

This year gave us SO many great memories from the rabbit hopping exhibitors bringing their A-game to the livestock costume contest bringing all the creativity (and adorable chaos) we could ask for!

We want to keep the fair spirit alive a little longer, so tell us: what was YOUR favorite memory from this year's fair? 👇

🍀4-H Static Exhibits 🍀

Our talented 4-H members worked hard and it shows in their static exhibits on display now at the fair! From Visual Arts, Food & Nutrition, Woodworking, Photography and everything in between, there's so much to see.

⏰ You only have until 2 PM today to check them out!
📍 Christy Hall & the Community Building

Swing by and see what our 4-Hers have been working on, you won't be disappointed! And take a peek below at some photos from static judging day, taken before the fair kicked off.