In response to high levels of both personal and financial farm stress, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering three “Farm Couple Getaways” aimed at farmers wanting to take advantage of activities to improve farm family communication, work on farm or family goal setting, farm transitioning, or who would just like a weekend away to discuss farm and family issues.
The first getaway will be held Friday and Saturday, March 26 and 27 at Best Western Plus in Dubuque. The dates and locations for the other “getaways” are as follows:
• Friday and Saturday, April 16-17, 2021 at Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah.
• Friday and Saturday, April 9-10, 2021 at Lake Shore Center at Okoboji in Milford.
The “getaways” run from 12:30 p.m. on the first day to 3:15 p.m. on the second day. There is no cost to attend, as food, lodging and other expenses are being paid for by sponsorships. However, there is a $50 per couple deposit to hold each reservation, refundable on the second day of the event.
“Past ‘Farm Couple Getaways’ have proven to be beneficial to farm couples. They are a productive and delightful time to discuss items of importance to help farms and families be successful,” said Larry Tranel, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.
Each “getaway” will consist of ten farm couples and the extension facilitators. Registration will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, due two weeks prior to each session. Registration brochures for the various sites can be obtained from select ISU Extension and Outreach county offices, or from dairy specialists.
Jenn Bentley can be reached at jbentley@iastate.edu, or at the Winneshiek County office, at 563-382-2949; Fred Hall, at fredhall@iastate.edu, or at the Sioux County office, at 712-737-4230; and Larry Tranel, at tranel@iastate.edu, or at the Dubuque County office, at 563-583-6496.
• The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (DCHA) board of directors and staff invite you to attend the 2021 DCHA Annual Conference and Trade Show, April 6-8, at the Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley, Appleton, Wis. With the theme “25 Years of Growing Your Dairy’s Future,” the DCHA Annual Conference and Trade Show offers an opportunity to build on past accomplishments, learn from worldwide calf and heifer experts, and lead calf and heifer growers toward a sustainable future.
To register for the DCHA conference, go to: http://bit.ly/DCHAConferenceRegistration.