There is no shortage of outdoor activities to participate in this month, here in Cass County. The Conservation Board reports a Geocaching Class and “Magical Forest” Outdoor Hike are planned for October 19th and 26th, respectively.

The “Geocaching 101” class will be held 1-p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19th, at the Outdoor Educational Classroom, located two-miles south of Massena on Highway 148, and then left into Tucson Road for two-miles. During the class, you’ll learn about a newer technology to help you explore nature. Time will be spent on “Caching” with GPS units, and learning about the technology. You can bring your own GPS unit or use one available during the class. Pre-registration is requested by calling 712-769-2372. Let them know at that time, if you plan on bringing your own GPS.

And, the 22nd bi-annual Halloween Hike will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26th, beginning at 7-p.m., in the Camblin Addition of Sunnyside Park, in Atlantic. The event is for people of all ages, and is designed to both educate and entertain. Kids 12 and under are encouraged to arrive early to get their faces painted. Hikers will enjoy tasty treats and warm drinks after the hike.

Pre-registration is required (Call the number mentioned above, or by e-mailing lkanning@casscoia.us. If you plan to call, please leave a message with your name, phone number, the number of persons in your group and what time you wish to depart on the hike).

During the “Magical Forest” Hike, small groups will depart every 12 minutes, with the last group leaving the Camblin Addition at 8:10-p.m.  If you’d like to volunteer as one of the characters persons on the hike will encounter, please call the Conservation Department. That number again is 712-769-2372.

While Iowa is one of the nation’s top food producers, people in some areas of the state don’t have easy access to fruits and vegetables. Courtney Pinard, a research scientist, says a study finds neighborhoods that lack access to healthy foods have obesity rates 52-percent higher than communities with ready access to fresh produce.  “A lot of communities are considered what we call food deserts and that’s when the distance to the nearest full-service grocery store is more than a mile for urban areas and for rural areas, it’s ten miles,” according to Pinard.

Pinard, who works at the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition in Omaha, says”Many communities, especially in Iowa, do have this challenge.” While many Iowans have large supermarkets nearby featuring well-stocked produce sections, she says not everyone is as fortunate. “They don’t really have access and for the majority of the population, the middle- to upper-income, they don’t really see that but, if you go into a store in a lower-income community, even the quality of the products might not be the same,” Pinard says. “The fresh fruits and vegetables just don’t even look that good.”

Efforts are underway to improve all Iowans’ access to five food categories: fruits, vegetables, lean meats, low-fat dairy and whole grains. Pinard says, “Moving forward, we’d like to have a national program to be able to support the type of work that we’re doing and also just to increase food access in our communities.”

The Farm Bill, which is still tied up in Congress, is expected to include funding for what’s called the Healthy Food Financing Initiative. The program promises to improve access to healthy food, bringing with it health benefits and revitalized communities by creating jobs and supporting small businesses.

(Radio Iowa)

Extension education officials and more than 6-million young people from across the country are celebrating National 4-H week, which runs October 6^th through the 12^th. Beth Irlbeck, Cass County Extension Youth Coordinator says the week will be marked with of a lot of different activities.

The Iowa 4-H Foundation has dedicated each day to one of the four “H’s” of 4-H (Head, Heart, Health and Hands), with the final day celebrating the 4-H color, green.  Irlbeck says area businesses are showing their support of the organization, through window displays created by several community clubs.

There are 15 4-H Clubs in Cass County, with more than 300 members and 30 volunteers. Cass County Extension will be hosting a coloring contest for all kindergarten through third grade youth. You can visit the extension’s website, download the coloring sheet and return it to the Extension Office. On Saturday, Oct. 12^th, during Atlantic’s HarvestFest, there will be additional activities for youth, and opportunities to learn more about 4-H. Extension personnel will be available during the event, from 10-a.m. until 4-p.m. She says there’s also a petting zoo in the parking lot of the Orschelen’s Store on 7^th Street in Atlantic this Saturday.

Irlbeck says one area 4-H has been focusing on recently, pertains to STEM. She says for the upcoming year, they plan on offering many great opportunities for youth in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – STEM. They’re also activities designed to expand on communication, citizenship, healthy lifestyles, leadership, and other important skills.

To find out more about the 4-H program in Cass County, contact the Cass County Extension and Outreach Office at 712-243-1132.