The Polk County Office of Agricultural Economic Development invites the community to a free information session on how to use the NEWA pest management system on Wednesday, April 19 at 8:30 a.m at the 4-H Building, 135 Locust Street in Columbus.

The Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA) is a free tool developed by Cornell University that uses local weather data to help farmers get the jump on insect and disease outbreaks and apply pest management sprays more effectively.

Leading the session will be local apple grower Jon Klimstra of TK Family Farm, who will explain the uses and benefits of the NEWA system, as well as how to access the network and understand the information it provides.  Access to NEWA is free and is intended to benefit all area farmers who grow the crops covered by the system: apples, grapes, alfalfa, onions, potatoes, tomatoes and sweet corn.​

This free session will be held following the monthly Friends of Agriculture breakfast. Enjoy some delicious food and learn how to use a powerful new tool afterwards.

– article submitted by Alex Kazer