CORNING – This year Adams County Extension is celebrating 100 years of organized county extension work.
“This long-established partnership with Iowa State University provides local citizens with access to education and university research,” said Don Gee, Adams County Extension Council chairperson. “ISU Extension and Outreach provides education and builds partnerships for a strong Iowa and a strong Adams County,”
Chris Nelson, long-time Adams County Extension worker, said “A hundred years ago, the people of Adams County joined the extension movement and hired their first local extension agent. Today ISU Extension and Outreach serves as a 99 county campus, connecting the needs of Iowans with ISU research and resources.”
“The Adams County Extension Council represents county residents and acts on behalf of ISU Extension and Outreach locally,” Nelson said. “The Adams County Extension Council includes Don Gee and Linda Adams of Prescott, and Dan Lamgo, Cliff Mann, Kaleb Bissell, Tim Cooney, Emily Anderson, Tyler Edwards and Susan Bagby of Corning. With their understanding of local issues, these elected officials make sure that significant educational programs are available in Adams County that help people solve critical issues affecting their lives.”
“Education and partnerships are how we solve problems and prepare for the future. ISU Extension and Outreach looks forward to being part of the ongoing life of Adams County for years to come,” Gee said.
“During National 4-H week, Adams County Extension will host a chamber coffee Friday, Oct. 12. The extension council invites everyone in the community to attend this coffee. This is a very special coffee because on that day, Adams County Extension and 4-H are celebrating their 100th birthday.” Gee said. “To celebrate this special occasion, the coffee will be starting at 9:45 a.m. and going on until 11 a.m at the Corning Community Center on Sixth Street. There will be several special things with the coffee including commemorative gifts and 4-H cookbooks for all who attend, speeches by dignitaries, and of course, birthday cake and coffee.”
ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs cover people’s entire life span, from Iowa’s youngest to oldest residents. More than 1 million people directly benefit from ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs each year.
“Both 4-H and extension work with many volunteers every year. These volunteers include extension council members, youth and 4-H committee members, 4-H club leaders, 4-H project leaders, fair superintendents, fair committee members, 4-H trip chaperones, Time Out and other newsletter volunteers, extension ag and families committee members, Farmers Market committee members, and on and on,” Nelson said. “All are invited to share in the celebration.”
ISU Extension and Outreach is part of the federal Cooperative Extension Service — a network of more than 100 land-grant institutions, including ISU, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture serving communities and counties across the U.S. Every county in Iowa has an elected extension council that decides how to support ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs at the county level. Adams County currently has 1 and 1/2 employees as a part of extension in Adams County: Melanie McMann, full-time as office assistant/Adams County Youth Coordinator and Chris Nelson, half-time as Adams County Extension program coordinator.
For more information about ISU Extension and Outreach, contact the Adams County office at 603 Seventh St., in Corning, call 641-322-3184 or visit www.extension.iastate.edu.
