Extension Projects in Southeast Iowa
in honor of the ISU Sesquicentennial
 

Click on red counties to view Sesquicentennial projects planned or completed in those counties. 

Contact your local county extension office for information on how you can participate in the celebration nearest you. Contact information is linked from the county name in the list below.

Appanoose County: Grounds improvements were be made to the Appanoose County Fairgrounds at Centerville. The lot was mowed and trimmed, flowers planted, buildings and barns repainted, and new wooden bleachers for our show arena put in. An open house also was held at the county extension office. See photos (Nicole Stickler)

Benton County: Extension planted trees at three area schools and the Benton County fairgrounds. Extension Council members, staff and 4-H'ers worked with school staff for the planting. See Photos (Stan Geiken)

Cedar County: An Open House and Food Pantry Drive was held at the new Cedar County Extension Office, located at 107 Cedar Street in Tipton on Sept. 27. As part of the sesquicentennial celebration of Iowa State University, the Cedar County Extension office conducted a food pantry drive. This food drive demonstrates Iowa State University's commitment to serving the people of Iowa. Prior to the Open House the Tipton Chamber of Commerce hosted a networking meeting. During this Chamber event, ISU Extension staff that serve Cedar County were introduced along with a brief overview of programs and services offered. Also, Miss Iowa, Diana Reed, introduced the Character Counts initiative implemented this fall in the Tipton Community School District. See photo (Bob Owen)

Clinton County: We replaced an old landscaped area in the front of Ekstrand Elementary School in DeWitt on Oct. 2 and 3. It was overgrown with weeds and some plants. We removed usable plants, tilled up the ground, planted new plants, installed a weed barrier and landscaping rock. County Extension staff, extension council members, youth committee members, and local ISU alumni participated. The local Parent-Teacher Organization purchased the plants, while the weed barrier and landscaping rock were donated by a local business. See photos (Bill Petsche)

Davis County: Grounds improvements were made at the Davis Count Extension Office in Bloomfield on Aug. 13. Flower beds by retaining walls were cleaned out and replanted along with some other landscaping additions. Participants included Master Gardners, Extension Council members, volunteers, and youth from an entrepreneurial program. See photos (Lana Minnick)

Des Moines County: In celebration of Iowa State University's Sesquicentennial, Des Moines County Extension established an Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club. This I&E Club encourages, supports and educates aspiring small business owners in Southeast Iowa. Initial partners for this project included the Southeast Iowa Entrepreneurial Center, the Southeast Iowa SBDC, Southeastern Community College, etc. Local Iowa State University Alumni with small business and manufacturing experience were invited to participate as resource specialists. Throughout the year, key resource specialists (management, engineering, marketing, etc.) from Iowa State University and or with ISU connections (e.g. alumni, supporters, etc.) were featured as presenters at monthly meetings. See Photos (Don Buzzingham)

Henry County: Henry County Master Gardeners planted downtown flower beds in May and provided planters at the new ISU Extension-Henry County Office Building. See photo (Jan Smith)

Iowa County: County Extension staff and Council provided 4-H signage to the fairgrounds in Marengo and along Highway 6. In addition a new flag pole will be installed with flags provided by Iowa County 4-H members and volunteers. See photo (Gene Mohling)

Jackson County: The Jackson County Extension Council hosted a county-wide Food Can Drive July 23-29. The 4-H Community Clubs competed against the Extension Council and 4-H Youth Committee to collect monetary and food donations for local food pantries. In total, an amazing 2,397 food items were collected and $795 was donated. The club who donated the most cans per member was Emeline Country Club, second place went to Ottercreek Shooting Stars, and third place to Bellevue Pioneers. Thank you to all the 4-H clubs for their hard work in collecting food and raising money. Thanks to Dick's Piggly Wiggly for their help in collecting money and food at their store. The support from the Jackson County citizens in helping Jackson County Extension have a successful community service project was tremendous. See photo (Amber Matthiesen)

Jefferson County: Landscaping was installed on May 10 at the Greater Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Fairfield in conjunction with a building addition and remodel project of the Jefferson County Extension office, followed by a grand opening of the newly designed office. Participants included staff, 4-Hers, Master Gardeners, Community Members, Alumni, and Local Businesses. See photos (Neric Smith)

Johnson County: Extension staff and 4-H volunteers will provide for a new flag pole and U.S. flags, state of Iowa flags and the 4-H flags to be flown in the Johnson County fairgrounds. (Gene Mohling)

Jones County: Jones County Extension and the Great Jones County Fair teamed up to construct a 6’ x 20’ flagpole plaza on the fairgrounds at Monticello to commemorate the ISU sesquicentennial. It is fitting that this new addition is located within the livestock facilities complex of the fairgrounds which is the hub for 4-H/youth activities. ISU alumni and students, Extension staff, 4-H, and Master Gardeners cooperated to install three flagpoles and landscape the area. A dedication ceremony for the service project was held July 17 in conjunction with the fair’s opening night known as “Sneak-A-Peek” including free gate admission, the fair queen coronation, midway, food court, and other entertainment. See photos (Joe Yedlik)

Keokuk County: Extension will provide news articles commemorating the Chautauqua meetings and train trips organized by Cap Miller. These activities involved famous Americans and ISU Professors. 4-H'ers will be recruited to make and display a poster celebrating these events. The poster will be presented at fairs and other activities. See photo (Gary Bickmeier)

Lee County: Iowa State Alumni (Lee County), Extension Council members, Master Gardeners, 4-H Alumni and current members planted a tree at each of the school buildings in Lee County. This included the public and private schools K-12. See photos (Bob Dodds)

Linn County: There was a 4-H/ISU Alumni tailgate and day at the ballpark event at Kernel's Stadium on July 1. The service project included a food drive for our local food pantry. See Photos (Linda Bigley)

Louisa County: The "Odessa Canoe Trail" at Lake Odessa east of Wapello will become a reality in August with the help of ISU Alumni, current students, employees and their families and friends. ISU Extension in Louisa County in collaboration with the Louisa Conservation Board and the local Department of Natural Resources office will construct and place the trail signs in the lake as well as construct and place kiosks at the access points. This will be a great opportunity to enjoy the sun, water, good friends and a great local project! See photos (Kathy Vance)

Mahaska County: For Mahaska County’s sesquicentennial project, Extension staff, 4-H, members, 4-H leaders, Extension volunteers, and the Mahaska Agricultural Extension Council committed to providing 150 hours of community service to Mahaska County between Nov. 1, 2007, and March 22, 2008. We are happy to report that in that time period those who participated in the project gave nearly 500 hours of their time in various community service projects. These projects included; working at a local food pantry, coordinating a toys for tots drive, visiting nursing homes with crafts, cards, or activities, and various clean up and improvement projects around the county. The final event of the celebration was to be the completion of a foot bridge at Lacey Garden, a beautiful educational garden along the county’s bike trail. Regrettably, the weather has prevented the completion of that project during March when scheduled, but we will complete the bridge this Spring. See photos (Brian Dunn)

Monroe County: Master Gardeners created a flower bed Aug. 25 around the parking lot by the Extension office across the street from 109 Benton Ave. East, Albia. (Sue Henderson)

Muscatine County: On October 7 the Iowa State University Extension Office in Muscatine dedicated a tree at the Muscatine Arboretum. The public as well as ISU Alumni, supporters and friends, Master Gardeners, 4-H families and Extension supporters were a part of the dedication ceremony. In honor of the 150th Anniversary of Iowa State University, a work day was held on at the Arboretum in conjunction with the tree dedication. The Muscatine Arboretum is located on 15 acres, adjacent to the Environmental Discovery Center and is a collection of a wide variety of trees and shrubs. It is completely managed by volunteers. See photos (Bob Owen)

Scott County: Extension sponsored a Senior Fest day on June 9 at new neighborhood center in west Davenport that is a renovated school. The population surrounding the area of the Roosevelt Center is the highest concentration of elderly in Davenport. Extension programs and displays on all program areas helped the neighborhood learn about the opportunities and services available. See photo (Becky Bray)

Van Buren County: Picnic tables for use of 4-H members, families and the general public during county fair and other events held on the fairgrounds were dedicated on July 21. See photo (Sandy McLain)

Wapello County: The Junior Master Gardeners and Master Gardeners will create a diversity garden on July 21 around the city's new convention center, Bridgeview. Bridgeview is located on the south side of the river in downtown Ottumwa. See unrelated photos of Cy at Wapello County Exposition (Sue Henderson)

Washington County: 4-H members and Extension staff provided a new flag pole and flags for the fairgrounds at Washington. The pole is located next to the new 9,600 square-foot facility constructed in 2006. See photo (Gene Mohling)

 

     



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