It was a very good year -- Strengthening families to become the best

"Strengthening families to become the best" kept Iowa State University focused on families during the 2000-2001 school year. The celebration featured opening-day displays at the Iowa State Fair, campus events and seven community visits throughout the state.

The community visits, in particular, brought together university faculty and administration, ISU Extension and local people to celebrate partnerships that support strong families. "We visited educational programs in senior centers, child care centers, family resource centers, community food pantries, volunteer centers, schools, churches and family-friendly businesses -- all places where ISU Extension and the community had worked together," said JaneAnn Stout, program director for ISU Extension to Families.

Sue and Harold Peyton hosted the visit to Sac City.

"One of the key things we wanted to accomplish was to demonstrate the important role that ISU Extension plays in making the connection between the university and the people in communities like ours. Extension staff and programs make it possible for people in Sac City and Sac County to take the information we need and want from the university," Sue Peyton said.

"The connection works not only to bring us information, but also to allow us input into research and programs that meet the needs we have in our area," she added.

Amy and Harlan Asmus hosted the Buffalo Center community visit.

"We wanted to highlight the coming together of all aspects of a community to fulfill the needs of children and families," Amy Asmus said. She wanted the ISU delegation to gain the "real sense of community that is knit into Winnebago County."

"We face a lot of the same issues that a more populated community faces, like cultural diversity, child care and quality of education. But I feel that this community is more involved, as a whole, in the lives of families and students," Asmus said.

More Extension Connection stories

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* Partners in Learning serve Dubuque children

* Iowa 2010: Share the Vision

* AgrAbility supports farm families

* Extension helps bring citizens into city governance decisions

* Get that degree through BLS Across Iowa

* Special funds support families, youth at risk

* Iowa prepares for possible foot-and-mouth outbreaks

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• Last update: June 2001