2002 Annual Report Edition of The Extension Connection
One step into ISU Extension's future in under construction -- the Extension 4-H Youth building on the Ames campus. Expected completion is summer 2003.
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The Extension Connection is a quarterly publication of Iowa State University Extension.
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Stanley R. Johnson, vice provost for extension, vpforext@iastate.edu
Mark Settle,
managing editor, msettle@iastate.edu
Laura Sternweis,
editor, lsternwe@iastate.edu
Nondiscrimination statement and information disclosures
Last update: February 2003
Citizens guide and support ISU Extension
A demand for delivery of research-based information to
a primarily rural America was behind the congressional action that created
the national Cooperative Extension Service in 1914. Time has changed both
the specifics of Iowa State University Extension programs and the way
Extension connects with Iowans. Delivering needed information like a one-way
street has given way to engagement—achieving shared goals with the
people of Iowa through a two-way partnership.
The University and Extension are greater partners in the new model that
has emerged as access to sources of information and technical assistance
has increased. This evolution is shown by comments from several who have
been a big part of ISU Extension.
Ron Powers, interim dean and director of ISU Extension in 1988 and 1989,
refers to the 1960s as high-water mark years: “There was ample federal
and state funding; we were working at the forefront with the rapidly changing
agriculture scene and we were one of very few organizations that had college-trained
folks out in the counties.”
Marvin Anderson, who headed ISU Extension from 1966 to 1974, said in
the early years, extension agents worked to convince Iowa farmers of the
relevance of the organization and to sell them on its benefits. By the
early 1930s, farmers were beginning to appreciate the benefits of hybrid
seed corn and other technology coming from research, and Extension shifted
to being a conveyor of information that farmers were eager to receive.
Starting in the 1950s and 1960s, Extension took a more formal educational
approach to disseminating information, Anderson said.
C. J. Gauger was the state leader of Iowa 4-H programs from 1959 to 1979.
Then 4-H was broadening its outreach to youth who were not members of
traditional 4-H clubs. Through these programs, Extension was providing
youth with opportunities to grow into their full potential, Gauger said.
Robert Crom led ISU Extension from 1981 to 1988, during the farm crisis
in rural Iowa. Traditional clients felt they needed more help at the same
time that Extension was being pushed by federal mandates into serving
new groups such as low income urban families and providing leadership
for environmental protection and sustainable agriculture initiatives.
Crom said a strategic planning task force met with citizens around the
state and developed recommendations that helped guide ISU Extension through
difficult times that included closing offices and reducing staff.
ISU Extension continues to find the best answers to contemporary questions
by empowering and listening to citizen advisory groups.
In Sac County, Sue Peyton is an advocate for county-level Citizens for
Extension. She said, “Citizens for Extension groups share needs that
determine future programs and research.”
Iowa Association of County Extension Councils (IACEC), a major partner
in managing ISU Extension, has united county councils into one organization.
“We are able to bring concerns from the counties directly to administration,”
said Jayne Lupkes, IACEC board president.
Duane Acker, Atlantic, is co-chair of ISU Extension’s Futuring Committee. “We are listening to staff, traditional clientele and clients that we would like to be serving. We must be customer driven to move Extension into areas of need currently not in Extension programs.”