ISU Vice Provost for Extension Stan Johnson, left, greets an Iowa 4-H’er
and his family at Iowa State University Learning Connection in Des Moines.
Approximately 200 4-H’ers from across Iowa traveled to Des Moines
on Oct. 18 to receive the Norman E. Borlaug World Food Prize -- Iowa 4-H
Centennial Award.
Pursuing Excellence by Connecting with Iowans
As we look forward to 2002, Iowa State University Extension
is poised for a year of change and opportunity.
We’re excited about carrying out our new strategic plan — pursuing
excellence by connecting with Iowans. ISU Extension builds upon and enhances
the intersecting goals of learning, discovery and engagement set out in
the university strategic plan. With our local presence throughout the
state, we serve as the “front door” to ISU and connect the university
to the people of Iowa.
Our funding environment is changing. We’re seeing increased local
responsibility, reduced formula funds, tighter definitions of what is
considered a public service, and state and federal funding that is becoming
more targeted and competitively based. However, ISU Extension is well
positioned to succeed.
We are learning to think in terms of the programs that serve client needs
and the revenue generating strategy for funding these activities. Our
revenue generating strategy involves traditional public funds as well
as grants, contracts, gifts and user fees.
We are making good progress in securing funding from competitive sources.
For the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2001, awards for Extension grants
and contracts, which are administered through ISU, increased from $9.6
million to $12.5 million or 30 percent. The grants and contracts awarded
to county Extension offices increased from $1.4 million to more than $3.5
million during the same period. County funding of Extension also is increasing.
Each dollar that the state of Iowa invests in Extension leverages an
additional $2 from other resources for programming.
In 2002 we plan to work even harder with the citizens of Iowa to understand
their needs and priorities. While the changes in our funding environment
are a challenge, they also provide opportunity for growth and development.
Our strategic plan is consistent with success in this new funding environment.
We will continue as our mission states: ISU Extension builds partnerships
and provides research-based learning opportunities to improve quality
of life in Iowa. We believe in quality, access, diversity and accountability.
We are dedicated to engagement, entrepreneurship and local presence.
Stanley R. Johnson
Vice Provost for Extension
Contact Laura Sternweis, editor, lsternwe@iastate.edu.
Visit the ISU Extension homepage.
Nondiscrimination statement and information disclosures
Last update: January 2002