About ISU Extension and Outreach: Cherokee County

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach provides unbiased, research-based information and education to help Iowans become their best in six program areas:  Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry, Communities, Families, 4-H Youth Development, and Continuing Education.

Our 2010 Stakeholder Report (in pdf format) shows how ISU Extension and Outreach builds partnerships and provides research-based learning opportunities.

Cherokee County Extension Council
Front Row (L-R)  Guy Fishman, Donna Amundson, Chuck Clark, Eric Ogren
Back Row (L-R) Tom Bindner, Gina Rassel, Lynn Winterhof, David Whited, Nathan Foresman

Extension Council members are elected by the voters of Cherokee County and serve four-year terms.  They oversee the planning, preparation, marketing, and delivery of the Extension and Outreach educational programs in the county.  Every county in Iowa has an Extension Council.  Extension councils provide, through a unique partnership with Iowa State University and other federal and state organizations, research-based, unbiased information and education to help county citizens make better decisions.

The Cherokee County Extension Council, county staff and ISU Extension and Outreach staff work together to provide research-based learning opportunities for our citizens. Through this partnership, we carry Iowa State University’s land-grant mission across Cherokee County.

Our 2011 Points of Pride tells how we act on that commitment.

Cherokee County programs are fulfilling that commitment:

• Becoming a scientist or engineer is not easy, but Iowa teens are getting hands-on experience.
• In only seven weeks, a child can learn how to stay away from alcohol and drugs.
• Starting conversations that lead to farm business transitionsfrom one generation to the next is hard – we help get them started.
• Schools and restaurants are trained to safely prepare nutritious foods.
• Families are learninghow to prepare healthy, economical meals.
• Foods grown and marketed locally boost the local economy and fulfill consumer demands
• Our communities are more sustainable.
• Businesses get individualized supportthey need to grow.
• Farmers depend on us for the latest crop production research.

We can anticipate trends, build relationships, and catalyze opportunities because we are part of the ongoing life of our communities, committed to healthy people, healthy environments, and healthy economies.