"I support Extension programs because, growing up in rural Floyd County provided me with many wonderful memories of enjoying life using imagination, whether that was playing in the Grandmas' gardens or making chores seem fun. My family history of farmers (men & women) led me to an appreciation of nature and doing for yourself and being proud of it. The 4-H organization was a large part of our family's activities. It was the one thing that connected all of us: from Dad helping with livestock, Mom helping with sewing or Grandma providing wonderful recipes. I wish for all children to have programs that help them gain confidence and pride. I wish for all grownups to have programs that help them help themselves or others to build a stronger community pride."
D. Nelson, Nora Springs
"I have seen several successful programs by Extension and was involved in 4-H for 10 years as a youth. I think our county needs a better understanding of what all Extension offers and that it's not just 4-H."
R. Bjelica, Charles City
"Extension is a great organization and I fully support it as it has to do with 4-H, and kids interests. Our county needs more programs of interest to people of ALL ages and interests."
R. Ramthun, Charles City
"I support Extension because I believe in the things Extension wants to promote for our communities and for our families. Extension is a vast resources and we need to use them. Because of my occupation I use Extension for information and as a guide or a gauge from time to time. Our county needs to keep kids on the right path; to continue to help rural families with there dilemas; to keep the Agricultural part of Extension strong; and address problems and situations as they come along."
J. Jorgensen, Charels City
"I have changed over the years in my support of Extension. Early in my career I did not use Extension. In the last five years I consult them on many challenges that face my farm customers
and ultimately myself. I think that Floyd County is in a state of change. If you had asked me what I though Floyd County needs most a year ago I would have said off farm jobs to replace lost farm income. With the new manufacturing in CC and potential for spin off jobs this would
appear to have filled much of that gap. If the ethanol plant is built that should provide a little better price for corn and some additional jobs. I would like to see the county get ahead of the graying of the population and make sure that our county services are meeting the needs now as well as growing in the future. Finally I would like to see the county find a way for livestock feeders and rural residents live together." K. Starr, Charles City
"I support Extension because I believe it is a source of new and proven information that is fair and unbiased. I admire the unselfish dedication of the extension people I have known over the years. They really have the interests of farmers and their community ahead of everything else.
What does our county need most? I approach this differently than most people because my county is really several counties. My customers live in several counties, including Floyd Count. I now live in Cerro Gordo county, but I still have ties to Allamakee county where I grew up and Clayton county where I spent 10 wonderful years. The needs are the same in every county/community. We need to find ways to provide quality jobs and careers so that the area can support the businesses, schools and recreational things that make for a great lifestyle. We cannot take for granted the incredible agricultural base we have to work with, but the reality is that it takes fewer and fewer people to actually farm. We need to expand opportunities to carry the off farm agricultural opportunities to their maximum and actively recruit quality non ag businesses to our area. The important thing is that we need high quality opportunities to make for a great place to live."
R. Schlitter, Mason City
"I feel the Extension programs provide an information resource on a wide variety of subjects to rural areas. This is especially true of subjects that relate to agricultural interests.
What do I think our county needs most? I guess even though Floyd County is a rural area, I'm not sure that everyone understands the importance of a strong ag economy and how that impacts the rest of the county economy."
D. Freeseman, Charles City