About ISU Extension and Outreach: Hamilton County

Iowa State University Extension serves Iowans through six program areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources; Business and Industry: Communities; Families; 4-H Youth Development; and Continuing Education.

2011 Hamilton County Stakeholder's Report

Hamilton County Extension Council working for you!

Pictured, L-R:  (front) Lisa Tapper, Alberta Voge, Gayle Olson

(back)  Don Heck, Bob Walker, Brett Ahrens, Richard Carlson, Dawn Holdgrafer (not pictured- Judi Meyer)

Extension Council members are elected by the voters of Hamilton County to serve four year terms. They oversee the planning, preparation, marketing, and delivery of the extension educational program 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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton County.

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

Hamilton 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.