Excellence in Extension continues a strong Iowa State University Extension tradition — striving for professional excellence and supporting the people who create programs for Iowans.
Established in 1988, Excellence in Extension provides grant dollars to ISU Extension staff for innovative programs, graduate study and individual and group professional development. And it’s entirely funded by donations from past and present ISU Extension staff and retirees.
“Decreases in appropriated funds make Excellence in Extension’s support for quality program development and highly relevant professional development activities more important than ever,” said Michael Ouart, associate vice provost for ISU Extension and Excellence in Extension ex-officio board member. “The fact that Excellence in Extension funds have grown during this period is heartening and speaks well for those who have contributed to this worthy cause.”
More than 300 grants have been awarded since 1989. Here are a few examples.
ISU Extension county education directors and 4-H youth field specialists in northeast Iowa responded to escalating bullyism in local communities by attending a national conference on character education. After the conference, they developed and piloted a curriculum in northeast Iowa. Excellence in Extension funds made it possible for the program — BOOMERANG — to be shared across Iowa. BOOMERANG is now used nationally, as well as in Canada and South Africa.
With Excellence in Extension funding, ISU Extension offered leadership training to Perry Hispanics, using translated materials and involving community leaders in panel discussions in support of the Perry LINK organization. Perry LINK continues to strengthen the leadership skills of the community’s Hispanic population.
Responding to the increasing number of questions from new acreage owners getting into horse ownership, Dale Miller, ISU Extension education director for Marion County, and Glen Easter, ISU Extension education director for Clarke County, received an Excellence in Extension grant to fund the development of the Master Equine Manager program. Now, the growing numbers of program trainees share their equine knowledge throughout their communities.
-30-