DECORAH, Iowa – As a new regional director for Iowa State University Extension, Brenda Ranum describes her job as “bringing together the best that the region has to offer and sharing those resources.” Ranum became the director for ISU Extension Region 4 — Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties — on Aug. 1.

“There is a history of collaboration in this region and an appreciation of what each county has to offer,” Ranum said. “By working together we have the opportunity to gain efficiencies and share across county borders.

A large part of that collaborative history is the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative, http://www.iowafoodandfitness.org/. The initiative has included Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties, but is expanding to Chickasaw County. The multi-county effort is helping northeast Iowans better understand how their personal and family health is connected to the local food system and to opportunities for physical fitness in their community. Ranum has been the initiative’s co-convener and project director since 2007, a role she continues with Ann Mansfield at Luther College.

Last April when ISU Extension announced the move to 20 regions, Ranum, then the Winneshiek County extension education director, wondered what restructuring would mean for ISU Extension in northeast Iowa. But Ranum realized, “we could do more together than we could alone.”

She interviewed for the Region 4 position, was named to the post in late June and soon started organizing.

Region 4 Extension Council
“Having the history of working together, we immediately pulled together as a region,” Ranum said. “We asked ‘what are the needs of people in northeast Iowa?’ and we started developing a plan.”

Ranum helped organize the Region 4 Extension Council including members from each county’s extension council: Dave Heitman and Greg Lage, Allamakee County; Susie Anderson and Larry Tupper, Chickasaw County; Teddie Neis and Russell Pate, Clayton County; Neil Lansing and Dave Turner, Fayette County; Harold Noe and Gary Sovereign, Howard County; and John Anderson and Duane Holthaus, Winneshiek County.

This team will meet quarterly to identify educational program needs, improve communication among the counties and increase marketing of ISU Extension programs throughout the region, she explained.

The Region 4 Extension Council has hired two program coordinators in agriculture and natural resource programs and 4-H youth development. Ranum estimates she will be working with at least 10 ISU Extension program specialists in northeast Iowa.

Current Programs
ISU Extension supports healthy people, healthy environments and healthy economies. Ranum noted some current ISU Extension programs in the region.

• ISU Extension has been organizing meetings for dairy producers, lenders and community leaders about financial and legal options available to dairy farm owners, and about stress management strategies and resources for farm owners and their families.

• Field days throughout the region are highlighting opportunities in local food production.

• This fall six school districts will pilot the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative’s “Farm to School” program.

• An additional six schools will participate in “Safe Routes to School” workshops, and Mark Fenton, former U.S. national racewalking champion and editor-at-large of Walking magazine will host a series of workshops in the region, sponsored by the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative.

• 4-H will remain county driven, but will be able to share resources and programs throughout the region.

• A Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness conference for youth, schools, community foundations and organizations is planned for Oct. 20 at Luther College.

Ranum has her office in the Winneshiek County Extension Office, 911 S. Mill Street, Decorah, Iowa. She can be reached by phone at (563) 382-2949 or e-mail at ranum@iastate.edu.

Ranum received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in child development from Iowa State University. In addition to her ISU Extension experience she has worked as a career counselor and internship/service learning coordinator at Luther College Career Center. She lives in Decorah with her husband and three daughters.

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