MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Iowa State University Extension’s Region 8 — covering Boone, Hardin, Marshall and Story counties — is a region with a plan, says new regional director Richard Wrage. The four-county region is focused on economic development through tourism and local food systems.

The county extension councils were more than ready to discuss how they might work together. Although Wrage didn’t officially become regional director until Aug. 1, “we met as a region July 30 and looked at each county’s programs,” he said.

Each county’s nine-member elected extension council was invited to the July meeting, Wrage said. No council had every member present, but each council had a quorum.

He’s confident that the region is on the right track for working together to provide ISU Extension educational programming to benefit all four counties.

“Right now the plan is to come together as whole councils. We’ll meet again in October to plan next steps and see where we’re at,” he said.

Wrage comes to the regional position having served most recently as the ISU Extension education director for Boone County. As regional director he’ll be working administratively with each county council as they carry out local programs, while encouraging and developing regional programs where they make sense.

“In Boone, Story and Marshall counties we’ve made great strides in getting county positions in place to carry out programming,” he noted, which in the past would have been part of the county extension education director’s role. Those positions were eliminated in ISU Extension’s restructuring into regions. Hardin County’s director, Darwin Miller, is remaining in the position until his retirement in January.

ISU Extension supports healthy people, healthy environments and healthy economies, and Wrage noted there’s a full slate of ISU Extension programs in the region. Ongoing youth programs include Clover Kids and Safety and Education in Shooting Sports, and preparation for the fall 4-H community club year. Boone and Story counties will begin another combined Master Gardeners program. Hardin County is working on a community foundation microenterprise grant, and Story County will be conducting financial management training with United Way.

Add in agronomy field days, farmland leasing meetings and infant and toddler safety training for child care providers, Wrage said, and that’s just a sample of what’s on the calendar of events.

Wrage will have his office in the Marshall County Extension Office, 2608 S. 2nd Street, Marshalltown, Iowa. He can be reached by phone at (641) 752-1551 and by e-mail at rwrage@iastate.edu.

Boone County director since 1994, Wrage previously worked in sales and as a high school vocational agriculture instructor. He received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in agricultural education from Iowa State University.

Wrage has been a member of Kiwanis for 15 years. He’s the current chair of the Alpha Mu Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, the national extension honorary fraternity, and a former chair of ISU Council of Extension Professionals. He’s also the past chair of the Iowa Section of National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

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