Sherry McGill understands that many Iowans are concerned about how Iowa State University Extension will function locally now that the organization has restructured into regions. But she’s quick to reassure them.
“We still exist and are open for business. Let us know what you need,” said McGill, the new director for ISU Extension Region 5, covering Monona, Plymouth and Woodbury counties.
Her office is in the Woodbury County Extension office, 4301 Sergeant Road, #213, Sioux City, Iowa. She can be reached by phone at (712) 276-2157 and e-mail at mcgills@iastate.edu.
McGill became regional director Aug. 1 and since then has been meeting with the elected nine-member extension council in each of the three counties.
“I will be relating to each council separately,” she said, participating in their regular meetings. In addition, all three councils have met once as a regional group and will meet again in September.
“We’re going to be going over ways we can work together that may lessen some people’s workload if we share in responsibilities together,” she explained.
Regional Staffing
Each council has to decide the type of staff it needs to carry out county programs, McGill said. The Plymouth County Extension Council is hiring the current county director, Carol Schneider, as a county extension coordinator. Cheri Hardison will retire as Monona County director at the end of January. As the former ISU Extension education director for Woodbury County, McGill is working with the county council to facilitate programming and help determine next steps.
She’s also meeting with the extension staff who serve the three counties to determine how best to serve the region with ISU Extension educational programs that support healthy people, healthy environments and healthy economies. For example, two youth program specialists will serve the region. Cheryl Connot-Perez, an urban 4-H specialist, will focus on Sioux City and Woodbury County. Brenda Welch will be based in Plymouth County and serve all three counties.