Iowa State University Extension in Van Buren County provides relevant programs that support healthy people, healthy environments, and healthy economies.  Read about some of the ways ISU Extension meets local needs, improves quality of life, and helps make Van Buren County a better place to live.

Steve Kisling                                    Sandra McLain
Extension Council Chair               County Extension Director

Extension Participates in Back to School for Kids

The Safe and Healthy Kids Fair has become an annual event in Van Buren County.   Information is presented on nutrition, dental hygiene, bicycle safety, car seat safety, proper hand washing, and immunization. New donated school supplies are given to Van Buren and Harmony students.  The Fair is brought to Van Buren County by ISU Extension, Van Buren County Child Abuse Prevention Council and Children’s First Empowerment Partners, NEST and Parents as Teachers.  Over 400 parents, children, and vendors participated. 

After School Programs Good for Kids

Juvenile crime triples and parental stress increases between 3 and 6 p.m. when some children are left unattended.  ISU/Van Buren County Extension Service and Van Buren Community School District partnered on after school wellness and nutrition activities.  Monthly meetings were held at three school sites involving youth from K-6 grade.  Approximately 125 youth were involved in these food tasting and fun physical exercises.

Iowa State University Extension:
In sync with Van Buren County

Creating Community Spirit in Keosauqua  

The people of Keosauqua were unaware that their community qualified to be a Horizons community, fulfilling the requirement of having more than 10 percent of their residents living in poverty.   With each Horizons project, the circle of people involved widens, more people are involved in the community, and new community leaders are discovered. Study Circles: “Thriving Communities” 32 participants, Action Forum, Chosen ideas were:  Mentoring, & Bicycle Safety, Leadership Plenty 25 graduates, 9 sessions May-June 2007 Building skills to strengthen Keosauqua.

4-Hers Learn from the Livestock Quiz Bowl

There were five Van Buren County 4-H’ers who participated in the 2007 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl held on Friday, August 10 at the Iowa State Fair.  The Van Buren County team finished first place out of three participating teams. They will now proceed to the National Quiz Bowl at the Ak-Sar-Ben Youth Exposition at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska.  This event will be open to states from across the nation. The Livestock Quiz Bowl gives 4-H members an opportunity to test their knowledge on cattle, swine, sheep, and goats.

Service Project Commemorates

Iowa State University’s 150 Years

ISU Extension initiated community service projects in every county to celebrate Iowa State University’s 150 years.

The North Stars 4-H Club recognized the need for picnic tables at the fairground shelter house.  After collecting donations for the materials, the club constructed a very sturdy table and presented it to the fair board at the 2007 Van Buren County Fair.  The table will be greatly appreciated for many years.

Every Iowa county has an elected Extension Council that guides local educational programming by partnering with staff.  From needs assessment through program implementation and evaluation of outcomes, the council represents the issues and people of the county.

We have identified these local issues as priority topics for current and future programming:

·         All families will maintain healthy diets and increase physical activity.

·         Increase in value-added production.

·         Affordable and low-income housing.

·         Empowering youth to reach their full potential.

·         Continue to address local environmental and natural resource issues.

·         Increasing leadership potential for all communities.

·         Increase rural vitality.

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