About Us

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steps of Curtiss hall at Iowa State University

Extension and Outreach is the university-wide outreach component of Iowa State University, and has a fundamental role in the land-grant missions of teaching, research and extension. It has a presence in each of the state’s 99 counties, with educators, specialists and volunteers living and working across the state.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences administers the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) program, the largest unit of ISU Extension and Outreach. The Office for the Vice President for Extension and Outreach annually allocates approximately 40 percent of its budget to ANR. Jay Harmon serves as the college’s associate dean for Extension and Outreach and the director for ANR.

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specialist holding corn roots in hand showing them to attendees

Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Area

Agriculture is important to Iowa. We grow crops and raise livestock to feed our nation and beyond. Much of Iowa’s economy thrives on our rich agricultural heritage and ANR Extension and Outreach plays an important role in providing research-based information and resources to educate Iowa’s farmers, producers and agribusinesses. Our programs impact all Iowans, whether they live in a rural or urban area, and have been developed to improve our quality of life.

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specialist shaking hands with farmer

ANR Program Teams

  • Agricultural Systems and Environmental Stewardship
  • Crops
  • Dairy
  • Farm, Food and Enterprise Development
  • Farm Management
  • Food Safety
  • Horticulture
  • Iowa Beef Center
  • Iowa Pork Industry Center
  • Natural Resources Stewardship

Using a variety of educational deliveries including newsletters, websites, workshops, conferences, consultation, and train-the-trainer clinics, our specialists are engaged with farmers, researchers, organizations, agencies, agribusiness, and communities at state, regional and national levels.