News

Map of Iowa showing the 2024 visioning communities.

Ten Iowa communities have been selected to participate in the Iowa's Living Roadways (ILR) Community Visioning Program in 2024.

First page of the Health Data for Decision Makers report for Marshall County.

In October, the Data and Technology team in Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Community and Economic Development (CED) unit made the newest version of Health Data for Decision Makers (DDM) reports available on the ISU Extension and Outreach Indicators Program website.

The Data Science for the Public Good housing team works with research scientist Liesl Eathington.

This summer, Data Science for the Public Good (DSPG) Young Scholars program united eleven eager scholars across Iowa. Immersed in the program, these scholars—seven undergraduates and four graduates—harnessed statistics, computation, and social insights, laying the groundwork to effect change in Iowa communities.

The project leaders for the Iowa Small Town Poll are, from left, David Peters, professor of rural sociology; Ramesh Balayar, assistant teaching professor of sociology; Das Biswa, associate professor of community and regional planning; and Himar Hernandez, assistant program director of community and economic development, ISU Extension and Outreach. Photo by Christopher Gannon/Iowa State University.

Towns across Iowa will soon be participating in the Iowa Small Town Poll. This once-in-a-decade poll is funded by a four-year, $650,000 grant from USDA and will provide vital insight into rural communities and serve as the impetus for new programming and engagement from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development (CED).

A group of African Americans participated in the community conversation in Des Moines.

This year, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Community and Economic Development (CED) unit facilitated community conversations between Iowa Public Radio (IPR) news staff and Iowans in five communities to help IPR in its effort to develop relationships with underserved audiences.

Person seated at a desk in front a laptop and a grant application, holding a pen.

Representatives of nonprofits, governmental entities and school districts are encouraged to register for Grant Writing 101, an online workshop from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, October 3.

A child enjoys local blueberries at Stratford Early Learning Center.

The Iowa Farm to School and Early Care (F2SEC) Coalition is on a mission: to increase access to locally grown food and food education for children and families. Over the past three years, the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) Farm to ECE Implementation Grant (FIG) has bolstered the F2SEC Coalition endeavors. 

Counter with fresh vegetables and a sign of local products.

In Marshall County, Iowa, the dangers of a food system under threat became apparent as the community grappled with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, a derecho in 2020, and a tornado in 2018. But Marshall County’s experience is not unique. Communities across the United States are navigating similar threats.

Esther Crompton.

This summer, Esther Crompton joined the Community and Economic Development (CED) team of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach as a new communications specialist. 

Mardi Gras Indians, Super Sunday, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2019. Traditionally on the third Sunday in March, New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians mask up and parade throughout the city.

Community arts specialist Jennifer Drinkwater has created a new guide that walks communities through planning and executing a “pop-up” event.