AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week is April 16-21. This year Iowa’s 100 county extension and outreach offices will host community service activities during the week and throughout the month of April.
"Our 100 county offices -- Pottawattamie County has two -- enable us to serve as a 99-county campus, connecting the needs of Iowans with Iowa State University research and resources all across the state," said ISU Vice President for Extension and Outreach John Lawrence.
"Community service is one more way ISU Extension and Outreach engages Iowans to build a strong Iowa," Lawrence said.
County extension offices will be conducting food drives for community food banks, serving at community meal sites, delivering meals to those in need, and participating in other activities to fight hunger and food insecurity. Some counties will be planting trees, cleaning local parks or involving 4-H youth in planting gardens. A variety of community service activities will take place throughout the state.
ISU Extension and Outreach county-initiated community service projects will be part of Cy's Days of Service. Since May 2017, Iowa State alumni, family and friends have been participating in service projects of their choice. They report their hours to showcase Cy's Days of Service. The goal is to have at least 500 participants log more than 30,000 hours of service by the end of April 2018.
New Vice President for Extension and Outreach
This will be John Lawrence's first ISU Extension and Outreach Week as ISU Vice President for Extension and Outreach. He was appointed to the position March 26 following a nationwide search. Lawrence began serving in the permanent role immediately, having served as interim vice president since March 2017. He previously served as associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and director of extension and outreach.
"I am pleased to announce Extension and Outreach Week, and I am honored to serve my colleagues, the university and the entire state of Iowa as the leader of ISU Extension and Outreach,” Lawrence said. “I look forward to working with our talented faculty, staff and partners to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Iowans.”
More than 1 million benefit
ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs cover the entire life span, from Iowa’s youngest to oldest residents. More than 1 million people directly benefit from ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs each year. Extension connects with millions more online.
ISU Extension and Outreach is part of the federal Cooperative Extension Service — a network of more than 100 land-grant institutions, including Iowa State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture serving communities and counties across the United States. Every county in Iowa has an elected extension council that decides how to support ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs at the county level.
For more information about ISU Extension and Outreach, visit www.extension.iastate.edu or contact your ISU Extension and Outreach county office.
Photo caption: As an early kickoff for ISU Extension and Outreach Week, extension staff, faculty and county council members packaged meals for Meals from the Heartland March 26 in Ames.