Cheryl Bruene

AMES- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week is April 13-18. Iowa’s 100 county extension offices will host activities throughout the week to thank Iowans for their support of extension efforts throughout the state to build a strong Iowa.

“ISU Extension and Outreach is always serving Iowans. This celebration is one way we say thank you to the many volunteers, community leaders, organizations, agencies and other partners who support our work in Tama County,” said Cheryl Bruene, Executive Director, ISU Extension and Outreach Tama County.

“ISU Extension and Outreach engages Iowans in solving today’s problems and planning for tomorrow. We support what Iowans value: a strong Iowa,” Bruene said.

For example, Iowans value clean water, so ISU Extension and Outreach educates farmers and commercial manure applicators. They learn about proper manure storage, nutrient retention, safe application and more so they can protect the environment.

Iowans value a safe food supply, so ISU Extension and Outreach educates foodservice professionals with ServSafe, a certified food protection manager course. Participants are well qualified to implement essential food safety practices in foodservice establishments in local communities.

Iowans value sound rural economies, so ISU Extension and Outreach builds skills in business owners, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and other local leaders and government officials. They are improving their capacity to increase community economic development

Iowans value young people ready to lead, so ISU Extension and Outreach reaches K-12 youth through 4-H. These programs prepare youth for higher education and careers as they build STEM, communication, leadership and other skills.

Locally, the Master Gardener program is building pollinator gardens at the fairgrounds and at several other locations throughout the county to educate the public on the role of pollinators in the food supply and how to attract them to their own yards. Watch for these gardens this summer. Learn how to become a Master Gardener at www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener

The summer will also bring local programs on Parkinson’s disease and supporting mental health for professionals in the ag business field. The annual ag leasing program for farm tenants and landlords is planned in Traer for late summer. There is also a plan to continue the early childhood literacy program that was recently interrupted by COVID-19.

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 the ISU Extension and Outreach Tama County office at 203 W. High St. in Toledo.