ISU Extension and Outreach Honors Greene County Extension Council

Jefferson, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recently named the Greene County Extension Council as the winner of its 2021 Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes a county extension council’s outstanding commitment to the mission of ISU Extension and Outreach and the delivery of research-based or evidence-based programming. The award was presented at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s virtual annual conference in March. Members of the ISU Extension and Outreach Extension Council in Greene County are Shari Minnehan (chair), Bruce Bahnson (vice chair), Jessi Riley (secretary), Pam Olerich (treasurer), Tom Heater, Kyle Niles, Jill Rassmussen, Doug Rieder and Bob Smith. The council was nominated for the award by the Greene County extension staff. Every county in Iowa has an elected extension council that decides how to support ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs at the county level. In the award nomination, the Greene County Extension Council was noted for its education, commitment and service during the past year – dealing with an unexpected pandemic, drought and derecho. The council supported the distribution of free masks to county residents and STEM kits to local students for eight weeks last April and May. Other outreach initiatives included the development of a resource guide for services and details for donating funds to support local projects. The council also collaborated with the Thomas Jefferson Gardens of Greene County for a tree derecho program. In addition to community engagement, the council was noted for its support of Greene County extension staff. “Staff retention is a priority for our council. They provided work schedule flexibility during COVID-19 and are always quick to ask how they can assist with programming. You can count on them to be present at community events to represent the extension team,” said Lori Mannel, Greene County extension director. The Greene County Educational Fund has grown more than $48,000 in the past 12 months. This is due to exemplary financial management by the council’s budget committee and staff. Sponsorship, grants and support from the Greene County 4-H Foundation has generated $31,000 to support programming and office operations. The ISU Extension and Outreach Greene County office is located at 104 West Washington Street in Jefferson. To learn more about extension programs and services, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/greene or call 515-386-2138.