Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Elected Officials and 4-H Members Talk with Legislators

Iowa 4-H members with Dr. Cathann Kress, VP of Extension and Outreach, and Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.

Ames – On February 28, members of the county extension council and 4-H members in Mahaska County met with their legislators at the annual Iowa Extension Council Association Legislative Day and 4-H Public Leadership Experience held at the Capitol in Des Moines. They joined more than 100 other extension council members, 4-H members and extension supporters from across the state sharing how ISU Extension and Outreach connects the needs of Iowans with Iowa State University research and resources.

Those attending from Mahaska County included Jacob Spears, Josh Spears, and Nathan Crane. They were visited by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey who presented an update on Iowa agriculture, including Iowa’s contribution to the world food supply. Two pages to the Iowa Legislature spoke to the 4-Hers about opportunities for youth to serve as legislative pages. The group met with Senator Ken Rozenboom and Representative Larry Sheets.

The Iowa Extension Council Association represents 900 elected extension council members across the state. At the local level, county extension councils function as the legal body and are the local partners with Iowa State University (Extension and Outreach) and the USDA. They represent the diverse populations, issues, and concerns of their counties and identify needs related to public and private organizations, families, and communities.