Extension Council Members

We want communities and farmers to thrive, and families and children to be healthy. And eventually we want to turn the world over to the next generation better than we found it.

2018 IN ALLAMAKEE COUNTY

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach connects the needs of Iowans with Iowa State University research and resources. We are working with the people of Allamakee County for what we all want: a strong Iowa.

Kraig Tweed Regional Director

Michelle Byrnes Council Member

Kevin Fossum

Council Vice Chair

Nate Gebel

Council Member

Katie Melcher

Secretary

Steve Pladsen Council Chair

Annette Stock

Treasurer

Brittany Tilleraas

Council Member

Chad Waters

Council Member

Allamakee County Extension Council

Every Iowa county has an elected extension council that guides local educational programming by partnering with staff. From needs assessment through program implementation and evaluation of outcomes, the council represents the issues and people of the county.

We have identified these local issues as priority topics for current and future programming:

• Economic Development

• Health and Well-Being

• K-12 Youth Outreach

Economic Development Women in Ag Tour—Highlighted Allamakee County Farms & Ag Businesses

Farm women have significant employment, management and ownership on family farms in Allamakee County. The 2012 Census of Agriculture reported 1,011 farms in the county. On these farms, there were 386 women farm operators who represented 26% of all farm operators. A tour steering committee recommended showcasing the diversity of agriculture in the county. From hosting the 2008 Women Adding Value to Agriculture conference to planning the 2017 Annie’s Project farm management course; serving the audience of women in agriculture is a long-term commitment for ISUEO in Allamakee County. Women make influential decisions that contribute to local economic vitality and agricultural sustainability. Tour Hosts Tom Weighner, WW Homestead Dairy, LLC; Ryan Collins, Beef Farm and Tri-State Precision Ag, LLC; Ben Sweeney, Green Valley Getaway Restaurant; Jason Howe, Dairy and Beef Farm. Agricultural Risk Management Topics Financial Costs/Benefits • Food and Worker Safety • Regulatory Compliance • Marketing Strategies • Water Quality Results All participants reported that the tour met expectations and they were likely to attend future tours. The surveys showed 86% of women owned or worked in a farm business; 43% owned or worked in an agribusiness; and 29% owned or worked in a non-ag business. Half of the women reported multiple careers. The average age of the group was 54, with a range of 22 to 75 years. Open-ended responses indicated the tour offered an opportunity to network with other women. Take-home messages resonating with the group included how USDA programs improve conservation, how family farmers are adapting to changes, and how technology improves agriculture. Impact Women expanded their networks and gained a broader understanding of the diversity of agriculture in Allamakee County. When Extension and Outreach extends knowledge and empowers women, we create a more sustainable Iowa by expanding agricultural businesses, conserving natural resources, and supporting the community of women in agriculture.

Teresa Wiemerslage Local Food Specialist Kayla Koether Food Systems Specialist Morgan Bjerke County Youth Coordinator

Becky Rea K-12 Program Coordinator Julie Christensen Office Coordinator Lana Dahlstrom Office Assistant

County Extension Staff

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach does not discriminate on the basis of age,

disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy,

race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or status as a U.S. veteran.

Direct inquiries to the Diversity Officer, 515-294-1482, extdiversity@iastate.edu.

K-12 Youth Outreach Becky Rea, Allamakee County K-12 Program

Coordinator, was recognized at the 2018

Youth Fest by the Iowa 4-H Program. Becky

was a recipient of an Achievement in

Service Award. She was selected for this

award making a significant difference in the

Iowa 4-H program om less than three years.

She brings inquiry based learning to life

through her after school programs, in-school programs, and

Clover Kids lesson plans. Becky strives to have each youth

involved in her program to leave ‘wanting more!’ Through

intentional program planning, Becky works intently to be

innovative and futuristic. She has continued to grow her Clover

Kids Programs and for the 2018-19 4-H year is offering the

program at 3 sites. Becky strives to grow and develop community

partners, increase participation, and create new and innovative

experiences for youth in Allamakee County. Her passion and

background in the dairy industry has been an asset to the Iowa

Dairy Story program in northeast Iowa that provides 3-4th graders

6 hours of education about the dairy industry. Outcomes for youth

include gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for the

dairy industry, understanding of potential careers, understanding

where their food comes from, and how it moves through the food

system. Becky continues to serve as the Iowa Dairy Story

Coordinator. Under Becky's direction

and leadership, Iowa's Dairy Story

was also recognized at Youth Fest,

receiving the Outstanding Team

Award.

ISU Extension and Outreach

Allamakee County 218 7

th Ave SE, Suite #102 Waukon, IA 52172

563-568-6345 ww.extension.iastate.edu/address

Health and Well-Being

Allamakee is part of a 5 county/9 agency collabo-ration to enhance outdoor learning opportunities for children and families through research-based and field tested programming called Nature Ex-plore. Representatives from two Allamakee early childhood programs attended training this fall, with more training opportunities to come over the next several years.

Iowa’s Dairy Story Impact

Schools: 22 Staff: 16 Volunteers: 15 Youth: 984 Staff Hours: 192 Volunteer Hours: 156 Counties: 7 Dairy Royalty: 6

K-12 Youth Outreach Allamakee County Youth Participating in Opportunities:

• Winter Escap(e)ade to Minneapolis. 16 youth and 4 adult chaperones visited: Minnesota Zoo, Snow Tubing, Mall of America, Sleeping Under the Sea at Sea Life Aquarium, and Fly Over America Simulation.

• 6 State 4-H Conference Delegates

• 12 Junior Campers joined in Pine Bluff 4-H Camp

• 2 Senior 4-H Camp Counselors

• 4 Intermediates participated in the 4-H Intermediate Trip

• 20 4-H members were involved in 4-H Expressions Day

• 95 youth in pre-K-7 grades attended a STEAM themed day camp

• 250 Postville Families partook in STEAM Night

• 450 youth impacted at NEIA STEM FEST

• 200 youth participated in Project Northland

• 54 youth joined in 4-H Project Days hosted for Food & Nutrition, Photography, Horticulture, Project Showcase, Visual Arts, 4-H Record Books, and Rabbit Workshop

• 17 New Albin youth in 2nd

grade were involved in Coding

• 28 youth reached during Summer Day Camps; Forces of Nature, Incredible Wearables

Photos: (Left) Becky Rea with Achievement in Service Award and Iowa Dairy Story Award, (Right) Region 4 for the Out-standing Team Award for Iowa's Dairy Story at Youth Fest