Greene County Extension will celebrate ISU Extension and Outreach Week on Thursday, March 26, with a public open house scheduled for 11 am until 4 pm at the Greene County Extension office. During the event, visitors can enjoy free pork burgers grilled by the Greene County Pork Producers and other refreshments, while also learning more about programs available through Extension related to family finance, 4-H and youth, agriculture and natural resources, mentoring, and gardening and landscaping. Door prizes will be drawn for, as well.
“I am excited to be the newest member of this dynamic team,” said Lori Mannel, county Extension coordinator for Greene County Extension. “We have a strong and engaged Extension council, amazing volunteers, and a dedicated staff. Whether we are serving young people with the 4-H program, continuing education for agriculture professionals and childcare providers, or providing resources for the elderly, Greene County Extension is here to meet the needs of our community. Our open house will help showcase that.”
According to Mannel, staff and Extension council members will be around throughout the open house time to help serve food and share how Greene County Extension works for the people of Greene County.
Significant program accomplishments for Greene County Extension in 2014 included Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, Babysitting Basics, Mid Life and Beyond’s county resource directory, pesticide and manure applicator training, Master Gardeners, Ogden Ag Marketing, Expanding Entrepreneurs, crop fair, farm leasing meeting, child care provider trainings, KIDS With a Connection, Family Storyteller, Powerful Tools for Caregivers, Money Talk, 2014 Farm Bill information sessions and, of course, the 4-H program.
One of the flagships of Extension in Greene County is its 4-H program. Nearly 200 youngsters in grades 4 through 12 are involved in 4-H in Greene County. Additionally, the Clover Kids program for youngsters in grades kindergarten through 3 has an annual participation of nearly 30 children. 4-H members of all ages showcase their project accomplishments each year at the Greene County Fair. Youth are supported by several businesses and organizations, including the Greene County 4-H Foundation, which contributed about $4,700 last year in the form of scholarships to help dozens of Greene County 4-H members participate in camps, trips, and conferences.
Greene County Extension also provided short educational programs at numerous community events in 2014, including Greene County ToddlerFest and Greene County Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom Day. The organization recently completed its fourth year partnering with the Greene County Community Foundation to bring Greene County college students back home through its summer internship program. Additionally, Greene County Extension provides administrative assistance to several community organizations, including the Greene County Community Foundation, Greene County Cattlemen, Greene County Pork Producers, and the Greene County Lamb Producers.
The current Greene County Extension council consists of chairperson Loel Larson, vice chairperson Tom Heater, secretary Shari Minnehan, treasurer Marilyn Parker, and treasurer pro-tem Pam Olerich. Other council members are Amber Lawton, Jacob Bohnet, Joe Gannon, and Andy McGinn.
For more information about Greene County Extension and Outreach, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/greene.
