Agency Details:

Iowa State University Extension, Polk County

Iowa State University Extension builds partnerships and provides research-based opportunitites to improve quality of life in Iowa.

The mission of ISU Extension to Youth and 4-H is to empower youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with
caring adults.

Description:
ISU Extension has six academic program areas that serve the residents of the state of Iowa:

ISU Extension to Agricultural and Natural Resources:
Iowa State University Extension provides research-based information and education to agricultural producers, landowners, agribusiness personnel, community development officials and policy-makers to enhance the value of Iowa’s agricultural industry, increase rural vitality, protect the state’s natural resources and stimulate new economic development opportunities.

ISU Extension to Business and Industry
Extension’s Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) provides Iowa’s more than 5,000 manufacturers with educational seminars and individualized technical and business assistance in engineering, management practices, procurement and quality management to increase productivity and competitiveness.

ISU Extension Community and Economic Development:
ISU Extension is assisting Iowans in their search for understanding and answers leading to productive, healthy and sustainable communities. ISU Extension Community and Economic Development focuses on community visioning, governance and economic development.

ISU Extension to Families:
Families across the lifespan connect with ISU Extension. Extension provides research-based information to help families make decisions that improve and transform their lives.

ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development:
ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development believes in Iowa’s young people and works every day to help them grow in character, reaching their full potential as citizens. 4-H gives young people a chance to develop their communication skills, give back to their communities and step up to leadership for Iowa’s future.

Continuing Education:
Continuing Education and Communication Services (CECS), in cooperation with all ISU colleges and Extension field staff, delivers off-campus credit courses, degree programs, service-learning programs, noncredit conferences and seminars and ISU Extension educational materials to learners around the world.

History:
For nearly nine decades, Iowa State University, the Polk County Agricultural Extension District (Polk County Extension), and the United Department of Agriculture have cooperated to conduct non-formal education in Polk County. These programs were established and funded through enactment of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, which provided federal funds and the formation of a partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture and the individual states. ISU Extension work and structure operates under both federal and state legislation. Through the years, the Extension organization in Iowa has evolved into a system that receives guidance from the Iowa Board of Regents, Iowa State University and the local Extension Council.

Nine citizens are elected to the Polk County Agricultural Extension District Council in general elections. Their role is to establish policy, guide program direction and administer the county office. All of this work is conducted in cooperation with Iowa State University. Major program emphases are Agriculture and Natural Resources, Communities, Families, Business and Industry, Fire Service, Continuing Education and Technology, and Youth and 4-H. Polk County Extension is a client-centered organization with the mission to provide research-based, unbiased information and education to help people make better decisions in their personal, community, and professional lives.

Contact people:

Marc Peterson, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email) Diana Sosalla, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Phil Heckman, County Youth Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (515) 967-6164

Address:

1625 Adventureland Drive, Suite A Altoona, IA 50009 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/polk

Directions:

From intersection of Adventureland Drive and Hubbell, go east past Adventureland Inn and Prairie Meadows. Office is located on NE corner of 17th and Adventureland Drive.

Last updated on October 20, 2009