Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Jefferson County Council offers candidates opportunities to educate and serve

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Jefferson County council soon will begin the process to fill four seats on the council.

The elected council, like the hundreds of others across the country, is the grass roots governing body for the Cooperative Extension System. As part of ISU Extension and Outreach, the Jefferson County council works in partnership with local citizens, Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to carry the land-grant mission beyond the campus in Ames. Candidates for the council will appear on the general election ballot in November.

'The elected council is instrumental in fulfilling the land-grant mission and bringing research-based educational opportunities to the county. We invite those interested in Jefferson County's ISU Extension and Outreach programs, to be involved in the nomination process or consider running for council,” says Sue Henderson, Regional Director.

The duties of a council member include hiring county staff, managing the county extension budget and helping select programming.

One hundred ISU Extension and Outreach field offices provide local access to extension programs in all 99 counties. 'We are part of the ongoing life of Iowa's communities and are positioned to anticipate trends, build relationships and catalyze opportunities,” says Henderson

Identifying Council Candidates

The nomination process begins with the appointment of a four-member nominating committee. By law, the current council appoints two men and two women to the committee and it cannot include any current members of the council. The committee must be appointed by Aug. 3, 2020.

The committee is charged with nominating candidates for the council, and geographic distribution of the nominees is one factor that they consider. After nominees have been selected, each nominee must turn in to the county elections commissioner, Scott Reneker, a petition with the header on both pages completely filled out and signed by at least 25 qualified voters by 5 p.m. on Aug. 26, 2020. Individuals also may be placed on the ballot through a self-nomination process by turning in a petition signed by 25 qualified voters. Petitions are available from the county auditor and at the county extension office.

The nine-member council has four vacancies for four-year terms this year. Council members whose terms expire at the end of 2020 are Laurie Bennett of Richland, Stephen Burgmeier of Lockridge, Barbara Kistler of Fairfield and Eric Miller of Fairfield. All council members are eligible for re-election.

Newly elected council members will take office in January 2021. Carry-over council members whose terms expire at the end of 2022 are Susie Drish, John Peck, Christine Engwall, Cory Klehm, and Shelley Moothart.

For more information on becoming a council member, contact Jefferson County Extension at 641-4724166.