Extension council candidates share goals

Voters will have the opportunity to elect five members of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Jefferson County Extension Council from a slate of seven candidates during the Nov. 6 general election.

The seven candidates on this year's ballot are: Ron Bower, Susie Drish, Christine Engwall, Jay Giltner, Cory Klehm, John Peck and Shelly Moothart.

Extension council members are elected at large, and all voters in the county are eligible to vote for five candidates. The five winners will join four others already serving on the board: Stephen Burgmier, Jeffrey Dunbar, Barbara Kistler and Eric Miller.

The Ledger sent a questionnaire to the seven candidates so the public could learn more about their vision for the extension council. As of press time, Drish had not returned her questionnaire.

CORY KLEHM

1) What does the ISU extension council do?

The ISU extension council builds partnerships and provides learning opportunities in order to improve the quality of life within the district. It represents and identifies diverse groups (families, communities, and public/private entities), issues, and concerns of the district. As the needs are identified, the council then links Iowa State University, community, and other funding resources to those needs.

2) Why do you want to be on the board?

I would like to be on the board because I call this town/county my home and whatever I can do in order to improve it I will. This is a great opportunity for me to give back to something that is much greater that myself.

3) What experience do you have that would make you a good extension council board member?

My background has been in education for the last 23 years, all of which have been in Fairfield. I have also been fortunate enough to serve on several boards (Jefferson County Park, Fairfield Babe Ruth, Fairfield Trees Forever, Fairfield Visioning Committee, Cedar Creek Chapter of Ducks Unlimited) and have actively participated with Fairfield Little League.

My family also operates a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program on our farm for members of the community.

4) What changes (or continuities) should voters expect to the extension council if you are elected?

I am an 'all in” kind of person who has very high expectations. I love that the council has incorporated educational outreach to our local schools in the form of after school programming.

JOHN PECK

1) What does the extension council do?

The extension council oversees 4-H and works with the fair board. It does all the programming at the extension office, from animals to horticulture to cooking. It is ag focused to a point, but just like 4-H, which was all ag at one time, it has branched out from farm animals to things like horses and robotics.

2) Why do you want to be on the board?

I was a fair board member for 12 years when my kids were growing up. I donated my time when they were in 4-H, and now my grandkids are in 4-H and FFA. 4-H, FFA, the fair board and the extension council all work together, and being on the council is another way to contribute to 4-H. It's another way of volunteering my time to help the kids.

3) What experience do you have that would make you a good board member?

I am the only candidate running who is already a member of the extension council. One of my main jobs the last couple of years has been working directly with the fair board, going to all their meetings, working with them on different projects that need to be done. A large ceiling fan in the dairy barn needed to be replaced. The extension council and fair board worked together to pay for that fan and install it.

Whenever the fair board has a question for the extension council, I take it to the council. I do the same thing if the extension council has a question for the fair board.

I'm on a committee within the extension council that develops programs such as cover crops and horticulturist projects, among others.

4) What will change or stay the same with your election?

Just one individual cannot change the board. There are four openings for new extension people. I think that's great. I don't like to see the same people on the board in multiple years, because new people bring new ideas. At the same time, it's good to have some retention of current members because you don't want seven new people coming in at a time. It takes about a year to get oriented with what the extension council is doing.

I joined the extension council three years ago when there was a vacancy. I was asked to be on the board, so I filled that term, and then I had to be approved by the voters two years ago.

SHELLEY MOOTHART

1) What does the extension council do?

The members of extension council build partnerships and provide research-based learning opportunities to improve the quality of life in their district.

2) Why do you want to be on the board?

I am seeking election to Extension council in order to give back to a county that has afforded myself and my children many opportunities through Iowa State Extension.

3) What experience do you have that would make you a good board member?

I feel I'd be a good candidate for extension council, because my late husband and I have owned and run a family farm in Jefferson County since the 1980s. I was a 4-H leader for 10 years in Jefferson County, and while I lived away from the area, I also served on county youth committee in another Iowa county!

I have seen first-hand what the extension programs can do!

4) What changes (or continuities) should voters expect to the extension council if you are elected?

As an extension council member, I would like to see the same programs for our county continue and to make sure all available resources are used to improve them, while working together with the other members to make sure we have the best staff for ISU Jefferson County Extension!

JAY GILTNER

1) What does the ISU extension council do?

The council takes federal dollars distributed by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and funded by the Iowa Legislature through Chapter 126A, of the Iowa Code, to carry out initiatives and special Iowa programs.

The council represents the legal body and local partner of ISU Extension and the USDA. As a council, we represent the local population and diversity of the county. We bring attention to the local needs of families and the community.

The council wears many hats including identifying educational programs needed at the local level and implementing said programs. We are fiscal agents for county funds, and are representatives for ISU Extension programs in the county and region. The council makes decisions as one body, not as individuals.

2) Why do you want to be on the board?

I would like to become an ISU Extension Council member because I think as our farming community ages and new technology becomes available, the extension council can help bridge that gap between the younger and older generations through the sharing of education, and the merging of ideas to improve the overall health of our county and state.

3) What experience do you have that would make you a good extension council board member?

I have a diverse background. I grew up on a small farm just southeast of Packwood that taught me hard work. I belonged to the FFA and that taught me leadership skills.

I worked in Fairfield for Hy-Vee and Walmart. This taught me money management, people skills, and how to de-escalate tense situations in a calm and rational manner. Over the years, I have taken pride in being a person everyone can come to with concerns or problems.

4) What changes (or continuities) should voters expect to the extension council if you are elected?

The one thing I will do is ask for more funds for Jefferson County, to pay for educational programs for our community.

RON BOWER

1) What does the Jefferson County Extension Council do?

' The Jefferson County Extension Council identifies the needs of public and private enterprises, families, and communities in the Extension district.

' Link the resources of Iowa State University, the community, other agencies, and funding sources to the needs in the Extension district.

' Market and represent ISU Extension and Outreach.

' Oversee the planning, preparation, marketing, delivery, and assessment of the extension district's educational program.

' Develop a marketing plan to help increase awareness of extension and outreach in the district.

' Prepare an annual budget in accordance with various provisions of the Code of Iowa.

' Collect reasonable fees and seek and receive grants, donations, gifts, bequests, or other moneys from public and private sources to be used for extension educational purposes, as deemed necessary.

' Enter into contracts, as necessary, to provide educational services.

' Assist in selecting extension professional staff from candidates provided by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

' Develop personnel policies and provide supervision of staff employed by the district to carry out extension programs.

' Implement a plan of action to ensure equal access to extension programs and facilities consistent with various state and federal laws and regulations. Review, report, and update the plan regularly.

2) Why do you want to be a member of the extension council?

*I have previous experience that will guide me on decision-making agenda items.

*I can encourage the extension council to keep supporting the programming effort of the staff.

*I can encourage the extension council to stop in the Extension Office to confer with staff on new programming ideas.

*I can encourage the extension council to visit programs being offered by staff.

*I can help develop an up to date mailing list of clientele based on their interests.

*I can help develop an e-mail list of clientele for speedy communication to market programs.

3) What experience do you have that would make you a good extension council board member?

*I served as Jefferson County Extension Director for 18 years. During that time, I met monthly with the Extension Council, so I have a first-hand knowledge of the mission of the Extension Council.

* My previous experience will allow me to be effective from the get-go.

* I have served as Temp Office Assistant and have observed day to day operations of the Extension Office.

4) What changes (or continuities) should voters expect to the extension council if you are elected?

*I would encourage the Extension Council to continue the very effective programming currently used in: 4-H & youth programs; Youth after school programs; Horticultural programs; Master Gardener programs; Ag programs; Family programs.

I would encourage the Extension Council to think out of the box to establish and offer new programs. I believe the Jefferson County Extension office needs a staff person that oversees all program areas in the county, not just one program area. I would encourage the council to come up with ideas on how this could be accomplished. Could this be accomplished using a current staff member?

CHRISTINE ENGWALL

1) What does the ISU Extension Council?

Growth and learning are essential characteristics that empower us to become better individuals. The ISU Extension provides the community with researched-based learning opportunities ranging from the latest crop production research to learning how to prepare seasonal foods.

The ISU Extension Council also focuses on outreach programs for agriculture programs, assists 4-H committee members in future planning as well as oversees the financial aspect of many of these programs, reviews budgets, and continually makes modifications.

2) Why do you want to be on the board?

As a nurse by day and a farmer by night, I am committed to keeping our community and our environment healthy. If elected to serve on the ISU Extension Council board, I wish to be of greater service to the community and have a bigger voice to promote positive changes in Jefferson County.

3) What experience do you have that would make you a good extension council board member?

As a new citizen of Jefferson County and transitioning from a farmer's daughter to a farmer's wife, I bring numerous experiences to share. Growing up in Jones County, I became a 4-H member at 9 years old and later served on the county Teen Council.

In 2005, I became the Jones County Fair Queen and most recently was elected into the Hall of Fame with my mother for serving as the Jones County Fair nurses. I have always valued the agricultural industry and our youth.

For the last three years, I have been part of the Jefferson County 4-H Youth Committee with the last two years serving as the vice president. It has been a rewarding experience to share my knowledge and expertise with the community based on the values and opportunities I have received.

4) What changes (or continuities) should voters expect to the extension council if you are elected?

I consider myself to be a leader that strives for progress not perfection. I hope to bring many fresh ideas to help our county grow. Creativity is intelligence having fun. Encouraging more community involvement and providing special recognition to youth and adults who actively pursue an interest in expanding outreach programs is a goal. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.