Next week is Extension Week in Iowa and Greene County ISU Extension has several activities lined up.

Greene County Clover Kids and 4-H’ers are invited to join the $15 Challenge on Monday. It is a partnership between the Extension Office and ShineOn Designs/More Time in Jefferson. The $15 Challenge is an event for the Greene County Fair where participants must pick out an outfit for $15 or less. Extension 4-H and Youth Coordinator Samantha Hardaway talks about the other details with this activity.

“Shop for your outfit for the county fair and then we’ll go ahead and actually walk to the Extension Office and fill out the paperwork to get your project ready to go. To sign up, call the Extension Office by April 15th.” 

Each participant must bring $15 with them when they go shopping from 1-3:30pm. Then on Tuesday from 10-11:30am is a free program with Extension Family Life Specialist Rosa Gonzalez on Question, Persuade, and Refer. Attendees will learn the warning signs of someone with suicidal thoughts and how to question, persuade and refer them for help.

Wednesday is Spend Smart, Eat Smart from 12:15-1pm. Extension Health Specialist Ann Parker will lead this class and Greene County Extension Director Lori Mannel talks about what the program entails.

“Ann’s going to talk about reducing your food costs, how to make healthy meals, (using) low cost ingredients, and help you calculate your price per serving. So this is really for anyone on a budget and we all could use some savings during these high economic times.” 

Friday from 9:30-10:30am is the return of Java and Juice with Jefferson Matters: A Main Street and Chamber Community, as everyone can visit the Extension Office and learn about all of their programs. Finally, throughout the week, anyone can do a Storywalk about gravity. Stop by the Extension Office from 9am-4:30pm and sign up for a prize and receive a goodie bag. 

Everything, with the exception of the $15 Challenge, is free and open to the public.