This week we celebrate Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week.

The Greene County Extension office is hosting an open house on Thursday, March 26th from 11am-4pm.  The public will have the opportunity to meet with Extension Council members, Extension staff and learn about the different programs that they provide.  A free lunch will be served from 11am to 1pm.  The menu features grilled pork burgers by the Greene County Pork Producers with chips and beverages.  Plus door prizes will be given away.

Extension Coordinator Lori Mannel has been in her position since November 2014 and says she’s picked up quite a bit of what Extension does for the County.

“I have learned a lot, but I certainly have a lot to learn.  Extension will always provide free or very, very low cost information to meet your needs or if we don’t know we point you in the right direction.  We really strive to be a resource for our community, it’s research-based, unbiased information.”

Some of the services that Greene County Extension provided in 2014 were the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, Babysitting Basics, Mid Life and Beyond 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 and the 2014 Farm Bill information sessions.  Almost 200 youth were involved in the 4-H program and over 30 kids participated in the Clover Kids program.  The Greene County 4-H Foundation contributed around $4,7000 in scholarships.

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 for summer internships.  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 Lamb Producers.

The current Extension Council serving Greene County Extension 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.

If you would like to learn more about Extension, call or stop by their office location about 104 West Washington Street in Jefferson.