PRIMGHAR, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach O’Brien County extension council will soon begin the process to fill four seats on the council.
The elected council is the grassroots governing body for the Cooperative Extension System. As part of ISU Extension and Outreach, the O’Brien County extension council works in partnership with local citizens, Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to carry the land-grant mission of bringing research and education to Iowans. 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 O’Brien County’s ISU Extension and Outreach programs, to be involved in the nomination process or consider running for council,” said Greta Giese, regional director with ISU Extension and Outreach.
The duties of a council member include hiring county staff, managing the county extension budget, and helping to 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 Giese.
Identifying Council Candidates
The nomination process begins with the appointment of a four-member nominating committee. The committee must be appointed prior to Aug. 5, 2024, at least 90 days prior to the election.
Committee members selected to nominate extension council candidates for the 2024 election are Mariah Oliver, Austin Peterson, Denise Steffen, and Michael Wagner.
The nominating 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 a petition signed by at least 25 qualified voters by 5 p.m. on Aug. 28, 2024, to the county elections office.
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.
“Serving as an extension council member is one way to give back to your community. If you believe local educational opportunities are vital to the community’s well-being, then you should consider running for council,” said Jennifer Vit, executive director for the Iowa Extension Council Association. “It is rewarding to know that people are able to improve their lives, farms, businesses and communities because of ISU Extension and Outreach’s education and information.”
The nine-member O’Brien County extension council has four vacancies for four-year terms this year.
Council members whose terms expire at the end of 2024 are Eric Brown, Paullina; Christine Feltman, Paullina; Ryan Freese, Sheldon; and Emily McDowell, Paullina.
Newly elected council members will take office in January 2025, and serve alongside the carry-over council members whose terms expire at the end of 2026. These include Steven Maier, Paullina; Ron McCarty, Sheldon; Ryan McCarty, Sheldon; Alicia Poduska, Hartley; and Michael Schmalen, Archer.
For more information on becoming a council member in O’Brien County, contact a member of the nominating committee or Giese at 712-355-0093 or gmgiese@iastate.edu.
Learn more at www.extension.iastate.edu/countyservices/become-council-member.