Published: October 14, 2006 01:25 am            

Please give Clinton County Extension a yes vote on Nov. 7

The Clinton County Extension Council has asked me to help lead a committee of county volunteers known as Citizens for Extension to help inform the public of the diverse and expanding ways that Iowa State University Clinton County Extension is adding to the quality of life in our county.

It is important because we will have an opportunity on Nov. 7 to ensure adequate funding for the future support of Extension programming.

You should know that Clinton County Extension has had no increase in its base tax funding since 1982. To date, 86 of Iowa’s 99 counties have voted to approve this long-overdue increase to funding. Clinton County has been very frugal and creative with its limited resources to significantly increase the quality and breadth of education in all the mandated areas of services it provides.

4-H and youth development programs reach more than 2,300 county youths, including more than 1,000 youths in Clinton through after school, before school and summer science and discovery programs.

Science after school programs have been active in Camanche, Clinton, DeWitt, Calamus, Wheatland and Delmar. School gardens have been established in Clinton, DeWitt, Delmar, Calamus and Goose Lake.

Clinton County Extension sponsors the Master Gardener programs. Last year, 93 Master Gardeners provided more than 3,700 volunteer hours, giving programs, answering questions and in service to local historical sites, schools and nursing homes.

The Bickelhaupt Arboretum in Clinton works closely with Master Gardeners in the creation of gardens, providing adult tours and assisting with youths.

Clinton County Extension supports community and economic development thorough leadership training and providing economic data.

This past year, more than 300 individuals were served through these program areas and had impact on non-profit organizations, educational institutions and governmental bodies throughout the county.

Extension also works hand- in-hand with Clinton Community College to provide job training and life skills for area workers and provides manufacturing and processing firms with technical and management information to improve decision making.

In the distant past, Clinton County Extension employed a home economist to teach food preparation and preservation, nutrition, clothing and other topics important in the home. Recently the training has been expanded to programs that support today’s families, such as education for better parenting and training and support for more than 40 county professional child care providers. In addition, Extension sponsors “Lighten Up Iowa,” a program that has helped more than 240 individuals in the county make better dietary choices and lifestyle changes. And an expanded food and nutrition program provides free education to help low resource parents learn how to budget food dollars and provide nutritious family meals.

These are among the many programs that have reached into nine county communities and served nearly 500 county residents in the past year.

Last but not least, Clinton County Extension continues to provide information and programming for agriculture and natural resources. This last year, nearly 2,000 individuals attended programs to hear about up-to-date research and practices for agriculture and agribusiness, including programs such as tools of grain marketing, risk management, cow calf workshops and workshops for acreage owners. These are the programs many of us most traditionally think of when we think of Extension, and they continue to be of prime importance. Yet as reflected above, today’s Extension service is much more and reaches far beyond agriculture and 4-H.

Clinton County Extension has been a quiet leader giving support to nearly all walks of life in the county. It is time that county residents return some of that support.

The Clinton County Extension Council is asking for a very modest increase in tax revenues to maintain these services to all citizens of the county.

Added revenue has not been possible for more than 24 years and yet the request is minimal.

Based on current valuations, an average Clinton County home would see less than a $2 annual increase in taxes, less than the cost of a fast food hamburger.

The question of improved support for Extension will be on the ballot in the Nov. 7 general election. We need to follow the lead of 86 other Iowa counties and pass this measure. A simple majority of votes is needed. A positive vote will allow your county extension service to continue to provide education and information to individuals and partnering organizations throughout the county.

If we fail, these programs will be cut back or go away. In the long run, that would be the most costly option for all of us.

Please give this measure your support and solicit the support of others.

It is important to all of us and to the economic future and vitality for Clinton County.

        

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