Mitchell County Extension office turns 100
Mitchell County’s first office. Submitted photo.
The summer of 2018 marks a big milestone for the Mitchell County Extension Office, as the county program celebrated its centennial during this year’s edition of the Mitchell County Fair.
The office, which is funded by the county and run in partnership with Iowa State University, was opened back in 1918. But like all things, much has changed over the last century.
“When we were first established there was a need for Ag consultation,” said Darla Olson, Executive Director of the Mitchell County office. “They would do research at [Iowa State University], give it to us and we’d help educate our farmers”
But as changing technologies have changed the way today’s farmer operates, so too has the ability of the farmer to access to that information grown.
“Now our focus has shifted a little bit. We discuss the needs of our community and how we can help and address this issues.” Olson said.
Now, extension offices find themselves involved in a number of different projects in their communities.
“There are four areas that we focus on,” Olson said. “Economic development, food and the environment, health and wellbeing, and kids and teens.”
Just for a few examples, the extension office works and consults with local chambers of commerce and businesses on Main Street, they certify pesticide applicators for agriculture, they help with grant writing, organize wellness programs and focus groups, as well as help out with the elderly and the nursing home.
Each of Iowa’s 99 counties has an extension office, which is organized through Iowa State University’s Extension and Outreach program.
The idea started in 1903, when Sioux County farmers and ISU (then known as Iowa State College) established the basis for cooperative extension work.
The following year, the Keokuk County Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs organized, continuing the movement begun in Page County in 1901—and the Iowa 4-H and extension youth work started to take shape, according to ISU’s website.
Then, offices started to pop up in counties around Iowa, and were offering resources for farmers as well as establishing what would become today’s 4-H programs here in the state.
The goal, according to ISU’s Extension and Outreach website, is to “carry Iowa State’s land-grant mission throughout the state — everywhere for all Iowans.”
The ‘land-grant mission’ dates back to the American Civil War, when in 1862 the U.S. legislature passed a series of bills called the “Morrill Acts”, which essentially gave federally owned lands to the states for the purpose of establishing colleges and universities to teach things like agriculture, science, military science and engineering.
Iowa was the first state to accept the provisions of the Morrill Act, and subsequently Iowa State University (then called Iowa Agricultural College) was established as one of the first land grant universities in the nation.
Today, the office still helps out farmers and organizes the 4-H programs and many of the judging events that take place each summer at the county fair. But Olson said that’s only part of what the office does.
“It’s become so much more—what we can bring to our community. So much more than just agronomy,” Olson said.
Her advice?
“Visit your local extension office. So many people don’t realize all that we can offer and do.”
