ISU Extension in Cherokee County
Meeting Local Needs 2013
209 Centennial Dr.
Cherokee, IA 51012
Phone: 712-225-6196
Fax: 712-225-3173
www.extension.iastate.edu/cherokee
County Extension Staff
Mary Tuttle
County Program Coordinator
Brenda Medick
County Youth Coordinator
Mary Sechler
ISU Extension and Outreach provides educational opportunities for economic
development, food and the environment, health and well-being, and K-12 youth
outreach. We meet local needs, so Cherokee County can be an even better place for
the next generation.
Office Assistant
Dave Stender
Swine Specialist
Chuck Clark
Extension Council Chair
Terry Janssen
Regional Director
program. Melissa O’Rourke, Iowa
State University Extension and
Outreach Farm Management
Specialist was the facilitator for
Annie’s Project.
Cherokee County Extension
Council
Every Iowa County has an elected
extension council that guides local
educational programming by partnering
with staff. From needs assessment
through program implementation and
evaluation of outcomes, the council
represents the issues and people of the
county.
The members of the Cherokee
County Extension Council are: Donna
Amundson, Chuck Clark, Guy Fishman,
Nathan Foresman, Barb Kindwall, Donna
Kohn, Myron Pingel, Gina Rassel, and
David Whited.
We have identified these issues as
priority topics for current and future
programming:
* Economic Development
* Health and Well-Being
* Food and the Environment
* K-12 Outreach
Health and Well-being
Economic Development
For six weeks, beginning in March,
16 women began the journey of
Annie’s project. Annie grew up in a
small town in Illinois, married a
farmer, and spent her lifetime
learning how to be an involved
business partner with her husband.
Annie’s Project takes her
experiences and shares them with
farm women living and working in a
complex business. Financial
documents, grain marketing,
insurance, soil conservation, estate
planning, and many other risks
associated with a farm or agricultural
business makes up the six week
Cherokee County Extension and
Outreach is partnering with the City
of Cherokee and other local
organizations to develop a trail
system throughout the city of
Cherokee.
An abandoned railroad bed will
become a trail through the center of
Cherokee to the northeast corner of
town.
In addition to the trail in the center of
Cherokee, the southeast residential
section will be connected to Spring
Lake Park with a path leading from
Sequoia Street, under the dry bridge
that will connect to the existing path
in the park.
windbreak where soil conditions
allow.
Dr. Randall returned to Cherokee on
a cold and blustery day in November
to provide a tree pruning workshop to
16 brave souls. They learned how to
properly prune trees, including what
The trails are designed to serve the
health and wellness needs of all
ages. Not only will the trails be
valuable to walkers and joggers, but
also for bike riders. The wish of the
committee is to connect the trails to
all neighborhoods of Cherokee and
long range plans are to connect
other neighboring communities with
Cherokee. Establishing trail heads,
looped trails, and hard surfaced trails
will be a healthful benefit to all users.
Bike enthusiasts will have safer
routes with the new construction of
Hwy 59. Continue to watch for trail
development and activities in the
months to come.
Food and the Environment
Late this fall, Dr. Jesse Randall, Iowa
State University Extension and
Outreach Forester, presented a
Windbreak Workshop. Dr. Randall
had a wealth of knowledge that those
who attended took with them for
future planting of their windbreaks.
Among the information he shared
were these words of advice: Plant a
minimum of three rows; additional
rows up to 8-11 rows will improve
protection and increase benefits. He
stressed the importance of using
several different species in the
windbreak; planting within rows in
blocks to minimize competition
caused by different growth rates. He
stated it is important to incorporate
conifers as the major tree in the
200 students from all Cherokee
County Schools participate at the
outdoor classroom learning about
habitats, soils, gps, water quality,
food chains, archeology, and history
of the area. The day is filled with
hands on learning that teaches all
that science is everywhere.
A new 4-H club in Cherokee County
is the Jr. Chefs. Helping youth learn
skills in planning, purchasing,
preparing and serving tasty and
nutritious meals today will lead them
to become healthier adults.
All clubs had the opportunity to
showcase last summer at the
Cherokee County Fair.
time of year is appropriate to prune
trees in northwest Iowa.
After his classroom instruction, the
group ventured outdoors and did
some hands-on pruning at a
community site. Those in attendance
were dressed for the elements, and
all were able try their hands at
pruning. Knowing the proper
techniques and tools to use to prune
trees on your property will help the
health of your trees, and provide
beauty to your yard.
K-12 Youth Outreach
… and justice for all
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis
of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where
applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental
status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information,
political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an
individual’s income is derived from any public assistance
program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at
202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of
discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410, or call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382
(TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University of
Science and Technology, and the United States
Department of Agriculture cooperating.
Cherokee County Extension and
Outreach partners with several local
organizations to present the annual
6th grade Science Field Day every
fall. The Field Day takes place at a
county conservation park. Nearly
December 2013