FOCUS GROUPS OVERALL TOP 5
CONCERNS
1. Upgrade Technology
Economic Development in Communities
2. Farm management/risk and marketing
Youth as productive citizens and effective leaders
3. Positive peer support
Improving Nutrition and health outcomes
Farm Transition /ownership
Overall concern/comment of the group was: How do we reach people who need this education
and how do we deliver the modes of education?
Signature Issue: Food and Environment
Global food security programming focuses on local actions to produce a safe, sustainable, accessible, and
affordable food supply for Iowa, the nation, and the world. Programs address all segments of the food supply
chain, from productive capacity of Iowa’s agricultural and human resources, to production and processing
technology, market functions, and management. Programming also includes accessibility, affordability, and
safety to reduce food insecurity of Iowa families. Assessment, analysis, and education are provided on a broad
scope and scale of Iowa’s food system.
Top 5 issues:
1. Farm Management/Risk & Marketing
a. Education—are businesses/farmers using business plans? Do
they know what business plans are?
b. Diversification—
c. Marketing---How are farmers/businesses doing marketing?
Do they have access to the proper marketing tools and know
how to use them?
d. Technology-- Is it being used to its full potential? It is being
used at all? How much training do we need to provide on
technology?
2.
Farm Transition/Ownership
a. Mentor beginning farmers---do our young people know how to
farm today? Are the older farmers willing to teach the young
want bees?
b.
Active Participant
3.
Natural Resources/Environmental stewardship
a. Nutrient Transfer/Application
4. Global Aspect/Completive Iowa Agriculture
5. Education/ Reliable/ Creditable Information
a. Access to this type of information
SIGNATURE ISSUE: ECONOMICS
Economic development programming focuses on actions to help the Iowa economy prosper and grow –
enhancing the health of communities, growing businesses, and increasing the wealth and the quality of life for
all Iowans. Programs address the needs of sole proprietorships, companies, communities, and economic
development agencies through education, technical assistance, and applied research to increase business and
household income, assist with starting new businesses, retain and add quality jobs, increase revenues and
reduce costs, embrace innovation and entrepreneurship, and build capacity in local leaders to continuously
improve the strengths of the state to compete in a growing global economy.
Top 5 issues:
1. Economic Development in Communities
a.
Sell rural Iowa
b.
What can we offer them to stay or come to rural Iowa?
c.
2.
i.
Jobs?
ii.
Money/wages?
iii.
Safety?
iv.
Close knit communities?
Ownership of businesses---try to keep it local
Upgrading Technology
a.
Training—
i.
What ages do we start with?
ii.
What level of training do we need?
b.
Website presence
c.
Social Media
i.
How effective is this?
ii.
Not everyone uses it or believes in it?
3.
Quality Workforce
4.
Affordable Housing
5.
a.
Cost of Living
b.
Is there housing available?
Community Visioning, planning and design
SIGNATURE ISSUE: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING:
Health and well-being programming focuses on activities and projects to help Iowans live healthier lives
through improved healthy behavior, physical health, and enhanced family, work, and community environments.
Programs address caregiving for the aging population, community health, financial health, nutrition and
physical health, and parenting. Specialists help individuals, families, communities, professionals, and
organizations assess their health and well-being needs; provide training, tools, and resources to meet those
needs; and evaluate the impacts of these efforts to help Iowa reach the Governor’s goal of becoming the
healthiest state in the nation by 2016.
Top 5 Issues:
1. Childhood Obesity
a. Parent Education
b. Cooking Classes
i. Teach people to get back to canning and preserving food.
ii. Teach people to grow their own food.
c. Promote family physical activity.
i. Electronic free night—Community Wide
2. Improving youth health/well being
a. Substance from abuse
b. Safe driving/no texting
3. Improving nutrition and health outcomes.
a. Getting kids to eat fruits and veggies more.
b. Getting kids to exercise more.
c. Getting adults to lead kids to healthier lives.
4. Strengthening Families
a. Educating families about importance of family time.
5. Youth who live healthy lives
a. Proper nutrition
b. Proper exercise
SIGNATURE ISSUE: K-12 YOUTH OUTREACH
K-12 outreach programming connects Iowa children and youth with Iowa State University’s knowledge and
research base to help them reach their full potential. Education and positive youth development experiences
are offered on campus, within counties, and out of state. K-12 outreach includes both 4-H Youth Development
programs as well as outreach partnerships through the Iowa State colleges. These experiences help youth get
excited about learning and discover new career choices. Youth are challenged to actively pursue education
beyond high school and build skills that improve their communities today. Programs are delivered through
volunteers, community-based partners, educators, and county staff. Specialists assess youth programming
needs, train adults who implement quality educational programs and experiences, ensure safe environments,
and evaluate programs.
Top 5 Issues:
1. Strengthening Families
a. Building family values
b. Building family bonds
2. Technology
a. Appropriate use out of school.
3. Positive Peer Support for Parents
4. Youth as productive citizens and effective leaders
a. Teach youth to be outstanding communicators.
5. Afterschool programs
a. 5th and 6th graders
REFERENCE PAGE
1. Public Health website
2. Iowa Youth Survey website
3. Kids Data Count website
4. County Health Rankings website
5. Iowa School District Profiles website
6. ISU Department of Economics
7. State Data Center of Iowa
8. State Library of Iowa
9. U.S. Census Bureau
10. City-data website
11. Support farmers website
12. USDA website
13. DHS website
14. Iowa Policy Project website
15. Iowa State University
16. Local grocery store adds