Locals back Extension to seek regional office for Le Mars

Support from community leaders has encouraged the Plymouth County Extension Council to apply for the county to be the site of Regional Extension Education Director's office as part of Iowa State University Extension's reorganization plan.

In a restructuring plan announced April 30, Iowa State University Extension will eliminate the 97 county education directors and replace them with 20 Regional Education Education Directors (REED) to serve counties which are grouped into regions.

The current five Area Offices in the state would also be eliminated.

Under the plan, Plymouth County is grouped with Woodbury and Monona Counties.

Friday noon Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff, representatives of the Le Mars City Council, Plymouth County Board of Supervisors, Extension Council, Chamber of Commerce, Plymouth County Economic Development, City of Le Mars and several local business leaders met to brainstorm on how best to attract the REED office to Le Mars.

Schneider and Extension Council president Brad Harvey explained the Extension Council would need to submit a one-page proposal to ISU Extension on how the Le Mars location fits the criteria for office selection.

That criteria includes:

* One office and furnishings

* Location -- proximity to all counties with the region

* Population and retail trade center of a region

* Current coalitions and linkages within the region

"We want to show the Extension Council that locally we are behind the program," said Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff. "We know how valuable it is to Le Mars and to the county. We want to know where we can be of help."

The local Plymouth County Extension Office will remain in Le Mars, according to Harvey. The restructuring plan eliminates the County Extension Director position, currently held by Carol Schneider.

"Our goal is to move forward and continue to have the quality Extension programs and staff we have been known for in Plymouth County while supporting the 24 4-H clubs throughout the county and maintaining a valuable partnership with the Plymouth County Fair," said Harvey in a press release earlier in May. "The Extension Council will most likely increase the number of county employees in order to maintain consistent service to citizens."

At the Friday meeting, Harvey and Schneider noted Plymouth County is fourth in the state in terms of 4-H membership with 500 4-H members.

They also added there will be a program specialist in the Le Mars office under the reorganization.

"We need to hire a program specialist and we hope that will be Carol," said Harvey. Funding for the position will come from local county Extension funds.

Schneider added she would not seek the regional director position.

"I like setting up programs and working with people," Schneider explained. "That's why I went into Extension work."

"Programs are well attended in Le Mars and the area because we do what the public needs," said Harvey.

Earlier, the Extension Council and staff had recently negotiated a lease with the City of Le Mars to renovate space in the lower level of the Convention Center formerly used by Wells' Dairy, Inc.

Schneider told city council members at their May 5 meeting that the Extension Council did not feel it could move forward with those plans due to the reorganization set forth by ISU Extension officials.

At that meeting, city council members and Mayor Kirchoff encouraged Schneider to talk with the Extension Council about locating the REED in Le Mars.

Le Mars City Administrator Scott Langel noted the lease agreement was put on hold by the city council following Schneider's request at the May 5 city council meeting.

"We (the city) understand their not wanting to renovate the space at this time," Langel said.

Plans for the proposed office space were designed by Iowa State University design students and the Extension Council has quotes for the renovation costs, according to Schneider.

Langel pointed out the availability of the office space and adjoining meeting space would be a plus in seeking to have the regional director located in Plymouth County.

Langel also suggested the Extension Council tap into economic development funding from both the city and county, to help in the office renovation.

All attending cited the Plymouth County Fair as a strength for the county and recognized the role Extension plays in its operation.

Le Mars City Council member John Rexwinkel pointed to easy access via the Highway 75 bypass.

With the input from those attending the meeting, Schneider, Harvey and Plymouth County Economic Development Director Andrea Westergard will put together the one-page proposal which is due June 1 to Iowa State University Extension.

Harvey said the location decisions would be finalized by the end of June.

"It's a quick turnaround," he said.

County Agents in Plymouth County

W.F. Coddington was the first County Agent to work in Plymouth County representing Iowa State College in 1925.

Thirteen University employees have held that position in the 85 years Plymouth County has had a recognized Extension program.

Others who have preceded current director Carol Schneider in this position include M.O. Monroe, Clarence Thompson, Herbert H. Jones, Paul E. McNutt, Bruce Clampitt, Don Carter, Arlie Pierson, Lyle Mackey, Randy Petersohn, Allen Plath, and Jack Frus.