AMES, Iowa—Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week is April 12-17. Iowa’s 100 county extension offices will host activities throughout the week to thank Iowans for their support of extension efforts throughout the state.

“The challenges of the past year changed how ISU Extension and Outreach serves Iowans, but not why: We want a strong Iowa. We are here for you now and always,” said Boone County Director, Alexis Stevens.

“This celebration is one way we say thank you to the many volunteers, community leaders, organizations, agencies and other partners who support our work in Boone County.” Stevens said.

Boone County Extension and Outreach is 103 years old this year. Staff have painted and decorated 103 red, gold, and white kindness rocks to show our appreciation to the community. Boone County Extension Council members will place the rocks in every community throughout Boone County the week prior to Extension Week. Rocks that are returned to the Extension office between April 12-16 will be exchanged for a prize. They will also be entered into a drawing for one of five grand prizes at 4 pm on April 16th. “Only 1 rock per person may be exchanged for a prize and you need not be present at the drawing to win the grand prizes. We are very excited to give the community an opportunity to get outside and explore their towns while hunting for our rocks. We look forward to seeing how many you can find, and we can’t wait to see you back in our offices again.” Said Stevens.

“ISU Extension and Outreach engages Iowans in solving today’s problems and planning for tomorrow. We will continue finding new ways to deliver research-based education and information to Iowans,” Stevens said.

ISU Extension and Outreach is part of the federal Cooperative Extension Service — a network of more than 100 land-grant institutions, including Iowa State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture serving communities and counties across the United States. Every county in Iowa has an elected extension council that decides how to support ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs at the county level.

For more information about ISU Extension and Outreach, visit www.extension.iastate.edu or contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Boone County office.

(contributed article and photo, ISU Extension and Outreach, Boone County)