May 10, 2024

Clarke County’s Iowa State Extention and Outreach office moved to new location

By TYRA AUDLEHELM

Pictured is the new Clarke County Extension Office located at 709 Furnas Dr. Suit 1 in Osceola. (contributed photo)

The Clarke County Extension Office is newly located at 709 Furnas Dr. Suit 1. Although the location is new the quiality services and dedication to the community have not changes.

The Iowa Stae university Extension and Outreach connects the needs of Iowans with the Iowa State research and resources for a strong Iowa and well connected Clarke County.

Every Iowa county has an elected extension council that guides local educational programming by partnering with staff. The council represents the issues and people of the county.

Priority topics for current and future programming include food and nutrition education, youth outreach and community development.

Youth Outreach programs include 16 summer day camps for children that are over six hours long and the Mike Van Ahn Memorial Fishing Derby for children ages 3-18. Day camps cost upwards of $10 for all youth and are attended by more than 80 diffferent Clarke County kids. These camps focus on learning new skills in a safe and fun environment as well as meeitng new people within the community.

The Clarke County Extention Office provides a Nutrition Education Program is supported by both community schools in the Clarke District, Clarke Community Elementary, and Murray Elementary School. All students K-6 receive at least six hours of education from our Nutrition Education Program Coordinator, Brenda Streeter.

The Child & Adult Care Food Program generated approximately $290,000 this year. The local CACFP serves Clarke, Decatur and southern Warren counties. 40 childcare providers participate in the past year and CACFP has locally reached 707 children who have received nutritious meals and snacks while in participating registered child care providers’ homes.

Clarke County Extention staff include Tenysa Handrock ,Office Coordinator, Mallory Jamison, County Director/ Youth Coordinator, Brenda Streeter, Nutrition Education, Deb Haub, Child & Adult Care Food Program Coordinator, and Rachel McCoy, Child & Adult Care Food Program Assistant.

Contact the Clarke County Extention Office at www.extension.iastate.edu/Clarke or 641-342-3316.