Government : Seven candidates file for Extension Council election

By Greg Walston, Benton County Extension Service Voters will have the opportunity to elect four members of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Benton County Council from a slate of seven candidates at the Nov. 8 general election. "The council members elected this year will be involved in bringing educational opportunities to Benton County for the next four years,"� Greg Walston, ISU Extension and Outreach Benton County Program Director said. ISU Extension and Outreach educational programming is a cooperative effort involving local citizens, Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Extension council members are elected at large and all voters in the county are eligible to vote for four candidates. Candidates on this year's ballot include the following; information about each was provided by the candidate: Amy Bahmann, 5837 28th Ave. Dr, Vinton IA 52349. "My name is Amy Bahmann and I am actively seeking a position on the Benton County Extension Council. Currently I am employed by the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District where I work as a School Nurse at Tilford Elementary School. I have a strong connection to our community and work with a multitude of individuals and agencies in order to assist others in our community to obtain needed resources. Although, most importantly I am a mom to two children who are active in 4H as well as other programs that are provided by the Benton County ISU Extension and Outreach. These experiences have lead me to want to become more involved with the ISU Extension at the county level in order to continue to provide outstanding programs as well as build upon these programs for the youth and residents within our county. When I am not at work I have many hobbies which include horseback riding; running a successful rabbitry; enjoying the outdoors through kayaking, hunting and fishing; assistant coach of a youth flag football and youth boy's basketball teams"�. Duane M. Fisher, 1976 53rd Street, Mount Auburn, IA, 52313-9602, retired in 2010 after teaching Ag Ed and serving as FFA Advisor for 37 years at Vinton-Shellsburg Schools. Fisher currently serves as a volunteer consultant helping with FFA activities (SAE Records, Proficiency Awards, Iowa and American Degrees, Leadership Events, and Meats Judging) for local, district, state, and national FFA. He also serves on the Benton County 4-H Youth Committee, presently serving as chairman. He is involved in the community with the VS School Foundation, GoVS (Scholarship Group), and Vinton City Celebration Committee. Fisher has had the honor to receive awards including: Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame, Iowa FFA Distinguished Service, and National Agriculture Educators Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been involved with Extension, 4-H and FFA, and community activities for the past 44 years in Benton County. Fisher believes serving on the Benton County Extension Council "would be an excellent way to contribute to the people of Benton County by helping continue and grow the energetic, enjoyable, and educational opportunities that are available through the Extension Service for people of all ages. It would be a pleasure to work with all Extension Staff and Extension Council Members to grow and expand those opportunities to meet the needs of all people of Benton County." Your support is appreciated. Thank you. Scott Frank 7838 11th Ave. Trail, Belle Plaine IA 52208 is a retired Ag Ed/FFA Advisor at Belle Plaine High School, taught at Belle Plaine for 32 years retiring in 2012 and graduated from ISU in 1979. "Currently, I am a Crop Adjuster for Rain & Hail Crop Insurance Company in Johnston. I have been involved in many clubs and organizations over the years mostly in the Belle Plaine area."� "I have been a long-time proponent of ISU Extension and the many programs that they offer. I used staff and programs in my classes over the years and I was always impressed with how they helped my students. My own kids are former 4H and FFA members and I have always been a strong supporter of these programs. If I am elected to the Council I hope to make others aware of the many opportunities the Benton County Extension has to offer. I will also work with others on the Council to continue to provide programs that meet the needs of the citizens of Benton County."� Whitney Nosbisch, 5281 27th Ave. Dr., Vinton IA 52349. "I was born and raised in Benton County, and live with my husband (Justin) and three daughters (Callie, Ayden and Leni) on a small horse farm outside of Vinton. I have a Bachelor's of Science degree, Management Certificate and a designation in Supervisory Management. I have been in the insurance industry for 8 years, employed by UFG Insurance in Cedar Rapids, IA since 2011 and currently hold the position of Corporate Analyst. I volunteer, sit on and/or chair several non-profit committees and feel that volunteering is a great way to positively impact your life and make a difference to others. I was actively involved and held leadership positions in 4H, County/Area Youth Extension Council, FFA and the Benton County Fair while growing up. I have extensive experience with leadership/management, budgeting, expense allocation, process improvement and training/program development. I have been fortunate to experience firsthand the programs of the Extension Council as a youth/young adult and strongly support and believe in the benefits that they provide. I look forward to making these programs even stronger and helping them reach more people while adequately managing the budget, and most importantly seeing the benefits carry over to the next generation and develop more young leaders in Benton County."� Barb Schanbacher, 6975 32nd Ave., Atkins IA 52206. "I work with my husband, J, and his parents on our family's dairy and crop farm. We have 2 children ages 13 and 7. Our family has benefited from many ISU Extension and Outreach programs from 4-H and Discovery Camp to programs that have assisted us with our dairy and crop operations. I view Benton County Extension as a useful resource for any community, family or individual to help better their lives in many areas. Being a part of the Extension Council would allow me to work with the other members and Extension staff to continue to bring such programs and resources to Benton County."� Jean Schmidt, 7185 20th Ave., Van Horne IA 52346 is married to Tim Schmidt. They have three boys, Mike and Brei (Williamsburg), Greg (Waterloo) and Danny (Minneapolis, MN) and three grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Logan, Jonnathan of Williamsburg. She and Tim live on the acreage that Jean grew up on. She has been employed by Benton Community Schools Food Service for the past 14 years and enjoys her job and seeing the kids. Jean was a Benton County 4-Her for 9 years, showing cattle, hogs and many projects in home improvement, clothing, food and nutrition. She was also a County Youth Council member, a 4-H Leader for 15 years, 4-H Adult Committee for 6 years and 4-H Foundation for 6 years. Jean and Tim appreciated the honor of being inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame at the Iowa State Fair 3 years ago. Jean is also a 4-H judge in food & nutrition, home improvement, communications and bucket bottle projects. She loves working with youth of 4-H to educate them on their projects, learning new ideas from 4-Hers and the rewards of seeing how they grow and mature through the years. Jean says, "I believe in the work that the Extension Council does! I have worked with them a while on the 4-H Committee and 4-H Foundation. I have seen some of the work they have done and it impressed and interests me."� She also says, "I believe with my experience I have good skills and knowledge to bring to the Extension Council. I would enjoy working with the present Extension Council Members and bring new educational opportunities to Benton County. Thank You."� Greg Svoboda, 6136 33rd Ave. Dr., Shellsburg IA 52332, I am currently seeking a position on the Benton County Extension Council. I have worked for the Linn County Secondary Roads Dept. for nearly 25 years, the past 4 years as Senior Mechanic. My wife Lylelene and I raise Holstein and Jersey bull calves & have row crops. We have two children Heather and Gregory. Their families also live in Benton County. They have blessed us with four grandchildren. I was a 4H leader for 15 years, earning a spot in the 4H Hall of Fame in 2014. Our children were involved in 4H and FFA. Both showed animals and took many projects to county fair and the Iowa State Fair. I enjoyed helping all the members with all their projects and planning our 4H year. I was also a member and on the board for the Benton County Pork Producers for many years and the Benton County 4H Committee. I have gained many contacts through these groups and farming in general. I feel these contacts will be valuable for the Extension Council. I have had good working relationships with many of the current Council members. ISU Extension offers a multitude of programs for 4H members and I would like to be a part in continuing these great programs. Thank you for your consideration. Extension council members whose terms expire this year are Paul Bierschenk, 2678 68th St., Newhall, Iowa, 52315; Jim Bruce, 5415 33rd Ave. Dr., Center Point, Iowa, 52213; Nancy Jensen, 1544 75th St., Luzerne, Iowa, 52257; and Deb Miller, 1727 53rd St., Mount Auburn, Iowa 52313. Carryover council members whose terms continue through the end of 2018 are Shannon Feuerbach, 1443 69th St. Keystone, Iowa, 52249; Allison Hicks, 1922 62nd Street Drive, Garrison, Iowa 52229; John Holst, 2626 63rd Street, Vinton, Iowa 52349; Matthew Marovec, 604 East 1st St., Vinton, Iowa 52349; Brian McNulty, 2545 75th St., Watkins, Iowa 52354. Successful candidates will take office in January 2017. Extension council members make policy, programming and budget decisions for ISU Extension and Outreach in Benton County. Elected council members and offices in every county uniquely position ISU Extension and Outreach to move the state forward. Last year more than 1 million people directly benefited from ISU Extension and Outreach programs. These programs help citizens solve critical issues affecting their lives. ISU Extension and Outreach and county extension councils together are building a strong Iowa. ISU Extension and Outreach has 100 field offices, providing local access to extension programs in all 99 counties. Learn more at www.extension.iastate.edu or contact ISU Extension and Outreach in Benton County at 319-472-4739 or gwalston@iastate.edu.