What ISU Extension and Outreach Does
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has county offices, specialists and staff in all 99 Iowa counties, per the Osceola Sentinel-Tribune. It is part of the federal Cooperative Extension Service, a network of more than 100 land-grant institutions, including Iowa State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For farm families, it is the place for crop and livestock questions, 4-H, pesticide training and farm planning, and for non-farm neighbors it also covers gardening, finances, food safety and more.
How It Is Organized
Each Iowa county has an elected extension council that sets the annual budget, hires local staff and decides how property tax dollars are spent. The local office is funded by a three-way partnership of county tax dollars, state appropriations and federal support, with grants, fees and local fundraising adding revenue. Statewide, extension levies make up about 0.4 percent of all Iowa property taxes collected, per the same article. Because councils are elected, local residents have a say in what their county office offers.
A Short History
- The Iowa Agricultural Extension Act became law on April 10, 1906, making Iowa the first state to formalize extension at a land-grant university.
- In 1912, Clinton County was the first county to organize for extension work, raise money locally and hire a county agent.
- In 1914, the Smith-Lever Act established the Cooperative Extension Service, and Iowa State was the first land-grant institution to accept its terms.
These dates come from a Extension and Outreach blog, which also calls Iowa State a "99 county campus."
What You Can Get Locally
Clarke County's office is one example of the range. The Osceola article lists:
- Summer day camps and hands-on youth workshops, and school enrichment such as classroom hatching.
- Iowa Master Gardener training.
- Farm transition and succession planning, and farmland leasing education.
- Private and commercial pesticide continuing instruction.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager courses.
- Family, farm and small business finance programs, and child care provider continuing education.
Offerings vary by county, so call your office to see what is on this year's schedule. The Clarke County office is at 709 Furnas Dr., Osceola, and its web page is www.extension.iastate.edu/clarke.
Farm and Agriculture Programs
A 2014 Iowa State magazine story described programs that include the Beginning Farmer Center, which helps farm families keep farms in the family and build on their legacy. Annie's Project helps farm women manage five areas of agricultural risk: financial, human resources, legal, marketing and production. Water quality field days help small beef and dairy feedlots reduce runoff from open lots, and a statewide research farm network does crop and forage management and variety trials, per Iowa Connections. That story is older, so confirm what is current.
4-H Youth Programs
4-H is the youth program most Iowa fair families know. Clarke County reports more than 100 members in grades 4 to 12, 45 Clover Kids in kindergarten through grade 3, and nearly 30 adult volunteers. Members who exhibit livestock follow the statewide Iowa 4-H animal identification and weighing rules, and members are eligible through 12th grade. After the calendar year of high school graduation, a member can no longer exhibit beyond the county level, per the Iowa 4-H requirements. Livestock identification is recorded in 4-H Online, with dates that may be as early as February 1 for market beef at the Iowa State Fair, per the 2026 4-H beef book.
Extension and Outreach Week
In 2026, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week ran April 6 to 11, a good time to visit an office or open house.
How to Use Your County Office
- Call your county office before buying a project animal, and ask for the enrollment, ownership and tagging dates.
- Bring plant samples, pictures or questions about pests, soil or livestock health.
- Ask about pesticide applicator training and farm transition workshops.
- Ask the office who serves on your extension council and when it meets.
Questions to Bring to the Office
County offices handle a wide range of questions, so a short list helps. Producers can ask about pesticide training, farm transition and succession planning, farmland leasing, and water quality field days. Families can ask about 4-H enrollment, Clover Kids, volunteer opportunities, and tax help. Gardeners can ask about Master Gardener training. If the office does not have the answer, staff can often point you to a specialist elsewhere in the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many counties does ISU Extension and Outreach serve?
All 99 Iowa counties.
Who decides what my county office offers?
The elected county extension council, which sets the budget and hires local staff.
When did Iowa extension begin?
The Iowa Agricultural Extension Act became law on April 10, 1906.
Is 4-H part of Extension?
Yes. County offices run local 4-H, including youth coordinators and volunteers.
Iowa Listings Covered by This Guide
- Cass County Winter Extension and Conservation Day Camp
Polar Bear Discovery day camp for kindergarten through 2nd grade at the Cass County Community Building in Atlantic, $5 per camper. Held each year; registration closes December 23.
Atlantic, IA | Organizer: Cass County Extension Official event details - Cass County 4-H Endowment Pancake Supper
Pancake supper with a silent auction supporting Cass County 4-H, at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. Tickets were $10 adults and $6 for children 10 and under. Held each year; the most recent date was March 3, 2026.
Atlantic, IA | Organizer: Cass County 4-H Official event details - Iowa 4-H Youth Conference
The Iowa 4-H Youth Conference is planned by the Iowa 4-H State Council and held on the Iowa State University campus. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 23-25, 2026.
- Franklin County 4-H Swine Show
Morning swine show in the Hampton show arena on the fair's Thursday. Held each year; the most recent date was July 16, 2026.
Hampton, IA Official event details - Davis County 4-H Beef Show
Beef cattle show for Davis County 4-H and FFA members, run alongside the dairy, goat and rabbit shows on the fair's Friday. Held each year; the most recent date was July 17, 2026.
Bloomfield, IA Official event details - Franklin County 4-H Bucket Calf Show
Young 4-H exhibitors show bucket calves in the Hampton show arena between the market and breeding beef classes. Held each year; the most recent date was July 17, 2026.
Hampton, IA Official event details - Tama County Bacon Buddies Show
Special swine show that pairs people with special needs with Tama County swine exhibitors at the Gladbrook fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent date was July 17, 2026.
Gladbrook, IA Official event details - Davis County 4-H Swine Show
Closing-day market swine show for Davis County 4-H and FFA exhibitors during the county fair, starting at 8 a.m. Held each year; the most recent date was July 18, 2026.
Bloomfield, IA Official event details - Des Moines County 4-H Share the Fun and Queen Pageant
Evening talent showcase and fair queen pageant for Des Moines County 4-H members at 7 p.m. before the fair opens. Held each year; the most recent date was July 25, 2026.
West Burlington, IA Official event details - Adair County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Adair County in Greenfield. Serves Adair County farm families and 4-H clubs from Greenfield.
Greenfield, IA - Adams County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Adams County in Corning. Corning-based office for Adams County 4-H, agriculture and community programs.
Corning, IA - Allamakee County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Allamakee County in Waukon. Waukon office covering Allamakee County, in Iowa's Driftless northeast corner.
Waukon, IA - Appanoose County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Appanoose County in Centerville. Centerville office supporting Appanoose County 4-H members and producers.
Centerville, IA - Audubon County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Audubon County in Audubon. Audubon County office with 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Community and Economic Development and Human Sciences programs.
608 Market Street, Audubon, IA, Audubon, IA 50025 | 712-563-4239 Website - Benton County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Benton County in Vinton. Vinton office running Benton County 4-H clubs, club directory, record keeping and project kits.
501 1st Avenue, Vinton, IA, Vinton, IA 52349 | 319-472-4739 Website - Black Hawk County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Black Hawk County in Waterloo. Waterloo office serving the Cedar Valley, home of the Black Hawk County 4-H program.
Waterloo, IA - Boone County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Boone County in Boone. Boone office for county 4-H clubs, farm education and community programs.
Boone, IA - Bremer County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Bremer County in Tripoli. Office located in Tripoli, serving Bremer County 4-H youth and farm operators.
Tripoli, IA - Buchanan County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Buchanan County in Independence. Independence office providing Buchanan County 4-H and agronomy education.
Independence, IA - Buena Vista County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Buena Vista County in Storm Lake. Storm Lake office for Buena Vista County, a major pork and corn producing county.
Storm Lake, IA - Butler County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Butler County in Allison. Allison office, in the Butler County seat, supporting local 4-H clubs and farmers.
Allison, IA - Calhoun County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Calhoun County in Rockwell City. Rockwell City office for Calhoun County 4-H and agriculture education.
Rockwell City, IA - Carroll County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Carroll County in Carroll. Carroll office delivering 4-H, crop and livestock education for Carroll County.
Carroll, IA - Cass County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Cass County in Atlantic. Atlantic office with youth STEM kits, 4-H clubs and conservation day camps for Cass County.
805 West 10th Street, Atlantic, IA, Atlantic, IA 50022 | 712-243-1132 Website - Cedar County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Cedar County in Tipton. Tipton office for Cedar County 4-H clubs and farm programming.
Tipton, IA - Cerro Gordo County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Cerro Gordo County in Mason City. Mason City office serving North Iowa farmers and Cerro Gordo County 4-H.
Mason City, IA - Cherokee County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Cherokee County in Cherokee. Cherokee office offering 4-H and agriculture programming across the county.
Cherokee, IA - Chickasaw County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Chickasaw County in New Hampton. New Hampton office for Chickasaw County 4-H members and producers.
New Hampton, IA - Clarke County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Clarke County in Osceola. Osceola office that runs the Clarke County 4-H Fair and local youth programs.
Osceola, IA - Clay County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Clay County in Spencer. Spencer office for Clay County 4-H, home county of the Clay County Fair.
Spencer, IA - Clayton County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Clayton County in Elkader. Elkader office reaching Clayton County farmers through regular media packets and 4-H updates.
Elkader, IA - Clinton County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Clinton County in DeWitt. DeWitt office supporting Clinton County 4-H and row-crop education along the Mississippi.
DeWitt, IA - Crawford County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Crawford County in Denison. Denison office for Crawford County 4-H clubs and livestock producers.
Denison, IA - Dallas County Extension Office (ISU Extension and Outreach)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Dallas County in Adel. Adel office for Dallas County 4-H, a county where 4-H has roots in farming and growing STEM work.
Adel, IA - Dickinson County Extension and Outreach
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office for Dickinson County and a Spirit Lake Chamber member, supporting 4-H youth and local fair entries.
Spirit Lake, IA - Emmet County Extension and Outreach
Estherville Chamber member office of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach that supports 4-H youth and agriculture programs in Emmet County.
Estherville, IA - Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales (Waukon)
Equity Cooperative livestock sale barn on Highway 76 North in Waukon, serving Allamakee County cattle feeders and cow-calf producers.
1645 Highway 76 North, Waukon, IA, Waukon, IA 52172 | 563-568-4501 - Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Maquoketa
Cooperative sale barn in Maquoketa serving Jackson County cattle producers.
Maquoketa, IA | 563-652-8080 Website - Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Waukon
Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Waukon operates a sale barn in Waukon, Iowa, at 1645 Highway 76 North. It is one of 34 livestock auctions the state agriculture department tracks. Phone 563-568-4501.
1645 Highway 76 North, Waukon, IA, Waukon, IA 52172 | 563-568-4501 - Heartland Co-op
Heartland Co-op is headquartered in Clive and describes more than 70 locations for grain, agronomy, feed and energy across central Iowa and beyond.
13733 University Ave, Clive, IA 50325 | 515-225-1334 Website
Plus 66 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Iowa directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.