Valuing Iowa forests

John Lawrence’s message from Sept. 30, 2019

Billy Beck is looking forward to seeing you out in the woods. He’s our new extension forestry specialist and wants to help all Iowans understand the value and potential of our forests. Woodlands provide wildlife habitat and can be a sustainable source of income for a farm enterprise, but that’s not all they do. Did you know?

• Whether he’s educating landowners in his extension role or teaching ISU students as an assistant professor, Billy combines the hydrology and water quality benefits of trees with the overall benefits of a healthy forest. His research shows that trees play an important role in water quality, whether they’re along streams and rivers acting as riparian buffers, in separate woodlands or in urban locations.
• He will be out meeting Iowans at six forestry field days in October. These statewide events will cover water quality, wildlife and the aesthetic value of trees, as well as how to manage a forest for profit. Participants will learn about forest establishment, tree protection and invasive species control, herbicide use, forest products, portable sawmills, timber marketing and the legal aspects of forestry.

Extension forestry programs provide Iowans with knowledge and resources to see the value and discover the potential of their trees, woodlands and forests. Learn more from the ISU Extension and Outreach Natural Resource Stewardship website.

More notes

• Congratulations to the extension professionals honored during the university’s annual awards ceremony.
• The National Association of County Agricultural Agents will hold their Annual Meeting/Professional Improvement Conference in Des Moines Aug. 13-17, 2023. This will be the first time that Iowa will host the event. For more information contact Kapil Aurora, pbtiger@iastate.edu.
• All ISU professional and scientific employees will have a new job title structure in place when UHR’s classification and compensation review is completed. The goal is to improve Iowa State’s ability to attract and retain P&S employees. Learn more from a recent Inside Iowa State article, the Classification and Compensation website or Chris Johnsen, johnsen@iastate.edu, a P&S Council extension representative who is part of the advisory team. Chris also can submit anonymous questions or comments to UHR on your behalf.
• ISU Extension and Outreach’s 5th annual United Way fundraiser picnic is Friday, Oct. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Extension 4-H Building’s patio. All are welcome. The event includes a $5 walking taco lunch, silent auction, and games with prizes. United Way pledge envelopes can be returned at the picnic as well.

FYI: Goodbye … and welcome

With our Improved Service Delivery human resources staff on board and as we adjust to HR processes in Workday, we are bringing back our monthly list of people who have left or joined ISU Extension and Outreach. Over the past three months, we said goodbye to the following individuals who left ISU Extension and Outreach:

• Laura Johnson, Woodbury County, 4-H youth worker and nutrition educator.
• Nancy Eichmann, Polk County, Master Gardener coordinator.
• Kelli Steinlage, Howard County, youth coordinator.
• Meghan Gray, Montgomery County, youth coordinator.
• Julie Mayhew, Floyd County, food and nutrition program assistant.
• Jaclyn Tweeten, Chickasaw County, youth coordinator.
• Heather Miller, Scott County, families program assistant.
• Angela Strohman, Palo Alto County, program educator.
• Sophia Coker-Gunnink, Wapello County, Food Corps service member.
• Pamela Jacobsen, Shelby County, office coordinator.
• Sean Murphy, Wayne County, youth coordinator.
• Leann Baumhover, Buena Vista County, office assistant.
• Melanie McMann, Adams County, office assistant/youth coordinator.
• Ashley Sherrets, Buchanan County, horticulture program coordinator.
• Taylor Trudell, Jefferson County, youth coordinator.
• Mackenzie Wagner, Lyon County, program coordinator/office assistant.
• Debra Swanson, Page County, youth coordinator.
• Katharine Beason, Bremer County, program coordinator.
• Aracely Martinez, Muscatine County, program coordinator.
• Grant Theesfeld, Sac County, Clover Kids program coordinator.
• Robin Hoffman, Johnson County, 4-H/BBBS mentoring grant coordinator.

We welcome the following new staff:

• Diane Rinner, Washington County, youth outreach educator.
• Tina Gress, Crawford County, program coordinator.
• Samantha Jamison, Louisa County, program coordinator.
• Susan Strock, Polk County, office assistant.
• Wendy Richter, Cass County, P2S project coordinator.
• Dawn Henderson, Lyon County, program coordinator.
• Sonya Peck, Lee County, bookkeeper.
• Dee Dino, Page County, office assistant.
• Amanda Crow, Clinton County, youth coordinator.
• Abby Sorensen, Mills County, extension director.
• Sidney Riemenschneider, Emmett County, youth coordinator.
• Maddie Mardesen, Dallas County, extension educator.
• Syerra Niday, Wayne County, office assistant.
• Kathleen Owens, Polk County, office assistant.
• Tanner Messerli, Story County, program coordinator.
• Chris Shepard, Wapello County, Food Corps service member.
• Jennifer Zamora, Muscatine County, Latino outreach coordinator.
• Eleni Parsons, Chickasaw County, youth coordinator.
• Clint Mercer, Jefferson County, youth outreach educator.
• Sara Nelson, STEM program specialist, 4-H.
• Danielle Day, field specialist II, Human Sciences.
• Molly Hewitt, regional director, County Services.
• Mae McCarty, field specialist II, Human Sciences.
• Deb Nistler, state program leader, 4-H.
• Sara Mohr, field specialist III, 4-H.
• Sarah Larkin, customer relations specialist I, Extension Store.
• Mica Redenius, administrative specialist III, Office of Vice President for Extension and Outreach.

— John D. Lawrence
Iowa State University Vice President for Extension and Outreach