ISU Extension and Outreach Clay County Council ballot features 4 candidates

Voters will have the opportunity to elect four members of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Clay County Council during the Nov. 3 general election.

"The council members elected this year will be involved in bringing educational opportunities to Clay County for the next four years," said Regional Extension Director Beth Frankenstein in a news release. "ISU Extension and Outreach Clay County 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: Dirk Benson, of Spencer; Bill Follon, of Everly; Amy Maurer Cooke, of Spencer; and Teresa Steuben, of Everly.

• Dirk Benson, Spencer

Dirk Benson is a farmer and owner of a tractor restoration and repair business. When he was younger, Benson was an active Clay County 4-H member, but this is his first time seeking election to the Clay County Extension Council.

"I believe that I would be a great addition to the extension council," Benson said. "I have been actively involved in 4-H throughout my life and am an active volunteer in the community. I farm with my father in the Fostoria area and I am familiar with the Extension service working with Paul Kassel and also with the various programs they provide. I will always remember when I was young at school going on field trips to extension programs and learning so much from the staff and volunteers. I believe I can bring new views and ideas to the council and I am very open to new ways of making the best better."

• Bill Follon, Everly

Bill Follon is a grain and livestock farmer near Everly. He has been involved in 4-H since the age of 10, first as a 4-H member and now as a volunteer. Follon is seeking reelection to the Clay County Extension Council.

"I believe that 4-H belongs to the youth and that as an adult, I want to help be that leader for them," Follon said. "By being a great role model and being actively involved with the youth, I know that I can help create leaders out of them, so they can not only be successful young adults, but hopefully come back to the area and continue to carry on the tradition here in Clay County. With the vast knowledge that I have in agriculture and 4-H, I know I would make a great asset to the council and help bring in new ideas and continue to make our community grow."

• Amy Maurer Cooke, Spencer

Amy Maurer Cooke works for Iowa Workforce Development/IowaWorks. She is seeking reelection to the Clay County Extension Council.

"In continuing to serve as an extension council member, I will expand our mission, goals and vision with wide-ranging populations throughout this region and across Iowa," Maurer Cooke said. "My work spans the state, which grants me the ability to connect to diverse networks, current resources, growing trends, issues and areas of need. I listen to fellow residents about what can be done to improve their lives and overall health and then help them fulfill what is lacking and/or of need. Since I bring an understanding of the more critical local issues, I will implement plans and strategies to carry out our educational programming. Furthermore, my knowledge and frequent use of local, state and federal codes will aid in fulfilling our Extension Law requirements, and my bilingualism and cultural sensitivity will allow access to individuals who otherwise might not become familiar with and actively engaged in our programs."

• Teresa Steuben, Everly

Teresa Steuben is the Office Manager at Campbell, Higgins & Mummert, PC. She has served on the Clay County Extension Council for 12 years and is seeking reelection.

"I have always had a great passion for the 4-H program and love being part of making great memories and educating youth," Steuben said. "The lifetime learning experience 4-H provides youth is wonderful. All our boys were in 4-H and now our grandchildren, so I have great interest in supporting all I can for the youth."

Successful candidates will take office in January 2021, and join the carryover council members whose terms continue beyond the end of 2020, including Gary Johnson, of Webb; Renee Juza, of Spencer; Liz Biedenfeld, of Peterson; Jarrett Smith, of Spencer; and Sarah Frederick, of Spencer.

Extension council members make programming and budget decisions for ISU Extension and Outreach in Clay County. They work with decision makers, build relationships and address local issues by providing resources, research and education to assist Iowans.