Dr. John Lawrence, vice president for ISU Extension, visited the Marshalltown Rotary luncheon meeting on March 10 to update the club on some of the outreach activities his team is involved in.

There are plenty of good things going on both statewide and within Marshall County when it comes it ISU Extension. Regional Education Director Rich Wrage and Marshall County Director Amy Pieper were on hand to lend a more local flavor.

Marshall County celebrated its centennial extension year in 2017. Iowa was the first state in the nation that employed the extension concept. They are still active in the four core areas introduced in 1903: agriculture, human science, 4-H/youth development and community development. Lawrence gave an update on the Data Science For the Public Good effort that owes its roots to the 2018 pilot program originated in Marshalltown.

He gave examples of activities that are specific to Marshall County. Proud of the work of extension and partnership with the county, Lawrence closed by describing efforts, such as listening, that set ISU Extension and its statewide footprint apart from its peers.

To close the meeting, Rotary President Jim Goodman led the group in reciting the Four-Way Test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?