FOCUS GROUPS OVERALL TOP 5CONCERNS

1. Upgrade TechnologyEconomic Development in Communities

2. Farm management/risk and marketingYouth as productive citizens and effective leaders

3. Positive peer supportImproving Nutrition and health outcomesFarm Transition /ownership

Overall concern/comment of the group was: How do we reach people who need this education and how do we deliver the modes of education?

Signature Issue: Food and Environment

Global food security programming focuses on local actions to produce a safe, sustainable, accessible, and affordable food supply for Iowa, the nation, and the world. Programs address all segments of the food supply chain, from productive capacity of Iowa’s agricultural and human resources, to production and processing technology, market functions, and management. Programming also includes accessibility, affordability, and safety to reduce food insecurity of Iowa families. Assessment, analysis, and education are provided on a broad scope and scale of Iowa’s food system.

Top 5 issues:

1. Farm Management/Risk & Marketing

a. Education—are businesses/farmers using business plans? Do they know what business plans are?

b. Diversification—

c. Marketing---How are farmers/businesses doing marketing? Do they have access to the proper marketing tools and know how to use them?

d. Technology-- Is it being used to its full potential? It is being used at all? How much training do we need to provide on technology?

2. Farm Transition/Ownership

a. Mentor beginning farmers---do our young people know how to farm today? Are the older farmers willing to teach the young want bees?

b. Active Participant

3. Natural Resources/Environmental stewardship

a. Nutrient Transfer/Application

4. Global Aspect/Completive Iowa Agriculture

5. Education/ Reliable/ Creditable Information

a. Access to this type of information

SIGNATURE ISSUE: ECONOMICS

Economic development programming focuses on actions to help the Iowa economy prosper and grow – enhancing the health of communities, growing businesses, and increasing the wealth and the quality of life for all Iowans. Programs address the needs of sole proprietorships, companies, communities, and economic development agencies through education, technical assistance, and applied research to increase business and household income, assist with starting new businesses, retain and add quality jobs, increase revenues and reduce costs, embrace innovation and entrepreneurship, and build capacity in local leaders to continuously improve the strengths of the state to compete in a growing global economy.

Top 5 issues: 1. Economic Development in Communities

a. Sell rural Iowa

b. What can we offer them to stay or come to rural Iowa?

i. Jobs?

ii. Money/wages?

iii. Safety?

iv. Close knit communities?

c. Ownership of businesses---try to keep it local

2. Upgrading Technology

a. Training—

i. What ages do we start with?

ii. What level of training do we need?

b. Website presence

c. Social Media

i. How effective is this?

ii. Not everyone uses it or believes in it?

3. Quality Workforce

4. Affordable Housing

a. Cost of Living

b. Is there housing available?

5. Community Visioning, planning and design

SIGNATURE ISSUE: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING:Health and well-being programming focuses on activities and projects to help Iowans live healthier lives through improved healthy behavior, physical health, and enhanced family, work, and community environments. Programs address caregiving for the aging population, community health, financial health, nutrition and

physical health, and parenting. Specialists help individuals, families, communities, professionals, and organizations assess their health and well-being needs; provide training, tools, and resources to meet those needs; and evaluate the impacts of these efforts to help Iowa reach the Governor’s goal of becoming the healthiest state in the nation by 2016.

Top 5 Issues:

1. Childhood Obesitya. Parent Education b. Cooking Classes

i. Teach people to get back to canning and preserving food.ii. Teach people to grow their own food.

c. Promote family physical activity.i. Electronic free night—Community Wide

2. Improving youth health/well beinga. Substance from abuseb. Safe driving/no texting

3. Improving nutrition and health outcomes.a. Getting kids to eat fruits and veggies more.b. Getting kids to exercise more.c. Getting adults to lead kids to healthier lives.

4. Strengthening Familiesa. Educating families about importance of family time.

5. Youth who live healthy livesa. Proper nutritionb. Proper exercise

SIGNATURE ISSUE: K-12 YOUTH OUTREACHK-12 outreach programming connects Iowa children and youth with Iowa State University’s knowledge and research base to help them reach their full potential. Education and positive youth development experiences are offered on campus, within counties, and out of state. K-12 outreach includes both 4-H Youth Development programs as well as outreach partnerships through the Iowa State colleges. These experiences help youth get excited about learning and discover new career choices. Youth are challenged to actively pursue education beyond high school and build skills that improve their communities today. Programs are delivered through volunteers, community-based partners, educators, and county staff. Specialists assess youth programming needs, train adults who implement quality educational programs and experiences, ensure safe environments, and evaluate programs.

Top 5 Issues:

1. Strengthening Families

a. Building family values

b. Building family bonds

2. Technology

a. Appropriate use out of school.

3. Positive Peer Support for Parents

4. Youth as productive citizens and effective leaders

a. Teach youth to be outstanding communicators.

5. Afterschool programs

a. 5th and 6th graders

REFERENCE PAGE1. Public Health website

2. Iowa Youth Survey website

3. Kids Data Count website

4. County Health Rankings website

5. Iowa School District Profiles website

6. ISU Department of Economics

7. State Data Center of Iowa

8. State Library of Iowa

9. U.S. Census Bureau

10. City-data website

11. Support farmers website

12. USDA website

13. DHS website

14. Iowa Policy Project website

15. Iowa State University

16. Local grocery store adds