Inside IECA Government Relations
Join IECA at the Iowa Capitol on Tuesday, February 11 for breakfast in the Legislative Dining Room from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. We'll be sharing how ISU Extension and Outreach makes an impact in every legislative district.
To prepare for meeting with legislators, IECA will host a legislative briefing via Zoom on February 6, 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. The Zoom link will be sent to all registrants for the legislative breakfast.
Register for the Legislative Breakfast
View Legislative Briefing Information
Share the Public Value of Extension and Outreach
Any council member can share the message about the extraordinary public value that Extension and Outreach has for Iowans. Here are a few resources you can share.
- Familiarize yourself with your county's impact report. If you will be seeing someone in person, your county office can help print off copies, as needed.
- Read through the 2024 Impact Report for Extension and Outreach to familiarize yourself with some of 2024's accomplishments.
- Review Extension and Outreach financial information. The ISU Extension and Outreach Funding at a Glance and County Agricultural Extension District Tax Asking Limits Explained (coming soon) are both helpful documents to understand where our funding comes from and how counties are limited in their allowable levy ask.
2025 Legislative Priorities
- Share Extension and Outreach’s impact in each legislative district.
- Share the public value of ISU Extension and Outreach to Iowans.
- Share the message that “Investing in Extension and Outreach is investing in Iowa.”
How Council Members Can Help
- Share your county impact report and the 2024 Extension and Outreach Impact Report (coming soon) with your legislators at local legislative coffees they hold in your county. Highlight one or two key program successes that show how Extension and Outreach makes an impact in your county. If you are unable to meet with them in person, you could also mail or email the report to them, along with a message to reach out to you if they would like to talk further about how ISU Extension and Outreach impacts the citizens they represent.
- The ISU Extension and Outreach Talking Points document has some great suggested highlights to share with your legislators.
- Help your legislators understand the unique 3-way partnership ISU Extension and Outreach has with federal, state, and county funding sources. Share the Extension Funding Handout with them and highlight that local property tax revenues are used to fund local programming, staff, and facilities.
- Familiarize yourself with County Agricultural Extension District Tax Asking Limits that guide the amount (in dollars and levy rate) that a county extension district can levy.
- Federal Resources
- State Resources
- Effective Education | Simple tips to help you approach elected officials and share your message effectively.
- Briefing Information on ISU Extension and Outreach | A brief summary of statewide ISU Extension and Outreach impacts. This information can be used as support material when talking with elected officials.
- Making Contacts for ISU Extension and Outreach | This handout is designed for copying and direct distribution to your volunteers. The information provides some basic tips for anyone who wants to talk with decision-makers about the importance of ISU Extension and Outreach's educational programs.
- Helping Volunteers Prepare a Message for Decision Makers | This reference gives pointers for council members to develop a story about the importance of the local Extension program. The tool suggests local data that your Extension staff should have on hand to build facts into the message about the numbers of people involved in Extension, local impacts, etc.
- Iowa Legislature Link | The website below is your link to State Government information including legislator names, email addresses, committee information and district maps.
- Board of Regents
A portion of the funding for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach from the Iowa Legislature is funneled through the Board of Regents appropriation and then through the Iowa State University line item. County extension district funding does not filter through the Board of Regents. For information about the Iowa Board of Regents, visit the website.
