ISU Extension seeks candidates for Winneshiek County council

Decorah, Iowa — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Winneshiek County Extension Council will soon begin the process of filling five seats on the council. The elected council is the grassroots governing body for the Cooperative Extension System. As part of ISU Extension and Outreach, the Winneshiek County Extension Council works in partnership with local citizens, Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to carry out the land-grant mission of bringing research and education to Iowans. Candidates for the council will appear on the November general election ballot. "The elected council is instrumental in fulfilling the land-grant mission and bringing research-based educational opportunities to the county," said Holly Kanengieter, Region 5 director. "We invite those interested in Winneshiek County's ISU Extension and Outreach programs to get involved in the nomination process or consider running for council." Council members are responsible for hiring county staff, managing the county extension budget and helping select local programming. ISU Extension and Outreach has 100 field offices that provide local access to extension programs in all 99 Iowa counties. "We are part of the ongoing life of Iowa's communities and are positioned to anticipate trends, build relationships and create opportunities," Kanengieter said. The nomination process begins with the appointment of a four-member nominating committee. The committee is responsible for nominating candidates for the council, with geographic distribution among the factors it considers. After nominees are selected, each candidate must submit a petition signed by at least 25 qualified voters to the county elections office by 5 p.m. Aug. 26, 2026. Individuals also may be placed on the ballot through a self-nomination process by turning in a petition signed by 25 qualified voters. Petitions are available from the county elections office and the secretary of state's office. The nine-member council has four vacancies for four-year terms this year. (Additionally, there is one vacancy for a two-year term to complete an unexpired term. Isaac Luzum was appointed and running.) Council members whose terms expire at the end of 2026 are Stacy Bushman, Norbert Lovstuen, Sara Kuboushek, and Lexi Schmidt. Newly elected council members will take office in January 2027. For more information on becoming a council member, contact Holly Kanengieter, hollyk1@iastate.edu, or learn more at www.extension.iastate.edu/countyservices/ become-council-member.