Our Memorandum of Understanding documents the ongoing partnership between Iowa State University and County Agricultural Extension Districts to provide research-based or evidence-based educational programming to Iowans. Each County Agricultural Extension District signs both a general Memorandum of Understanding, as well as an addendum, based on which staff model they have selected for their extension district.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Documents
MOU - Effective July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2026
Partnerships
- Iowa Code Chapter 176A | Outlines the partnership between Iowa State University and County Agricultural Extension Districts
- ISU and USDA MOU from 1955 | Outlines the partnership between Iowa State University and the United States Department of Agriculture
County Models
MOU Renewal Committee
A committee comprised of county extension council members, county extension staff, state extension staff, and program area representatives is in the process of reviewing the current Memorandum of Understanding and preparing for the 2026-2029 MOU. IECA Executive Director Jennifer Vit, Vice President for Extension and Outreach Jason Henderson, and Assistant Vice President for County Services Andrea Welchans are facilitating the group.
Your Feedback is Requested
Use the Memorandum of Understanding feedback form to share your thoughts on updates, changes, and clarifications that the committee should consider for the 2026-2029 MOU.
The window for submitting feedback is now until mid-November. There will not be an opportunity for council feedback once the document has been reviewed by extension council legal counsel Whitfield & Eddy Law and ISU's legal counsel.
- 2026-2029 MOU Renewal Committee Members
County Extension Council Members
Adam Batschelet, Clay County Extension Council
Tyler Burton, Hamilton County Extension Council
Dennis Goering, Polk County Extension Council
Dennis Hammen, Calhoun County Extension Council
Roger Helmrichs, Delaware County Extension Council
Kirk Phelps, Mitchel County Extension Council
Christy Sayler, Taylor County Extension Council
Sara Kuboushek, Winneshiek County Extension CouncilMOU Committee Facilitators/Leadership
Jason Henderson, Vice President for Extension and Outreach
Andrea Welchans, Assistant Vice President for County Services
Jennifer Vit, Executive Director for Iowa Extension Council AssociationExtension Staff
Andrea Lutter, Senior Manager of Budget and Finance, Extension and Outreach
Janet Smith, Director of Field Operations, South
Greta Giese, Regional Director, Region 1
Q Richardson, Region Director, Region 28
Himar Hernandez, Community and Economic Development Extension Assistant Program Director, Community Development Specialist
Tim Christensen, Farm Management Specialist
Samantha Culver, Scott County Director
Chris Freland, Johnson County Director
Nichol Kleespies, Youth Program Specialist
Allie McIntyre, Winneshiek County Program Director
Kate Olson, Cass County Director
Ryan Stuart, Health and Human Sciences Educator- Timeline
- Now - November 30, 2025 | The MOU Committee will meet and review the existing document, making edits and updates. Extension council members and staff will provide their feedback and suggestions.
- December 2025 - Early January, 2026 | Review by extension council legal counsel Whitfield & Eddy Law and ISU's legal counsel
- Late January - Early February, 2026 | Extension Councils will receive the final MOU document and addenda.
- May 1, 2026 | All county extension councils will have their MOU and addendum signed and submitted.
- 2026-2029 MOU Renewal Committee Meeting Notes
- Organizational Structure
- Financial Relationship
- Reference Documents