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.
2026-2027 Memorandum of Understanding
A new one-year MOU (effective July 1, 2026) and addendums are available for approval by County Agricultural Extension Councils. Extension councils should sign and submit their MOU by May 31, 2026.
Our partnership is further described in the following documents:
- Key Changes Made to MOU 2026-2027
View Recording - Virtual MOU Briefing and Q & A - November 19, 2025
View the DRAFT MOU 2026 - 2027 (1-year agreement, PDF with changes marked)
There are some key changes to note in the new MOU draft:
- The proposed MOU will be effective for one year rather than three.
In light of funding uncertainty for both the county agricultural extension district levy and Iowa State University appropriation from the Iowa Legislature, the MOU renewal committee recommends a one-year term for the upcoming MOU. The term would begin July 1, 2026, and end June 30, 2027. Traditionally, the MOU is signed for a three-year period. The intent is to return to a three-year period beginning in FY28 (July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2030). - Proposed County Shared Support Services Fee: 3.7% for FY26
- Proposed Regional Director Cost Share Fees:
- Model 1: Change from 1% to 1.5%
- Model 2: Change from 80% to 85%
- Model 3: Remain 1%
- Examples below are based on FY2026 valuations and levies (note: FY2027 rates will not be known until January).
- Recommendations to guide councils that house program specialists in their county office.
The committee reviewed the Guiding Principles and Agreement Housing Specialists. It is suggested that councils and the program area meet to identify needs and responsibilities, followed by an annual review of the relationship. - Removal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion references as required by Iowa law.
- Removal of the requirement to evaluate the performance of both parties related to the MOU.
- Added a section on revenue generation (#16).
- Improve overall clarity of the document with minor wording changes.
- The proposed MOU will be effective for one year rather than three.
- Financial Relationship
- Organizational Structure
- Reference Documents
- 2026-2027 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- 2023-2026 MOU
Memorandum of Understanding 2023-2026 and Addendum A for Model 1, 2, and 3
Effective July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026