Even in retirement, Peterson won't be leaving Extension career behind her
By Jean Caspers-Simmet
simmet@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 03/11/2010 9:09 AM
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THOMPSON, Iowa —Carol Peterson is happy to continue her work with Extension even though her position as county Extension education director was eliminated.
"I love doing what I do," she said. "I love the variety, and I love helping and working with people. I have a very supportive Extension Council and staff who are very committed to the mission of Extension."
She now works for the Winnebago County Extension Council developing programming much like she did in the past.
Worth and Winnebago counties have developed a strong Women, Land and Legacy base which grew out of discussions with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency.
"We saw the programs going on in other parts of the state, and we thought we'd be stronger going with Worth County, and they'd been thinking the same thing," Peterson said. "We meet quarterly and generally have 60 to 80 women attend."
Programs on estate planning, investing, farm leasing and farm family communications have been held.
"Bev Peters, Franklin County Extension director, and I attended a couple of national conferences on women and agriculture programming and looked at what had been done across the state, and we were void in this area," Peterson said. "That's how Women Around Ag got started."
The fourth conference will be March 27 at the Best Western Holiday Lodge in Clear Lake.
Peterson provided leadership for a $125,000 five-county Harkin Health and Wellness Grant several years ago.
"I love doing that sort of thing, helping to make a project that meets a need happen," Peterson said. "I hope to work on more projects like that."
Through the grant, Peterson developed the Pick a Better Snack Program, which encourages second- and third-graders to eat more fruits and vegetables. Extension also did a work site program, "Eat Less and Move More."
A program the Winnebago County Extension Council started during the farm crisis that continues today is Family Fun Night held at the YMCA in Forest City.
Peterson grew up on a farm near Correctionville and first learned about 4-H from a neighbor who invited her to a meeting.
"I fell in love with it," Peterson said. "I was very active in Woodbury County 4-H."
She majored in home economics education at Westmar College in Le Mars and was a summer assistant for three years at the Ida County Extension Service.
After college, she became 4-H and youth director in Dickinson and Emmet counties for five years. In 1980 she became Extension home economist in Hancock and Winnebago counties. In 1985 she received a master's degree in extension and adult education at Iowa State University, and in 1988 became Winnebago County Extension director while continuing as home economist in both counties. In 1992 she became Winnebago County Extension Education Director.
"All I've known is Extension, and I thoroughly believe it is one of those hidden gems," Peterson said.
Her husband, Richard, is semi-retired and is a mechanic.