Iowa landowners are excited and talking about new-found connections to Iowa State University. It's all part of Iowa State's Land Grant Legacy project initiated by ISU Extension and Outreach.
Hamilton County farmers Eric and Krystal Doolittle come from a family of Hawkeye fans, but their curiosity and excitement grew when Eric's grandfather began telling stories about a piece of their family farm with an unexpected bit of history - a connection to Iowa State University. The prospect of sharing more stories of people with ties to Iowa agriculture prompted Krystal to connect with Iowa State for the project.
Iowa State alumnus Bob Butcher knew there were land-grant parcels in Ida County, yet he could hardly contain his excitement when he confirmed that his farm and his neighbors' farms contained quarter sections of land first leased to fund the start of Iowa's ag college. A longtime advocate for the university and 4-H, Bob is channeling his enthusiasm into promoting the land grant parcel map and connecting more people with Iowa State.
James Francois, of rural Barnum, proudly shared family stories and provided a farm tour to ISU Extension and Outreach staff after finding out his farm contained the first quarter section of Iowa land leased under the Morrill Act. He has great pride - in the land, his family history on the land, and new-found ties to Iowa State University. James exemplifies a constant theme seen and heard as the Land Grant Legacy project rolls out across Iowa.
On Monday, state officials will be introduced to the Land Grant Legacy project during the annual ISU Day at the Capitol. Through their elected positions, legislators have a connection to the Iowa State legacy. Legislators are filling the seats of Iowa's pioneering lawmakers - the ones who represented the first state to accept the terms of the Morrill Act and act on it back in 1862.
During ISU Day at the Capitol, nearly 30 exhibits will showcase Iowa State University, highlighting Iowa State's mission of education, research, and service. The university serves all of Iowa's 99 counties, every day. View your county fact sheet to see how Iowa State impacts your community.
Did you know? Each year more than one million people directly benefit from ISU Extension and Outreach education. Focused on feeding people, keeping them healthy, helping communities prosper and thrive, and turning the world over to the next generation better than we found it - that's how we're building a strong Iowa.
ISU Day at the Capitol 2016
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Iowa State's Mission: Create, share, and apply knowledge to make Iowa and the world a better place.
The Alliance for Iowa State is a coalition of Iowa State alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends. The Alliance advocates Iowa State University's land grant mission throughout Iowa while focusing its advocacy on state legislators and public policy makers.
