GUTHRIE – Voters will have the opportunity to elect five members of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Guthrie County Extension Council at the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
Shelby Van Horn, County Director said, “The council members elected this year will be involved in bringing educational opportunities to Guthrie County for the next four years.” ISU Extension and Outreach Guthrie County educational programming is a cooperative effort involving local citizens, Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Extension council members are elected at large, and all voters in the county are eligible to vote for five candidates.
Candidates on this year’s ballot include: Carrie Diderickson, Rachel Downing, Abby Frels, Rylee Jacobe, and Bill Messinger.
Extension council members whose terms expire this year are Jim Calvert, Dustin Clark, Carrie Diderickson, Bill Messinger, and Cody Sheeder. Council members whose terms continue beyond the end of 2026 are Ruth Blomquist, Dwayne Seeck, Carol Wendl, and Kayla Wilms.
Successful candidates will take office in January 2027. Extension council members make programming and budget decisions for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Guthrie County. They work with decision makers, build relationships, and address local issues. Extension council members are advocates, stewards and everyday citizens who link people with life-changing programs from Iowa State University. Through partnerships, they bring significant programs that help people solve critical issues affecting their lives.
ISU Extension and Outreach has 100 field offices, providing local access to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach programs in all 99 counties. For more information, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/countyservices.
