Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Professional Development is a great time to come together to learn, connect with colleagues and friends, and to renew our shared purpose of impacting the lives of Iowans. The planning committee has selected content and a format that will strengthen skills, introduce you to new tools and provide time for reflection and discussion. There's something for everyone, whether you are a campus faculty or staff, field specialist, county professional or regional director, we hope you will attend and find value to help in your daily work. This activity is free because we want to do our best to encourage every person in the ANR family to attend.
ANR specialists and staff, county professionals, and regional directors are all welcome to attend.
Program
Program is subject to change and adjustment prior to the meeting.
| 9:00 aM |
Registration opens, morning refreshments, networking and group meetings |
| 10:00 aM |
Welcome |
| 10:15 aM |
Improving program marketing by starting with ‘why’ – Judy Mae Bingman, Storywriter Solutions LLC Discover audience-focused marketing strategies to increase participation in extension events. |
| 11:30 aM |
ANR Extension update – Jay Harmon, associate dean and director, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension and Outreach |
| 12:00 pM |
Lunch (provided) ANR awards presentation |
| 1:00 pM |
Concurrent Session A (select one) 1. Practical uses of AI in extension work - Kris Baldwin, lecturer, English, Iowa State University Practice using AI tools to complete four common extension tasks. 2. ANR evaluation tools and resources overview - Sarah Smith, ANR Evaluation Specialist, Iowa State University Review and understand tools available on the ANR Evaluation website to support successful program evaluation. 3. Accelerate your funding success with the ISU Extension and Outreach Contracts and Grants Team - Beth Miller, grants specialist, Contracts and Grants Office, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Are you new to grants and contracts? Learn about services and support provided by the ISU Extension and Outreach Contracts and Grants Office. |
| 1:45 pM | Transition between concurrent sessions |
| 2:00 pM |
Concurrent Session B (select one) 4. Using AI for developing success stories - Jamie Benning, assistant director, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension, Iowa State University; Dan Andersen, professor, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University Learn tips and tricks for using AI to write success stories and more. 5. Online curriculum development - Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) – invited Review the basics of moving in-person curriculum to an online format. 6. Tools for communications - ANR Communications Team Review communication templates and graphic design and digital accessibility tools to improve how you communicate. |
| 2:45 pM | Transition between concurrent sessions |
| 3:00 pM |
Concurrent Session C (select one) 7. AI in agriculture - Luke Fuhrer, precision ag engineer, Digital Ag Innovation Lab, Iowa State University Understand how agriculture clients and stakeholders are using AI. 8. Evaluation data analysis - Sarah Smith, ANR Evaluation Specialist, Iowa State University Learn strategies for making data analysis easier and more streamlined. 9. Writing persuasive requests to sponsors, funders and partners - Judy Mae Bingman, Storywriter Solutions LLC |
| 3:45 pM | ANR Resource Fair and networking time | 4:45 pM |
Networking reception |
| 6:00 pM | Reception concludes |
| 6:15 pM | Iowa Agricultural Extension Association meeting |
| 7:30 pM | Meeting adjourns |
| 7:30 aM |
Morning refreshments |
| 8:30 aM |
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach update – Jason Henderson, Vice President for Extension and Outreach, Iowa State University |
| 9:30 aM |
Break |
| 10:00 aM |
Lightning Talks: Successful extension partnerships
|
| 11:00 aM |
Agriculture and Natural Resources issues panel – Starlyn Purdue, state executive director, Farm Service Agency - Iowa; Jaia Fischer, acting state conservationist, Natural
Resources Conservation Service - Iowa; Jeff Kaisand, State Veterinarian, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land
Stewardship; Iowa Department of Natural Resources (invited)
Learn about emerging issues, priorities and opportunities for partnership from state agriculture and natural resources agencies. |
| 12:00 pM |
Lunch (provided) ANR awards presentation |
| 1:00 pM | Unleash the power of storytelling - Darcy Maulsby, writer, author, farmer, marketer, Darcy Maulsby & Co
Learn how to use effective storytelling techniques to educate audiences, inspire support, and share their organization’s impact through clear, compelling narratives. |
| 2:00 pM | Closing remarks |
| 2:15 pM |
Program concludes |
| 2:15 pM |
Informal team and project meetings
Meeting space will be open for information team meetings and discussions until 4:00 PM. |
2026 Planning Committee
- Sarah DeBour
- Shelby Gruss
- Fred Hall
- Emma Kerns
- Amy Powell
- Janet Smith
- Sarah Smith
When
September 14-15, 2026
Check-in and refreshments at 9:00 AM
Program begins at 10:00 AM
Registration deadline is noon, September 8, 2026.
Where
Gateway Hotel and Conference Center
2100 Green Hills Drive
Ames, Iowa 50014
A block of rooms is available for Professional Development attendees. The room rate is $129/night for Sunday and Monday. To reserve a room call 800-FOR-AMES by Sunday, August 23, 2026 and mention you are with ANR Professional Development. or book your room online.
Materials
Professional Development CyBox
Register
$0
Facility, meal and materials costs for ANR Professional Development are covered by ANR Extension administration.
Reminders
- Please register prior to noon, September 8, 2026 to assist with materials and meal planning.
- Confirmation of registration is sent via email. Please provide a valid email address when registering.
- For assistance with registration, cancellation or questions on the status of your registration please email anr@iastate.edu.
Contact
Jamie Benning
assistant director
Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension
(515) 294-6038
benning@iastate.edu
Photos and/or video taken at this course may be used by ISU Extension and Outreach for promotional, commercial, educational and research purposes. If you prefer not to be photographed, please speak with the photographer.