Floyd County Extension awarded grant for life-skills program

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

Floyd County Extension has been awarded a $2,500 Innovative Program Development grant for Excellence in Extension.

“The program it was written for was a fifth grade wellness day,” said county Extension Director Lesley Milius.

Coming up in September, Floyd County Extension is creating a new program to teach basic life skills to area fifth graders. Students will be invited to the Floyd County Fairgrounds to attend different stations run by local volunteers to cover lessons on how to do laundry, manage finances, healthy eating and skills they will need as they grow up.

“We piloted it last September with the fifth graders in Charles City and we’re hoping to expand it countywide now,” said Milius.

ISU’s Excellence in Extension award provides seed money for innovative programs by Extension branches. Milius application was one of seven that was selected by the review committee for an award.

“It should cover that program and purchase things that will be sustainable for years to come,” said Milus.