Image courtesy of ISU Extension

A local Iowa State Extension and Outreach employee was recognized during the university’s annual awards ceremony recently. Gene Mohling is the ISU Extension and Outreach Region 15 director, which covers Washington, Johnson, Iowa, and Keokuk Counties. Mohling received the R.K. Bliss Award for outstanding achievement of a staff member for developing an overall or continuing education program. The honor is named for Ralph K. Bliss, the director of Extension from 1912 to 1946. During his tenure, Mohling has helped grow Region 15’s number of youth served four-fold. He has led numerous initiatives including a non-profit academy, Annie’s Project, Ag Outlook Seminar, and Nutrition and After School programs. From 2002-2014, the John Deere In-Tune with Agriculture Institute offered 250 workshops for 5,500 participants, and Mohling conducted 23 sessions.