Ida County is top place to raise family, magazine says

Using a formula based on home and land prices, crime rates, environment, education, economic factors and access to health care, Progressive Farmer has compiled an "Absolute Best" list for 2009. And Ida County is ranked "Third Best Place in the Nation to Raise a Family."

"It's fantastic that Ida County is being recognized for the efforts of many individuals over the years," said Rita Frahm, president of Ida County Economic Development. "The efforts made to establish foundations to enhance educational opportunities for our youth and increase community vitality are making a difference.

"Innovators and entrepreneurs are taking advantage of the balance of work and family life here. Our investments made today are creating opportunities for tomorrow in Ida County," Frahm said.

After the formula calculated the top counties, Progressive Farmer dispatched staff members to personally interview a family in each of the selected counties.

The family chosen in Ida County was the Clint and Heather Conover family. They were selected after a recommendation by the Extension Service because of their involvement in 4-H.

"It's not so much an honor for us as it is for Ida County," said Clint Conover. "We're just the lucky ones who got our picture taken."

The Conovers have four children: Christian, 12, Alexia, 10, Grant, 8, and Ty, 4.

One of the school districts in Ida County, Battle Creek/Ida Grove, has one of the best scholarship programs in the nation giving more than $1.24 million dollars to its high school seniors in the last 14 years. This distinction was noted by the Conover family's interviewer, Gregg Hillyer, in his article about Ida County for the magazine.

Clinton County, the only other Iowa county to make the list, is ranked fifth. The other counties in the Top Ten are Hamilton County, Neb.; Chippewa County, Minn.; Harvey County, Kan.; Fayette County, Texas; Oconee County, Ga.; McPherson County, Kan.; Obion County, Tenn., and Madison County, Va.