Asred.msstate.edu
ASRED Spring Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2020
(Note: Due to Coronavirus, face to face meeting was cancelled and the meeting was held via Zoom)
|10:00 AM CT/11:00 AM | Tuesday, April 14, 2020 – Session 1 |
|ET | |
|10:00 – 10:25 |1 |Call to Order and Welcome – Dr. Tom Dobbins, Chair, ASRED |
| | |Review Agenda |
| | |Recognitions |
| | |Chair and Past Chair |
| | |Recognition of Service |
| | |Recognition of Distinguished Leadership |
| | |Review/Approval of Minutes – August 2019 Meeting |
| | |Appoint and Charge Committees |
| | |Nominating Committee for 2020 - 2021 (See list of vacancies HERE; vote via follow-up email following committee report). Tom |
| | |appointed Ed Jones, Chair, Rich Bonanno, and Damona Doye to serve as the Nominating Committee for 2020-21. |
| | |ED Evaluation/POW/Budget Committee (See Accomplishment/Goals HERE and Budget HERE; vote via email upon receipt of committee |
| | |recommendations). Tom asked Robert Burns and Laura Johnson to serve with him as chair. |
| | |Resolutions Committee (Take action via email, as needed). Gary Lemme, Chair, Laura Stephenson and Nick Place were appointed. |
| | | |
| | |ASRED Chair Tom Dobbins called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. |
| | | |
| | |Attendees: Attendees: Gary Lemme and Paul Brown (AL), Rick Cartwright (AR), Nick Place (FL), Laura Johnson (GA), Dale Monks (NC),|
| | |Damona Doye (OK), Tom Dobbins (SC), Robert Burns and Michael Buschermohle (TN), Laura Stephenson (KY), Ed Jones (VA), Gary |
| | |Jackson and Steve Martin (MS), Jeffery Hyde and Angela Burkham (TX), Gina Eubanks (LA), Ron Brown (ASRED), Eric Young (SAAES), |
| | |Michael Fitzner (NIFA), Aaron Weibe, Chris Geith, Fred Schlutt, Larry Lippke (eXtension). |
| | | |
| | |Note: Ed Jones made motion to approve the agenda for April 2020 meeting. Nick Place seconded the motion. Agenda approved with no |
| | |additions. |
| | | |
| | |Note: Chair and Past Chair Leadership transition: Tom Dobbins recognized Nick Place for serving as 2019 ASRED Chair. Nick Place |
| | |passed the gavel to Tom Dobbins who will serve as 2020 ASRED Chair. |
| | | |
| | |Note: Recognition of Service: Tom Dobbins recognized Rick Cartwright for service to ASRED as he retires from Cooperative |
| | |Extension at the University of Arkansas on June 30, 2020. |
| | | |
| | |Note: Recognition of Excellence in Leadership: Tom Dobbins presented ASRED Excellence in Leadership Award to Ed Jones, Director, |
| | |Virginia Cooperative Extension. |
| | | |
| | |Note: Gary Lemme made motion to approve the minutes of the August 2019 meeting. Damona Doye seconded the motion. Approved. |
| | | |
| | |Note: Ed Jones presented the nominating committee report: |
| | | |
| | |Tom Dobbins - Administrative Advisor for Middle Managers Committee (Rick Cartwright unexpired term through fall 2021). |
| | | |
| | |Steve Martin - Southern Region Aquaculture Center Board of Directors Committee (term ending in fall 2020 and new 3 year term |
| | |through 2023); also now serving Gina Eubanks and Gary Lemme. |
| | | |
| | |Southern Region Excellence in Extension Review Committee (nomination deadline is May 1, so this committee will need to do its |
| | |work shortly thereafter). |
| | |Composition: |
| | |Nick Place – ECOP Personnel Committee Member |
| | |Robert Burns ASRED Director |
| | |Laura Stephenson ASRED Director |
| | |Dwayne Elmore (OK) Specialist or Agent |
| | | |
| | |Nick Place - AA for SERA 03 - Southern Region Information Exchange Group for IPM, replacing Rick Cartwright. |
| | | |
| | |Gary Jackson - AA for SERA 35 - Delta Region Farm Management and Agricultural Policy Working Group, replacing Rick Cartwright. |
| | | |
| | |Mike Phillips - AA for SERA 45 - Crop diversification opportunities to enhance the viability of small farms, replacing Rogers |
| | |Leonard. |
| | | |
| | |Note: Ed Jones made motion to approve the nominating committee report as presented. Gary Lemme seconded the motion. Approved. |
| | | |
| | |Note: Following this meeting the following elections were done by email: |
| | |Gina Eubanks – replacing Robert Burns as PLC Administrative Advisor and Executive Committee Member, term ending in August 2021. |
| | | |
| | |Nick Place – replacing Robert Burns on the ECOP Legislative and Budget Committee, term ending in fall 2023. Also serving on this |
| | |committee are Gary Lemme and Rich Bonanno. |
| | | |
| | |Note: Directors will vote via email in regard to Executive Director Evaluation, POW, and Budget upon receipt of respective |
| | |committee recommendations. |
| | | |
| | |Note: The Resolutions committee will prepare recommendations for action via email. |
|10:25 – 10:55 |2 |State Updates/Innovative Practices vis a vis COVED-19 |
| | |Provide one innovative procedure/practice that is working for remote program delivery. Directors send regular State Updates for |
| | |inclusion in the minutes. |
| | |Note: Directors reported on various state efforts. Directors are asked to send Ron Brown a short list of innovative procedures or|
| | |practices that are working for remote program delivery – actual examples. Ron will send an email call for items and compile |
| | |responses. Some of the examples provided during this meeting include the following: |
| | | |
| | |Alabama |
| | |- moving programs to online, with great increases in participants, e.g., 5000 for a beekeeping webinar |
| | |Arkansas |
| | |- Master Gardener enrollment up |
| | |- FCS Homemakers making masks |
| | |- 4-Hers making educational videos |
| | |Louisiana |
| | |- Special media kit on how to sanitize home, grocery shopping |
| | |Florida |
| | |- Vegetable producers lost market, no one to harvest; plowing crops under |
| | |- Extension and Department of Ag are assessing losses |
| | |- 4-Hers making masks; using contests |
| | |- ANR and FCS developing victory gardens |
| | |- Increased interest in bee keeping and Master Gardening |
| | |Georgia |
| | |- Developed online project achievement contest |
| | |- Six sessions of online Pesticide Safety |
| | |- weekly webinar for internal stakeholders |
| | |Kentucky |
| | |- Worked with the Governor’s Healthy at Home initiative; weekly ag agency director’s |
| | |- Facebook watch parties with as many as 5,000 participants |
| | |Mississippi |
| | |- Already had an emergency contingency plan in place |
| | |- Did a needs assessment with agents |
| | |- Moved programs to remote instruction |
| | |North Carolina |
| | |- Prioritized programs to move to remote instruction |
| | |- Agents had a heart to help |
| | |Oklahoma |
| | |- 4-H programs moved to virtual programs |
| | |- Gardening team TV – youth focus |
| | |- Initiated remote/drop off for soil tests |
| | |- Dicamba training online |
| | |- Groups making masks |
| | |Tennessee |
| | |- Continuing soil tests, variety trials and farm visits, using social distancing |
| | |- Master Gardeners doing virtual work/prepackaged videos |
| | |- Prepared meals for children |
| | |- 24 new health publications developed |
| | |Texas |
| | |- Considering budget implications and focusing on learning for the future |
| | |- 4-H digital art project with 15,000 shares and 12,000 completions |
| | |- Disaster assessment and recovery team in place; training for local government on how to access CARES |
| | |- Medical supply transport |
| | |- Made 5,000 masks |
| | |- Training for childcare providers |
| | |Virginia |
| | |- Moved bull sale from in-person to online |
| | |- Moved field day to online; normal attendance is 40; 150 online with several hundred using the archived program |
| | |- Developed packets of information for kids to pick up |
| | |- Training in how to access broadband |
| | |South Carolina |
| | |- Victory gardens online |
| | |- Pesticide training online |
| | |- 4-H at Home Daily Lessons – used by individuals from all 50 states |
| | |- Instituted virtual social hour |
| | |Note: See State Updates appended at the end of the minutes. |
|10:55 – 11:00 |Quick Nature Break (if needed) |
|11:00 – 11:30 |3 |Mini Land-Grant Meeting, 2022 – Eric Young |
| | | |
| | |Note: Administrative Heads plan to hold a mini-land grant meeting in June or July 2022. ASRED recommends a late-April timeframe |
| | |to double-up with our spring meeting. Ron Brown will share this recommendation. |
| | | |
| | |NIFA Update, Reimagining NIFA initiative – Mike Fitzner |
| | | |
| | |- Lost lot of good staff |
| | |- Currently in temporary facilities; permanent space will be at 805 Pennsylvania Avenue (downtown) |
| | |- Reimagining NIFA is in process; comments welcome |
| | |- Working hard to get capacity funds distributed |
| | | |
| | |eXtension and COVID-19 Proposal – Damona Doye, Aaron Weibe |
| | | |
| | |Note: Fred Schlutt discussed proposed $80M federal funding request supported by ECOP and eXtension. Policy Board of Directors |
| | |approved request. If this moves forward, it would potentially be included in the second federal stimulus bill. Funds would go to |
| | |states proportionally to support innovation in virtual learning. |
| | | |
| | | was also announced – a collaborative audience engagement platform with two parts, public and internal. |
|11:30 AM – 1:30 PM CT| Lunch Break |
|1:30 PM CT/2:30 PM ET| Session 2 |
|1:30 – 1:45 PM | |SAAESD Report – Eric Young |
| |4 | |
| | |Note: Discussed infrastructure proposal as part of the Research Facilities Act $8 billion over five years. It would include |
| | |Extension facilities as well. |
| | | |
| | |Meeting Schedule – Ron Brown |
| | |August 24-27, 2020, Ft. Worth, TX |
| | |(bid at regional hub; rotate from East, Central, and Western sections of the Southern region) |
| | |April 2021 – Georgia |
| | |August 2021 – Florida |
| | |April 2022 (late April Mini LG?) |
| | |NACAA Meeting – Ed Jones |
| | | |
| | |Note: NACAA AM/PIC for 2020 is scheduled for third week of July in Virginia Beach. The board is discussing options that include a|
| | |virtual meeting, a meeting later this fall, or cancellation. |
|1:45 – 2:00 PM |5 |Peer Review of Extension Educational materials – Gary Lemme and Tom Dobbins |
| | | |
| | |Discussion occurred at the AHS meeting on peer review processes for Extension materials. Clemson and ACES both have implemented |
| | |renewed peer review protocols recently. The discussion was around should there be a regional peer review process and label for |
| | |Extension products or should each institution handle it separately. The group asked that this topic be brought to ASRED. |
| | | |
| | |Note: The general consensus among the Directors is that states will continue with their respective peer-review protocols. Of |
| | |course, faculty are encouraged to serve as reviewers and collaborated as authors across state lines. Damona was asked to work |
| | |with the Program and Staff Development Committee to lead development of a broad set of principles for Extension peer-review |
| | |within the southern region. |
|2:00 – 2:15 PM |6 |Faculty and Staff Evaluation/Reporting System – Ed Jones |
| | | |
| | |Note: Discussed various options states are using to evaluate faculty and staff. |
|2:15 – 2:20 PM |Quick Nature Break (if needed) |
|2:20 – 2:40 PM |7 |Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) – Nick Place, Cooperative Extension Liaison to EDEN |
| | | |
| | |What is EDEN? How is it organized? How does it function? How does a state have representatives? How involved are the states in |
| | |our region? Overview and Feedback |
| | | |
| | |Note: Nick serves as ECOP liaison to EDEN and provided an overview of how EDEN works. EDEN () |
| | |operates competitively with funds from the USDA Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative (FADI). In 2018, the project moved to |
| | |Purdue University. EDEN provides a regular newsletter and has delegates and points of contact from each member institution. |
| | |Directors may contact Abby Lillpop at alillpop@purdue.edu for information about their membership and status of delegates and |
| | |points of contact, as well as other information. |
|2:40 – 2:55 PM |8 |Measure Impacts from Online Extension Programming – All |
| | | |
| | |Under current conditions online programming by Extension has increased significantly and there are reports of astounding outputs,|
| | |but how do we measure impact? |
| | | |
| | |Note: For further discussion, ACES will produce a short video on concepts being utilized. It will be shared with ASRED members on|
| | |concepts being explored. Later, Paul Brown shared the following about using the registration features of Zoom to capture program |
| | |participant data. A link to a recording of “Zoom Training for Public Extension Programs” |
| | |is: . The recording also |
| | |covers how ACES dovetails the registration features with the ACES plan-of-work, scheduling, and reporting system. The ACES |
| | |Extension IT team prepared the recording for wide distribution. It has been captioned (click the CC button in the lower right |
| | |corner.) Anyone with the link can view the recording. |
|2:55 – 3:00 PM |9 |Pending Items |
| | | |
| | |DEI Administrative Retreat Invitation |
| | |ECOP Strategic Vision |
| | |4-H Council Update – Andy Ferrin |
| | |Resource Allocation Best Practices: StratOp Process – Sadie Brown and Laura Johnson |
| | |Farm Journal/Trust in Food initiative – Jeff Young, UK |
| | |Community Assessment: Guide to Extension Programming – Laura Stephenson (Overview process used, show summary of results; more |
| | |in-depth discussion of using the assessment data and its impact on organizational structure, staffing and programs) |
| | |Principles and Techniques for Allocating SL Funds vis-à-vis state funds, audits, reporting, etc. |
| | |How can Extension measure up in a research university setting with priority metrics of research dollars, student credit hours, |
| | |journal citations, etc? |
| | | |
| | |Note: The pending items will be carried over to August meeting. |
|3:00 PM | |Adjourn |
| | | |
| | |Note: Laura Johnson made the motion to adjourn meeting. Tom declared the meeting adjourned. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |State Updates: |
| | | |
| | |University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Update for |
| | |ASRED/AEA/AES Joint Meeting |
| | |April 14, 2020 |
| | |UK Cooperative Extension Homepage |
| | | |
| | |Significant Activities |
| | | |
| | |Administrative Reorganization |
| | | |
| | |A three broad-based transition teams were tasked with advising the Extension Director in an administrative reorganization of UK |
| | |Extension. A plan was vetted over the course of four months with state specialists, county staff, legislators and stakeholders |
| | |via website, feedback forms, face to face meetings and video updates. The link to the transition site is |
| | | . The new model reorganizes the administrative structure to transition from 7 |
| | |district director positions to three regional directors who oversee a total of 28 Area Directors who will supervise 3 to 5 |
| | |counties each. The plan was to phase hiring through December 2020. |
| | | |
| | |Community Assessments |
| | | |
| | |In 2019, Kentucky Extension collected a comprehensive series of county issues surveys, focus group data and feedback from locally|
| | |elected officials. Over 38,000 surveys were analyzed in addition to data from dozens of secondary sources. This information has |
| | |been transformed into individualized county reports and disseminated to counties. County reports contain information regarding |
| | |which issues the public sees as most pressing, in addition to future projections and impacts. All information is being used to |
| | |aid Extension agents in creating and maintaining Plans of Work. Program leaders have identified three overarching |
| | |interdisciplinary issues to focus on: |
| | |substance use and mental health |
| | |community pride, engagement and leadership |
| | |workforce development |
| | |The county and state community assessments can be found at . |
| | | |
| | |Staffing Changes |
| | | |
| | |Regional Directors hired |
| | | |
| | |Three regional directors were hired as the first phase of the new administrative structure. The each had served as District |
| | |Directors in the system previously. Anna Porter, Natasha Lucas and Daniel Wilson began their duties as of February 2020. They are|
| | |leading the hiring process for the Area Extension Directors over 2020 and organizing the Regional offices across the state. |
| | | |
| | |Program Highlights |
| | | |
| | |4-H Youth Development |
| | |Youth must have their basic needs met first in order to absorb and apply life skills. When homeless youth are given the same |
| | |opportunities and support as other youth, research shows that they are successful at applying chosen life skills, such as |
| | |acquiring employment, communication skills, completing a GED or high school diploma, and more. The purpose of the Project YES |
| | |program was to provide life skills programs for homeless and unstably housed youth in Jefferson County (Louisville), Kentucky. |
| | |The primary goal was for target youth to increase the number of critical life skills they possess to become more self-sufficient |
| | |(e.g., workforce prep, communication & conflict resolution). Findings for the long-term outcomes delineated on this grant are as |
| | |follows: Participants reported on the post-test that the program taught them many different relational and workforce soft skills |
| | |in the program. Staff at the youth center observed 100% of participants were able to put in practice at least one skill they |
| | |learned during the program. More than 22 youth gained employment directly through the support of program staff or resources. |
| | |Approximately 88% have been able to maintain employment or school attendance for at least 6 months. During the reporting year, |
| | |11 homeless participants gained access to stable housing with the assistance of site staff. Two youth accepted referrals to a GED|
| | |program, and one obtained their GED. Eleven participants from the YDC site attended higher education classes. At the end of the |
| | |reporting period, 35 young adults still active at the YDC site were working or attending school. Due to programming and outreach |
| | |efforts, over 240 individuals, organizations, and businesses have gained knowledge on how to support youth in crisis, have |
| | |assisted teaching life skills, or provided resource information. |
| | | Family & Consumer Sciences |
| | |Diabetes costs Kentuckians 3.85 billion annually. According to 2016 Kentucky data, more than 13.1% of Kentucky adults have been |
| | |diagnosed with diabetes – an increase of 50% since 2000. Due to limited resources available in the county, community members and |
| | |local healthcare providers frequently look to the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service for information for individuals managing|
| | |diet-related chronic diseases. Taking Ownership of Your Diabetes was implemented to Kentuckians manage their own or that of a |
| | |loved one’s diabetes through nutrition education. This series was hosted, and outcomes were reported by the Family and Consumer |
| | |Sciences Agent in 21 counties across the Commonwealth. As a result of the program, 300 participants reported they utilized a |
| | |diabetes-specific meal plan to manage carbohydrate intake and increase fruit and vegetable consumption. As a result of the |
| | |program, 398 people shared they checked their blood sugar at least 1 time per day and 464 had their A1C (long-term measures of |
| | |blood sugar) checked in the past year, respectively. Because of the program, 212 individuals took part at least 150 minutes of |
| | |physical activity each week and 258 individuals implemented at least 3 healthy eating practices to help address their weight |
| | |(e.g. portion control). |
| | |Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| | |One of the five goals of the Campbell County Farmland Workgroup is to "Develop Agriculture Leaders." The lack of agriculture |
| | |leaders is a major concern by most farm organizations such as the KY Cattlemen's Association, KY Farm Bureau and even the UK |
| | |Cooperative Extension Service. In order to address this issue, Agriculture and Natural Resource Agents from Boone, Kenton, |
| | |Campbell and Pendleton Counties developed and hosted the Northern KY Agriculture Leadership program. One of the foci of this |
| | |program was to recruit younger farmers who would benefit from an agriculture leadership program and become agriculture leaders in|
| | |their county and our NKY area. Extension Agents designed and implemented an eight-session program that addressed such topics as: |
| | |effective leadership, diversity, communication skills, agribusinesses, working with local state and federal legislators, and |
| | |policy organizations. Participants were asked to develop a project as part of this leadership program. They chose to use social |
| | |media and focus their efforts in raising the awareness of agriculture in Northern KY. The young leaders developed a website |
| | |called Where You Live NKY. This group of young leaders is using this website to post information about local markets, individual |
| | |farmers and local farming issues. |
| | | |
| | |Oklahoma State Report |
| | |ASRED Meeting – Spring 2020 |
| | |Personnel |
| | | |
| | |New Extension personnel since fall report include: |
| | | |
| | |State 4‐H Program Leader and Assistant Dean, Steve Beck (recently at NMSU) |
| | |District Directors: Cindy Conner, West District; Nancy Johnson, Northeast District |
| | |Faculty positions: |
| | |Courtney Bir, Agricultural Economics, 75%, Farm management |
| | |Bizen Hu, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, 25% Urban and small farms |
| | |Parker Henley, Animal Science, 25% Extension |
| | |Kevin Allen, former 4‐H Program Leader, Natural Resource Ecology Management, 75% Extension |
| | |Sumit Sharma, Irrigation/Water Management Assistant Extension Specialist (supported by Reinvesting in DASNR funds from state |
| | |legislature through Oklahoma Department of Ag, Food and Forestry), non‐tenure track in Plant and Soil Sciences |
| | |Extension Youth Safety Specialist, co‐ funded by Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Jim Rhodes |
| | |Multi‐County Health Disparities positions (supported by Reinvesting in DASNR funds from state legislature through Oklahoma |
| | |Department of Ag, Food and Forestry) |
| | |Megan Montieth, Multi‐county Health Disparities, SW Ok |
| | |Kelsey Ratcliff, SE OK |
| | |Department Heads (both those named happen to have been internal candidates who previously had appointments that included |
| | |Extension): |
| | |Dr. Cheryl DeVuyst, Agricultural Economics |
| | |Dr. Justin Moss, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture |
| | |The search for a Department Head for Biosystems and Ag Engineering is in process. |
| | |We are advertising to refill an Evaluation Specialist position but searches are on hold. |
| | |Family and Consumer Science Program leader, Jorge Atiles, will become WVU Dean of Extension and Engagement and director of the |
| | |WVU Extension Service June 29. Gina Peek will become Interim FCS Program Leader in June. |
| | |Current issues |
| | | |
| | |All COVID, all the time. One of our county employees was OSU’s first case. All offices are closed to public. |
| | |The number of telecommuting employees increases daily. Vulnerable employees should telecommute which includes anyone 65 or older.|
| | |Employees should be working while telecommuting (with some admin leave exceptions). |
| | |We were hoping for a level budget year. Then oil prices tanked. Now COVID. We’ve recently been notified to expect a mid-year call|
| | |back of funds. |
| | |Soils lab is still open at present. |
| | |BC Updates (Before COVID) |
| | | |
| | |We have a new website, extension.okstate.edu, and are continuing to build out pages. |
| | |OSU has adopted a new logo and is focused on a unified brand. Future marketing efforts related to OCES will feature OSU Extension|
| | |(which is how we have been most commonly identified historically). |
| | |We are now in the “public phase” of a building campaign for a new Ag Hall on campus. The College of Agricultural Sciences and |
| | |Natural Resources is now the Ferguson College of Agriculture. |
| | |We still have personnel in all 77 counties though an increasing number have one educator and an admin assistant. |
| | |We have a grand new McKnight Center for the Performing Arts. The New York Philharmonic was the opening act. |
| | |Some program notes |
| | | |
| | |Agriculture |
| | |Rotational Grazing Demonstration. In early 2018, grazing demonstrations were established at two OSU Research Stations. The goal |
| | |was to improve production efficiency of research cowherds by managing winter feeding costs. The herd at these locations has |
| | |remained static in below average body condition, which in turn led to depressed conception rates. Cow costs were much higher than|
| | |desired, with feed costs making up a large portion of expenditures. In addition, low calf weaning weights further reduced |
| | |revenue. A plan was implemented to make systematic improvements in forage management, and in turn improve cow productivity and |
| | |economic efficiency. This plan included a rotational grazing strategy at a moderately high stocking rate with minimal purchased|
| | |feed. Winter hay feeding was reduced by 51 and 91 days at the two locations. Cow body condition scores and conception rates were |
| | |improved at both locations. Data from 2018‐19, showed a savings of $15,240 over 272 cows at Valliant and a $4,245 savings on 42 |
| | |cows at Perkins. The first field days at the sites averaged 40 producers, but the reach of this project has been significantly |
| | |greater. This information has been shared in some form at 40+ meetings reaching over 1600 producers. Ultimately, this project |
| | |will be used to develop a curriculum used by county educators to identify, recruit and train a cooperating producer in their |
| | |county. This producer will implement the forage strategies proven to work on the research stations and serve as a “local research|
| | |unit” for hosting Field Days within each county. |
| | | |
| | |Master Irrigator Program. Our irrigation extension program made significant steps forward in 2019. Particularly, the team was |
| | |successful in establishing their first Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) project. They also, established two on farm |
| | |demonstrations of an integrated irrigation scheduling model. One cooperating producer plans to expand his use of this |
| | |technology. The other was somewhat resistant to adopt the technology and requested trials for a second year with more validation.|
| | |The experience with these producers was the foundation for developing a Master Irrigators program. The team focused attention in |
| | |2019 on identifying an incentive structure for the program. This includes partnering with the NRCS to list the completion of the |
| | |Master irrigators program in their ranking system for cost share funds. They completed a draft curriculum of the Master |
| | |Irrigators program and recruited an advisory board that includes local irrigators. While they continue seeking support from |
| | |several agencies, they expect to launch the program in 2020. |
| | | |
| | |Small Acreage Programming. Several years ago, educators in the Tulsa county Extension office created a Green Acres program |
| | |targeting individuals who were moving to the country for the first time. This is a customizable, entry‐level program to suit the |
| | |needs of the audience. Topics include setting up a farmstead, managing animals, horticulture, water, waste management, and |
| | |unwanted pests. This program is currently being revitalized with new branding, Homestead Oklahoma. A team of local, area, and |
| | |state staff are using Microsoft Teams to share and edit presentations and handouts for this program. The Teams site will be the |
| | |place to find all resources on this topic. |
| | | |
| | |Standardized ANR Evaluation Template. Ag educators and specialists were introduced to a standardized evaluation template in |
| | |spring 2019. A survey of approximately 150 ANR educators and specialists in the summer found that 10 percent had already used the|
| | |template and 48 percent planned to use it. The standardized format allows individuals to customize the questions based on content|
| | |covered at an event. Attendees are asked to rate their knowledge on a topic before and after the meeting. Additionally, they are |
| | |asked to indicate whether they; already use, intend to use, do not intend to use a practice discussed, or (4) whether the |
| | |practice does not apply to them. This question also serves as a needs assessment. For example, a survey at a local cattle |
| | |conference indicated that 70 percent of the producers sprayed at least half their acreage while only four percent calibrated |
| | |sprayers. The evaluation template is gaining acceptance and we hope to aggregate data in future years. |
| | | |
| | |Disaster Preparedness. An interdisciplinary group of county, area, and state staff have formed a Disaster Preparedness team. They|
| | |created an OSU Extension Educator Advisory Board for Disaster Preparedness and Response to guide training and education design |
| | |for OSU Extension personnel with regards to disaster preparedness and response. They identified OSU Extension personnel to join |
| | |formal strike teams for disaster response with the intent to provide more intensive training for team leaders and team members on|
| | |resources and the Incident Command System structure. They have had the opportunity to test procedures recently due to a wildfire |
| | |in western Oklahoma and the coronavirus crisis. |
| | | |
| | |Family and Consumer Sciences |
| | | |
| | |The Co‐Parenting for Resilience program received national recognition through the National Extension Association of Family and |
| | |Consumer Sciences: First Place, Communications Curriculum Award; Second place, |
| | |Human Development/Family Relationships Award |
| | |An FCS educator shared the direct impact this program made on one Oklahoma family. “I had a dad in my co‐parenting class earlier |
| | |this week who told me his co‐parent took your class in another county. He said before she took the class she was being very rigid|
| | |about the custody situation for their four‐year old and was reluctant to let him spend time with her. After the co‐parenting |
| | |class, she was singing a different tune. She threw out the custody arrangement she originally suggested and decided to give him |
| | |more time and doesn’t even want any child support. After my class, the dad said he thought the two of them would have been able |
| | |to work things out if they had taken the class together a few months back (before she filed for divorce.)” |
| | |The Reality Check program was conducted with 185 high school students during the Unidos Se Puede summer program. Participants now|
| | |have a better understanding of the process of budgeting and how important school/job/career decisions are now and for the future.|
| | |Students remarked, “I learned that having a budget and saving money are both very important. I was surprised at how much money it|
| | |takes to live and how expensive kids are. I was shocked at how much is taken out of your check for taxes.” Evaluation for this |
| | |activity held in July of 2019 showed an increase in understanding in eight out of ten personal finance outcomes. |
| | |The CNEP program expanded its reach to Payne and Greer counties, bringing the total number of counties across the state to 30 of |
| | |77 counties. |
| | |The High Obesity Project, through the leadership of Dr. Janice Hermann, is creating partnerships with Cooperative Extension |
| | |Service, T‐SET, Eastern Oklahoma Food Bank, Cherokee Nation and others. |
| | |An FCS educator reported a participant in the Live well, Eat well, be Active with Diabetes program (LEAD) shared that five months|
| | |after completing the program she has lost 13 pounds and her A1C was down 1.3 points. She attributed her improved health to the |
| | |class and wants to take it again. |
| | |A Farm to You evaluation for 3rd and 4th graders was created, piloted, and implemented. This will enable the program, which |
| | |reaches an average of 12,500 youth each year, to measure its impact. |
| | |Finalized partnerships for Master Caregiver Volunteer Program, developed first three curriculum modules, and began foundational |
| | |work for collecting program and participant data. |
| | |An FCS educator reported, “While teaching a series of exercise classes using the Arthritis Foundation Land Exercise curriculum, |
| | |one participant reported that when she first started the exercise program, she could hardly turn her head to look over her |
| | |shoulder while driving. She went on to say that now she can turn her head and doesn’t have to turn her whole body to see what is |
| | |behind her. I agreed with her when she said that the program has made her a safer driver.” |
| | | |
| | |4‐H and Youth Development |
| | | |
| | |2018 – 2019 4‐H Enrollment numbers indicated that 111,616 youth received a variety of educational programs including STEM, Civic |
| | |Engagement and Healthy Living. |
| | |The Innovative Youth Leadership Summit trained youth to teach Ag Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and computer |
| | |science projects, training 54 teen leaders who led 97 workshops that reached 5,505 learners. |
| | |Oklahoma 4‐H reports 25 service projects, with 2,279 youth and adult participants in activities ranging from |
| | |Serving as “guest chefs” at the Ronald McDonald House in Oklahoma City to providing backpacks to youth needing them. |
| | |4‐H Healthy Living Ambassadors have put together a program to offer families in the wake of COVID‐19. |
| | |Programs will include mental health, healthy snacking, physical fitness and other self‐care ideas. |
| | |In summer 2019, five OSU student were trained to teach 4‐H STEM lessons. They took workshops to youth in 40 counties, reaching |
| | |2,733 youth in less than 4 months and used eight curriculum kits featuring water and wind power, coding, medical technology, |
| | |biotechnology, structural engineering and photography. |
| | |Oklahoma 4‐H recently received the Altria Health Rocks grant through National 4‐H Council. A team of 4 will be trained on the |
| | |national level and then provide trainings around the state. Health Rocks! is a decision‐ making program to help young people |
| | |learn skills such as critical thinking, how to manage stress, how to handle peer pressure, and how to communicate effectively. |
| | |Special emphasis is given to avoiding the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs that are likely to cause harm or addiction. |
| | |$100,000 gift from Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma to establish permanent endowment to support Oklahoma 4‐H Roundup and |
| | |STEM. |
| | |$10,000 (Total – existing $5,000 increased to $10,000) pledge from Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma to upgrade prestigious |
| | |Oklahoma 4‐H Hall of Fame Scholarships from long‐time $2,500@ to now $5,000@ |
| | |$2,500 pledge from American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) sponsorship for Oklahoma 4‐H Foundation 2019 Banquet. Replaces Devon |
| | |Energy’s discontinued sponsorship due to challenging oil and gas industry. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |Clemson Cooperative Extension |
| | |ASRED Report April 2020 |
| | | |
| | |Clemson University Cooperative Extension received $ 1.2 million in new dollars to support county programs and operations, as well|
| | |as to start a new statewide program in Agriculture Water Resources. We received funding to hire five (new) Agriculture Water |
| | |Resource Agents to assist farmers and educate the general public on Agriculture Water use. |
| | | |
| | |Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service Strategic Planning Committee reported in May 2019 that Extension had reached 98%|
| | |of the 2015-2020 strategic plan. The committee began work on the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan and completed it in September 2019 for |
| | |2020-2025. As a recommendation of the Strategic Planning Committee, we underwent three evaluations - external and two internal, |
| | |as requested by our strategic plan committee. The Extension System had an external review conducted by Auburn Extension System, |
| | |two internal by Human Resources and one self- evaluation. These reports were compiled by Clemson University Human Resource |
| | |Division in conjunction with the Director’s office. As a result of these findings, Clemson Cooperative Extension went through a |
| | |minor reorganization in administration during the month of January. These changes went into effect on January 15, 2020. |
| | | |
| | |Program Highlights |
| | | |
| | |Land-Grant Press by Clemson Extension provides science-based, peer-reviewed publications written by Extension personnel and |
| | |university scientists for professional and academic audiences, as well as owners and managers of livestock, horses, and land. |
| | | |
| | |Land-Grant Press by Clemson Extension ‘By the Numbers’ as of April 1, 2020: |
| | | |
| | |40 publications have been published and posted on the new Land-Grant Press website (lgpress.clemson.edu) since July 31, 2019. |
| | | |
| | |There are almost two dozen submittals that are currently in different phases of the structured review process. |
| | | |
| | |Over 90 publications - that were written for audiences that Land-Grant Press now serves - were removed from Extension website in |
| | |July of 2019 to be revised and put through Land- Grant Press structured review process. |
| | | |
| | |Over half of currently posted Land-Grant Press publications are revisions from old versions taken down last July. |
| | | |
| | |Over 9,000 unique visitors to Land-Grant Press website since July 2019 launch. |
| | | |
| | |Most popular publication – Homemade Hydraulic Ram Pump – over 5,900 unique visitors over past seven months. |
| | | |
| | |Over forty-five authors have authored or co-authored posted publications. |
| | | |
| | |Almost a dozen ‘external’ authors who have authored or co-authored with Clemson authors. |
| | | |
| | |Over eighty reviewers who have participated. One third of those are ‘external’. |
| | | |
| | |Out of the nine Extension Program Teams, seven are currently contributing publications, plus one unit from the state agency, |
| | |Clemson University Public Service and Agriculture (PSA). |
| | | |
| | |Land-Grant Press publications are being indexed on Google Scholar. |
| | | |
| | |Publications that are appropriate for DOIs (digital object identifiers) are now being assigned those by Clemson University Press.|
| | | |
| | |Publications that are related to Clemson University Experiment Station Research and Education Centers projects and programs, are |
| | |now being assigned internal TCNs (transaction control numbers) for Hatch Project reporting. |
| | | |
| | |Livestock and Forages |
| | | |
| | |The average beef cattle operation in South Carolina maintains a herd size of approximately 30 beef cows. With smaller herd sizes,|
| | |South Carolina producers can often be limited to local marketing options. Cattle coming from the southeast are going to be |
| | |transported (more than likely west/north) in large truck/trailers in what we refer to as load lots (50,000 pounds) of cattle. |
| | |While local marketing options are sufficient, lack of calf history and co-mingled groups lead to decreased assessed value. Larger|
| | |operations have increased marketing options by grouping calves in load- lots, and marketing like cattle with similar health |
| | |history to buyers. |
| | | |
| | |Clemson Extension works with local producers to group calves of similar weight, health history, and genetic background for |
| | |load-lots. Livestock agents across South Carolina work with producers within each region to facilitate the improved marketing of |
| | |these cattle. The impact of this program is truly a work of multiple years of education and outreach on behalf of Clemson |
| | |Extension by each local agent and specialist. The increased value below is representative of the basic management practices |
| | |taught and demonstrated through multiple workshops, farm visits, and phone calls. Workshops and seminars include, Market |
| | |Volatility workshops (3), Master Beef Producer (2), and local presentations (on avg. 10/agent), all to address management to |
| | |increase profit. The team has facilitated improved marketing of over 4,000 head of beef calves in the past 6 months. The average |
| | |increased revenue was $250/head or $1,000,000 total. Increasing farm revenue leads to a decrease in anxiety, improved mental |
| | |health, less mood disorders, and increased family stability. Increasing farm revenue also has a trickle-down effect in the |
| | |community, with increased wages for farm workers, increased spending in the community, and increased financial stability. |
| | | |
| | |4-H Youth Development |
| | | |
| | |SC 4-H Leadership |
| | |4-H Day at the State Fair |
| | | |
| | |October 12, 2019- South Carolina 4-H members from across the state rallied together at the South Carolina State Fair to show |
| | |their support of the 4-H program and fellow members competing in contests held at the fair. Youth gather around the flag pole to |
| | |raise the flags and celebrate everything that 4-H has to offer. |
| | | |
| | |SC 4-H Junior Weekend |
| | | |
| | |February 7-9, 2020 - The 2020 SC 4-H Junior Weekend was held at Camp Long in Aiken, SC. 119 youth and adults attended this year's|
| | |fun-filled week. Youth gained skills in healthy lifestyles, livestock, science, public speaking, and leadership. |
| | | |
| | |SC 4-H Senior Weekend |
| | | |
| | |March 6-8, 2020- The 2020 SC 4-H Senior Weekend was held at Camp Bob Cooper in Summerton, SC. 87 youth and adults attended this |
| | |year's event. Youth gained knowledge and skills in science, dancing, public speaking, creating a 4-H portfolio and archery. |
| | | |
| | |SC 4-H Legislative Day |
| | | |
| | |March 10th was our 2020 4-H Legislative Day. 339 4-Hers, volunteers and supporters converged on the State Capital to share with |
| | |legislators the importance of 4-H and to thank them for their continued support. |
| | | |
| | |National 4-H Congress |
| | | |
| | |South Carolina was represented by 10 youth and 2 chaperones. One of the youth, Jordan Snipes served on the Youth Leadership Team.|
| | | |
| | |4-H Pinckney Leadership Program |
| | | |
| | |4-H Leadership Round-up |
| | | |
| | |In an effort to create a year-round program the 4-H Pinckney Leadership team hosted its first Leadership Round-up bringing both |
| | |students and adults from all over the state of South Carolina. With over 150 people in attendance the event provided youth and |
| | |parents with tools necessary for creating next generation leaders. The 2019 4-H Pinckney Leadership scholarship recipients were |
| | |also awarded during the event. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |4-H Healthy Lifestyles: |
| | | |
| | |4-H Healthy Lifestyles Competition |
| | | |
| | |Two Cloverleaf Teams, five Junior Teams, and two Senior Teams competed in the State 4-H Healthy Lifestyles Competition held at |
| | |the State Fair. The 4-H Healthy Lifestyles Challenge, modeled after competitions such as the Food Network’s “Iron Chef,” |
| | |challenges teams of 4-H members to create an assigned dish. Team members must prepare the dish, present the dish, plan a menu |
| | |utilizing the dish and prepare a fitness plan. The presentation will include information about the serving size, nutritional |
| | |value, how to utilize the dish in a meal and the cost of the dish. The 4-H Healthy Lifestyles Challenge allows 4-H members to |
| | |demonstrate their culinary and food safety skills to judges and observers. |
| | | |
| | |4-H Healthy Lifestyles Summit |
| | | |
| | |Nine Teams of four youth and one coach attended the 4-H Healthy Lifestyles Summit which trains youth to implement Cooking Like a |
| | |Chef camps in their local counties during the summer. Clemson students under the direction of Dr. Marge Condrasky helped to |
| | |select the recipes and identify the skills needed to teach youth. Nine college students also attended the summit to serve as |
| | |group leaders along with local chefs to teach the youth the skills they need to be successful. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |4-H Science: |
| | | |
| | |4-H National Youth Science Day (NYSD) Trainings |
| | | |
| | |A NYSD Educator Training was held at Midlands Technical College – Fairfield Campus on September 24, 2019. Jennifer Stevens hosted|
| | |the event and presenters included Ashley Burns, Dawn Stuckey, Terri Sumpter, and Abigail Phillips. The training was streamed live|
| | |online and recorded/posted online. There were 10 participants. In addition to the in-state event, an NYSD Educators Training |
| | |workshop was presented at the National 4-H Volunteers Conference at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Georgia utilizing the SC-developed |
| | |materials. Facilitators for 20 workshop participants included Ashley Burns and Deborah Jamison (UPIC Intern). Resources were |
| | |provided to participants as well as 2019 NYSD kits, Game Changers. Across the two trainings, 100% of survey respondents (n = 18) |
| | |agreed or strongly agreed the trainings were well organized, informative, and a valuable use of their time, they will use NYSD |
| | |activities in their 4-H programs on a regular basis, and they gained valuable resources to help them in their work with youth. In|
| | |addition, 94% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed they will recruit youth to participate in an NYSD event and have a |
| | |stronger appreciation of the importance of CS experiences in youth development. A state-wide NYSD registration site was developed|
| | |and shared to capture participation in NYSD across South Carolina. According to the registrations, there were nine events |
| | |reaching 389 youth and utilizing 22 adult volunteers, which did not include the 4-H Exhibit at the SC State Fair which utilized |
| | |two of the three NYSD activities this year and reached 4,500 youth. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |National 4-H Council: CS Accelerator proposal |
| | | |
| | |South Carolina 4-H is very interested in the Growing a Computer Science (CS) Pathway for America’s Youth: Accelerator Award. We |
| | |are primed for the next step in CS programming and intentional development of computational thinking skills. Overall |
| | |participation in the Science, Engineering, and Technology 4-H activities continues to grow, from 103,428 youth in 2016/17 to |
| | |109,037 youth in 2017/18 according to our most recent ES-237 reports. Specifically, Technology and Engineering participation has |
| | |grown from 17,715 to 22,442 youth over the same period (approximately 27% increase). At the South Carolina State Fair each year, |
| | |National Youth Science Day (NYSD) serves as a focal point of our exhibit. We engage approximately 4,500 youth at our 4-H exhibit |
| | |at state fair annually. Currently, we have a 4-H Science committee comprised of agents and a specialist that represent all four |
| | |4-H regions in South Carolina. This committee coordinates educator trainings (for 4-H staff, volunteers, teens, and teachers), |
| | |science programming for 4-H Club Camp, and the annual South Carolina 4-H Engineering Challenge. Our 2019 Engineering Challenge |
| | |offered a new coding competition as a direct result of South Carolina's inclusion in the 2017 Google grant and the 2018 NYSD Code|
| | |your World activity. We also conducted educator and agent trainings to highlight several new curricula and devices in 2018 and |
| | |2019. With additional funding support, we would be able to enhance and expand our reach of intentional CS programming for new and|
| | |existing audiences. Our goal is to develop a cohesive structure for our South Carolina CS Pathway, empower local 4-H staff with |
| | |resources and materials to be successful in CS programming, leverage local resources and partnerships, and implement a CS |
| | |Educator training for staff, volunteers, and teen leaders to effectively implement the CS Pathway across the state. With the |
| | |$20,000 received for the program from National 4-H through their corporate sponsor Google, we will be able to develop and |
| | |implement CS programming to accelerate the computational thinking skills for youth of South Carolina. |
| | | |
| | |4-H Natural Resources: |
| | | |
| | |4-H Honey Bee Project 2020 |
| | | |
| | |The 2020 South Carolina 4-H Honey Project enrolled 41 participants across 15 counties. New strategies to increase engagement |
| | |included review of record book and materials by the new state Extension apiculture specialist, an informational webinar conducted|
| | |by the project coordinator and apiculture specialist, the addition of a social media toolkit with images and messaging guide for |
| | |Extension personnel to use, and the addition of a group component where groups of five or more youth can participate together as |
| | |a team to manage one colony and turn in one record book. A 4-H Honey Bee Project Kickoff was scheduled to be hosted at the |
| | |Charleston Community Bee Gardens on Saturday, March 28 from 10 AM to 2 PM, but was cancelled due to COVID-19. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |4-H Wildlife Food Plot Project |
| | | |
| | |The 2019-2020 South Carolina 4-H Wildlife Food Plot Project enrolled 70 participants across 23 counties in August 2019. New for |
| | |this year, a group component was added where groups of 5 or more youth (aligned with 4-H Club membership standards) could |
| | |participate together. Also, an online record book platform provided by ZingBooks through Zsuite was piloted for a statewide |
| | |project. Youth received memberships to Rack Pack provided by QDMA, seed to plant 1/8-acre food plot provided by Wannamaker |
| | |Wildlife, 10 e-newsletters, access and instructions for using the online record book, awards, and evaluations (one for |
| | |participants related to the project and one for anyone associated with the online record book to provide feedback). Photographs |
| | |were solicited from youth through the newsletter. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |Forestry Clinic |
| | | |
| | |Nineteen youth from across South Carolina attended our SC 4-H Forestry Clinic held February 21- 23rd at John De La Howe School in|
| | |McCormick. During this clinic, the youth learned hands-on forestry skills from Clemson Extension Forestry Agents. Skills learned |
| | |included tree measurement, compass and pacing, tree and forest health identification, and topographic map reading. Our top |
| | |scorers for the weekend were Tree Measurement- Connor Dickson, Greenville County 4-H; Compass and Pacing- Harley Cochran, Saluda |
| | |County 4-H; Exam, Tree ID, Forest Health, and Topo Combined- Ivan Lopez-Perez, Saluda County 4-H; High Overall- Josh Eubanks, |
| | |York County 4-H. We also selected our 2020 SC 4-H Forestry Team that will compete at the National 4-H Forestry Invitational being|
| | |held this summer in West Virginia. The team members selected were Josh Eubanks, Nathan Clark, Forrest Rozelle, and Samantha |
| | |Mullinax. They are all members of York County 4-H. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |WHEP Educators Training |
| | | |
| | |The Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) is a national program that is engages youth through a friendly wildlife competition|
| | |and exposes them to potential careers in the wildlife and fisheries field. In an effort to recruit more youth to natural |
| | |resources programs in South Carolina, Clemson University, Clemson Extension and South Carolina 4-H, implemented intentional |
| | |programming to develop and expand WHEP. A one-day, hands-on workshop was held at John de la Howe School for Agriculture in |
| | |McCormick, South Carolina, on November 8, 2019. It was conducted by the SC WHEP Committee, which consisted of 4-H & Natural |
| | |Resources Agents, 4-H Specialists, Wildlife Specialists, and other professionals from the field. The morning portion featured |
| | |presentations on an overview of the WHEP program and an in-depth look at the individual activities within WHEP. The afternoon |
| | |portion, the participants were exposed to mock contests modeled after the actual competition, and a question and answer portion. |
| | |The WHEP Adult Educators Training had twenty-one 4-H Agents, 4-H Volunteers, non-formal educators, and formal educators in |
| | |attendance from 18 different counties. All of the educators that attended the training (n = 21) agreed or strongly agreed that |
| | |the training increased their skills in wildlife areas of interest to them, provided them information/resources to successfully |
| | |lead a WHEP team, and gave them hands-on experience that will help them with future WHEP activities. In addition, 90% agreed or |
| | |strongly agreed that the WHEP training made them more passionate about youth wildlife programs. There was also a project reach of|
| | |over 668 potentially reached as a result of attending the training. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |SC 4-H Horse Program: |
| | | |
| | |All American Quarter Horse Congress |
| | | |
| | |Five South Carolina 4-H’ers and their coaches traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to compete in the 2019 All American Quarter Horse |
| | |Congress. Aliza Allison (Lexington), Hartley Grant (Anderson), Marie Elizabeth Grant (Anderson), Rebekah Floyd (Greenwood) and |
| | |Langley Vernon (Anderson) competed in educational contests at the 2019 All American Quarter Horse Congress, which attracts more |
| | |than 650,000 people to the Columbus, Ohio. The team of Allison, Hartley Grant, Marie Elizabeth Grant, Floyd and Vernon took |
| | |first place on Oct. 15 in the Horse Bowl Contest, a quiz bowl contest where participants are asked questions about horses and |
| | |horse-related topics. Allison, Hartley Grant, Marie Elizabeth Grant and Vernon continued to shine the following day in the |
| | |Hippology Contest, again garnering the championship. Hippology is the study of horses and the contest tests participants’ |
| | |knowledge of horse and horse-related items from any aspect of the horse industry. |
| | | |
| | |SC 4-H Horse Institute |
| | | |
| | |November 2019-February 2020- Thirty-five youth registered and participated in the first-ever South Carolina 4-H Horse Project |
| | |Educational Course, called Horse Institute. This online course designed to enhance the understanding of horses and horse-related |
| | |items from any aspect of the horse industry. Students will develop a deeper understanding of breeds of horse, the history of the |
| | |horse, tack, body systems, equine management and much more. |
| | | |
| | |SC 4-H Horse Project Kick-Off |
| | | |
| | |January 4, 2020- The first annual South Carolina 4-H Horse Project Kick-Off was held in Lexington, SC this past January. During |
| | |this event, over 50 youth, volunteers, and parents gain knowledge on 4- H record books, 4-H presentations, fecal sampling, horse |
| | |judging, 4-H horse contests, scholarship preparation, equine reproduction, equine welfare, equine genetics and much more. |
| | | |
| | |SC 4-H Horse Project Creative Contest |
| | | |
| | |February 15, 2020- The 2020 SC 4-H Horse Project Creative Contest was held on February 15, 2020, at T. Ed Garrison Arena. This |
| | |contest was held in conjunction with the South Carolina Horseman's Council's annual Horse Expo. Horse lovers from all across the |
| | |state (including 4-H members and volunteers) came to learn from world-renown horse professionals. 4-H members were given free |
| | |entry to the expo by simply wearing their favorite 4-H t-shirt. At the 4-H booth, youth learned about 4-H and the horse project, |
| | |colored, learning fecal sampling and viewed over 40 SC 4-H Horse Project Creative Contest art entries. Youth also enjoyed fun |
| | |horse-related games and activities held between speakers in the main arena. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |Livestock: |
| | |Knowledge College |
| | |Knowledge College was held in January with almost 200 youth participating. Topics included; Livestock & Dairy Judging, Beef |
| | |Cattle, Rabbit, Swine and Poultry Skillathon Information and Genetics and Nutrition CDE information. This event was made possible|
| | |with the support of SC Farm Bureau. |
| | | |
| | |Shooting Sports: |
| | |Leader Training and enrollment |
| | |Conducted 5 volunteer instructor trainings - certifying an additional 75 coaches Youth Enrollment increased by 20% in past 6 |
| | |months |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |Food Systems and Safety Team |
| | | |
| | |In South Carolina there are more than 19,000 retail food establishments permitted by the SC Department of Health and |
| | |Environmental Control (SC DHEC). Clemson Extension Food Systems and Safety agents provide the ServSafeÒ Manager certification |
| | |course and exam throughout the state of South Carolina on a monthly basis to ensure that retail food establishments meet the SC |
| | |DHEC requirements of having a certified food protection manager on staff, and to help reduce the number of foodborne illness |
| | |outbreaks in the state. In the past six months, 17 classes were held with a total of 138 registered participants and 69% of the |
| | |participants passed the certification exam. Over 75 South Carolina retail food establishments were represented and it was |
| | |estimated that these establishments serve roughly 4,170 patrons daily. The National Restaurant Association estimates that a |
| | |foodborne illness outbreak costs an establishment approximately $75,000. The economic impact of the trainings held by Clemson |
| | |Extension agents could be estimated at |
| | |$12,750,000 by preventing foodborne illness outbreaks at these establishments. |
| | | |
| | |It is estimated that there are more than 200 food manufacturing and distribution firms in South Carolina. To ensure that these |
| | |firms are following the Food Safety Modernization Act, as well as other state and federal regulations, the Clemson Extension Food|
| | |Systems and Safety team provides training to the food manufacturing industry. In the past six months the team has delivered two |
| | |Preventive Control for Animal Food courses, one Preventive Control for Human Food course, and one Seafood HACCP Course. The |
| | |Animal Food course had 14 participants, which represented 11 animal food producing establishments in South Carolina. The |
| | |Preventive Control for Human Food course had 19 participants, which represented 16 human food production establishments in South |
| | |Carolina. One seafood HACCP class was delivered, which had seven registered participants and represented four seafood firms in |
| | |South Carolina. |
| | | |
| | |Food2Market is a Clemson Cooperative Extension program that assists food entrepreneurs in meeting the state and federal food |
| | |safety regulations. Food2Market personnel work closely with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, South Carolina |
| | |Department of Health and Environmental Control and Clemson’s Livestock Poultry Health Department to deliver regulatory |
| | |information and requirements to food entrepreneurs producing foods for sale. The most common method of delivering this |
| | |information is through product testing. Product testing is required for shelf stable food products (i.e. canned pickles, BBQ |
| | |sauce, jams and jellies, unrefrigerated bottled beverages, etc.) and baked and dried foods that are to be sold without |
| | |refrigeration. Product testing is provided by recognized process authorities and testing results gives the entrepreneur and the |
| | |overseeing regulatory authority information on how to prepare the food product to ensure safety. The most common tests utilized |
| | |to provide this information are pH, water activity, gluten and nutrition facts. In the past six months, the Food2Market program |
| | |has conducted food product testing and/or nutrient analysis for 67 entrepreneurs and testing represents 190 individual food |
| | |products. Upon testing products, entrepreneurs are provided information on who will regulate their food product, and how to begin|
| | |producing their products for sale. Product testing related to these products provide the producer guidance on how to produce the |
| | |products safely and can ensure consumers of the products that the food is safe for consumption when testing is completed, and all|
| | |regulatory requirements are met. During this time period a Food Safety for Food Entrepreneurs course was also held. This course |
| | |is for food entrepreneurs who wish to learn more about producing safe foods for sale in the marketplace and the state and federal|
| | |requirements for their products. This course is a seven-week online course, which concludes with a one-day in- person meeting to |
| | |give course participants time to talk with Extension food safety experts, and state and federal regulators, learn about product|
| | |testing through hands-on activities and network with their fellow food entrepreneurs. The Fall 2019 course had 34 food |
| | |entrepreneurs attend. This course is held two times per year. |
| | | |
| | |Horticulture Team Accomplishments |
| | | |
| | |Agents are currently working remotely to adapt programming due to COVID19. Primary activities include converting current programs|
| | |to online delivery, developing new online programs, writing and revising fact sheets and publications, assisting producers in |
| | |responding to COVID19 challenges, including working with the Food Safety, Agribusiness Team and SC Department of Ag to develop |
| | |resources to help producers sell the produce as we enter harvest season for major crops like strawberries and other berries, |
| | |spring vegetables, etc. We are also working on developing new social media and online resources, including a new Clemson |
| | |Extension Horticulture Facebook page which has reached nearly 700 followers in less than a week. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |Commercial Fruit & Vegetable Production Programs |
| | | |
| | |Crop Production Meetings – Horticulture agents and specialists deliver training programs to commercial fruit, vegetable, and |
| | |specialty crop producers of any scale. Conventional and organic producers participate in training programs that include |
| | |horticulture production practices, integrated pest management, on-farm food safety, and other relevant topics. Examples below. |
| | |Since September 1, 41 programs were delivered regionally and statewide to over 1,500 participants. |
| | | |
| | |Apple Production (Upstate) |
| | | |
| | |Peach Production (Upstate & Ridge) |
| | | |
| | |Vegetable Production (Multiple) |
| | | |
| | |Strawberry Production (Multiple) |
| | | |
| | |Blueberry School (Pee Dee) |
| | | |
| | |Small Farm and Limited Resources (Multiple) |
| | | |
| | |GAP and FSMA trainings in cooperation with Food Safety team and SC Department of Ag |
| | | |
| | |Gullah Growers Cooperative Grant- $100,000- delivered 2 workshops with 47 in attendance, variety trials, shelf life study, small |
| | |tools demo, small tools calibration, IPM in brassica |
| | | |
| | |Heirs Property- Delivered two talks on “How to make money on farm” |
| | | |
| | |Coastal REC- annual Preplant Growers Meeting & Field Day |
| | | |
| | |Regional Work- organizing/ moderating regional meetings (SE Fruit and Vegetable Expo), SC/NC Fruit and Vegetable Conference, SC |
| | |Agribusiness Expo |
| | |Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) – Grower training, workshops and trainings associated with SC-SARE projects |
| | |including 2019 SC Soil Health Conference. |
| | | |
| | |Publications – There are currently 12 horticulture publications on Land-Grant Press that address food production and pest |
| | |management topics. |
| | | |
| | |Urban Horticulture Programs |
| | | |
| | |Our urban horticulture agents deliver educational programming to home gardeners, communities, and the commercial green industry |
| | |(landscape, nursery, and greenhouse and turf grass professionals). Since September 1, agents have delivered 973 urban |
| | |horticulture programs to 4,409 participants. Primary Programming Areas: |
| | | |
| | |Home Gardening/Home Landscaping Programs |
| | | |
| | |Pesticide Applicator Licensing Initial Trainings |
| | | |
| | |Pesticide Applicator Licensing Recertification Trainings |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |Home & Garden Information Center (HGIC) – hgic.clemson.edu |
| | | |
| | |There are currently 846 unique Extension Fact Sheets published on a variety of gardening, landscaping, pest management, and food |
| | |safety and preparation topics. Since September 1, 2019 thirteen new fact sheets have been published, while 52 were revised and 46|
| | |had their pesticide recommendations updated. In addition, 93 unique blogs were posted. The HGIC has had nearly 1.7M page views in|
| | |the same 6-month period and the Blog newsletter has 3,883 subscribers. The HGIC agents responded to 3,621 phone calls and |
| | |answered 1,902 emails. |
| | | |
| | |Making It Grow - A weekly television show that airs approximately 45 weeks per year and reaches an estimated 129,128 households |
| | |per week in partnership with SCETV. The basic premise of the show is to answer home gardening questions and feature relevant |
| | |agricultural research, local food producers, and local ag products. In addition, the show has a very large online following |
| | |through social media, including a YouTube channel, a podcast, and daily radio blurbs on SCETV radio. The viewership numbers above|
| | |don’t reflect people who view shows online or through social media. They are currently working on plans to conduct shows using |
| | |distance technology like Zoom to maintain “social distancing.” |
| | | |
| | |Master Gardener Volunteer Program - Master Gardener programs are active locally in 26 counties and training is also offered |
| | |online. Since September, we trained or are training 241 participants through the delivery of 6 in-person MG training classes and |
| | |2 online class sessions. In the last 6 months, SC Master Gardeners reported 27,240 volunteer hours and reached had over 160,000 |
| | |contacts. This volunteerism is valued at greater than $565,000 to Clemson Extension and the state of South Carolina. |
| | | |
| | |School Gardening for SC Educators – A comprehensive training program for educators interested in incorporating school vegetable |
| | |gardening into their classrooms. Educators engage in a 5-week online professional development course, followed by a hands-on |
| | |workshop. Licensed SC teacher receive 20 teacher renewal credits from SC Dept. of Education. Participants receive The Garden STEM|
| | |curriculum book and a regionally specific technical guide and planting calendar designed around the school year. The hands-on |
| | |workshop includes introduction to activities from 4-H, SC Farm to School, and SC Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom. After |
| | |successful completion, grant- funded participating schools receive a turn-key school garden kit which includes raised bed |
| | |materials, irrigation kit, bagged soil and compost, mulch and vegetable seeds. Items are delivered to the school by Extension |
| | |agents, Master Gardeners and other volunteers. |
| | | |
| | |Six sessions of the course are offered per year, and since October 1, 2019 the program has trained 248 educators. Since |
| | |inception, more than 1,200 educators, parents, and volunteers have received training. Currently there are 161 active school |
| | |gardens statewide. In the last 6 months 4 blog posts and a lesson plan “Bee Cause” have been published. |
| | | |
| | |Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) – This is a brand-new online certificate program currently being piloted with |
| | |approximately 30 landscape professionals. This self-paced course consists of nine (9) modules that provide approximately 36 hours|
| | |of instruction. It is designed for entry level landscape professionals (there is no certification requirement in SC currently). |
| | |Training topics include soils and plant biology, tree identification and care, turf management, shrubs, perennials and annuals, |
| | |spreader/sprayer calibration, low impact development, and integrated pest management (IPM). After completing each module and |
| | |passing each module quiz and the final exam with an 80% or higher, participant will be awarded a certificate as a Certified |
| | |Landscape Professional. To maintain certification, participants will be required to obtain 20 continuing education credit hours |
| | |over a 5-year period. The pilot will conclude this spring with a full-scale roll out this summer or fall. |
| | | |
| | |Agricultural Education |
| | | |
| | |Strong contingent from SC attended National FFA Convention |
| | | |
| | |Had a National winner at the National FFA Convention in the AgriScience Fair. |
| | | |
| | |Held two FFA Camping Programs: |
| | | |
| | |Fisheries and Marine Camp – 86 in attendance |
| | | |
| | |Equine – 63 in attendance |
| | | |
| | |FFA Greenhand Camp – 133 in attendance |
| | | |
| | |Had member from SC Attend the National Convention of the National Association of Agricultural Educators in Anaheim, CA. |
| | |Three teachers from South Carolina received National Awards: |
| | | |
| | |Lee Pettigout – Outstanding Postsecondary Program |
| | | |
| | |Robert Bollier – Ideas Unlimited |
| | | |
| | |Ben Teal – Teacher Turn the Key |
| | | |
| | |Had members from SC attend the National Young Farmer Institute in Pennsylvania |
| | | |
| | |A member from SC served as National President of the National Young Farmer Education Association during their National |
| | |Convention. |
| | | |
| | |Hosted a Convention of the Farmer and Agribusiness Association with over 200 attendees. |
| | | |
| | |Held an FFA Legislature Appreciation Day with over 1000 attendees. |
| | | |
| | |Held FFA Day at the SC State Fair |
| | | |
| | |Awarded $2000 in scholarships from the Association of State Fairs |
| | | |
| | |Had a Farmer and Agribusiness presence at the Sunbelt Ag Expo |
| | | |
| | |Four representatives from Agricultural Education attended the National Agricultural Education Summit in Indianapolis. |
| | | |
| | |SC Farmer and Agribusiness Association sponsored an Ag Ed Student to attend Agricultural Promise. Held in Washington DC, |
| | |Agriculture Promise connects young agricultural leaders with their peers across the country in order to discuss the latest |
| | |agriculture issues, trends, and challenges. |
| | | |
| | |Produced two issues of Ag Future magazine, South Carolina’s Agricultural Education magazine. |
| | | |
| | |Produced an Annual Report on Agricultural Education that reports the activities of Agricultural Education in South Carolina. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |Agronomic Crops |
| | | |
| | |Conducted three statewide producer meetings. They were as follows: state corn and soybean meeting (12/10/19- 175 attendees), |
| | |state cotton meeting (1/28/20- 200 attendees), and the state peanut meeting (1/30/20- 275 attendees). Agents have worked |
| | |individually in their respective coverage counties to provide EPA mandated dicamba and paraquat use trainings. Agronomic Crops |
| | |agents trained 1,052 producers on dicamba use requirements and 591 producers on paraquat use requirements. |
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