2000 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A & T State University deliver coordinated Extension educational programs to all people in North Carolina to improve the quality of their lives.

In 2000 North Carolina Cooperative Extension embarked on a continuous long-range planning process. This dynamic planning process allows for Extension to make continuous and rapid changes in response to the constantly emerging needs of our state's citizens. Currently the plan consists of twenty Cooperative Extension Major Programs which address priority needs of the state's citizens within the construct of Extension's mission.

The successful achievements indicated in this report reflect the vast array of impacts that Extension programs are having on the people of North Carolina. These results are the end products of educational programs coordinated by the two cooperating land-grant universities in each of the state's 100 counties and the Cherokee Reservation. The programs are supported through the cooperation of county, state and federal governments, and a wide variety of organizations, groups, and individuals.

Extension's educational programs were planned and implemented in collaboration with thousands of the state's citizens. These programs reach all areas of the state and a vast proportion of its population. The programs were evaluated to assess the resulting contributions to a profitable and sustainable agriculture; a protected and enhanced environment; stable communities; responsible youth; and strengthened families. The cumulative information that is reflected in the reported accomplishments demonstrates some of the scope and quality of Extension's programs.

Jon F. Ort, Dalton H. McAfee,

Associate Dean and Director Associate Dean and Associate Administrator

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION MAJOR PROGRAM

ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVERVIEW YEAR 2000

CEMP 02 - PUBLIC ISSUES EDUCATION

Public Issues Education is a broad major program area emphasizing public policy issues that have the potential to be controversial. It recognizes the need for policy and technical dimensions of educational programs, as well as process roles that bring stakeholders together to build consensus. It focuses upon improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public policy through a more informed public, a more informed decision-making body, and through increased citizen involvement in the policy-making process. Current major programs are (1) Land Use and Community Design, (2) Watershed/Riverbasin Education, and (3) Other County, Area, and State Public Issues Education Activities.

This program has been associated with the following impacts during the past year:

*. Eleven counties have been in the process of developing or implementing farmland preservation programs. In Madison County the program was initiated with preservation of 1,800 acres of farmland, and in Watauga County a voluntary program has been put in place.

*. A Farmland Preservation Notebook, has been published to serve as a catalog of federal and state land preservation programs, laws, and regulations to assist counties, nonprofit organizations and citizens in efforts to preserve farmland.

*. The preservation of farmland and greenspace has been shown to have economic and quality of life benefits for farm and non-farm citizens as well. A farmland preservation conference was planned at the urging of agricultural leaders in a ten-county area of western North Carolina, and held in February 2000. Over 100 people attended, and a post conference survey indicated that 81% of the program participants increased their knowledge about why farmland should be preserved and how it can be preserved. Since the conference three of the counties represented have begun the process of implementing an agricultural preservation district program in their county.

*. Over 98% of the eligible farmland in Wilson County was able to use the local option rather than the state-mandated best management practices to comply with the Neuse River Basin Rules.

*. As a result of educational programs, 89 communities are involved in community visioning and planning and another 88 communities are engaging in processes to deal with conflicts and reach consensus on community issues.

*. In this program, 856 volunteers contributed 4,492 hours valued at $44,920.

CEMP 03 - AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

This major program addresses the complex relationships between agriculture and the environment. Seven target audiences include: livestock, poultry and fish producers; field crops producers; nursery, greenhouse, turf and landscape professionals; agribusiness professionals; agricultural service agencies; community and special interest groups; pesticide applicators.

Approximately 30% of North Carolina's Gross State Product is derived from agricultural commodities and related value-added products. This program delivers educational programs to equip people involved in and interfacing with agricultural, food and fiber systems to sustain livelihoods and meet their needs for food and fiber while protecting the environment and conserving or building our natural resource base.

This program has been associated with the following impacts during the past year.

*. Nutrient or waste management plans applied to over 650,000 acres,. reduced commercial N and P use by 280,00 and 74,000 lb., respectively, and help utilize 44 million pounds of nutrients from animal wastes and biosolids in crop production.

*. Soil conservation farming practices on 2.4 million acres. reduced soil erosion by an estimated 528,000 Tons.

*. Over 19,000 waste applicators; nursery, greenhouse and turf professionals, and 12,700 pesticide applicators were certified or recertified.

*. Scouting and biocontrol measures were associated with a reduction in pesticide use by 146,000 lbs.

*. BMPs (field borders, filter strips, riparian buffers and permanent covers) were applied to over 32,000 acres., yielding benefits in wildlife habitat and prevention of nutrients and sediments reaching streams. In 530 environmental educational programs with community and special interest groups, 56 joint strategies were developed, and 12 local policies were adopted that reflected the needs of both agriculture and special interest groups.

*. Over 3,200 volunteers contributed 27,400 hours valued at $274,000.

CEMP 04 - ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SYSTEMS

Livestock, poultry and aquatic species producers selected, adopted and implemented practices or enterprises that helped them achieve business, individual and/or family goals for profitability and quality of life. At the same time, farmers and the consuming public benefit from increased knowledge and appreciation of the contributions of animal agriculture to themselves, their communities and to society. Youth livestock programs provide learning experiences for youths to help them improve their personal development, acquire leadership skills, and learn about production, marketing, business management and proper care of these species.

Impacts on producers, consumers, and production systems:

*. 28,606 producers improved production practices.

*. 11,614 producers adopted practices to optimize income.

*. 2,888 producers improved farm financial planning and procedures.

*. Adoption of recommended nutrition, breeding, marketing and facilities strategies resulted in an estimated increase in income of almost $19 million.

*. Over 200,000 farmers and consumers demonstrated increased understanding of animal agriculture, food system facts and food quality and safety standards.

*. Product quality and safety standards were adopted on an estimated 2,295 farms.

*. 2,804 volunteers provided 21,470 hours of work valued at $214,700.

Impacts in the youth program area:

*. 34,417 youths demonstrated increased animal production skills and knowledge.

*. 245 animal project participants received almost $70,000 in scholarships.

*. Sales of livestock project animals generated $554,285 for the 1,730 youth involved.

*. 2,095 youths enhanced their personnel development and leadership skills by participating in public speaking, decision-making, training and volunteerism activities.

*. 2,389 volunteers in youth livestock programs contributed 21,123 hours valued at $211,230.

CEMP 06 - COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Program efforts fall primarily in four areas: Sustainable Tourism, Community Development, Hispanic Audiences, and Leadership Development. Some efforts build on established programs and strengths where as others are responding to new identified needs and opportunities. Agritourism and sustainable tourism programs have resulted in an increase in roadside and farmer's markets, several new businesses, and existing businesses have adding value to their operations. Community development can encompass many aspects of community life from economic opportunities, protecting historic or ecological resources, resolving conflicts, restoring or rebuilding facilities and creating new quality of life opportunities. One community conducted a design project that is used as a model for others in the state. This project included citizens to provide input on the design of their downtown, market the project, and to begin implementation of some of the goals. North Carolina's Hispanic population increased by 95 percent between 1990 and 1997 and is much younger than the total population creating new opportunities. Extension educators and other agency personnel are learning more about the culture, language, demographics and challenges facing this growing population. Extension programs have included collaborating with a local community college to address issues and educate the public on Hispanic/Latino Influence in Northwestern North Carolina. In addition, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to the High Country AMIGOS to address community and leadership needs of the Hispanic Community. Leadership development continues to be a vital part of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension's efforts in Community and Economic Development. Without effective local leadership, it is unlikely communities will be able to develop or reach their goals. Leadership development is a continuous process that includes both positional leaders (government and organization) as well as reputational leaders, all ages and people from all economic levels.

*. A $50,000 grant was obtained to address the leadership and community development needs of the Hispanic Community in one county.

*. One community is implementing an effort to create a sustainable design of the town developed through an Extension design process that includes considerable citizen participation.

*. Facilitation of a complex and controversial community land-use issue related to water and sewer infrastructure resulted in a win-win outcome for all parties .

CEMP 07 - CROP PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SYSTEMS

CEMP 07 develops and delivers crop production and marketing systems educational programs that improve profitability and maintain environmentally safe farms and communities. During 2000, counties reported the following impacts of programs provided for producers of field crops; horticultural fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops, and specialty crops. In addition, other related audiences benefited from these programs as well.

*. Growers realized $2.7 million in additional income by adopting new tobacco marketing options; the value of adoption of improved practices, crop adaptability, cultural practices and pest management approaches was estimated at $4.5 million.

*. Part-time and limited-resource farmers realized an additional $4.3 million by using new production practices, irrigation methods, intensive management systems and crop diversification. 569 growers implemented more sustainable production practices in their operations.

*. Growers implemented sustainable practices worth $6 million. Improved varieties, tillage systems, pesticide application and site-specific nutrient applications, and improved marketing strategies yielded an additional $13.5 million.

*. Adoption of IPM strategies in cropping systems saved $2.1 million and reduced the amount of crop protection chemicals by almost 300,000 pounds.

*. Two million dollars were saved by use of cost-share programs, fertilization by tissue analysis, using waste analyses for land application, and by complying with safety regulations.

*. About $10 million economic benefit was associated with application of biotechnology products and systems, through impacts on cultural and management approaches and by reducing pesticide use with plant varieties resistant to various pests. Over 31,000 non-farm citizens improved their understanding of the principles, benefits, and risks of genetic engineering in cropping systems.

*. Adoption of local and global marketing processes yielded an additional $3 million, and farmers increased income by $1 million through production and marketing of new crops or value-added products.

*. Volunteer efforts: 2,608 volunteers provided 28,692 hours of effort for these programs, valued at $286,920.

CEMP 10 - FOREST PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING

The focus of the Forest Products Manufacturing Program is to increase the competitiveness and profitability of North Carolina's wood products industry, improve markets, and increase consumer understanding of wood products and their proper use. To meet this goal, faculty conducted, organized or participated in 145 workshops, conferences, seminars, short courses, and classes for forest industry and consumer audiences. These efforts reached an estimated 3,333 individuals. These activities resulted in 63 firms adopting new manufacturing techniques, 142 consumers adopting practices related to the selection, use, and maintenance of wood products, 2,043 individuals increasing their knowledge of the economic importance of the wood products industry, and 10,697 consumers increasing their understanding of forest products and their proper use. In economic terms these activities resulted in the following impacts: $9,600,000 saved through improved utilization or productivity; $1,400,000 in increased production of value-added products; and $3,156,000 saved through improved yield, efficiency, and marketing.

Specific impacts associated with this program in the last year are:

*. One furniture manufacturing company implemented improvements in their rough mill operation which improved yield by 5 percent and resulted in an annual savings of $125,000.

*. One sawmill decided against investing in a large capital project due to the negative cash flow for the first five years. This decision resulted in an annual savings to the mill of $1,000,000.

*. Equipment selection by one sawmill, based on an Extension study conducted a year ago, increased manufacturing efficiency and an additional annual profit of $500,000.

*. One sawmill implemented extension-recommended drying procedures that resulted in an annual savings of $216,000.

*. An out-of-state manufacturing firm decided to use a different wood species in their operation as a result of Extension programs. The result is a commitment to purchase $1,400,000 worth of lumber manufactured in North Carolina over the next year.

*. As a result of extension assistance, one sawmill implemented strategies to reduce downtown, resulting in increased productivity valued at $310,000 per year.

*. Sixty-three forest products manufacturing or processing firms have adopted new manufacturing techniques as a result of Extension programs.

CEMP 11- FOOD SAFETY, QUALITY AND MANUFACTURING

This program provides training, education and information to consumers, food manufacturers and processors, food service managers, care providers and other professionals that supports safe, wholesome, and high quality food products throughout the food chain. Programs are delivered both through trained extension agents and food safety and quality specialists. A driving force behind this program is to provide to appropriate audiences a broad scientific perspective of food safety from farm to table.

The following impacts of the program were observed during 2000:

*. Safe food handling practices were adopted by

11,597 consumers;

1,992 food service workers;

2,159 food handlers;

8 food regulators, and

264 agents and other professionals.

*. 208 consumers benefited from greater understanding of the safety and acceptability of biotechnology and other new food technologies.

*. 14 firms applied strategies (technologies, personnel, quality systems) to ensure regulatory compliance, profitability and growth.

*. 12 county manufacturing/entrepreneurial clubs were established

*. 80 new food products manufacturing companies were established.

*. 1,320 volunteers contributed 4,249 hours of work valued at $42,490.

CEMP 14

MARKETING AND PRODUCTION OF ALTERNATIVE INCOME OPPORTUNITIES

This program assists commercial and small, part-time and limited resource farmers find and develop new opportunities to enhance the sustainability and profitability of their farming operations. The program develops and provides information on production of commercial horticulture specialty crops, development of niche market products and systems and agritourism; it also focuses on business planning, sound marketing and risk management strategies, and formation of input and marketing networks or partnerships.

Reported impacts associated with this program include:

*. Investment in new production and marketing of alternative enterprises totaled $2,375,465.

*. Income from these new enterprises totaled $1,530,000.

*. 4,217 producers gained knowledge about alternative production and marketing practices.

*. 203 volunteers provided 1,149 hours of service valued at $11,490.

CEMP 15 - NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

The Natural Resources Conservation and Management program focuses on the significant forest, wildlife, water and fishery resources in the state of North Carolina. Particular programmatic emphases are on environmental education, youth and adult, that improve understanding of ecological processes and management techniques that conserve the environment, provide economic return, or provide other benefits to society. Over 7,383 youth and adults participated in extension environmental education programs. Many of these were programs conducted at schools, field days, 4-H and scout meetings and camps as well as traditional workshops and demonstrations. Programs designed to improve decision-making regarding natural resources issues have had over 6,830 participants with the result of an increase in 1100 people participating in forums and public meetings related land use and natural resources planning. The forest resource in North Carolina is a significant economic and natural resource. Landowners and professionals benefit from learning about new management techniques, marketing strategies and tax laws. Wildlife and fish are important economically and aesthetically to many people in North Carolina. Through extension programs over 340 individuals have adopted management practices that affect over 14,000 acres with an economic return of $47,700 to those leasing acres for outdoor recreation use.

Significant impacts from the Natural Resources Conservation and Management program in 2000 are:

*. Forest landowners increased income by $6,469,524 using improved reforestation, timber management and timber marketing practices.

*. Landowners increased income by $823,914 by implementing non-traditional forest enterprises on their property.

*. Using teleconference technology, professional resource managers were able to acquire 999 Continuing Forestry Education credits while saving $79,951 in participation costs.

*. Conducting workshops for 22 teachers resulted in over 1600 students receiving educational programs on the environment.

*. Programs on southern pine beetle in one previously uninfested county helped landowners to manage and accelerate harvest plans, thus preventing the loss of thousands of dollars in timber.

*. One elderly couple increased the final sale value of their woodland from an unsolicited offer of $22,000 to a final sale of $61,000 by using information on marketing provided by Extension.

CEMP 17 - RESIDENTIAL AND COMMUNITY HORTICULTURE, TURF, FORESTRY, AND PEST MANAGEMENT

The educational programs of CEMP-17 aim to increase the knowledge of North Carolina citizens and nonprofit organizations in consumer horticulture and structural pest management. Programs target gardeners and homeowners concerning: control of structural pests, installation and maintenance of home landscape and production of vegetables and fruits. Programs are also provided on community gardening, water conservation, beautification projects, youth and school gardening, and for caretakers of community property such as schools and parks and recreation grounds personnel. Through increased knowledge and adoption of practices, this program aims to improve the economic and aesthetic value of private and public property while ensuring environmental stewardship.

Educational programs on pest management helped more than 45,734 people increase their knowledge of IPM practices. 102,257 program participants increased their knowledge of current state and federal guidelines governing wildlife control/depredation. Over 121,500 people reported reducing risk of their own and their pets exposure to insecticides. More than 118,600 adopted IPM practices in their pest management strategies.

Educational programs helped 269,089 gardeners increase their knowledge of new or under utilized plant species/cultivars and how to select plants for a specific location. An additional 227,981 participants increased their knowledge of appropriate watering practices and water conservation methods. Over 221,800 gardeners increased their knowledge of plant fertilization needs and methods of application. 251,721 participants increased their knowledge of the prevention and management of pest problems (weeds, insects, diseases, wildlife) through non-chemical methods and/or correct methods for pesticide application. Over 143,885 gardeners adopted cultural practices that reduced/recycled yard waste.

Specific impacts from this program in the past year include:

*. 121,509 participants reduced their risk of being exposed to insecticides by reducing and/or targeting insecticide usage.

*. 169,933 participants adopting two or more recommended practices that reduced pesticide or fertilizer misuse and water contamination.

*. Program participants saved $1,685,001 through utilizing appropriate cultural and pest management practices.

*. Extension helped a major banking institution in one county identify and eliminate a fungus gnat problem they had been unable to control for over a year.

*. Master Gardeners in one county started a Plant A Row For The Hungry project; due to this effort home gardeners donated over 7,000 pounds of fresh produce to feed the hungry.

*. Cooperative Extension helped 13 private and two industrial property owners save in excess of $24,000.00 from advice and information given on managing trees during and after construction.

*. Over $3,800 of produce from a demonstration vegetable garden at one County Extension Center was donated to the needy and/or disabled.

*. An increasing number of gardeners are utilizing the internet to find horticultural information; the consumer horticultural web site: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/ receives over 7,000,000 hits per year.

*. 2,662 Master Gardeners contributed 157,211 hours valued at $1,572,110 while assisting 899,031 gardeners.

*. Over 18,300 youth participated in school gardening projects.

Family and Consumer Sciences Programs Overview

Strengthening and Sustaining Families

Family and Consumer Science programs are based on an ecological programming model, which focuses on the individual and family within the fabric of the community. Programs are designed based on demonstrated need for NC citizens, as identified by local advisory councils. They are supported by a base of university research and are linked to federal base programs and initiatives. Partnerships have been developed with other agencies and organizations who have an interest in family well-being. Many of these programs are enhanced by nearly $14,000,000 annually in extramural resources from grants and contracts.

These programs form the base of education for Family and Consumer Education. They have been documented as valued and successful over time.

Family Resource Management

The Family Resource Management program promotes informed personal finance and other consumer decision making by individuals and families. The program contains four major focus areas: money management and financial planning, consumer decision-making, affordable housing and the housing environment, legal issues affecting families and small businesses.

Food and Nutrition/Wellness

The food and nutrition/wellness program promotes optimum nutrition and healthy lifestyle management for positive outcomes throughout life. Nutritional status has a direct impact upon health, quality of life and the ability to achieve physical and mental potential. The program contains three major focus areas: nutrition, health issues related to nutrition, and food safety for people of all ages.

Human Development

The human development program deals with strengthening the family as a basic unit of society, through educational programs for parents, families, parents and others who care for dependent children and the aging. The program contains five program focus areas: child development and care, parenting, family relationships, adult development and aging, and community strategies for helping families become self-sufficient.

Volunteer Leadership Development

Leadership development builds the capacity of individuals, groups and organizations to address issues in a community. Volunteer development enhances the potential for beneficial community service. Volunteer leadership development enhances human capacity at the individual and community level. The program contains four program focus areas: designing and managing volunteer systems; collaboration with volunteer partners such as Extension and Community Association and master volunteers; creating a network of community leaders and resources; and mentoring.

Initiatives and emerging issues increase the dimensions and value of the Family and Consumer Science educational program. These include programs on: Public Policy and Community Capacity Building; Hispanic-Latino Programming; and Rural Health. In 2001, Family and Consumer Science education programs targeted the emerging issue of biotechnology and food safety for individuals across the state working with consumer food safety.

Educational programs that help families and individuals develop and sustain economic and personal resiliency are based in six Cooperative Extension Major Programs: Aging With Gusto, Family and Consumer Economics, Family and Parent Education, Health and Human Safety, Nutrition and Wellness, and Residential and Community Water and Waste Management.

CEMP 01 - AGING WITH GUSTO!

The Aging with Gusto! Program is designed to help adults of all ages understand and prepare for the challenges and opportunities of life in the middle and later years. The program is multidisciplinary and includes topics from all the fields of family and consumer education. Individuals who participated in educational programs related to aging placed a value of nearly $582,119 on increased financial status, improved health benefits, and improved medicine and food safety practices as a result of these programs.

A large number of individuals (5466) reported increased awareness and knowledge of financial management techniques and consumer issues, while 2695 reported changing behaviors in this area. 2389 persons reported an increased awareness and knowledge of estate planning and 872 reported adoption of new practices with regard to estate planning. 1911 people increased awareness and knowledge of retirement planning practices and 351 reported adopting new practices. The impact of these programs include development of estate plans (700), development of plans for possible future incompetency and dependency (702), improved financial status (2739). The value of increased savings and/or retirement contributions is estimated at $332,151.

Over 16,000 (16,196) increased awareness and knowledge of healthy behaviors such as lowering fat intake and increasing fruit and vegetable intake. Over 800 (893) increased knowledge of community resources.

1,115 volunteers gave 3,944 hours @$10/hour for a total value of $39,440.

CEMP 08 - FAMILY AND CONSUMER ECONOMICS

Family and Consumer Economics promotes informed personal finance and other consumer decision making by individuals and families, emphasizing education to prevent financial problems. For persons who already have serious financial problems, Family and Consumer Education Agents make informed referrals to counseling and intervention services. Individuals who participated in family and consumer economics programs reported increased income, debt reduction, improved savings and other income benefits valued at more than $2,845,850.

Programs in 63 counties assisted 62,113 individuals in increasing their awareness and knowledge of money management, financial/consumer decision making, financial resources, and or practices to extend or increase income. 1931 volunteers gave their time to Family and Consumer Economics programs with a value of time of $205,060.

1,911 Volunteers gave 20,506 hours @$10/hour for a total value of $205,506

Limited resource families continue to develop skills and adopt behaviors which allow them to reach their financial goals, including debt reduction and increased savings. Consumer decision programs in 28 counties focused on selecting consumer products and services such as: financial services (credit, saving and investing options); health insurance (Medicare+Choice and LTC); and recognition/ avoidance of consumer fraud (telemarketing, credit, and Medicare fraud). Strong partnering with Seniors Health Insurance Program (SHIIP) and the Attorney General's Office continued in most counties.

Seventeen counties conducted educational efforts to help families extend income.

Objective one states:

5,231 people in 34 counties reported increased awareness and knowledge about money management and decision-making processes; 2028 wrote personal financial goals. Debt was reduced by $73,012, and more than $70,497 dollars were saved.

Agents continue to partner with community organizations and agencies to reach audiences and develop new programming including Goodwill, YMCA, Community Colleges, Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies, Family Resource Centers, Work First participants, correctional and parole units, DSS, the Faith Community, FEMA and Habitat for Humanity.

Objective two states:

In 25 counties, 1631 people demonstrated success in planning the use of financial resources. 1188 demonstrated ongoing use of budgeting and record-keeping skills. 664 developed and implemented a life-cycle plan. 946 improved financial status from using best management financial practices, estimating their debt reduction to be $10,889, and estimating savings/investment increases at $400,385.

Agents continue to partner with community organizations and agencies to reach audiences and develop new programming.

Objective three states:

In 25 counties, 930 people demonstrated success in finding and securing affordable housing. 2541 avoided costs through routine maintenance and repair, estimating $1,837,311 in cost avoidance (an average of $723 per person). 1710 increased house value through addition of home improvement (an average of $817 per home).

Objective four states:

In 28 counties, 1905 people avoided costs through appropriate selection and care of consumer goods, estimating $77,209 in cost avoidance. 2278 avoided costs through appropriate selection of consumer service, estimating $201,346 in cost avoidance. 2144 improved financial status through adoption of best management practices. 272 increased participation in public policy debate on consumer issues.

Consumer decision programs in 28 counties focused on selecting consumer products and services; health insurance and recognition/ avoidance of consumer fraud. Strong partnering with SHIIP and the Attorney General's office continued in most counties.

Objective five states:

In 17 counties, 1894 people extended income through use of best management practices, resulting in an estimated income extension of $175,201. Programs resulted in an estimated dollar value of $367,411 from new or improved employment situations and an estimated dollar value of $64,558 from new or improved self-employment situations.

CEMP 09 - Family and Parent Education

The Family and Parent Education Cooperative Extension Major Program is helping parents and families acquire and develop skills needed to foster responsibility, cooperation, courage and self- esteem. More than 11,500 participants reported increase in knowledge of these skills. In addition 7,315 individuals reported adopting practices that would improve their personal or family life, and 3,085 reported learning new skills to deal with the challenges of life. According to 3,194 learners, stronger family relationships were achieved, and an overall improvement in the quality of life was reported by 3,633 program participants.

Objective 1: More than 6,900 parents in 60 counties reported increasing their knowledge and skills in parenting practices, and 2,717 parents reported increased involvement in educational and community functions. More that 750 individuals volunteered 4284 hours in support of parenting education with an economic value of $42,840.

Objective 2: In 29 counties individuals and families enhanced personal development in family relationship and management skills. 3,085 individuals adopted personal development practices, 3,194 adopted family relationship practices, and 2,446 adopted family management practices. An enhanced quality of life was reported by 3,633.

CEMP 12 - Health and Human Safety

Health and Human Safety addresses pressing health concerns at the individual, family and community level. NCCES community-based health promotion and disease and injury prevention educational programs increase the capacity of families to make informed health and health care decisions resulting in improved physical, mental and social health.

Participants in health and human safety educational programs reported $1,060,217 in cost avoidance from reduction in high risk behaviors and reduced illness and injury.

37,198 participants reported increasing knowledge about health practices for improving health status 1,469 volunteers contributed 5,742 hours valued at $57,420 to support health educational programs.

Objective 1: In 15 counties, 20,259 individuals reported increased knowledge of the determinants of health and recommended health practices. 59 communities reported increased participation in health and health-related coalitions, and in health care policy setting arenas.

238 community based health promotion and disease prevention activities were conducted with an increase of 1,959 participating in health screenings.

One community-based coalition was awarded $90,000 to continue and expand cancer outreach prevention education in western North Carolina.

Objective 2: More than 14,000 individuals in 20 counties reported increasing their knowledge of practices for creating a safe and healthy home or work environment, with 4,129 adopting these practices.

Objective 3: 2,939 individuals in 12 counties increased knowledge of agricultural health and safety issues with 1,528 adopting best management practices.

634 participants reported they were able to respond effectively in an emergency situation as a result of their new knowledge.

40 health professionals reported they have provided better service to patients as a result of increased knowledge of agricultural health issues.

CEMP 16 - Nutrition and Wellness

The Nutrition and Wellness Cooperative Extension Major Program provides nutrition education to all North Carolinians to promote optimum nutrition and healthy lifestyle management for positive outcomes throughout life.

Educational programs addressing diet, health and chronic disease prevention were offered to North Carolinians of diverse income levels, age groups, genders and/or cultural backgrounds across the state. Participants included children, adults and the elderly, day care workers, hospital employees, housing authorities, Head Start, Red Cross, food banks and community coalitions.

24,222 participants improved diets to be more consistent with dietary guidelines for good health and the Food Guide Pyramid.

2,057 participants decreased their high blood cholesterol level.

2,108 participants decreased excess weight.

2,722 children and 3031 parents adopted food behaviors consistent with Dietary Guidelines and the Food Guide Pyramid.

2,461 women practiced behaviors to help improve their chances of delivering a normal weight baby.

3,545 Adopted behaviors such as seeking prenatal care.

12,089 paRticipants changed their meal planning to improve their diets.

8,497 individuals volunteered 45,723 hours toward nutrition and wellness education with an economic value of $457,230.

Members of the CEMP team have been awarded more than 11 million dollars in grant and contract funds in support of Nutrition and Wellness programming.

CEMP 18 - Residential and Community Water and Waste Management

Residential and Community Water and Waste Management impacts the private and public sectors economically and environmentally. Drinking water quality, waste water management, watershed management and waste management are key elements of Extension's educational programs.

More than 32,000 people in 32 counties increased their awareness and knowledge of practices to protect water quality. 44,400 people increased knowledge of solid waste reduction strategies, and approximately 13,200 people adopted one or more practices.

Water screening programs in 6 counties reached 722 people.

Water system replacement costs of $433,103 were avoided through implementation of proper well construction and/or protection practices.

Over $1,830,000 was estimated in savings in on-site waste water treatment replacement costs as a result of preventative maintenance practices.

7,425 acres of urban and residential watersheds were improved by best management practices, along with 17,020 feet of streams.

Over 12,273,500 pounds of waste was diverted as a result of Extension education programs, including 992,260 pounds of non-hazardous materials, 459,544 pounds of household hazardous materials, 12,481 pounds of white goods, and 18,433 pounds of home use pesticides.

Businesses, industries and institutions reported saving $44,351 through implementation of waste reduction strategies, and local governments saved $190,000 through citizen implementation of waste reduction strategies.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE PROGRAM SUMMARY

The North Carolina Family and Consumer Science education program has effectively provided opportunities for individual and families to improve the quality of their lives, through better nutrition practices, family resource management skills, parenting and family education skills, improved health and safety practices, skills for adapting to aging, and improved water and waster management practices.

This year, through the CEMPS, 387,379 North Carolina individuals and families participated in Family and Consumer Science educational programs.

4-H Youth Development Programs Overview

Developing Responsible Youth

Our future in North Carolina lies in our youth. Through its 4-H program, Extension helps youth to gain the knowledge and skills they need to become productive and responsible citizens. Youth learn to manage relationships, make decisions, become resilient enough to overcome the risks they face, become better communicators, and serve their communities. 4-H's hands-on, learn-by-doing approach reaches hundreds of thousands of North Carolina's youth each year in schools, in community clubs, and in other settings. 4-H Youth Development programs:

• uniquely extend research-based curricula to youth, families, and educators in response to their expressed needs.
• support legislatively mandated university outreach to K-12 schools.
• work in partnership with other youth-serving agencies and sponsoring organizations.

Who Is Involved?

In 2000 4-H involved 187,221 youth and 28,213 adult and youth volunteers in local 4-H programs supported by the resources of the Cooperative Extension System at North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University. The North Carolina 4-H Youth Development Program operates in a spirit of excellence to "make the best better." Youth from 5 to 19 years of age use 4-H to become responsible, productive citizens with their friends and families and in their schools and communities. They are actively involved in a variety of programs.

* Data based on 2000 participation numbers from the federal ES-237 report.

Focusing Our Challenge

4-H designs and delivers programs that empower personal, local action in response to risk factors such as juvenile crime, teen suicide, school drop-out, child abuse, alcohol and drugs, family dissolution, and sexual activity.

4-H supports every youth's right to lead a healthy and productive life filled with protective factors such as:

• an ongoing relationship with a caring adult-parent, mentor, tutor, or coach.
• access to safe places and structured activities.
• a healthy start.
• a marketable skill through effective education.
• an opportunity to give back through community service.

4-H programs are:

• Relevant - respond to the needs of today's youth.
• Productive - deliver positive impacts for specific program users.
• Economically efficient - acquire, budget, and spend resources to produce value-added outcomes.
• Broad in public appeal - deliver programs that benefit large numbers of youth, families, and communities.
• Unlimited in potential - encourage youth to be all they can become and to experience state, national, and international opportunities.

4-H Programming Is Relevant

4-H'ers live on farms, in suburbs, and in towns and cities. Programs are

designed to meet the needs of youth, families, schools, and communities.

4-H'ers and where they live:

4-H takes pride in its cultural diversity. Youth are encouraged to become citizen leaders in service to their entire community.

4-H's diversity

Who Are 4-H Volunteers?

Dedicated adult volunteers provide the helping relationships that enable youth to become responsible, productive citizens. These volunteers also provide the basis for both the fiscal efficiency and productivity of 4-H. Youth also are actively engaged in community service and service learning through 4-H volunteering. 4-H volunteers encourage a sense of cultural diversity as they enable youth to become their "best selves." In 2000 there were a total of 28,213 4-H volunteers.

Diversity of 4-H Volunteers

4-H Camping: A Legacy of Excellence

North Carolina's youth and families continue to "Discover the World Through 4-H Camps." Camps and educational center operations continue to grow in celebration of being exemplary units in the certification system managed by the American Camping Association. Twelve thousand, five hundred and thirty-three (12,533) youths had a 4-H camping experience in 2000.

Over 4,200 youths "discovered the world" during 20-unit weeks of junior camping and 12 weeks of specialty camps including: Marine Science and Sailing, Cloverbud Camping (ages 6-8), Fur, Fish, and Game Camp, Horsemanship, Shooting Sports, Adventure Camp, Challenge Camp, and 4-H Forestry Camp.

We plan to maintain our facilities in a safe manner and develop programming that is relevant to our core audience. While maintaining our emphasis on youth development, we plan to increase marketing for conference and retreat programs. We plan to implement this market expansion without damaging relationships with our primary customers for the five centers.

4-H Programming is Productive

In addition to collecting annual program involvement data for youth and adults, 4-H collaborates in the 20 Cooperative Extension Major Programs and measures specific impacts in four:

• Child Care
• Leadership and Volunteer Development
• Resilient Youth, Families, and Communities
• Youth Development

CEMP 5 - Child Care

The child care Cooperative Extension Major Program has two goals. These goals are to: (1) improve the quality of child care in North Carolina and (2) to increase the availability of child care in North Carolina.

The needs of the child care community are diverse. Primary among them is the need to improve the quality of care provided by staff through appropriate training. Agents report having trained at least 16,741 youth and adult child care providers in 2000. Cooperative Extension has offered a total of 88,243 training hours for these providers, which at $20.00 per hour calculates to a cost benefit of $1,764,860. More importantly, 12,240 of these providers report that they increased their knowledge, attitudes, and skills as a result of this training, and 9,621 report implementing quality child care practices in one or more of the state mandated functional areas (topics). It is not surprising, therefore, that parents, child care providers and school personnel report that 55,357 children improved in social/emotional, cognitive, and physical development in the centers where staff received CES training. Thus, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service has an important impact on the 132,954 children reached by these child care providers.

Child care continues to be an under-funded community need. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service has begun to seek collaborative relationships and grant funding to alleviate this need. Agents report developing or sustaining at least 1,001 collaborative relationships in support of child care and developed or sustained 6,217 community-networking relationships to support child care. No other agency, local or statewide, could have such a statewide impact on the child care issue. Acting in collaboration with other community groups, Cooperative Extension agents have generated at least $794,153 to support child care at the local level. In addition, agents report that they manage $1,448,764 in child care dollars.

Increasing child care availability is sometimes a lengthy process which begins with technical assistance in the form of training, phone calls, and site visits. North Carolina Cooperative Extension agents report that 3,019 potential providers and 3,790 current providers reported improving knowledge and skills in increasing or maintaining child care availability due to technical assistance received through Extension.

Volunteers play an important role in the effort to increase availability and improve quality in child care. In the year 2000, 2,193 volunteers contributed 39,674 hours of service. At $10 per hour this equates to $396,740 dollars worth of service to the community.

The most direct evidence of the impact of the work of CES agents is in the 3,843 new slots for children and the 97 new centers or family child care homes that were created across the state in 2000. This translates into 3,843 children who have care and 97 centers and homes that are now members of the child care industry because of the efforts of the agents of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

CEMP 13 - Leadership and Volunteer Development

The goal of the Leadership and Volunteer Development Cooperative Extension Major Program is to build the capacity of individuals, community groups, and organizations for involvement in their community for the public good. The results reported by counties in this major program for 2000 indicate that educational experiences offered to the public have helped achieve this goal.

Citizens from varying socio-economic levels gained knowledge and skills that facilitated their participation in community problem solving and in local public policy decision-making. Local citizens (1955) improved their problem solving skills with 610 taking action and participating in the community/public policy process as a result of the training they received. A number of community issues (214) were addressed. Of those that were resolved successfully, local communities were spared $136,692.00 in cost.

Limited resource and other non-traditional participants (5,745) were involved in leadership training. The participants identified community problems and took steps to solve them. Their actions resulted in 583 problems being resolved or projects completed to address the problems. To continue finding solutions to problems, these individuals formed 227 community organizations.

Many volunteers increased their capacity to lead and contribute valuable service to others. Those increasing knowledge they could pass on to others totaled 25,288. A number of these volunteers became part of volunteer management systems (733) where their advanced skills were used to facilitate the accomplishment of community projects or build skills in youth and adults that enhanced their personal development.

CEMP 19 - Resilient Youth, Families, and Communities

The "Resilient Youth, Families, and Communities State Major Program" of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service takes action to strengthen the resiliency of youth, families, and communities. Resiliency is the ability to cultivate strengths to positively meet challenges. The program focuses on prevention programming which strengthens "protective factors" and reduces "risk factors." Participants bring together and involve educators, researchers, agency and organizational personnel, youth, families, communities, advocates, and practitioners who share an interest in strengthening the resiliency of North Carolina's youth, families, and communities.

Youth in 46 counties have benefited as a result of involvement in community based programs which focus on building resilience. Youth in high-risk environments have increased coping skills, are making more informed decisions, and have a sense of purpose for the future.

Families in 19 counties have benefited from financial management programs conducted to help them learn basic money management skills such as budgeting and investing, allowing them to reallocate resources to meet pressing family financial demands. Volunteers have been trained and matched to mentor Work First participants. Through these efforts, program participants have become employed, retained employment, and improved employment status. Three primary themes have emerged from this objective this year. Family coping and nurturing programs were instrumental in providing families with parenting guidance, family communications skills and family violence prevention. Adolescent pregnancy prevention programs have targeted young men as well as young women. Thirdly, Mentor Education programs served to address day-to-day needs of those women who have been involved in Work First programs.

Seventeen counties reported the establishment of collaborations, the initiation of prevention programs, and reduction in criminal activities in targeted communities.

CEMP 20 - Youth Development

Youth Development focuses on three major aspects of the 4-H program that contribute to the life skill and asset development of young people: the long-term 4-H Unit/Club, 4-H School Enrichment Program, and the Diverse Housing Program. Four major factors have been identified that contribute to the successful development of a child: social competence, problem solving, autonomy, and a sense of purpose and future. Those factors, along with the Search Institute's development assets, are incorporated into 4-H experiences. 4-H club activities, presentations, record keeping, judging teams, school enrichment experiences, peer helper/mentoring programs, community service projects, and recognition programs are designed to give the participants an opportunity to develop the life skills/assets that any child will need to succeed in life.

During 2000, approximately 187,000 young people between the ages of 5 and 19 participated in 4-H programs with 118,740 participants involved in 4-H club and other long-term units, school enrichment and diverse housing programs. The positive development of young people through 4-H participation can be illustrated by the following results from selected programs: 1) 45,070 youth increased their communication skills; 2) 39,463 youth have increased their decision making skills; 3) 39,468 youth increased their awareness of community service; 4) 76,967 youth increased their knowledge in various curriculum areas; and 5) 58,479 increased their self confidence. In addition, counties reported that as a result of the 4-H community service projects their communities saved $472,744.

4-H Summary

The North Carolina 4-H Program created helping relationships to enable youth to become responsible, productive citizens during the 2000 programming year. The youth, families, and communities of North Carolina were well served by the mission accomplishment of 4-H through the related missions of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, and North Carolina A&T State University.

2000 proved to be a great year of productive traditional and innovative programs focusing on four of Extension's major state programs: Child Care; Leadership and Volunteer Development; Resilient Youth, Families and Communities; and Youth Development. A total of 182,221 youths and 28,213 adult and youth volunteers worked to involve 30,120 youths in 1,466 4-H Clubs; 89,795 youths in 3,172 special interest programs; 85,850 youth in 2,633 (K-12) school enrichment designs; and 24,433 young people in 675 after-school, child care settings. Over 4,200 youths "discovered the world" during 20-unit weeks of junior camping and 12 weeks of 4-H specialty camps.

Fifty-four counties targeted child care to train 8,900 child care providers. One million, five hundred sixty-six thousand, five hundred eighty-nine dollars ($1,566,589) in new resources was invested at 123 new centers to expand available child care slots by 3,328.

Sixty-three counties worked to expand Leadership and Volunteer Development by involving 5,745 participants to plan and implement 610 community based projects while forming 227 new community action organizations.

Forty-six counties focused on Resilient Youth, Families, and Communities. Resilience programs reported 15,236 youths with increased life skills; 7,599 improved academic performance, 4,930 reduced drug and alcohol use, 876 reduced judicial involvement, and 1,042 reduced violence. One hundred seventy-three (173) developed money management plans. Two hundred eighty-five (285) collaborations were established; and 115 prevention programs were developed.

Ninety (90) counties targeted youth development and increased life skills in 259,447 youths while investing $472,744 in community savings, youth scholarships, project work earnings, and project work savings. Studies representative of 4-H school enrichment programs indicated that 71% of the 26,744 students improved attendance; 63% of 18,201 students improved completing homework; and 79% of 26,089 students received better science grades. Teachers reported these results plus savings to school systems.

4-H Programming Has Unlimited Potential

Extension's 4-H program has a proud history of excellence and an exciting future. By continuing to respond to locally determined needs with programs that are relevant, productive, economically efficient, and of broad public appeal, the future of 4-H is unlimited in potential. The Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development network opens doors of state and national opportunities to all North Carolina's children and their families and communities.

Program Volunteers, Hours Contributed, and Value for Each

Per CEMP

Program Face to Face Teaching Contacts, Non Face to Face Contacts and Total Number of Contacts

Number of Locations Reporting

Per CEMP Objective

2000

Major Program
Accomplishment Report
2000

Cooperative Extension Major Programs (CEMP):

CEMP # 1 - AGING WITH GUSTO!

CEMP # 2 - AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY

CEMP # 3 - AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

CEMP # 4 - ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SYSTEMS

CEMP # 5 - CHILD CARE

CEMP # 6 - COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

CEMP # 7 - CROP PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SYSTEMS

CEMP # 8 - FAMILY AND CONSUMER ECONOMICS

CEMP # 9 - FAMILY AND PARENT EDUCATION

CEMP # 10 - FOOD AND FOREST PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING

CEMP # 11 - FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY

CEMP # 12 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SAFETY

CEMP # 13 - LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT

CEMP # 14 - MARKETING AND PRODUCTION OF ALTERNATIVE INCOME

OPPORTUNITIES

CEMP # 15 - NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

CEMP # 16 - NUTRITION AND WELLNESS

CEMP # 17 - RESIDENTIAL AND COMMUNITY HORTICULTURE, TURF,

FORESTRY, AND PEST MANAGEMENT

CEMP # 18 - RESIDENTIAL AND COMMUNITY WATER AND WASTE

MANAGEMENT

CEMP # 19 - RESILIENT YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES

CEMP # 20 - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

CEMP 01 - AGING WITH GUSTO!

Brief Program Description: The Aging with Gusto! program is designed to help adults of all ages understand and prepare for the challenges and opportunities of life in the middle and later years. The program is interdisciplinary and includes topics from all the fields of family and consumer education. Participants learn how to prepare for and cope with finances, legal issues, health issues, caregiving, housing choices and self-care. Primary audiences served are older adults, midlife adults and family caregivers, of all backgrounds.

Program Accomplishments

The Aging with Gusto! program had a great deal of success in helping people in the area of family resource management, with programming on budgeting, estate planning, ethical wills, the transfer of non-titled property, consumer fraud, public benefits, and other related topics. The number of counties reporting accomplishments in this area jumped from 14 to 32 with consequent increases in measures of progress and impacts. Highlights of educational programming in this area include more than 5400 persons reporting increased awareness and knowledge of financial management techniques and consumer issues and over 700 people developing estate plans as a result of attending our programs. Similarly, educational programs in nutrition and wellness focused on older adults led to over 4600 persons reporting increased awareness and knowledge of healthy behaviors such as lowering fat or increasing fiber in diets and over 3000 reported adopting behaviors to meet Food Guide Pyramid guidelines. Over 1000 family caregivers of frail or chronically ill older adults reported increasing their awareness of caregiving skills and more than 1400 reported adopting improved stress management and other self-care practices. After attending educational programs on housing, more than 500 people reported increased awareness and knowledge of housing options, and more than 100 reported making changes to make their housing more accessible. Over 6800 people reported an increase in their knowledge of food safety practices and more than 1500 reported increased knowledge of practices that promote health.

Number of units Reporting Accomplishments

Objective 1 (family resource management): 32

Objective 2 (health): 20

Objective 3 (caregiving): 9

Objective 4 (housing): 7

Objective 5 (limited resource/health &self-care): 17

Statewide Measures of Progress Totals

Objective 1, MOP 1: Increased awareness and knowledge of financial management techniques and consumer issues: 5466

Objective 1, MOP 2: Adoption of financial management and consumer practices: 2695

Objective 1, MOP 3: Increased awareness and knowledge of estate planning: 2389

Objective 1, MOP 4: Adoption of estate planning practices: 872

Objective 1, MOP 5: Increased awareness and knowledge of retirement planning and savings.

Objective 1, MOP 6: Adoption of retirement and savings practices: 351.

Objective 2, MOP 1: Adoption of practices such as decreased fat intake, decreased sodium intake, or increased fruit and vegetable intake: 3524

Objective 2, MOP 2: Increased awareness and knowledge of healthy behaviors such as lowering the fat or increasing the fiber in diets: 4697

Objective 2, MOP 3: Adoption of behaviors to meet the Food Guide Pyramid guidelines: 3054

Objective 2, MOP 4: Adoption of practices which lead to healthy physiological changes, such as decreases in blood cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and/or excess weight: 4921

Objective 3, MOP 1: Adoption of stress management and other self-care practices, including use of formal or informal respite services: 1411

Objective 3, MOP 2: Increased awareness and knowledge of community resources: 893

Objective 3, MOP 3: Increased awareness and knowledge of caregiving skills: 1028

Objective 3, MOP 4: Adoption of caregiving practices that improve the care of the impaired elder or other care receiver: 339

Objective 3, MOP 5: Increased awareness and knowledge about the need for coordinating legal, financial and health care decision-making: 1034

Objective 4, MOP 1: Increased awareness and knowledge of housing options, financial options and accessibility options that lead to affordable or accessible housing: 590Objective 4, MOP 2: Adoption of housing technologies that make housing accessible, such as design features, furnishings and products: 132

Objective 4, MOP 3: Collaborations and linkages with housing related agencies and individuals that foster affordable and accessible housing: 11

Objective 5, MOP 1: Increased awareness and knowledge of practices that promote health such as use of medicines: 1569

Objective 5, MOP 2: Adoption of practices that lead to improved health status: 1042Objective 5, MOP 3: Increased awareness and knowledge of practices that promote food safety: 6884

Objective 5, MOP 4: Adoption of practices that promote proper food storage and safety: 346

Statewide Impact Totals

Objective 1, Impact 1: Improved financial status through adoption of consumer and financial management practices: 2739

Objective 1, Impact 2: Increased savings and/or increased retirement contributions for future financial stability: $332,151

Objective, Impact 3: Developed and implemented an estate plan: 700

Objective 1, Impact 4: Developed and implemented a plan for possible future incompetency and dependency: 702

Objective 2, Impact 1: Costs avoided through reduced risk of chronic disease: $486122

Objective 2, Impact 2: Costs avoided through improved health status via fewer visits to physicians: $41363

Objective 2, Impact 3: Improved health status through adoption of health practices: 11474

Objective 3, Impact 1: Improved quality of life and decreased stress for caregivers: 1426

Objective 3, Impact 2: Improved care for impaired elders and other care receivers: 394

Objective 3, Impact 3: Increased utilization of community resources by participants caring for older adults: 868

Objective 3, Impact 4: Improved interagency cooperation on aging and health promotion issues: 137

Objective 4, Impact 1: Increased number of individuals living in affordable housing: 0

Objective 4, Impact 2: Improved or increased accessibility in housing: 118

Objective 5, Impact 1; Costs avoided through adoption of practices that lead to safe use of medicines: $116040

Objective 5, Impact 2: Costs avoided through adoption of practices that lead to proper food storage and safety: $92565.

Volunteers involved and Value

Objective 1: Number: 469

Value: $22,790

Objective 2: Number: 187

Value: $5,140

Objective 3: Number: 316

Value: $6580

Objective 4: Number: 10

Value: $1190

Objective 5: Number: 133

Value: $3740

Success Stories that indicate real program impacts

"Ten senior citizen volunteers were trained by IRS and assisted 122 clients...with their tax forms. Extension coordinates the program and in evaluating the program with volunteers, we estimated that each individual saved $60.00..." --Lincoln County

"We screened 48 senior adults over the age of 60 in Belhaven at our Stroke Education and Prevention Seminar. We did not charge seniors a fee thanks to monies we received from Mid-East Development Corporation. We were able to provide blood pressure measurement, blood sugars, cholesterol checks, height, weight, education, establish referral and follow-up procedures for at risk individuals in the screening. The best success story was helping the 4 people that had high blood pressure and did not know it, but because of this effort they are receiving proper medical attention..." --Beaufort County

"As our aging population continues to grow, more emphasis is given to this targeted audience. Currituck, along with six other counties implemented the Northeast Aging with Gusto! (AWG) Extravaganza. 224 participants attended the program plus the keynote speaker, 8 workshop presenters, 30 exhibitors, and 7 county Extension FCS staff. $3000 was secured from donors to conduct this event plus $1100 in registration fees. Participants were surveyed and here is what they reported: 113 were more confident about growing older, 129 were motivated to make choices that would improve their health; 119 could be more active; 132 could improve their later years by making appropriate choices now. They were asked to place a dollar value on their participation which totalled in excess of $23100. 106 participants had attended previous AWG and reported making the following changes as a result of information learned: take care of my eyes, make a will, get regular colon checks, exercise more, have a more positive outlook on aging, eat healthier food, be in better control of my finances, and enjoy life." -Currituck County

"Collaboration with the local council on aging has resulted in weekly health programs in addition to special functions held periodically throughout the year to enhance the aging process for Person County's older adults. As a result of comprehensive programming and partially due to the collaboration between senior center staff and Cooperative Extension staff, Person County has the ...honor of being the first Senior Center of Merit in North Carolina. Extension played a role in the background of this project, assuring that the correct documentation was in place and working with staff to complete the process necessary to receive this honor" --Person County

Specific Impact Bullets

• Over 1000 family caregivers learned about ways to improve care for chronically ill, disabled or frail older adults, as well as about community resources and self-care strategies; the potential impact was decreased stress for caregivers.

• Extension programs on estate planning prompted 700+ people to contemplate or to start making an estate plan.


• At least 3000 older adults were educated about the Food Guide Pyramid, and many reported adopting more healthful eating practices.


• At least three regions of the state conducted multi-county Aging with Gusto! Extravaganzas attended by 125-250 people each. Attendees reported a more positive outlook on later life, and persons who also had attended this event in the past reported making changes in attitudes, family resource management and health practices.

• Programming on grandparents raising grandchildren in two counties resulted in new networks and organizational linkages; five counties began collaboration with other agencies in planning a 2001 videoteleconference on the subject.

• In many counties, Extension programming on aging issues helped strengthen existing interagency ties with such organizations as Area Agencies on Aging, councils on aging, senior centers, and SHIIP programs and new connections were begun with health care facilities, AARP and other state and local groups.

CEMP Team

Luci Bearon, Co-Chair, NCSU

Evelyn DeLoatch, Co-Chair, Alamance County

Nancy Abasiekong, Cleveland County

Lucille Carter, Iredell County Rosie Patton, Dare County

Glennie Daniels, Catawba County Sarah Kirby, NCSU

Tracy Davis, Rutherford County Jackie McClelland, NCSU

Agnes Evans, Moore County Melba Swagler, Johnston County

Angela Fraser, NCSU Jewel Winslow, Perquimans County

Barbara Garland, NCSU Melinda Houser, Lincoln County

Carol Schwab, NCSU Cathryn McNamara, Rockingham County

Public Issues Education is a broad major program area emphasizing public policy issues that have the potential to be controversial. It recognizes the need for policy and technical dimensions of educational programs, as well as process roles that bring stakeholders together to build consensus. It focuses upon improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public policy through a more informed public, a more informed decision-making body, and through increased citizen involvement in the policy-making process. Major programs currently included under CEMP 02 are (1) Land Use and Community Design, (2) Watershed/Riverbasin Education, and (3) Other County, Area, and State Public Issues Education Activities.

OBJECTIVE 1: Land Use and Community Design

Citizens and local officials will become more aware, better informed, and more involved on issues regarding community growth and change, land use, and community design.

OBJECTIVE 2: Watersheds and River Basins

Citizens and local officials will become more aware, better informed and more involved regarding issues and policy options affecting water quality and other resources in North Carolina watersheds and river basins.

OBJECTIVE 3: Other Issues

For other Public Issues Education activities at the county, area, and state levels; citizens and local officials will become more aware, better informed, and more involved in the issues and their resolution.

Overview of CEMP #2 2000 Program Accomplishments

In the area of Land Use and Community Design, several counties are engaged in farmland preservation efforts. Watauga County has a voluntary program in place and Madison County's program has started with 1,800 acres of farmland. Rutherford County Commissioners passed a Farmland Preservation Ordinance. Surry County landowners gained knowledge about farmland preservation resulting in conservation easements through partnerships with other organizations. Farmland preservation programs are also being studied in Orange, Craven, Pamlico, McDowell, Person, Pender, and Stanly counties. A Land Preservation Notebook developed through the NC State University Agricultural and Resource Economics Department (Ted Feitshans) with funding from USDA, EPA, and the NC General Assembly is now available as a resource to help other counties in these efforts. Forsyth County officials gained knowledge about zoning issues. Community input is being obtained for relocation of Highway 158 in Caswell County.

Public Issues Education efforts around water quality have involved educating farmers about new riverbasin rules and regulations and best management practices to help preserve water quality in the riverbasins and watersheds of North Carolina. A constructed wetland in Durham County demonstrated the effectiveness of constructed wetlands for improving water quality.

Public Issues Education principles were also used to develop consensus around other issues. Durham County residents are working together to develop a community long range health plan. Collaborative efforts also led to grants for community improvements, also in Durham County.

Number of Units reporting accomplishments

OBJECTIVE 1: 17 locations reporting

OBJECTIVE 2: 8 locations reporting

OBJECTIVE 3: 5 locations reporting

Statewide Measures of Progress and Impacts

OBJECTIVE 1:

Measures of Progress

1. Number of citizens and public officials participating in educational programs who gain increased knowledge of constructive solutions to community design issues.

NUMBER INCREASING KNOWLEDGE :3417

2. Number of citizens and public officials participating in educational programs who develop a better understanding of factors affecting growth and change, effects of growth, and policy alternatives to deal with it.

NUMBER BETTER UNDERSTANDING :1629

Impacts

1. Increased number of communities engaging in community visioning and planning.

INCREASED NUMBER : 89

2. Increased number of communities engaging in processes to deal with conflicts and reach consensus on community direction and action.

INCREASED NUMBER : 88

OBJECTIVE 2:

Measures of Progress

1. Number of program participants who increase knowledge and awareness regarding the issues and policy options affecting water quality and other resources in North Carolina watersheds and river basins.

NUMBER INCREASING KNOWLEDGE :5350

2. Number of citizens demonstrating increased levels of participation in programs affecting water quality and other resources in North Carolina watersheds and river basins.

NUMBER DEMONSTRATING :934

Impacts

1. Increased number of citizens and officials engaging in processes to deal with conflicts and reach consensus on water quality issues.

INCREASED NUMBER ENGAGING : 799

OBJECTIVE 3:

Measures of Progress

1. Number of program participants increasing knowledge and awareness of programs affecting public issues other than water quality or community design/growth at the county, area and state levels.

NUMBER INCREASING KNOWLEDGE :251

2. Number of citizens demonstrating increased participation in programs affecting public issues other than water quality or community design/growth.

NUMBER DEMONSTRATING :93

Impacts

1. Increased number of citizens and officials engaging in processes to deal with conflicts and reach consensus on issues other than water quality and community design/growth.

INCREASED NUMBER ENGAGING : 100

Volunteers Involved and Value

OBJECTIVE 1.

Number: 362

Dollar Value: $ 34,750

OBJECTIVE 2.

Number: 479

Dollar Value: $ 9,390

OBJECTIVE 3.

Number: 15

Dollar Value: $ 780

Success Stories

Location: Agricultural and Resource Economics

Person Reporting: Ted Feitshans

As North Carolina continues to urbanize there is concern that unique land resources, open space and viable agriculture and forestry will be lost. To prevent this it is necessary to identify legal and financial tools that can be used to preserve unique land resources, open space and promote the continued viability of agriculture and forestry in North Carolina.

A Land Preservation Notebook (751 pages) has been published to serve as a catalog of federal and state land preservation programs, laws and regulations available for North Carolina landowners, campus and field Extension faculty, employees of government agencies and nonprofit organizations, attorneys, accountants, appraisers, and developers. County programs have been included in this resource, and training programs have been conducted to acquaint Extension field faculty, local government officials and the public about this resource.

Over 150 copies of the Notebook have been distributed at no charge to county Extension offices and the Cherokee Reservation, and to selected government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Additional copies of the Notebook are available to the public on a cost recovery basis. (Funding Sources: USDA, EPA, North Carolina General Assembly)

Location: Chowan

Person Reporting: J. M. Williams

An agricultural center to house Extension, NRCS and FSA has been an identified need for the last 15 years. Committees and advisory groups have worked over the years to present this need to local government and have met with success over the last several years. Chowan County has committed the resources to build this center that will be ready for occupancy in the Fall of 2000. This $1.3 million, 30,000 sq ft building will improve space for offices, storage and meetings as well as providing all citizens of the county with increased opportunity to be involved in educational programs and to take advantage of programs offered through these agencies. County government will also have improved meeting space for commissioners, hearings and other public forum events.

Location: Chowan

Person Reporting: J. M. Williams

The development of an agricultural center presented an opportunity to develop a constructed wetland on site. This tributary to Filberts creek drains a significant part of the town of Edenton as well as the nearby waste transfer station. The waste transfer station was constructed so that all liquids from the transfer as well as wash down water flows directly into the creek. The direct result has been severe degradation of water quality in the creek and wetland. Though DWQ has required that this be fixed, the Town has avoided any action for the last 5 years. Extension involvement at the site has provided the opportunity to educate town and county administrators and employees on the extent of the pollution caused by this situation. The town has accelerated its efforts to correct the problem with construction to begin in July.

Location: McDowell

Person Reporting: Daniel Smith

The preservation of farmland and greenspace has been shown to have economic and quality of life benefits for farm and non-farm citizens as well. According to the American Farmland Trust, North Carolina ranks second in the nation for the amount of farmland lost to urban development. In the fall of 1999 the Cooperative Extension office was approached by the agricultural leaders in McDowell County who expressed an interest in seeing a farmland preservation program implemented in the county. In conjunction with nine other county centers, WNC Development Association, and Farm Bureau, a conference was planned on farmland preservation for the ten county area and held in February 2000. Speakers at the conference covered topics including the value of farmland to our society, the importance of farmland preservation and methods that can be used to preserve farmland. Over 100 people attended the conference. A post conference survey indicated that 81% of the program participants increased their knowledge about why farmland should be preserved and how it can be preserved. Since the conference, three of the counties represented have begun the process of implementing an agricultural preservation district program in their county. A group of citizens in McDowell County is currently writing a farmland preservation district ordinance for the county.

Location: Watauga

Person Reporting: Sue Counts

Nationally, about one million acres of farmland per year are converted to non-agricultural uses. North Carolina and Watauga County are experiencing a tremendous rate of conversion of farmland to other development uses. Extension worked with farmers in Watauga County who saw the need to have a Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program to encourage the voluntary preservation and protection of farmland from non-farm development. Starting in April 2000, educational programs were held, a steering committee formed, ordinances from other counties were studied, letters of support were written by commodity groups, and members of the

steering committee appeared before the county planning board and the county commissioners to recommend that a Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program be instituted in Watauga County. The County Commissioners passed the Ordinance in October and appointed the five member Agricultural Advisory Board in November.

Impact Bullets - CEMP #2 - Public Issues Education

Over 98% of eligible farmland in Wilson county was able to use a local option, rather than state mandated best management practices, to comply with the Neuse Riverbasin Rules.

A Land Preservation Notebook has been developed to catalog federal and state land preservation programs, laws, and regulations for North Carolina.

Watauga County instituted a Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program to encourage preservation and protection of farmland.

Several counties are implementing agricultural preservation districts.

An Urban Design Planning Team will decide where a major highway will be relocated.

Community Organizations in Durham County wrote and received six grants from $1000 to $2000 as a result of "Unifying our Communities" training.

A Farmland Preservation Program was fully implemented in Madison County to begin with 1,800 acres of farmland.

Community leaders and government officials in Orange County gained knowledge about farmland preservation strategies to deal with residential and commercial developments encroaching on agricultural operations.

A Farmland Preservation Ordinance in Rutherford County was passed unanimously by the County Commissioners.

Landowners in Surry County have gained knowledge about farmland preservation. Several conservation easements in the county have been realized through partnership efforts.

A constructed stormwater wetland on a golf course in Durham demonstrated the effectiveness of the value of constructed wetlands to improve water quality.

Producers have been involved in discussions with the Division of Water Quality to determine grazing Best Management Practices in the Tar-Pamlico Riverbasin.

Groups of citizens in Durham County are developing recommendations for the Community Long Range Health Plan.

CEMP Committee members and co-chairs

Leon Danielson, co-chair Nancy White Charles Hammond Jean Spooner

Marjorie Rayburn, co-chair Greg Jennings Steve Smutko Craven Hudson

Ted Feitshans Michele Marra Lanny Hass

Program OverviewAgriculture and the Environment State Major Program mission is to develop and implement educational programs to improve the clientele understanding of the complex relationships between agriculture and the environment. Programs were targeted to seven clientele groups: 1) Livestock, poultry and fish producers; 2) Field crops producers; 3) Nursery, greenhouse, turf and landscape professionals; 4) Agribusiness professionals; 5) Agricultural service agencies; 6) Community and Special interest groups; and 7) Pesticide applicator certification and training.

Abstract

Production of livestock, poultry, agronomic, horticultural and ornamental crops is economically, socially and environmentally important to the citizens of North Carolina. Roughly 30 percent of North Carolina's Gross State Production is derived from on-farm production or value added to farm products. Development and expansion of non-farm population into agricultural production areas has resulted in much conflict between producers and non-farm residents. Continuing water quality problems, especially in estuaries of the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River basins, have heightened concerns about odors and pollution of surface and ground water from mismanagement of agricultural production systems. Animal producers must now comply with strict regulatory requirements, and recently adopted rules mandating 30% reductions in N delivered to the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico estuaries require all nutrient applicators to participate in the reduction. In order for agricultural producers to comply with environmental regulations and maintain economic productivity, many must implement management and/or structural practices to reduce sediment and nutrient losses, and must attend mandated educational programs. Agriculture and the Environment educational and demonstration programs are targeted to producers, agribusiness and agricultural service agencies to help them make sound decisions that protect the environment and maintain productivity through adoption of sound practices to manage water, waste, soil, nutrients and pesticides. Targeted practices include nutrient and waste management, practices to reduce soil erosion and sediment delivery to surface waters, sustainable production systems that use integrated pest management, and ecosystem management through restoration of habitat, wetlands, riparian buffers and streambank stabilization. This report focuses on the measures of progress and impact achieved primarily through the efforts of field faculty at the county level. Additional programs and impacts resulting from direct interaction of specialists with targeted audiences are not reported other than non-degree training courses.

Program impacts include: implementation of nutrient management or waste management plans on over 650,000 acres resulting in reduced usage of commercial N by 280,000 pounds, commercial P by 74,208 pounds and the utilization of more than 44 million pounds of nutrients derived from livestock waste or other recycled biosolids for crop production; use of soil conservation practices on 2.4 million acres of cropland resulting in a reduction in soil erosion by over 528,000 tons (a 76% increase); certification or re-certification of 4222 waste operators, 2025 nursery, greenhouse or turf professionals and 12,700 pesticide applicators. The use of biotechnologies such as scouting and biological control practices reduced pesticide usage by over 145,900 pounds as compared to what would have been applied using conventional practices, and over 260,000 pesticide containers were recycled. Over 26,400 acres were established as field borders, filter strips and permanent cover resulting in wildlife habitat establishment on over 5,800 acres. Riparian buffers were established along 530 miles of intermittent and perennial streams. Working alongside other agricultural partners, 235 multiple agency educational programs were conducted and 195 collaborative projects implemented. Extension field faculty conducted 68 industry meetings and trade shows promoting environmentally sound agriculture with nearly 2500 agribusiness professionals participating. In 530 environmental educational programs with community and special interest groups, 56 joint strategies were developed, and 12 local policies were adopted that reflected both the agricultural community's and the special interest groups' needs. Public awareness and knowledge of the link between agriculture and the environment was increased by participation of 11,150 citizens in educational programs. In addition, Extension specialists conducted a minimum of 55 continuing education credit (non-degree) training courses for certified professionals with 1612 attendees and 6592 contact/credit hours. Enhanced attitude toward agriculture was reflected by 170 media stories promoting a positive image of agriculture. Over the past year, over 3200 volunteers contributed over 27,400 hours valued at over $274,000. Agriculture and the Environment programs costing $880,000 to operate were valued at $26.9 million to the targeted audiences and $30.6 million to society through reduced impacts of agriculture on the environment.

Objective 1: Livestock, poultry, and fish producers will adopt and promote economically and environmentally sound practices to manage water and waste materials for the purpose of improving air and water quality protection.

4.1 Units Reporting Accomplishments: 47

5.1 Statewide Measures of Progress:

4,222 land application operators of animal waste trained and certified

845,606 acres nutrient testing (480,618 acres soil test analysis; 351,467 acres land application having waste analysis; 13,521 acres having plant tissue analysis)

778,503 tons feed analysis

173,950 acres conservation practices implemented/maintained

102,018 tons waste composted

626 manure application equipment units calibrated

6.1 Statewide Impacts:

129,549 tons reduction in soil erosion (loss) resulting from conservation practices implemented on animal production lands

20.4 million pounds nitrogen, 24.6 million pounds phosphorus with a value of $13.2 million were utilized as crop fertilizer.

7,356 out of 9009 (82%) producers utilize approved waste utilization plans.

792 farms utilized best management practices: (66 walking trails, 112 stream crossings, 204 managed streambank vegetation and 410 mortality composters)

118 permit and water quality violations or odor complaints against livestock producers were issued compared to 74 the previous year (First year of mandatory poultry litter plans brought many new producers under legal oversight).

7.1 Volunteers involved and value

381 volunteers contributed 3,387 hours valued at $33,870.

8.1 Success Stories:

Local System: Hoke

Person Reporting: Warren, A. S.

An area Certification Training for Animal Waste System Operators was held in Scotland County. Twenty-two swine producers and swine industry workers from Cumberland, Hoke, Moore, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland Counties attended. Agents from these counties worked together to teach the training. Pre- and post- tests were given to assess knowledge gained. The difference between the pre-test scores (62%) and the post test scores (82%) indicated a 20% improvement in performance.

Local System: Iredell

Person Reporting: Bunton, Kathy

Over the last nine months I have made over 1426 face-to-face contacts with poultry growers in the 3 counties that I serve. I have worked with area poultry companies by conducting 4 in-service trainings for flock supervisors, presenting updates on waste management plans at 5 grower meetings, writing articles for company newsletters, and reaching 399 of their growers with waste management information. I have promoted the poultry industry at 4 major events where 525 youth and adults were reached with the message of the economic importance of the industry to our area as well as our state.

Local System: Greene

Person Reporting: Regans, Mike E

Mike Regans, Area Specialized Agent in Environmental Education, taught 623 certified animal waste management system operators in 29 workshops for a total of 971 contact hours. Regans developed two new continuing education courses which were approved for recertification credit by the Water Pollution Control System Operator Certification Commission. In addition, Regans participated in 3 Type A Animal Waste Management System Operator Certification Training sessions with a total of 159 participants.

Objective 2: Field crop producers will adopt and promote economically and environmentally sound practices to manage water, soil, nutrients and pesticides for the purpose of improving water quality protection.

4.2 Counties Reporting Accomplishments: 49

5.2 Statewide Measures of Progress:

2.7 million acres conservation practices on cropland : (Conservation tillage, 475,711; no-till, 1,301,415 acres; residue management, 509,046 acres; nutrient management, 278,335; controlled drainage, 114,176 acres)

530 miles of forested riparian buffers were installed along intermittent and perennial streams.

1.48 million acres of biotechnological controls were used: IPM (621,166 acres), scouting (577,058 acres), and biological control (277,773 acres).

26,235 acres on 772 farms established field borders, filter strips or permanent wildlife cover.

6.2 Statewide Impact:

145,926 pounds (active ingredient) reduction in pesticides usage

280,021 pounds reduction in commercial nitrogen fertilizer usage

74,208 pounds reduction in commercial phosphorus fertilizer usage

384,078 tons reduction in soil erosion compared to conventional tillage practices

5,851 acres wildlife habitats established

7.2 Volunteers involved and value

612 volunteers contributed 4,872 hours valued at $48,720.

8.2 Success Stories:

Local System: Wilson

Person Reporting: Harrell, Norman E

Temik application equipment needs to be calibrated frequently to insure correct rates. Five farmers were shown how to properly calibrate their Temik applicators. Without calibration, this group of farmers would have over-applied at an average rate of two pounds per acre on 1250 acres of cotton. Calibration resulted in 2,500 fewer pounds of Temik being applied to the environment and the farmers saved $7500.

Local System: Bertie

Person Reporting: Griffin, William J

Bertie County has three rivers that either join or go through the county. The county has a lot of sandy land that is prone to wind erosion. Program emphasis has been on no-till and minimum till farming methods. The number of acres planted using reduced tillage has increased to over 45,000 in the year 2000. A large majority of acres are strip tilled using hooded sprayers for weed control and are never cultivated. Educational programs have assisted farmers in equipment selection, adjustment, and herbicide selection. Results have been a reduction in soil loss, reduction in tillage trips, time savings on land preparation, increases in organic matter, and reductions in crop wind damage. The educational programs being implemented by farmers have resulted in a $450,000 savings.

Local System: Johnston

Person Reporting: Darden, James B

Loss of registration of insecticides has significantly increased the percentage of sweetpotato roots deemed unmarketable by packer/shippers. As a result, Johnston County Extension Agents, the Department of Entomology, and industry collaborated to offer growers a sweetpotato hotline for localized information and recommendations. Agents monitored sweetpotato fields using pheromone traps, sticky cups and light traps. Our efforts resulted in county-by-county insect monitoring and realistic, area-appropriate recommendations. 11 Johnston County growers (1743 total acres) utilized this information exclusively to determine their spray programs. Some growers sprayed fewer times than in previous years resulting in a savings (chemicals, labor, machinery) of $11,955.00. Others documented a higher pack-out due to a reduced number of insect damaged roots. On average, growers received a 10% better pack out resulting in 18,100 ($126,700) more marketable bushels of sweetpotatoes.

Local System: Duplin

Person Reporting: Spivey, Bryant M

As a result of Extension Programs cotton producers have adopted no-till planting or strip-till planting on a total of 6,400 acres. This practice has saved an average of three tillage trips in the field and has reduced soil erosion by wind and water. By reducing tillage trips, cotton growers in the county have reduced production costs by $96,000 collectively. In addition, approximately 25,000 acres, or half of all double-cropped soybeans and half of all corn is now planted no-till in Duplin County. By planting these grain crops without tillage, producers use an average of 2 fewer tillage trips, and reduce production costs by $250,000 on these acres.

OBJECTIVE 3. Nursery and greenhouse growers, turf and landscape professionals will adopt and promote economically and environmentally sound practices to manage water, soil, nutrients and pesticides for the purpose of improving water quality protection.

4.3 Counties Reporting Accomplishments: 30

5.3 Statewide measures of progress:

11,525 (35% increase from 1999) BMPs were adopted by Commercial Nurserymen and Greenhouse Growers. BMPs adopted related to water, soil and nutrient management strategies including techniques such as cycled irrigation (477 ; 155% increase over 1999); water re-use (296; 20% fewer than 1999); nutrient management (2187, a huge increase in a new program), split application and/or controlled release fertilizers (2032; 28 % increase); foliar/soil test analyses to determine fertilization rates and timing (1825; 46% increase); conservation practices 1450; 28% increase); and integrated pest management (2514; 21% increase over 1999).

2025 licensed pesticide applicators for ornamentals and turf were approved in 1999. Other certification and licensing training held and number of participants include: new registered landscape contractors (83); new certified plant professionals (155); and new certified landscape technicians (115).

5532 individuals participated in re-certification training.

6.3 Statewide Impacts:

53,929 acres of BMPs were adopted (18,125 acres of water management programs, 8,989 acres of erosion control practices, with 14,475 fewer tons of soil lost this year than last, and 29,221 acres with nutrient management).

6287 tons waste products used or reused as a result of nursery, greenhouse, turf and landscape education programs.

4,230 people adopted environmentally friendly pest management practices.

7.3 Volunteers involved and value

345 Volunteers contributed 1951 hours valued at $19,510.

8.3 Success Stories

Local System: Pitt

Person Reporting: Lauderdale, Danny M

Cooperative Extension offices in Pitt, Wayne, and Wilson Counties sponsor yearly Landscape, Turfgrass, and Back to Basics Conferences to provide intensive training and improve professionalism for the turfgrass and landscape industry in eastern NC. Emphasis is on integrated pest management, water conservation, plant selection, and equipment/pesticide safety. A total of 450 industry members attended our conferences and 339 received pesticide re-certification credits. Participants surveys, place a value of $50 an hour on these training sessions, for a net value to the industry of $92,500 based on the contact hours and numbers of participants at each.

Local System: Wake

Person Reporting: Matyac, Carl A

Mistakes in pesticide and fertilizer application by lawn care and landscaper companies pollute the environment and may put homeowners and other green industry workers at risk. The Certified Landscape Technician program was implemented in Wake County in cooperation with the NC Landscape Association. The program is designed to promote professionalism in the landscape industry and conserve and protect our environment and natural resources. Certification requires demonstrated knowledge of the safe use of pesticides, fertilizer spreader calibration, plant identification, planting techniques, irrigation repair, irrigation design, safe use of equipment, and reading a landscape plan. I helped recruit 66 landscapers and community college teachers, provided training and assisted in judging the exam. Of the participants taking the exam, 75% passed.

Local System: Mecklenburg

Person Reporting: MacNair, John

In order to provide economic and environmental benefit to landscapers and arborists, I offered 9 tree care classes and two workshops which reached 830 participants, and provided 560 pesticide license recertification hours, and 231 hours of ISA certified arborist credit.

Objective 4: Agribusiness professionals will adopt and promote economically and environmentally sound practices to manage water, soil, waste materials, nutrients, pesticides, and petroleum products for the purpose of improving air and water quality protection.

4.4 Counties Reporting Accomplishments: 16

5.4 Statewide Measures of Progress

68 industry meetings and trade shows

2508 agribusiness professionals acquired information

93 environmental educational programs sponsored by agribusiness.

6.4 Statewide Impacts:

68 companies produced literature promoting BMPs and environmentally sound production

44 new environmentally friendly products were marketed by companies versus 35 conventional products.

7.4 Volunteers involved and value

215 volunteers committed 1806 hours for a estimated value of $18,060 of volunteer labor. The estimated value of the environmental educational programs were:

8.4 Success StoriesLocal System: Scotland

Person Reporting: Morrison, David E

Proper pesticide calibration is important to ensure that the proper amounts of pesticides are applied to the target pests with legal rates being applied. Rates that are above the labeled rate can injure the crop, cause illegal residues, and result in possible contamination of the environment. Collaborating with a local pesticide dealer and a chemical company, 8 planters were calibrated to properly apply in-furrow insecticides representing 11,750 acres of cotton. Two producers were over-applying the insecticides above the labeled rate. This represented a savings to these growers of $49,500 and reduced the potential for groundwater contamination and illegal residues occurring.

Local System: Forsyth

Person Reporting: Leagans, Edward

Agribusiness professionals realize the need to promote sound economical and environmental practices. 68 Certified Crop Advisors were trained (20 hours) with emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices. Great interest was shown in proper management and efforts that could highlight positive agricultural contributions.

Objective 5: Extension will network with agricultural service agencies including NRCS, FSA, and NCDA&CS to promote economically and environmentally sound practices to manage waste materials, nutrients, pesticides, and reduce nonpoint source pollution for the purpose of improving air and water quality protection.

4.5 Units reporting accomplishments: 41

5.5 Statewide measures of progress

1028 publications, reports and interactions were generated

235 multi agency educational programs delivered

6.5 Statewide Impacts:

234 multi agency coalitions initiated

195 collaborative projects implemented

7.5 Volunteers Involved and value

553 volunteers contributed 4077 hours valued at $ 40,770.

8.5 Success storiesLocal System: Scotland

Person Reporting: Morrison, David E

Many individuals perceive agriculture to be the number one polluter of water resources. Strip and no-tillage are one of several tools that can reduce the amounts of nutrients entering surface waters. As a result of collaborating with the Soil and Water Conservation District 10 Ag Cost Share farmers planted 2800 acres of Strip Till and/or No-Till cotton. They prevented 172,000 pounds of Nitrate and 2400 pounds of phosphate from leaving their fields. Soil erosion was reduced by 17,000 tons.

Local System: Halifax

Person Reporting: Whitehead, Arthur J

On November 29, 2000 five agencies came together to host a Farmer Landowner workshop. This joint effort between the NRCS, Forestry, FSA, RCD and Extension proved to be quite a success as over 120 people attended the workshop. This meeting provided timely information for landowners who may be considered underserved by some when it comes to helping them protect their land and being aware of program opportunities. Topics included wills, heir lands, forestry sales, and program opportunities with the various agencies.

Objective 6: Special interest groups (including public officials, environmental activists, the media and consumers) will increase their understanding of and appreciation for the complex relationships between agriculture and the environment.

4.6 Number of Units Reporting: 25

5.6 Statewide measures of progress

530 (152% increase over 1999) community and special interest environmental educational programs.

56 Joint Strategies developed to promote BMP adoption

6.6 Statewide Impacts

12 local policies adopted which reflect the needs of agricultural and environmental interest groups

11,150 citizens increased their awareness of the link between agriculture and the environment

170 media stories with positive coverage of agriculture and/or the environment

7.6 Volunteers involved and value

394 Volunteers contributed 4873 hours valued at $ 48,730.

8.6 Success stories

Local System: Ashe

Person Reporting: Carey, Jim C

An educational program and display was developed to help youth recognize how medicines and potentially poisonous household products can be dangerous if improperly stored or container identity is mistaken. Three Farm Safety Field Days and in-school classes were used to teach 65 Ashe/Alleghany high school students and 674 Ashe/Alleghany fourth graders safe habits around the farm or home, and how to reduce hazards for younger home occupants. Two hundred participants received information on chemical safety and pesticide exposure at the Ashe County Health Fair.

Residents who live near farming operations perceive that agricultural chemicals are affecting the quality of their water supply. This concern is elevated in particular because Christmas tree farms are very evident in the area. In collaboration with the FCE agent, a grant was obtained to conduct a public water screening to check for the presence of triazines, nitrates, lead and coliform bacteria. One hundred eighty four participants had their water screened. No water samples failed to meet acceptable standards for triazine, and participants became more knowledgeable on issues related to drinking water safety.

Local System: Chatham

Person Reporting: Woolard, Glenn E

The tenth annual CHATHAM COUNTY FARM TOUR held on November 2, 2000 had the largest participation in its 10 year history, with 115 participants. The Extension-sponsored tour was part of the Chatham Farm-City Week celebration. Tour stops included an organic lettuce farm, a beef cattle farm, a poultry, swine and cattle farm, a vineyard and winery, an Arabian horse farm, and a sheep farm. Of the 64% of the participants who completed a post-tour evaluation, 85% indicated a significant gain in knowledge from the farm stops on the tour, 86% rated farming as very important, and 68% rated the tour as outstanding. Some participant comments on the evaluation included: "Thanks for a great educational day"; "Especially appreciated the meeting of so many fine families who love their lives as they are"; "Impressed by each individual's commitment and passion to their farms and animals - my appreciation has been deepened".

Local System: McDowell

Person Reporting: Deluca, Mario

With only 2 percent of our population being involved in agriculture, an overwhelming percentage no longer understand the problems and benefits of agriculture. This year 600 4th grade students and teachers gained an appreciation of the importance of agriculture at our two-day Ag Awareness Field Day. Students were given information and worksheets prior to the event, and participated in 9 sessions dealing with beef, dairy, sheep, grain, ostrich, aquaculture, beekeeping, 4-H livestock projects and horticulture. Students also participated in an educational quiz contest and a "Why agriculture is important" essay contest. Eight winners received $50.00 savings bonds. Equivalent activities and program materials generally cost about $10.00 per person at petting farms. This program represents a $6000.00 value to our schools this year while presenting a positive agricultural experience to students unfamiliar with farming.

Objective 7: Pesticide Certification and Licensing Program

4.7 Number of Units reporting accomplishments: 80

5.7 Statewide Measures of Progress totals:

10,914 pesticide applicators adopted one or more BMPs on 1,000,677 acres.

12,702 applicators were certified or recertified to purchase and use restricted use pesticides.

260,210 plastic pesticide containers were recycled.

6.7 Statewide Impacts totals:

$3.28 million were saved in production costs

77,657 pounds less of pesticides active ingredient used on cropland

$775,256 were saved in disposal costs from recycled pesticide containers

18 citations for improper pesticide application or handling practices

6 cases of pesticide worker illness

7.7 Volunteers involved and Value:

788 volunteers contributed 6465 valued at $64,650.

8.7 Success stories:

Local System: Wilson

Person Reporting: Little, William E

A Chemical Collection day was held with NCDA&CS to dispose of unwanted chemicals in the Wilson area. The event was promoted in newsletters, newspapers, posters at landfill sites, and by local chemical dealers. The 8-member team collected and properly disposed of 12,000 pounds of products.

Local system: Wake

Person Reporting: Batten, C W

A Pesticide Disposal Collection Day was held in Wake County on March 9, 2000. In collaboration with NCDA & CS Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program, Wake County farmers, landscapers, schools, and golf courses disposed of 998 containers of pesticides with a total weight of 10,184.8 pounds plus 6 drums of pesticides. The program was publicized at pesticide recertification classes, newsletters, radio programs and flyers at local agribusiness. Many of the pesticides disposed of were over 20 years old. This provided a way for Wake County citizens to properly dispose of unwanted pesticides and not adversely affect the environment.

Local System: Mecklenburg

Person Reporting: Monroe, James H

In meetings that I have conducted or planned, 889 Commercial Applicators earned 1732 hours of pesticide recertification credits. These programs included 428 hours of "all category" credits that apply to small clientele groups such as pet dippers, right of way, aquatics, and forestry applicators.

Impacts

The number of animal producers using approved waste utilization plans increased 90% this year, with over 82% of all producers now implementing plans

792 animal farms adopted specific BMPs to protect streams and reduce loss of nutrients, and implemented conservation practices on 173,000 acre that reduced soil loss by over 125,000 tons

Nearly 850,000 acres of animal-based agricultural acres used nutrient testing programs (50% increase in soil testing, 55% increase in waste analysis) to guide the application of manures which in turn supplied 20.4 million pounds of N, and 24.6 million pounds of phosphate in crop nutrient requirements.

Nutrient management programs for croplands reduced commercial nitrogen fertilizer use by 280,000 lbs and commercial phosphorus fertilizer use by over 74,000 lbs.

Adoption of conservation practices prevented loss of 384,000 tons of soil (118% improvement) in croplands, while 530 miles of forested riparian areas, and 5,800 acres of wildlife habitat were established.

The use of biotechnologies on 1.48 million acres reduced pesticide active ingredient usage by nearly 146,000 lbs (104% increase) compared to traditional/conventional practices.

Pesticide container recycling increased by 96% this year to 260,210 units, reducing landfills inputs and reducing disposal costs by $775,256.

"Green Industry" professionals in ornamental, turf and landscape management adopted 11,525 practices that conserve and protect environmental quality and improve nutrient use on over 53,000 acres.

4200 Green Industry professionals adopted environmentally friendly pest management practices, and recycled 6200 tons of waste products.

2500 agribusiness professionals increased their understanding of environmentally sound agricultural practices, with 68 companies promoting environmental practices in their company literature.

12 local policies representing agricultural and environmental interest were adopted, while 56 joint strategies programs were initiated, and over 11,000 citizens increased their awareness of this issue.

170 local and statewide media stories reported positively on agriculture and environmental issues.

4222 animal waste operators were certified or re-certified through Extension educational programs, increasing their knowledge of waste management systems and improving their record-keeping practices.

Over 7550 participants were trained and certified or re-certified as licensed applicators to safely apply pesticides for ornamentals and turf.

12,700 applicators educated with the latest information and technology used 77,657 fewer pounds of active ingredients from pesticides in 2000, saving $3.2M dollars in production costs and greatly reduced potential for release of crop protection chemicals into the environment.

CEMP-03 TEAM MEMBERS

Dan Bailey Ted Bilderback Wayne Buhler

Allen Calwell Daniel Campeau Tom Carter

David Crouse Robert Evans Ted Feitshan

Steven Hodges (Co-chair) Jack Loudermilk (Co-chair)

Rich McLaughlin Deanna Osmond James Pitman

Matt Poore Kim Powell Noah Ranells

Karl Shaffer Ron Sheffield Matt Taylor

Stephen Toth Mitch Woodward Kelly Zerring

Billy Little

General Narrative: In 2000, Livestock, Poultry and Aquatic species producers in North Carolina selected, adopted and implemented practices or enterprises that achieve business, individual and/or Family goals of profitability and quality of life. From reports gathered across the state, 28,606 producers improved production practices by increased knowledge through Extension's programming efforts. Of these 11,614 producers adopted best management practices that optimized income, and 2,888 applied improved farm financial planning practices and procedures. Collectively, it is estimated that $18,967,445 in income was due to adoption of recommended nutrition, breeding, marketing, and building/facilities practices. Over 108,000 farm and non- farm citizens improved knowledge and attitudes about animal agriculture with over 9,000 farmers and 192,000 non-farm citizens demonstrating understanding of animal agriculture, food supply facts and quality standards. It is estimated that 2,295 farms adopted standards, practices and procedures to address industry concerns and issues. In conducting these programs 2,804 volunteers were collectively involved committing 21,470 hours at a value of $214,700 in assisting and delivering these programs.

Our Youth are a major concern in the extension livestock program in North Carolina. 34,417 youth demonstrated increased skills and knowledge by participation in animal projects and events. Of these, 329 youth demonstrated advanced skills and knowledge through participation in multi-state, national or international events. Scholarships were received by 245 animal project participants, totaling $69,316. Sales of project animals netted $554,285 above market price for the 1,730 youth involved. These benefits were provided to the participants by community supporters of youth animal project activities and sales. These projects are a learning experience and can affect many aspects of the lives of participants. Enhanced personal development and leadership skills were demonstrated by 2,095 youth as a result of being a part of project-related events such as public speaking skills, improved decision making, and assisting other youth with their projects. There were 2,389 volunteers involved in these youth projects committing 21,123 hours of time at a value of $211,230.

CEMP-4 Dairy Report 2000

General Narrative: In 2000, Livestock, Poultry and Aquatic species producers in North Carolina selected, adopted and implemented practices or enterprises that achieve business, individual and/or Family goals of profitability and quality of life. From reports gathered across the state, 28,606 producers improved production practices by increased knowledge through Extension's programming efforts. Of these 11,614 producers adopted best management practices that optimized income, and 2,888 applied improved farm financial planning practices and procedures. Collectively, it is estimated that $18,967,445 in income was due to adoption of recommended nutrition, breeding, marketing, and building/facilities practices. Over 108,000 farm and non- farm citizens improved knowledge and attitudes about animal agriculture with over 9,000 farmers and 192,000 non-farm citizens demonstrating understanding of animal agriculture, food supply facts and quality standards. It is estimated that 2,295 farms adopted standards, practices and procedures to address industry concerns and issues. In conducting these programs 2,804 volunteers were collectively involved committing 21,470 hours at a value of $214,700 in assisting and delivering these programs.

Our Youth are a major concern in the extension livestock program in North Carolina. 34,417 youth demonstrated increased skills and knowledge by participation in animal projects and events. Of these, 329 youth demonstrated advanced skills and knowledge through participation in multi-state, national or international events. Scholarships were received by 245 animal project participants, totaling $69,316. Sales of project animals netted $554,285 above market price for the 1,730 youth involved. These benefits were provided to the participants by community supporters of youth animal project activities and sales. These projects are a learning experience and can affect many aspects of the lives of participants. Enhanced personal development and leadership skills were demonstrated by 2,095 youth as a result of being a part of project-related events such as public speaking skills, improved decision making, and assisting other youth with their projects. There were 2,389 volunteers involved in these youth projects committing 21,123 hours of time at a value of $211,230.

Dairy farms continue to become fewer, larger and more specialized. In the Yadkin County area, dairy producers have evaluated their businesses and found their major expense is feed costs. A program to lower feed cost by utilization of least cost balanced rations, dairy records, forage analysis and better management results in increased profits. Dairy producers in the area have increased profits through this program by $422,150. In Buncombe County a producer was experiencing low profits. A least-cost ration based on the producer's silage analysis was formulated resulting in decreasing feed cost/cow/day of $.14 on 70 milking cows, that resulted in a feed savings of $1,751. Milk production increased 10.1 lb/cow/day resulting in an increase in income of $18277, for a total increase in yearly profits of $20,028. Reduced reproductive performance results in decreased profits. In Guilford County three dairy producers participated in a study comparing three reproductive treatments: Lutalyse, Ovsynch, and Ovsynch with synchronized rebreeding. These herds were able to decrease days open which represents a saving of $1 to $3/day/cow, thus they saved more than the cost of treatments. In Rowan County, efforts have been directed toward reducing heat stress utilizing cow cooling technologies. Dairy producers from four Piedmont counties were instructed on new technology for cow cooling. On-farm instructional programs were also conducted. Changes made on three farms resulted in increased milk production of 8 to 17 percent in the summer months for an average increase in income of $13,000 per farm. In Gaston County eleven farms successfully used IPM methods to reduce plant pests and to increase profitability.

CEMP-4 Beef Cattle Report 2000

Beef Cattle: The North Carolina beef cattle industry, like other states in the southeastern region, is comprised of many, relatively small cow-calf operations. Graded sales offer small producers the opportunity to work jointly and increase the relative size of their offerings and subsequently the prices received for their cattle. Historically, North Carolina graded sales have allowed producers to receive an additional $20 to $40 dollars per head consigned when compared with similar cattle sold through weekly auctions, simply by selling similar types of cattle in larger lots. Graded sales are a cooperative effort between participating livestock markets, the N.C. Cattlemen's Association, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service. Recently, more moderate and larger sized operations are selling calves direct from the farm. These cattle are often more valuable to prospective buyers due to improved health which improves feedlot performance. Such cattle are more genetically uniform than individually purchased cattle and are sold in larger lots, reducing transportation expenses. Many producers who sell private treaty establish their asking prices based on local graded sale averages. Although graded sale numbers have declined over the past 20 years, many of these cattle now sell direct from farms reducing inefficiencies in the marketing system and financially benefiting both buyer and seller. A recent comparison of graded sales and weekly auctions held during the same time frame demonstrates the increased value associated with selling cattle in larger uniform lots. Consignors to graded sales in 2000 received an additional $222,000 for their steers and $200,000 for their heifers, compared to selling in weekly auctions. We estimate this difference to be at least 3%, which would amount to an additional sale weight of 17 lbs. (570 lbs average weight times 3%) at the average per hundredweight price of about $86.50, or an additional impact of about $14.70/hd. These savings would add $230,000 to receipts of consignors to graded sales this fall. Combined, the net increase in income for the calves sold through graded sales exceeds $650,000 or $41 per calf. This difference amounts to a premium of 9% over weekly sales on average. A complete summary of the 2000 NC graded sales is available at the following website: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/an_sci/extension/animal/market/Ahmarket.html

CEMP-4 Horse Report 2000

Horses: The Regional Equine Information Network System (REINS) continues to be very active and effective in delivering educational programs to horse owners and enthusiasts. Year-end data for 2000 for the REINS program and its 14 regions showed that 6,456 volunteer hours have been used to deliver educational programs to 21,962 participants. The REINS program has over 120 certified volunteers at this time and this program approach has attracted interest from other states. The extension horse short course and clinic series remains popular and continues to attract participants from throughout the United States and several foreign countries.

CEMP-4 Poultry Report 2000

Poultry: One of the primary advantages of a vertically integrated poultry industry is that it enables North Carolina producers to quickly respond to recent scientific and technological advancements generated by fundamental and applied research, field demonstrations, and team involvement. The key to successfully extending these new advancements is through education. In the year 2000, education remained as one of the primary thrusts of both campus and field Extension faculty. Some notable educational efforts this past year include the dissemination of new practices and technological information to poultry growers and integrator flock supervisors though newsletters. Year-end surveys of growers and flock supervisors receiving these newsletters indicated unanimous support for the newsletters as an effective communication tool for providing relevant, up-to-date information. When asked to place a monetary value on the importance of these newsletters, 60% of the respondents valued their worth up to $1,000 whereas 40% placed their value at over $1,000. If these percentages are extended across all potential growers in this multi-county area, this translates to 720 and 480 growers, respectively, placing a similar monetary value to this form of communication.

CEMP-4 Small Ruminant Report 2000

Small Ruminants: Goat production continues to increase while sheep numbers have been stable. IncreaseS in demand is linked to a growing segment of the population of North Carolina and the Eastern USA which represents ethnic groups who prefer goat meat in their diet. US census data indicate that more than 700,000 immigrants who prefer goat meat to other meats enter the USA each year.

North Carolina State University has become a leader in the development of meat goat educational and research programs in the southeastern United States. To support this emerging industry, work began to evaluate the potential of cool-season and warm-season perennial and annual forages to meet the nutritional requirements of productive does throughout the different stages of their production cycle and of growing kids and replacement does.

In cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture marketing specialist, graded goat sales have been implemented in certain areas of the state to supplement weekly auction market sales, and meat goat shows are now an integral part of the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh and the Mountain State Fair in Asheville.

CEMP-4 Swine Report 2000

Swine: Successful extension programs in swine production and marketing continue to evolve to meet the changing needs and structure of the more vertically integrated industry. The swine industry in North Carolina is a highly sophisticated and knowledgeable group, who has a need for applied research information and technical information and production training. County-based delivery reported that 2,788 producers increased their awareness and knowledge of best management practices for a benefit of $3,192,345. Statewide conferences and directed training programs resulted in an additional 718 producers gaining knowledge. Participants in the Healthy Hogs Seminar series reported that they cared for 566,494 sows, 4,546,430 nursery pigs, and 1,145,000 grow-finish hogs. Extensive efforts are ongoing in the swine commodity area related to nutrient management and continuing education training for operators of animal waste systems. Major program and delivery efforts were conducted on the production side with practices to reduce nutrient excretion and odor through nutrition. In addition, Extension played a crucial role assisting farmers to be entered into and selected in the N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation's $5.7 million floodplain buyout program funded by the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. Fourteen farms were selected for this program statewide Extension provided informational meetings, answered questions in both a formal and private setting, and kept customers apprised on all related matters. This represents a huge savings for those farms wanting to exit the hog business and has positive environmental benefits for the state of North Carolina.

Marketing: Independent pork producers are becoming a rarity in NC. We have many producers with the skills to raise hogs but a viable market for small scale production is becoming a problem with the vertical integration of the pork industry. Extension cooperated in two meetings with a private company that markets pasture-based pork to explore expansion of their market on the east coast to upscale restaurants and trendy specialty food shops. Sixteen of the initial thirty- three attendees are very interested, one of which owns a small packing plant. Leadership from NCA&TSU is driving this endeavor, and hopefully it will develop into a viable market for small family farms interested in growing hogs for a niche market. Pork quality and safety are the other marketing issues being addressed through both educational programs and field trials. The importance of this area was echoed in a Meat Quality discussion group in which all large integrated pork production companies were represented.

CEMP 4:

IMPACTS AND MEASURES OF PROGRESS TOTALS

Objective 1: Producers and marketers of livestock, poultry, and aquatic species will select, adopt and successfully implement practices or enterprises that will achieve business, individual, and family goals related to profitability and quality of life.

Number Of Units Reporting: 79

Measures of Progress:

1.*Increased awareness and knowledge of best management production practices

NUMBER OF DAIRY PRODUCERS INCREASING KNOWLEDGE: 473

NUMBER OF BEEF CATTLE PRODUCERS INCREASING KNOWLEDGE: 9317

NUMBER OF HOG PRODUCERS INCREASING KNOWLEDGE: 2788

NUMBER OF HORSE PRODUCERS INCREASING KNOWLEDGE: 8945

NUMBER OF SHEEP OR GOAT PRODUCERS INCREASING KNOWLEDGE: 1830

NUMBER OF POULTRY PRODUCERS INCREASING KNOWLEDGE: 4268

NUMBER OF PRODUCERS OF AQUATIC SPECIES INCREASING KNOWLEDGE: 367

NUMBER OF LIMITED RESOURCE PRODUCERS INCREASING KNOWLEDGE: 604

Totals: 28,606

2.*adoption of best management practices that optimize income

NUMBER OF DAIRY PRODUCERS ADOPTING: 338

NUMBER OF BEEF CATTLE PRODUCERS ADOPTING: 3530

NUMBER OF HOG PRODUCERS ADOPTING: 728

NUMBER OF HORSE PRODUCERS ADOPTING: 3521

NUMBER OF SHEEP OR GOAT PRODUCERS ADOPTING: 1206

NUMBER OF POULTRY PRODUCERS ADOPTING: 1854

NUMBER OF PRODUCERS OF AQUATIC SPECIES ADOPTING: 102

NUMBER OF LIMITED RESOURCE PRODUCERS ADOPTING: 335

Totals: 11,614

3.*application of improved farm financial planning practices and procedures

NUMBER OF DAIRY PRODUCERS APPLYING: 164

NUMBER OF BEEF CATTLE PRODUCERS APPLYING: 848

NUMBER OF HOG PRODUCERS APPLYING: 453

NUMBER OF HORSE PRODUCERS APPLYING: 564

NUMBER OF SHEEP OR GOAT PRODUCERS APPLYING: 357

NUMBER OF POULTRY PRODUCERS APPLYING: 402

NUMBER OF PRODUCERS OF AQUATIC SPECIES APPLYING: 14

NUMBER OF LIMITED RESOURCE PRODUCERS APPLYING: 86

Totals: 2,888

*Impacts:

1.*Income optimized through adoption of recommended nutrition practices

DAIRY PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 1,138,643

BEEF CATTLE PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 2,544,062

HOG PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 524,467

HORSE PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 374,301

SHEEP OR GOAT PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 232,605

POULTRY PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 281,800

PRODUCERS OF AQUATIC SPECIES, DOLLARS GAIN: 34,402

LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 43,865

Totals: $5,174,145

2.*Income optimized through adoption of recommended breeding practices

DAIRY PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 210,336

BEEF CATTLE PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 801,453

HOG PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 309,705

HORSE PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 1,716,854

SHEEP OR GOAT PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 176,492

POULTRY PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 138,500

PRODUCERS OF AQUATIC SPECIES, DOLLARS GAIN: 33,000

LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 23,800

Totals: $3,410,140

3.*Income optimized through adoption of recommended marketing practices

DAIRY PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 271,060

BEEF CATTLE PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 1,621,649

HOG PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 296,812

HORSE PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 225,996

SHEEP OR GOAT PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 249,092

POULTRY PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 919,850

PRODUCERS OF AQUATIC SPECIES, DOLLARS GAIN: 79,300

LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 20,355

Totals: $3,684,114

4.*Income optimized through adoption of recommended building/facilities practices

DAIRY PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 513,698

BEEF CATTLE PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 375,261

HOG PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 1,250,006

HORSE PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 290,161

SHEEP OR GOAT PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 116,383

POULTRY PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 915,750

PRODUCERS OF AQUATIC SPECIES, DOLLARS GAIN: 21,700

LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 15,823

Totals: $3,498,782

5.*Income optimized through adoption of recommended health and general management practices

DAIRY PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 269,874

BEEF CATTLE PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 1,131,628

HOG PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 811,355

HORSE PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 630,630

SHEEP OR GOAT PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 96,157

POULTRY PRODUCERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 16,900

PRODUCERS OF AQUATIC SPECIES, DOLLARS GAIN: 211,800

LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS, DOLLARS GAIN: 31,920

Totals: $3,200,264

Volunteers Involved and Value: Number: 2,285; Hours: 18,634; Dollar Value: $186,340

OBJECTIVE 2: North Carolina citizens (farm and non-farm) will address issues of mutual concern that relate to animal agriculture, including human nutrition, nuisance identification, food quality assurance,

quality of life, economic impacts, and the appropriate treatment of farm animals.

Number of Units Reporting: 40

Measures of Progress:

1.*improved knowledge and attitudes about animal agriculture

NUMBER FARMERS DEMONSTRATING: 5,508

NUMBER OF NON-FARM CITIZENS DEMONSTRATING: 103,140

Farm and Non-Farm Totals: 108,648

2.*newspaper, and other mass media stories/commentaries indicating enlightened information and knowledge about animal agriculture

NUMBER: 474

Impacts: 1.*Increased understanding and appreciation of animal agriculture

NUMBER FARMERS DEMONSTRATING: 4,777

NUMBER OF NON-FARM CITIZENS DEMONSTRATING: 101,878

Farm and Non-Farm Totals: 106,655

2.*Increased understanding of food supply facts and quality standards

NUMBER FARMERS DEMONSTRATING: 4,285

NUMBER OF NON-FARM CITIZENS DEMONSTRATING: 90,885

Farm and Non-Farm Totals: 95,170

3.*farms adopting appropriate standards, practices, and procedures to address industry concerns and issues

NUMBER ADOPTING: 2,295

Volunteers Involved and Value:

Number: 519; Hours: 2,836; Dollar Value: $28,360

OBJECTIVE 3: Youth involved in animal projects will improve personal development and learn leadership and other skills related to animal husbandry including: record keeping, finances, producing high quality animal products, sportsmanship, and appropriate treatment of animals.

Number of Units Reporting: 49

Measures of Progress:

1.*Increased skills/knowledge gained by participation in animal projects and events. Number of Youth demonstrating:

NUMBER OF DAIRY: 3577

NUMBER OF BEEF: 3772

NUMBER OF SWINE: 3585

NUMBER OF HORSES: 4244

NUMBER OF SHEEP: 4268

NUMBER OF GOATS: 3444

NUMBER OF POULTRY: 3286

NUMBER OF RABBITS: 3114

NUMBER OF AQUATIC: 3029

NUMBER OF LIMITED RESOURCES: 2098

Totals: 34,417

2.*Number of youth demonstrating advanced skills and knowledge through participation in multi-state, national, or international events due to youth animal project work.

NUMBER OF YOUTH DEMONSTRATING: 329

Impacts: 1.*Scholarship dollars received by youth animal project participants

SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS RECEIVED:$69,316 BY NUMBER OF YOUTH RECIPIENTS : 245

2.*Dollars above realistic market price provided to youth by community supporters of youth animal project activities and sales

PROJECT DOLLARS (above market price) RECEIVED $554,285

BY NUMBER OF YOUTH PARTICIPANTS: 1,730

3.*Number of youth who have demonstrated enhanced personal development and leadership skills as a result of participation in animal-related projects and events: i.e. public speaking skills; improved decision making; effective assistance of other youth projects.

NUMBER OF YOUTH DEMONSTRATING ENHANCED PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS: 2,095

VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED AND VALUE:

NUMBER: 2,389; HOURS: 21,123; DOLLAR VALUE: $211,230

CEMP-4 SUCCESS STORIES

Location: Pender

Person Reporting: Parsons, James

The Pender County Extension Center has developed a comprehensive County Animal

Response Team (CART) plan to be used in the event of disasters. 22 persons comprise the steering committee that assisted in developing this viable plan. It is estimated that by following the CART plan, costs incurred should be reduced by as much as 66% (based on costs incurred following Hurricane Floyd). The plan includes disaster preparation, search and rescue, mortality disposal, identified resources and numerous other topics. The Pender CART plan is currently be used as a model for other counties.

Location: Edgecombe

Person Reporting: Blalock, Ralph E

Hurricane Floyd will be remembered forever by the livestock producers in Edgecombe

County. The hardest hit producer is still in operation due to the Extension hay and feed lift. The operation lost 81 head of feeder calves one week before marketing. No income source was available with the surviving cows facing a winter with destroyed pastures and no feed supply. Donations of feed, hay, and supplies allowed this operation to stay in business and begin renovations for recovery and plans for expansion. Cooperative Extension enabled the volunteer efforts and donations to find the producers in need. $9,300 worth of feed, hay, and transportation allowed this producer to survive.

Location: Chowan

Person Reporting: Gabel, Steven J

NC crawfish producers have identified marketing as their biggest concern for the industry. Extension, networking with NDCA, promotional boils were conducted at 3 regional Farmer\'s Markets. The price per lb. of crawfish was increased by 25%, from $3.00 to $4.00 per lb. to gauge consumer acceptance to changing market and supply conditions. The results were profits to the producer doubling from $0.90 to $1.85 per lb. with little to no resistance from the consumer. In addition, new markets were identified to the producers.

Location: Haywood

Person Reporting: Thompson, Skip L

A program of injection vaccination of rainbow trout was implemented in 1997. Prior to 1997, Enteric Redmouth Disease accounted for as much as 20% mortality in the North Carolina trout industry. Rainbow trout fingerlings, 5 inches long are anesthetized and are injected by hand using a repeating injection gun. One person can inject 1200-1500 fish per hour. In 2000, approximately 40% of rainbow trout were injected. Injection vaccination was first demonstrated in 1996 at High Valley Trout Hatchery in Transylvania County. Four additional Extension demonstrations have occurred since 1996. In 2000, 60% of the commercial trout fingerling suppliers use injection vaccination. As a result of injection vaccination, the use of antibiotic feed has decreased 84% at a savings of more than $40,000 to the industry.

Location: Rowan

Person Reporting: Williams, J T

Extension conducted a Cow Cooling/ Heat Stress Meeting for local dairymen. 32 local dairymen from 4 piedmont counties were introduced to the latest technology relating to heat stress control on dairy cows. On the farm tours were conducted to discuss the do\'s and don\'ts concerning facilities and heat stress conditions for dairy cows. Classroom instruction provided dairymen with statistics regarding heat stress to dairy cows verses production losses. Results on three dairies implementing changes to housing facilities as recommended at this meeting are increased milk production by 8 to 17 percent in the summer months. This amounts to a $13,000 per farm increased income on these 3 farms.

Location: Alamance

Person Reporting: Walker, David P

A hay directory was published by Extension and distributed with 9,730 round bales and 149,750 square bales from 21 producers in 6 counties in North Carolina and one county in West Virginia. Total value of this hay is $494,100.

Location: Anson

Person Reporting: Melton, Richard V

Beef cattle producers in Anson County increased their incomes by $17,300 through their participation in graded cattle sales and farm truck-load sales. They also added over $21,000 to their incomes by undertaking stocker cattle grazing programs. As a result of Extension educational programs focusing on the harm endophyte infected fescue does to cattle, 5 producers have planted 78 acres of warm season grasses for cattle consumption. A survey of 60 producers attending a forage field day focusing on endophyte infected fescue and alternative forages showed that 52 percent of those responding intended to change their management as a result of their new knowledge.

Location: Catawba

Person Reporting: Carpenter, Jeff S

The beef cattle specialized committee has identified marketing as an important issue for Extension educational efforts with beef producers. Committee members have recommended recruiting more consignors for feeder calf sales as a way of making the sales more attractive for buyers and to allow small producers to pool calves into larger lot sizes. A new sale was organized in the area in 1999 and has continued for 2 years. In 2000, local producers marketed 497 calves in 3 local feeder calf sales. Statewide averages report an increase of $41 per head in sales prices over regular weekly auction markets for the fall 2000 marketing season. The 21 producers who marketed these animals received an extra $20,377 by cooperating in this marketing method.

Location: Rockingham

Person Reporting: Chase, Ben E

Cattle producers are always asking and looking for ways to help decrease cost due to the high cost of production and at the same time maintain or increase production level. With the need for cattlemen to be more competitive in purchasing products and to be profitable, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rockingham County, was instrumental in assisting cattle producers with a balanced cattle mineral mix that could be purchased at a more competitive and cheaper price. In 2000, producers have been able to save $114 per ton in purchasing this mix from a local supplier. This has been a total estimated savings of $5,472 for area cattle producers. This as also led many producers to start feeding a mineral which has increased their cattle production level.

Location: Person

Person Reporting: Knight, Joseph E

A local horse owner contacted our Extension office requesting information on selecting

quality hays and forages for horses. The horse owner\'s brood mare had been getting sick. Joey Knight, Person County Extension Agent, identified high alfatoxins in the hays, high moisture content, and undesirable weeds such as the Virginia Pepper weed. With Extension recommendations in changing feedstuffs, the broodmares were saved from intestinal problems and loss of the unborn foal and eventually death of the broodmare. This resulted in a total savings of $5,000 for this particular client.

Location: Chatham

Person Reporting: Groce, Samuel E

The Horse Farm Management Short course conducted by the Chatham County Center was one of the largest attended workshops ever held for horse-owners. Of the 45 attendees of the four week workshop 100% indicated in post-survey that they would have a Coggins Test performed on their horses and 100% also indicated that they would have their farrier check and properly maintain hoof angle. This will help to decrease the spread of disease among the horses of the county and have animals that have less skeletal damage.

Location: Poultry Science

Person Reporting: Carver, Donna

Continued efforts to control turkey coronavirus (TCV) resulted in requests by integrators, growers, and NCDA officials for maps identifying the locations of farms positive for TCV in addition to identifying all turkey farms within a two-mile radius of TCV positive farms. Using global positioning equipment, NC farms were located by latitude and longitude. This system is compatible with the systems developed for SC and VA. As a result, turkey producers now receive maps indicating the locations of new TCV cases and high-risk farms within a two-mile radius of case farms. This system allows integrators to re-route traffic away from known positive farms, thereby reducing the potential for disease spread. The database was developed on the NCSU campus by faculty in CALS and CVM and was transferred to the SC diagnostic laboratory. The SC diagnostic laboratory now distributes their disease reports to NC producers and researchers, via e-mail. These proactive disease control measures are predicted to significantly reduce the threat of spreading diseases among poultry flocks located in the three states.

Location: Poultry Science

Person Reporting: Sheldon, Brian

Disposal of poultry and swine mortality continues to challenge producers for a number of reasons. For example, current burial practices are being questioned by environmental protection officials because of the potential for ground water contamination, incineration options may cause air quality problems, and traditional rendering practices are too costly or present biosecurity disease risks for the producers. An alternative process is currently under development by Poultry Science Extension faculty that encompasses on-farm preservation of poultry and swine mortality using either phosphoric acid or freezing followed by shipment to a central processing facility for receiving a final heat treatment through a flash dehydration system. The potential benefits of this technology include a greater percentage of farm mortality being recycled, improved environmental conditions and biosecurity on the farm, the availability of an economical and high quality protein supplement, reduced feed costs, and continued sustainability and growth of the poultry and livestock industries in North Carolina. Presently, a group of poultry and swine producers are moving ahead to adopt this technology which is estimated to save them approximately $2 million annually in mortality transport costs alone.

Location: Johnston

Person Reporting: Hughes, Ronald

As the goat industry blossoms in Johnston County many new inexperienced people are experimenting with this enterprise. The year old Johnston County Goat Producers Association sees this as an opportunity to educate the newcomers through an annual meeting each year. The February meeting featured a speaker from the NCDA Rollins Diagnostic Laboratory. He discussed the many and most common diseases and management problems that are seen at the Lab. His graphic slide presentation brought much interesting and educational discussion to the meeting. As a result 10 new goat keepers began a monthly de-worming program with several starting regular vaccination protocol. A decrease in loss of newborn and young kids was noted during the spring kidding period. An average of 3 additional kids per herd reached a market weight of 50 lbs selling at $1.25 to $1.50 per pound increasing income for 15 herd owners to between $2812 and $3375.

Location: Caldwell

Person Reporting: Nagy, Seth H

Caldwell County is quickly becoming a melting pot with the influx of Mexican and Asian people. These folks bring with them their cultural heritage. To help meet the desires of our new neighbors some local farmers are engaging in meat goat production, a relished meat of both Mexican and Asian people (as well as some new American converts). To assist local producers with their new endeavor the local County Extension Center hosted a field trip to the Vet School in Raleigh coinciding with the NC Meat Goat Association Annual Meeting. Here producers were introduced to the latest in meat goat research. However, the most immediate impact of the meeting was increased marketing options, producers were able to connect with buyers who were offering a premium over local Caldwell County buyers. These new marketing options are a potential extra $9,000 to $12,000 of income for county producers.

Location: Duplin

Person Reporting: Maready, Star

The N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation announced that 14 hog farms have been selected to participate in the $5.7 million floodplain buyout program funded by the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. 3 of the farms are located in Duplin County and had a combined buyout price of $814,013. Through the educational efforts of Extension and DENR, the program provided monetary support to close 32 waste lagoons (3 in Duplin County) and bought the capacity to produce 25,000 hogs (5,000 in Duplin). The voluntary program's objectives are to remove high-risk swine production operations from the 100-year floodplain and to mitigate potential hazard from future floods.

Location: Animal Science

Person Reporting: See, Todd

To enable distance education for pork producers and their employees a nationally developed curriculum was transformed into an Internet course. In the pilot class 39 participants enrolled from 17 states and 3 foreign countries. Of the 26 participants completing the course 14 were owner/operators, 6 were farm managers, 2 were breeding and gestation managers, 3 were employees and 1 was an educator. Ninety-six percent of the participants completing the course agreed that Breeding and Gestation Herd Management provided them with an opportunity to improve their job skills. When asked about their improvement of knowledge on 14 key concepts the average responses ranged from 2.0 to 2.5 for every concept where 1 is Strongly Agree and 5 is Strongly Disagree. Furthermore 46% of the completing students indicated that they planned to make changes in their breeding and gestation barn practices based on information they learned in Breeding and Gestation Herd Management.

Location: Animal Science

Person Reporting: See, Todd

The Extension Swine Husbandry WWW Site facilitates the rapid transfer of research-based information on swine to a worldwide audience. This site consists of over 500 NCSU swine publications and extensive links to information at other universities and government agencies. More than 100,000 visitors have reviewed over 1 Million documents. Average visitors per day are 420 resulting in 10,000 requests for information a week. This proves to be an effective way to transfer information at times convenient to the clientele and to more than 40 countries around the world. In addition, over 800 requests were received for additional information. Leif Herlov, Managing Director of the Danish Agricultural Advisory Center wrote, "All my best compliments with your information system and the content in MARK. I have been surfing the Internet the last few hours. North Carolina State University and the Information services you offer is far the best I have seen. Congratulations!"

identified to the producers.

CEMP 04 Team Members

geoff_benson@ncsu.edu bfoushee@randolph.ces.state.nc.us

mike_stringham@ncsu.edu lon_whitlow@ncsu.edu

tom_losordo@ncsu.edu rmelton@anson.ces.state.nc.us

ken_anderson@ncsu.edu rlichten@plymouth.ces.state.nc.us

bob_mowrey@ncsu.edu steve_washburn@ncsu.edu

wearle@wilson.ces.state.nc.us tsee@ncsu.edu

roger_mccraw@ncsu.edu star_maready@ncsu.edu

greg_traywick@ncsu.edu Mike_Wineland@ncsu.edu

brian_sheldon@ncsu.edu ben_chase@ncsu.edu

martiday@granvill.ces.ncsu.edu

gcarp@chatham.ces.ncsu.edu jean-marie_luginbuhl@ncsu.edu

mike_yoder@ncsu.edu charles_young@ncsu.edu

kevin_rozeboom@ncsu.edu ronald_hughes@ncsu.edu

roger_crickenberger@ncsu.edu dale_miller@ncsu.edu

robert_mustian@ncsu.edu calla@ncat.edu

john_richardson@ncsu.edu steve_gabel@ncsu.edu

Program Description:

The child care Cooperative Extension Major Program has two goals. These goals are to (1) Improve the quality of child care in North Carolina and (2) To increase the availability of child care in North Carolina. To carry out the first goal, Cooperative Extension Agents (mainly Family and Consumer Science and 4-H) conduct training on a variety of topics. This is a traditional role for Cooperative Extension as an arm of the research university. However, a major new role for agents is securing financial support in the form of grants and collaborations which serve to support the second goal of increasing the availability of child care.

Abstract/overview:

The needs of the child care community are diverse. Primary among them is the need to improve the quality of care provided by staff through appropriate training. Agents report having trained at least 16,741 youth and adult child care providers in 2000. Cooperative Extension has offered a total of 88,243.00 training hours for these providers, which at $20.00 per hour calculates to a cost benefit of $1,764,860.00. More importantly, 12,240 of these providers report that they increased their knowledge, attitudes and skills as a result of this training and 9,621 report implementing quality child care practices in one or more of the state mandated functional areas (topics). It is not surprising therefore that parents, child care providers and school personnel report that 55,357 children improved in social/emotional, cognitive, and physical development in the centers where staff received CES training. Thus, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service has an important impact on the 132,954 children reached by these child care providers.

Child Care continues to be an underfunded community need. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service has begun to seek collaborative relationships and grant funding to alleviate this need. Agents report developing or sustaining at least 1001 collaborative relationships in support of child care and developed or sustained 6,217 community networking relationships to support child care. No other agency, local or statewide, could have such a statewide impact on the child care issue. Acting in collaboration with other community groups, Cooperative Extension Agents have generated at least $794,153 to support child care at the local level. In addition, agents report that they manage $1,448,764 in child care dollars.

Increasing child care availability is sometimes a lengthy process which begins with technical assistance in the form of training, phone calls and site visits. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Agents report that 3,019 potential providers and 3,790 current providers reported improving knowledge and skills in increasing or maintaining child care availability due to technical assistance received through Extension.

Volunteers play an important role in the effect to increase availability and improve quality in child care. In the year 2000 , 2,193 volunteers contributed 39,674 hours of service. At $10 per hour this equates to $396,740 dollars worth of service to the community.

The most direct evidence of the impact of the work of CES Agents is in the 3,843 new slots for children and the 97 new centers or family child care homes that were created across the state in 2000. This translates into 3,843 children who have care and 97 centers and homes that are now members of the child care industry because of the efforts of the Agents of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

Number of Units reporting accomplishments:

Objective 1-68 counties reporting accomplishments;

Objective 2 - 39 counties reporting accomplishments;

Statewide Measures of Progress totals:

Objective 1: Child care professionals in North Carolina will provide safe, nurturing, appropriate programs for children.

Child care providers will have improved knowledge, attitudes and skills in one or more of the state mandated functional areas.

YOUTH - # OF PROVIDERS REPORTING AN INCREASE: 1171

YOUTH - # OF PROVIDERS TRAINED: 2101

YOUTH - # OF CHILDREN REACHED BY YOUTH PROVIDERS: 6,736

YOUTH - # OF CUMULATIVE TRAINING HOURS FOR YOUTH PROVIDERS: 10,944

FAMILY CHILD CARE - # OF PROVIDERS REPORTING AN INCREASE: 2,023

FAMILY CHILD CARE - # OF PROVIDERS TRAINED: 2,889

FAMILY CHILD CARE - # OF CHILDREN REACHED BY PROVIDERS: 15,774

FAMILY CHILD CARE - # OF CUMULATIVE TRAINING HOURS FOR PROVIDERS: 10,289

CENTER CARE - # OF STAFF REPORTING AN INCREASE: 6,354

CENTER CARE - # OF STAFF TRAINED 8,130

CENTER CARE - # OF CHILDREN REACHED BY STAFF: 69,808

CENTER CARE - # OF CUMULATIVE TRAINING HOURS FOR STAFF: 41,124

SCHOOL-AGE CARE - # OF PROVIDERS REPORTING AN INCREASE: 2,692

SCHOOL-AGE CARE - # OF PROVIDERS TRAINED: 3,621

SCHOOL-AGE CARE - # OF CHILDREN REACHED BY PROVIDERS: 40,646

SCHOOL-AGE CARE - # OF CUMULATIVE TRAINING HOURS FOR PROVIDERS: 25,886

2. Child Care providers will implement quality child care practices in one or more of the state mandated functional areas.

# OF YOUTH PROVIDERS REPORTING IMPLEMENTATION: 856

# OF FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS REPORTING IMPLEMENTATION: 1,497

# OF CENTER-STAFF REPORTING IMPLEMENTATION: 3,820

# OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS REPORTING IMPLEMENTATION: 3,446

Objective 2: The amount of quality child care will be increased as a result of improved collaboration among county agencies, increased resource development and the education of business leaders, court officals, school and private.

1. Developed or sustained community collaborative relationships that support child care?

# OF COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE DEVELOPED OR SUSTAINED THAT SUPPORT CHILD CARE: 1,001

2. Developed or sustained community networking relationships that support child care?

# OF NETWORKS DEVELOPED OR SUSTAINED THAT SUPPORT CHILD CARE: 6,217

3. Developed resources that support child care?

DOLLAR AMOUNT EXTENSION MANAGES: $1,448,764

DOLLAR AMOUNT EXTENSION GENERATES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS: $794,153

4. Providers and potential providers receiving technical assistance will report an increase in knowledge and skills in increasing or maintaining child care availability?

# OF POTENTIAL PROVIDERS INCREASING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: 3,019

# OF CURRENT PROVIDERS INCREASING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: 3,790

Statewide Impact totals:

Objective 1

1. Children in quality child care improve in social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development as reported by parents, providers, and school personnel.

# OF CHILDREN DEMONSTRATING IMPROVEMENT: 55,357

2. Total number of all cumulative training hours @ $20 per hour for all types of providers.

NUMBER OF HOURS CONDUCTING TRAINING: 115,846

Volunteers Involved

Number 1,479

Hours 21,627

Dollar Value - $216,270

Objective 2

1. 1. New slots as a result of direct Extension educational efforts or technical ssistance:

# OF NEW SLOTS: 3,843

2. New centers/homes as a result of direct Extension educational efforts or technical assistance:

# OF NEW CENTERS/HOMES: 97

3. 3. Dollar value of slots Extension created: Calculated as number of slots Extension created multiplied by median family income divided by # of child care eligible children in family:

LOCAL VALUE OF MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME: $4,294,984,270

DIVIDED BY THE # OF ELIGIBLE CHILDREN: $2,550,951

Volunteers Involved

Number 714

Hours 18,047

Dollar Value $180,470

Program Cost/Benefit Analysis

$ Value to targeted audience - $9,322,005

$ Estimated program cost - $1,828,669

Volunteers involved and value:

Objective 1: 1,479 volunteers involved

21,627 hours

$216,270 value @ $10/hour

Objective 2: 714 volunteers involved

18,047 hours

$180,470 value @ $10/hour

SUCCESS STORIES:

Objective 1 Success Stories:

Alexander County: Onsite training was provided for Head Start staff using Cooperative Extension's "Getting Along" preschool violence prevention education project. Training, teaching materials, a portable resource library, parent pages and trip to Project Enlightenment in Wake County equipped staff with needed skills and materials. After one year, 80% of teachers in the project reported their children had increased their ability to express feelings and exhibited increased readiness for problem solving.

Allegheny and Ashe: Providers trained in Cooperative Extension's "Be Active Kids" Curriculum report the children in their care more willing to try new foods, think about food choices that are good for them and have a better attitude toward physical activity due to use of the curriculum in their child care programs.

Avery: Cooperative Extension gave leadership to a Regional Child Care Task Force in order to provide training for 163 child care providers from Avery and surrounding counties. The task force successfully addressed the difficulty child care providers had experienced for years in obtaining educational credits without the expense of traveling away from home.

Davidson: 33 persons are now trained to conduct playground safety audits to meet State guidelines. Due to participation in Cooperative Extension's Basic School-age Child Care training, 10 centers increased their star rating and qualified for a higher number of stars in the rating sale.

Forsyth: Extension staff worked with two YWCA After-school programs using funding through the Department of Child Development to enable them to become accredited by the National School Age Care Association. The Extension Staff has provided technical assistance to child care providers to increase the quality of school age child care programs by improving enrichment activities for 3000 children participating in these programs.

Greene: As a result of participation in monthly child care training through Cooperative Extension, providers formed a committee and established a Green County Child Care Association.

Iredell: As a result of 200 children participating in "Fight Bac" and "Snacking Healthy" nutrition programs and provider trainings, child care providers report seeing an increase in children's consciousness in eating healthy foods and washing their hands.

Lee: Over 6,000 Lee County children are being cared for in a safer and more nurturing environment because 201 providers completed 61 hours of professional training and 120 providers successfully completed CPR and First Aid training through Cooperative Extension.

Wayne: Wayne County is the only organization that is providing training for school age centers. Starting Fall of 2000, all child care centers with school age programs must attend a seven-hour training designed by the NC Department of Human Services Child Care Section. Wayne County 4-H offered seven-hour classes to meet this need to 143 child care providers with 89% rating the training as excellent. Participant evaluations state "I wish I had learned as much from other trainings that I have taken as I have from the trainings I have taken from 4-H", I will surely be able to take what I have learned from this workshop and apply it to my class at the center."

Robeson: Through grant funds, Extension distributed 54 computers and printers to child care providers applying for the new star rated license and to assist them with their business. Through six trainings, 194 child care providers (whose previous knowledge of computers was limited) have learned how to use programs for spreadsheets, word processing and have learned how to create newsletters, calendars, flyers, attendance sheets, menus and more.

Johnson: Cooperative Extension provides training onsite or at other locally convenient sites to providers enrolled in the Johnson County Extension CDA/Rural T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship program. One provider working toward 30 hours of training thorough this program, and CDA credentials, reported "This program is great and will help me work better with my parents and teachers. Thank you for offering this program. I would not be able to take classes elsewhere as I operate a 24 hour home care."

Objective 2: Success Stories

Ashe: New TANF money for scholarships obtained from collaboration with the Department of Social Services will allow 50 additional children to attend the 4-H Short Stops Program. Children in the homework track at the four afterschool programs have a better chance for academic success. Four children were reported to pass that were not passing before they received assistance in homework. Seventy-Five percent of children that are consistently given homework help show improvement in homework completion and in classroom grades.

Burke: The collaboration between Burke County 4-H and the Burke County Public Schools is the reason for the successful quality school-age care programs. Burke County currently has the most (6) Nationally Accredited Programs in the State. This is a direct result of NCCE working with the school programs to meet national standards and to identify and encourage needed improvement.

Harnett: Cooperative Extension's Child Care Resource and Referral program staff offers technical assistance and training, as well as educational material to potential new providers. The program offers preregistration workshops on a quarterly basis. Through grant funds, they have offered not only workshops, but on site consultation and multiple follow-up visits to new family child care home providers and up to $225.00 in approved expenditures to help providers defray the cost of start up to operate a new business. Eighteen new providers have been assisted in starting new family child care homes this year through the project. 547 parents and family members have received one on one assistance in searching for and finding quality child care through Extension's free referral and education service. 1,139 parents/family members received educational packets or materials from use of referrals services or phone calls for child care information. 9,919 family members received technical assistance and educational information through phone calls, community programs and mailing of educational materials.

Northampton: Northampton has very little affordable child care. There are no recreation programs or facilities for youth. In response, Extension applied for and received a $40,000 grant from the Division of Child Development to support summer programming. This grant has enabled Extension to operate 3 summer program sites, provide an additional teacher at 3 existing child care facilities, opening up an additional 100 child care slots. Parents are able to save approximately $200 per month in child care costs due to the low cost of Extension's day camps.

Wake: Wake county has partnered with grassroots organizations in Southern Wake county to create Fuquay Youth Initiative and to collaboratively secure $100,000 in funding from local agencies to develop non-school hour programs serving 200 middle school youth. Wake 4-H has also invested $90,000 of collaboratively generated funds from the Safe Schools Healthy Students Program to provide start-up funding for 7 new youth programs developed by community organizations creating 300 new "slots".

Wayne: Afterschool programs have clear, positive impacts upon the children, their families and their schools. Students involved in afterschool program exhibit fewer behavioral problems, better ability to handle conflicts, and improved self-confidence as well as improvements in academic performance. Wayne County 4-H conducts 10 after school programs for youth in grades K-5. Each day, over 250 youth attend a 4-H sponsored after school program. Comments from parents about the 4-H after school program include: "I feel safe and sure that my daughter receives wonderful care and attention,," "My son has gotten more out of the 4-H after school program in just 3 1/2 months than the 3 years in another after school program", "The program is organized and interactive with the kids". An Assistant Principal said quoting the school guidance counselor; "I can always tell the students that are in the 4-H After School Program, they know about character education and what it means".

Catawba: Cooperative Extension is working cooperatively with Catawba County Community School and Newton-Conover City schools to expand school-age child care program to 75 youth in 2 elementary and 1 middle school. The unique program offers tutoring in cooperation with school-age care and 4-H programming. Afterschool Adventures targets students who are failing to perform at grade level. The Guidance Counselor indicates that several students who were previously failing classes are now passing as a result of the program. A parent who previously was concerned about the negative after-school activities of her son, considers the program "a blessing". Parents are pleased to have a structured school-age child care program available for middle school youth who do not need to be home alone.

Impact Bullets

16, 741 youth and adult child care providers completing 88,243 cumulative training hours through Cooperative Extension.

12,240 child care providers report increasing their knowledge, attitudes and result of Cooperative Extension training.

9,621 of child care providers report implementing quality child care practices in one or more of the State mandated functional areas, due to CES training.

55,357 children reported by parents, child care providers and school personnel to show improved social/emotional cognitive and physical development in child care programs where staff received CES training.

132,954 children reached by child care providers trained through CES.

NCCES conducted 115,846 hours of educational training at a value of $1,621,108 to targeted audience and $5,491,454 to society.

Extension reports developing or sustaining 1,001 collaborative and 6,217 community networking relationships to support local child care.

3019 potential child care providers and 3,790 current child care providers report increasing knowledge and skills in increasing or maintaining child care availability due to technical assistance from Cooperative Extension Service.

Cooperative Extension Service developed and managed $1,448,764 the past year to support local child care initiatives.

3,843 new child care slots and 97 new child care centers/homes were developed as a direct result of Extension's educational efforts or technical assistance at a value of $9,322,055 to targeted audience.

2,193 volunteers contributed 39,674 hours of service in efforts to increase availability and improve quality in child care, equating to $396,740.00 worth of service to the community.

CEMP 5 COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Barbara Vandenberg Susan Condlin Ann Ward

Wanda Hardison Sandra Head

Rosa Andrews Scott Howard

Karen DeBord Deborah Womack

Carolyn Dunn Lori Ivey

Connie Green Anna Peele

Julie Landry Suzanne Van Rijn

This cooperative extension major program has four major objectives: (1) integrating special audiences into the local community development process; (2) teaching economic development concepts to local leaders; (3) informing local leaders and citizens about economic trends and their expected impacts on the local economy; and (4) facilitating business development assistance by bringing together local private expertise with local needs for business management information.

OVERVIEW

Program efforts fall primarily in four areas: Sustainable Tourism, Community Development, Hispanic Audiences, and Leadership Development. Some efforts build on established programs and strengths where as others are responding to new identified needs and opportunities. Agritourism and sustainable tourism programs have resulted in an increase in roadside and farmer's markets, several new businesses, and existing businesses have adding value to their operations. Community development can encompass many aspects of community life from economic opportunities, protecting historic or ecological resources, resolving conflicts, restoring or rebuilding facilities and creating new quality of life opportunities. One community conducted a design project that is used as a model for others in the state. This project included citizens to provide input on the design of their downtown, market the project, and to begin implementation of some of the goals. North Carolina's Hispanic population increased by 95 percent between 1990 and 1997 and is much younger than the total population creating new opportunities. Extension educators and other agency personnel are learning more about the culture, language, demographics and challenges facing this growing population. Extension programs have included collaborating with a local community college to address issues and educate the public on Hispanic/Latino Influence in Northwestern North Carolina. In addition, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to the High Country AMIGOS to address community and leadership needs of the Hispanic Community. Leadership development continues to be a vital part of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension's efforts in Community and Economic Development. Without effective local leadership, it is unlikely communities will be able to develop or reach their goals. Leadership development is a continuous process that includes both positional leaders (government and organization) as well as reputational leaders, all ages and people from all economic levels.

Number of Units Reporting:

Objective 1: 28

Objective 2: 9

Objective 3: 7

Objective 4: 12

Statewide Measures of Progress

Objective 1 Special audiences will use information about community services and the community development process to gain skills to participate in community development.

Number of participants gaining awareness and knowledge: 6,492

Total number of participants: 6,284

Number participating in groups: 4,159

Total number of participants: 7,388

New community organizations formed: 50

New community development projects formed: 188

Objective 2 Public and private community leaders will use economic development concepts to implement policies promoting sustainable economic development.

Number of participants gaining awareness and knowledge of computer models, videos, and fact sheets: 1,230

Applications made of computer models: 0

Applications made of videos: 110

Applications made of fact sheets: 130

Objective 3 Local leaders, business persons, and educators will acquire information about economic trends affecting local economic opportunities.

Number of persons attending conferences who increased their awareness and knowledge: 1,521

Number of requests for additional information: 809

Objective 4 Existing business persons and potential business persons will acquire information about beginning and running a successful business, including small and home-based businesses.

Number of persons attending workshops: 562

Number of applications made of videos, notebooks, and fact sheets: 156

Number of persons increasing their awareness and knowledge of opportunities: 197

Number of persons increasing their awareness and knowledge of market plans and community analysis: 122

Statewide Impact Totals

Objective 1 Special audiences will use information about community services and the community development process to gain skills to participate in community development.

Number of special audience persons participating in local public hearings: 772

Number of additional special audience persons participating in voting: 266

Number of additional special audience persons participating in the labor force: 214

Number of additional special audience person participating in the community development process: 5,605

Number of additional special audience persons participating in community development organizations: 6,126

Objective 2 Public and private community leaders will use economic development concepts to implement policies promoting sustainable economic development.

Number of persons attending local conferences and distance learning conferences: 527

Percentage of persons rating conference information useful: 62%

Businesses and payrolls attracted to counties as a result of educational information: 10 businesses payroll $5,000

Objective 3 Local leaders, business persons, and educators will acquire information about economic trends affecting local economic opportunities.

Percentage of conference participants rating conference information useful: 72%

Number of guidance counselors using information: 31

Value of lines of newspaper stories on subject, at $1.50 per line for 24,190 lines: $36,285

Value of radio time on subject, at $20 per minute, for 175 minutes: $3500

Value of TV time on subject, at $100 per minute, for 40 minutes: $4,000

Objective 4 Existing business persons and potential business persons will acquire information about beginning and running a successful business, including small and home-based businesses.

Number of small and home based business start-ups and annual payroll resulting form educational efforts: 11

start-ups $796000 annual payroll

Number of small and home based business plans developed: 13

Number of persons increasing their income through participation in the community development process: 70

Number of community analyses performed: 10

Volunteers and Value

Objective 1

Number: 5,793

Hours: 26,645

Value @ $10/hour: $266,450

Objective 2

Number: 246

Hours: 4,193

Value @ $10/hour: $41,930

Objective 3

Number: 313

Hours: 1070

Value @ $10/hour $10,700

Objective 4

Number: 63

Hours: 1,233

Value @ $10/hour $12,330

SUCCESS STORIES

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Tourism continues to grow in NC while farmland is decreasing. Agritourism is one way of meeting the demand for tourism while preserving and protecting our farmland. Eight Davidson County residents attended a multi-county agri-tourism workshop in Stanly County to learn about agriculture alternatives, and to learn how to put their land to use. Some of the participants returned to open a horse riding arena for residents and visitors. They also shared what they learned with the 80 members of the County REINS horse association. The REINS association has since become instrumental in trying to secure land for riding and to try to find land to put in conservancy for trail rides. The horse rides and potential for dude ranches is seen as a major component of the entire tourism development effort being under taken in the County. Horse riding could be seen as a major drawing card for tourism in the County and an opportunity to help horse owners with income opportunities through private ventures.

The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian Reservation attracts thousands of tourists each year. Extension has worked with the Reservation (over 400 volunteers and community leaders) to develop the Oconaluftee Island Park into a Sustainable Tourism Attraction. During the past year, this organization has raised over $50,000. Native plant gardens have been developed, as well as a new section on Acquoni Road for fishing and swimming. During the past year visitors have used this island for recreation, family reunions and as a fitness center. This has had a positive economic impact on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and to local businesses.

Tourism is the second largest industry in Western NC, and according to a survey conducted in the High Country, the residents are concerned about the environment and the community character of our mountains. Avery and Watauga County Extension partnered with Appalachian State University, several departments at NCSU, several businesses, and over fifty concerned citizens to have a Sustainable Tourism Conference in the High Country in September, 2000. This conference focused on Cultivating Partnerships for a Healthy Environment with emphasis on Public Policy, Tourism Entrepreneur Issues and an Academic Papers track which included papers on Sustainable Tourism Research and Projects. The keynote speakers included David Jones, Director of NC Zoo and Becky Anderson, Executive Director of HandMade in America. Over 150 participants attended from six states with excellent evaluations. Several participants felt that this is an area to have cross-state/regional planning and participation.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Under extension leadership, the Taylorsville Hometown Development Council has held 5 successful fundraising events. This has resulted in significant community beautification and community pride.

Greene County has been active in the planning and promotion of an Agriculture/Civic Center. The county lacks adequate meeting facilities for numerous civic related programs. A $400,000 planning grant was secured and the initial stages of facility development have been accomplished.

Murphy Design Project allowed citizens to provide input on the design of their town, market the project, and to begin implementation of the goals. 250 citizens were involved and the process will be a model for other communities.

HISPANIC

The Hispanic population in Northwest NC is growing rapidly. Extension educators and other agency personnel need to learn more about the culture, language, demographics and challenges facing this growing population. To address this issue, the District Advisory Council and Extension staffs in the NW district, collaborating with the local community college, organized a day long seminar to address these issues and educate the public on the Hispanic/Latino Influence in North West North Carolina. 250 citizens attended sessions on Health, Government Services, Immigration, and Collaboration. 80% reported the seminar of great benefit in increasing their knowledge of the issues facing this population.

Watauga County's Hispanic population is growing faster than any other county in the High Country, and most of the Hispanics are working in Agriculture related jobs. Many of this population's needs have been identified, and Extension has partnered with other agencies and churches to initiate the High Country AMIGOS to carry out programs (ESL classes, Pesticide Education, Women's group, etc.). In November, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to the High Country AMIGOS to a) start a Clearing House, b) conduct community education, and c) to conduct leadership development for members of the Hispanic Community. The Steering Committee for the High Country AMIGOS is made up of several members of the Hispanic Community, and all but two members of this committee speak Spanish. Already, members of the Hispanic Community are participating in leadership roles.

The Hispanic population in North Carolina is growing rapidly. The Hispanic youth face culture and language barriers, and are often reluctant to participate in school and community activities. Eighteen Hispanic/Latino middle school youth participated in a week long day camp funded by the NC Grassroots Art program and Extension. Final evaluations showed all youth learning new skills, learning different ways to cooperate and build teams, increasing knowledge of science behind the arts, exploring one new career, and making new friends. Twelve volunteers assisted and instructed a variety of arts-related learning experiences. 88% learned how to speak before a group and changed their mind about someone (one person said "about me"). One participant learned "that there is someone to help you & you might not know it". A reception, including a display of work, was held at the Arts Center. Nine participants plan on joining an after-school AIM group for Hispanic/Latino students.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Rowan County has several communities with a high percentage of minorities and low income people which have been impacted by major projects that will affect land values and possibly their homesites. County faculty have responded with a multi-part program which has increased the ability of these residents to voice their concerns and, at the same time, made them more effective citizens.

"Power of People," a regional leadership workshop celebrated its eighth annual successful conference during 2000. Community leaders, county councils, and others thought perhaps the series had run its course. However, the people of the region overwhelmingly wanted the workshop to continue. The opportunity to learn was deemed an opportunity too great to miss.

Leadership training without a focused set of issues or objectives does not make much sense, but few in Edgecombe County realized how quickly these issues and priorities would change after Hurricane Floyd. Communities and rural development organizations in the county have depended on Extension to provide leadership training. The impacts of this training paid off directly for the individuals involved in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd. Participants in the program were often a step ahead of neighbors in dealing with federal and state agencies and in making their needs and desires known.

IMPACT BULLETS

A $50,000 grant was obtained to address the leadership and community development needs of the Hispanic Community in one county.

One community is implementing an effort to create a sustainable design of the town developed through an Extension design process that includes considerable citizen participation.

Facilitation of a complex and controversial community land-use issue resulted in a win-win outcome for all parties

Program Focus: The focus of the Crop Production and Marketing Systems CEMP is to develop and deliver crops and marketing systems educational programs that improve the profits of North Carolina's agricultural industry and maintain environmentally safe farms and communities.

Abstract: Various programs associated with this CEMP provided knowledge and awareness of various subjects to 106,458 people and 30,339 made application of that knowledge. This represents 1.8 acres affected by these program for a total of $62 billion saved or earned as a result of the programs. In this CEMP the NCCE has provided training for farmers as the tobacco industry shifts to contracting with the shift to be 70-75% of the acreage in 2001. When high levels of tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA) in North Carolina flue-cured tobacco were found Extension provided assistance through publications, workshops and electronic media to convert curing barns to new heat exchangers. NCCES continues to work with tobacco growers as they shift from offering tobacco for sale in loose bundles to compacted bales which improves handling and tracking of tobacco after sale. The practice also reduces on-farm handling costs counties report savings of $25,000 to $72,000. NCCE agents have assisted farmers to produce alternative crops in their tobacco greenhouse space. Extension Agents and Specialists organized the peanut leafspot advisory program which growers used to eliminate at least one leafspot spray. Black Shank continues to plague many North Carolina tobacco so many growers are planting black shank resistant varieties and were able to reduce chemical applications and lower production costs by $150,000 in one county.

Small acreage and part time farmers continue to cope with their unique circumstances in innovative ways thanks to Extension assistance. They are doing many of the same things that full time farmers are doing, looking at alternative crops, using transgenic crops to reduce costs, learning about and evaluating futures markets, using agrotourism, e-marketing to sell products, and using organic niche markets to deal with their unique situations as small acreage. In another county growers explored green bean production when introduced to a broker/harvester from Pennsylvania by the agent and 8 growers committed 300 acres the agent provided cultural information on the crop, and provided assistance with pest management to make it success. NC A&T staff and the local agent trained farm families through the Farmers Adopt Computer Training Program with some of the farmers purchasing their own computer and all improving their management skills. Agents assisted with farmers markets which offer an opportunity for small-part time farmers to sell produce and earn an extra income. Specialty crops workshops were conducted across the state to assist farmers in learning about new enterprises, value-added marketing, irrigation, season extension techniques, non-chemical weed control strategies, ethnic vegetables, sustainable hog production, agrotourism, and forming agricultural cooperatives. One farmer raises and trains draft horses for his hayride and pick your own business. Other farmers are diversifying into growing top quality horse hay the growing pleasure horse industry with a county-wide horse hay directory resulting with more acres taken out of rotational crop production and put into permanent grass for hay. Part-time beef producers are using different forage species to better distribute seasonal forage supplies resulting reduced storage of winter feeds and in $40,000 improved profits on 50 farms. The agent helped manage a coop on a 310 acre tribal farm for the Eastern Band Cherokee Indian Reservation so 31 part-time/limited resource farmers could use the land for crops, garden plots or hay so families benefitted from this community farm and many people in the community receiving fresh produce year-around, much like a "Community Supported Agriculture" program. NCCE and a chamber of commerce promoted and conducted educational program on the potential for wine grapes with people attending and many people planning to grow grapes with a potential gross $5,000 per acre.

Widespread adoption of scouting for IPM programs resulted in increased awareness of early season insect pest levels on approximately 15,000 acres of cotton in one county. An IPM program was developed and for new growers of 125 species of flowering and ornamental shade trees because grower had little exposure to the vast array of potential pest problems with reduced pest damage and pesticide use. A teachable moment occurred in one county allowing the agent to educate many farmers about beneficial insects and fungi that help control the aphid population. A portion of pesticide and commodity meetings were spent educating farmers and landowners on the Neuse River Rules. Counties report 60 to 90 % of soybean acres and 50 to 100 % the cotton acres used transgenic varieties in 2000. Agents expect to see a significant increase in herbicide tolerant corn in 2001 with 10 to 20%of the acres using these varieties in 2000. Farmers find that it greatly enhances their pest management options and even offers control of pests that were difficult to handle by conventional methods.

Extension has been in the forefront of grower education about the benefits and disadvantages of available biotechnology. These programs provided growers with timely information to make sound decisions based on research, good economics and adaptability to area needs. Farmers are using this technology to increase profit and produce a higher quality product. The new bioengineered varieties have been evaluated through on-farm tests and in managing pest and through a demonstration scouting. Efforts are underway to assist local with understanding how to use micropropagated sweetpotatoes to improve production and profitability by eliminating virus infestation.

Futures markets education has resulted from Extension educational efforts, additional producers gained knowledge of local, national and global markets and the impact of these markets on their farming enterprises. This knowledge has helped them develop strategies for selling the commodities that they produce. Producers have added a new enterprise to their operations. For example two growers reported that by following the marketing plan developed from the information received at the seminar they were able to increase their net farm income by $158,500. As participants increase knowledge and comfort level with the markets additional opportunities are found. In training programs CPAs and Income Tax Preparers learned at least five new ways to more accurately prepare Farm Income Taxes as a result farmers will save money in taxes. Farmers attended a multicounty marketing program dealing with the marketing changes associated with the change of a local highway to an Interstate. As a result of the meeting, growers are changing signage and products to expand their market and attract customers from the Interstate.

Growers have also been alerted to the implications of contracting directly with companies for their tobacco leaf as this becomes the norm in tobacco marketing.

Statewide there were 84 counties reporting work on this CEMP, the following numbers of units reporting by objective: 1-55; 2-43; 3-91; 4-43; 5-26; 6-20; 7-20.

Statewide Measures of Progress

OBJECTIVE 1. Tobacco and peanut farmers will be assisted in evaluating alternative production practices, investigating innovative agricultural opportunities and exploring marketing options to ensure continued farm productivity and enterprise profits.

Clients reported increased awareness and knowledge and 807 adopted practices associated with new marketing options. While 3446 others adopted practices such as field selection, pest management, improved varieties, harvest techniques, and equipment adaptability 388,290 acres. And 3429 clients gained additional awareness/knowledge of alternative production systems, affecting 93,778 acres.

OBJECTIVE 2. Part-time and limited resource farmers will increase the sustainability of their farms through crop diversification 1, intensive management practices, water and nutrient management, and expanded markets.

Part-time and limited resource farmers were made aware and gained knowledge of the diverse crops and cropping systems that can be utilized in NC. Through meetings, tours, seminars, on-farm demonstrations and one-on-one visits, many of the participants adopted these crops and cropping systems, much of the time creating new markets that have increased their sustainability.

A total of 912 part-time and limited resource farmers adopted best management practices such as irrigation system, nutrient management, etc. on 70,577 acres. With clients increasing awareness and knowledge of marketing options (2,095) and irrigation and management systems (1,265), while 549 increased use of multiple markets and 347 grew new crops.

OBJECTIVE 3. Farmers will continue to evaluate recommended or conventional production practices and management systems, integrating them into sustainable farming systems.

There were 9350 clients adopting best management practices such as pest control, lower labor costs, tillage, proper fertilization, etc, that will increase yield and there were 17838 who increased awareness and knowledge of production. This program stabilized or increased the number of farms/crop acreage by 4224 farms and 92,090 acres. The adoption of practices that lower production costs or keep production costs below income from the farm were used by 6044 farmers on 1,161,365 acres.

Objective 4. Growers and Agribusiness professionals evaluate and adopt appropriate alternatives to conventional pesticides, nutrients, and tillage to enhance quality and maintain profitability.

The focus of objective 4 was to enhance environmental quality and maintain profitability through the adoption of alternatives to conventional pesticides, nutrient application and tillage systems. Examples of education programs include (1) The use of leaf compost and animal waste in organic production systems; (2) The adoption of IPM practices in fruit and nursery crops; (3) Reduced tillage in cotton and wheat production; (4) Scouting programs for thrips in peanuts and Hessian Fly in wheat; (5) Spray advisories based weather and predictive models for leaf spot in peanut and blue mold in tobacco; (6) The planting of herbicide resistance and BT cotton; (7) The promotion/adoption of BMP's in nutrient sensitive river basins.

There were 5,059 or 5,728 clients reporting to have increased awareness and knowledge of IPM practices or cover crop, rotation, waste products for fertilization, scouting, and use of spray advisories respectively, and 2,006 adopted IPM practices. Which affected a total of 419,769 acres.

Objective 5. Producers will become knowledgeable of regulations and environmental constraints on production practices, evaluate the impacts of these constraints on their farm, and develop least cost methods of compliance which will maintain quality of farm and rural environment.

Clients( 5,377 ) reported increased awareness and knowledge and 2852 adopted the best management practices such as soil, water, and tissue analyses, responsible pesticide use, and IPM pest management strategies on 273,121 acres. At the same time 6,061 clients reported increased awareness and knowledge of farm and environmental regulations.

OBJECTIVE 6. Farmers will utilize and citizens will become knowledgeable about biotechnology and the use, benefits, and risks associated with the production of genetically engineered crop plants.

Clients (5,558) reported increased awareness and knowledge of biotechnology and its applications to crop production and 3356 adopted biotechnology applications to crop production through the use of genetically engineered varieties on 406,595 acres. At the same time the 34,639 members of the public increased their understanding of safety, use, and benefits of production of genetically engineered crop plants.

OBJECTIVE 7. Farmers, farm organizations, and agribusinesses will become knowledgeable of local and global market factors and develop strategies to cope with or take advantage of these factors to maximize farm profits.

There were 5,189 clients reported to have increased awareness and knowledge and 662 adopted practices associated with new agricultural products and 831 adopted practices that impacted marketing successes.

Statewide Impacts

Objective 1. 'Tobacco and peanut farmers evaluate alternatives'.

Profitability increased $2,713,346 through adoption of new tobacco marketing options. Profitability was further optimized through adoption of new practices such as equipment adaptability, cultural practices, and pest management with a value of $4,517,154.

Objective 2. 'Part-time and limited resource farmers improve'.

As a result of adoption of appropriate new crop production practices, irrigation practices, intensive management systems $2,760,013 and through diversification of crops $1,622,331 were saved or earned. At the same time 569 producers adopted of more sustainability practices.

Objective 3. 'Evaluate recommended practices for sustainability'.

Optimize profits totaled $6,099,840, while $ 6,189,800 were saved through improved pest management and adoption of practices such as choice of high yield varieties, tillage, application timing, market options, etc. resulted in $13,552,148.

Objective 4. 'New chemicals and practices for environment with profitability'.

There were $2,087,089 saved as a result of adoption of adoption of IPM with a reduction of in 294,640 lbs of active ingredient and $6,892,268 saved through adoption of BMPS.

Objective 5. 'Environmental regulations and constraints adjustment'.

As a result of adoption of BMPs such as IPM strategies, participation in cost-share programs and proper uses of soil, tissue, and waste analyses within environmental and safety regulations $1,959,946 were saved.

Objective 6. 'Biotech benefits and knowledge of risk increased'.

As a result of adoption of transgenic varieties profits were increased by $7,565,609 and pesticide use was reduced through use of genetic resistance to plant pests saving $2,166,926. While the 31,647 of the non-farm public understands the use, benefits, and risks associated with food, food products, and fiber crops generated from genetic engineering.

Objective 7. 'Agricultural industry learn about and adapt to local and global markets'.

As a result of adoption of local and global marketing strategies producers optimized profitability by $2,763,503. An additional $926,860 profits was obtained by adoption and marketing of new products.

Volunteers involved and value

Objective 1. 'Tobacco and peanut farmers evaluate alternatives'.

There was a total of 405 volunteers involved in these programs who spent 2193 hours of their time. At a dollar value of $10 per hour they contributed $209,912 to the program.

Objective 2. 'Part-time and limited resource farmers improve'.

There was a total of 253 volunteers involved in these programs who spent 3987 hours of their time. At a dollar value of $10 per hour they contributed $39,870 to the program.

Objective 3. Evaluate recommended practices for sustainability'.

There was a total of 1173 volunteers involved in these programs who spent 11769 hours of their time. At a dollar value of $10 per hour they contributed $108,552 to the program.

Objective 4. 'New chemicals and practices for environment with profitability'.

There was a total of 293 volunteers involved in these programs who spent 5160 hours of their time. At a dollar value of $10 per hour they contributed $51,600 to the program.

Objective 5. 'Environmental regulations and constraints adjustment'.

There was a total of 155 volunteers involved in these programs who spent 1285 hours of their time. At a dollar value of $10 per hour they contributed $12,850 to the program.

Objective 6. 'Biotech benefits and knowledge of risk increased'.

There was a total of 253 volunteers involved in these programs who spent 3987 hours of their time. At a dollar value of $10 per hour they contributed $39,870 to the program.

Objective 7. 'Agricultural industry learn about and adapt to local and global markets'.

There was a total of 76 volunteers involved in these programs who spent 311 hours of their time. At a dollar value of $10 per hour they contributed $3,110 to the program.

Success Stories

Forsyth-Mark Tucker, Davidson-Troy Coggins, Yadkin-Jack Loudermilk

With the rapid changes occurring in agriculture and the potential economic and environmental consequences associated with these changes, it is imperative that agribusiness persons particularly Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) be trained in proper environmental management and efficient crop management. Thus a multi-county group of Agricultural Agents conducted the Western Piedmont CCA training reaching 67 CCAs from five states. This training has continued to grow with attendance more than double that of the initial program in 1997. Participant evaluations indicated that 100 percent increased their knowledge of CCA competencies and 95 percent significantly improved their knowledge of nutrient management, soil and water management, crop management, and integrated pest management. A similar training, conducted for the first time in 2000 in Eastern NC by another group of agents, reached an additional 80 CCAs. These trains have established a great working relationship between the industry CCAs and the local Extension Centers.

Caldwell-Craig Adkins

Ornamental growers in the foothills are growing up to 125 species of flowering and ornamental shade trees. Some growers planting these trees have had little exposure to the vast array of potential pest problems. An IPM program was developed and implemented for use with these flowering and ornamental trees. With a series of IPM workshops 95 nurserymen and their employees were taught how to identify and control disease, insect, mite and weed pests with minimal chemical inputs. In 2000,18 growers have realized an average of $9,000 savings in chemical and labor costs by implementing IPM on 100 acres of flowering and ornamental shade trees. These participants indicated that implementing IPM helped them to grow better plants by managing potential pest problems.

Moore-Taylor Williams

In April 2000, weather and disease conditions were conducive for blue mold development in plant beds and greenhouses in Lee, Moore, and Richmond counties. NCCE staff contacted 60 growers on a Friday evening to alert them to spray a protective fungicide. Nearly all followed this advice. As a result, only one greenhouse, and no plant beds, developed tobacco blue mold. This resulted in an estimated reduction of 3000 lbs of expensive fungicide sprays needed after the tobacco was transplanted to the field, in addition to an estimated $500,000 in crop losses that would otherwise have occurred.

Robeson- Georgia Pate

The Hessian fly has caused significant damage in winter wheat across Robeson County during this season. Since this pest is not usually of economic importance, the cause of yellow, stunted wheat with few tillers late this spring, even where adequate fertility levels were maintained, could not be determined by 3 growers on approximately 150 acres of scattered, isolated fields. After soil sampling and tissue analysis, results revealed low pH, mosaic virus, and hessian fly damage on most fields. Infestations were as high as 40 larvae or pupae per tiller. Farmers had planned to apply additional N and S but Hessian fly damage did not warrant additional expense thus saving growers $2000 in fertilizer costs.

Columbus-Milton Parker

Farm family successfully renovates an old poultry house for horticulture crops. Waccamaw Greenhouse and Nursery has been growing and marketing bedding plants and vegetables since Sept, 1999. Milton Parker has assisted the Ward family with a strategic marketing plan including a master business plan for the farm. The Wards successfully completed this plan as a result of participating in a recent NCCE risk management workshop. They now fully utilized 9,000 square feet of growing space and are opening an additional 7,000 square feet. A group of growers viewed their operation on a recent tour.

Lenoir- Wilfred Jester

Small farmers continue to try to compete with larger produce concerns. With this in mind, three years ago NCCE brought together 13 farmers from 4 counties to establish the Southeast Growers' Association, a cooperative aimed at producing high quality produce and marketing direct to the chainstores. Extension continues to provide educational input as an advisor to the coop. The coop has been very successful to date with 30 farmers from 7 counties marketing through the coop in 2000. Over 220 loads of cantaloupe, seedless watermelon, specialty melons, tomatoes, squash and seeded watermelons were marketed and generating gross revenue of over $2.2 million.

Rowan County-Darrell Blackwelder

Homeowners, growers, garden centers, and some industries have unwanted or outdated pesticides that need proper disposal. These pesticides jeopardize both workers and in some cases the general public. Many are old with leaking or damaged containers. Much of the unwanted pesticides find their way into the local landfill or are simply misapplied or illegally dumped. In an effort to help control these practices, NCCE in conjunction with Rowan County Environmental Services sponsored a Pesticide Pickup Day with the North Carolina Department Of Agriculture. NCCE played a key role in informing the public with newspaper articles, radio programs, and newsletters. Over 50 participants delivered 2200 pounds to the Pesticide Pick Up Day, saving the county over $2000 in landfill costs and most importantly keeping the materials out of groundwater and the environment.

Columbus-Michael Shaw

A group of Bladen and Columbus county growers worked with NCCE agent Michael Shaw to learn, understand, and use option on the grain futures market. This is the second year that group has been together and they continue to learn and feel more comfortable with these marketing tools. The have moved into options, learning how options work, and how options can enhance our marketing opportunities. Farmers continue to feel resistance to use these markets, but the classes have increased their understanding of their opportunities in pricing their grain crops. From the reports from the Brown's of Carolina feed mill in Bladenboro on the amount of corn forward price, these marketing groups had approximately 75% of their corn forward priced.

Forsyth-Mark Tucker

The necessity for growers to retrofit tobacco curing barns to reduce nitrosamines in cured tobacco created an urgent educational need. A multi-county effort lead by agricultural agents in collaboration with 15 retrofit manufacturers, the Flue-Cured Tobacco Stabilization Corporation (FCTSC), and local cooperators developed the Piedmont Retrofit Field Day. Approximately 900 growers learned about the retrofitting issue and the various equipment available. NCCE assisted growers and the FCTSC with filing for reimbursement for retrofit expenses. Of the Forsyth growers receiving reimbursement, all used Extension assistance. Extension sampled 8 barns in Forsyth County for TSNA levels and tested over 20 retrofitted barns for efficiency, and was able to increase efficiency on misadjusted barns by 3.5 percent. Over 160 area growers have since been updated on the retrofit situation, including unit efficiency testing and TSNA levels. Currently over 50 percent of the barns needed to cure the 2001 crop are converted in Forsyth County.

Montgomery-Roger Galloway

There will be a change in traffic flow along US 220 in the NC Sandhills, which presents a problem for a number of roadside markets. Several marketing strategies were presented at a marketing meeting in the spring of 2000 that attracted 50 participants from a four county area. The Tourist Orientated Directional Sign (TODS) program used by several states were discussed. A committee was formed by interested participants as a result of this meeting. They directed a letter to the governor and phone several members of the general assembly to support a TODS program for North Carolina. This committee was in place to support a TODS legislative bill during a critical stage of development. As a result the bill's passage will assist roadside stands vendors across the state.

Wilson-Norman Harrell

The European Economic Community (EEC) has established tolerance levels of 80 ppm on maleic hydrazide (MH) residues on imported flue-cured tobacco. MH is applied by growers to control auxiliary bud growth (suckers) and excessive rates of MH are often applied for extended sucker control, often resulting in high residues levels. If levels are not reduced, the EEC may decrease their purchases of United States tobacco. NCCE addressed this situation by promoting an effective sucker control program. Through various delivery methods, farmers were encouraged to harvest seven days after a MH application, use a dinitroaniline in tank mix with MH, harvest after a shower of rain, and to apply proper rates of MH. Through these efforts, MH residues levels were 80 ppm this season, the lowest of the last four years. This level is within the tolerance of the EEC and will help sustain the tobacco export market.

Henderson-Mark Lancaster

A drip irrigation demonstrator unit (filters, pump, pressure-reduction, fertilizer-injector) obtained with small farmer grant funding was located with a cooperator who had no experience with the vegetable plasticulture system. The grower experienced yield reduction within his tomato crop in 1999 due to verticillium wilt and was encouraged to take advantage of fumigation to continue to profitably produce tomatoes. Three acres or crop vine and bush crops including tomatoes were produced on his demonstration site in 2000. Assistance was provided by NCCE to optimize the system for his site, calibrate and apply fumigant, lay mulch and drip irrigation tubing, schedule irrigation and fertigation events. The grower's recognition of benefits resulted in his arrangements to purchase his own system for the 2001 season. He has been convinced that the cost/benefit of this system will be profitable for his farm in the future.

Beaufort-Gaylon Ambrose

In 1999 hard to control winter annual weeds, field pansy and field violet impacted (reduced yields and increased costs of control) 20,000 of no-till corn. In 2000 three on-farm-tests evaluated various control measures for control. Two demonstrations and field days were conducted to enable producers to properly ID and selected the appropriated control measure. As a result growers made more informed control decisions and reduced the impact on the 2000 corn crop by $160,000 and the cost of control reduced by $100,000.

Bertie-William Griffin

Farmers in Bertie County planted 35,893 acres of cotton in 2000. Keeping abreast of moth flights and insect pressures in the county is very critical for good insect control. With the help of two volunteers, three light traps were checked daily during the major moth flight and farmers were informed by newsletters and answering machine of major flights and recommended actions. These programs resulted in sprays being applied correctly and low insect damage saving farmers $50,000 through increased yield and pesticide savings.

Johnston-James Darden

North Carolina sweetpotato growers are losing market share each year due to increased production and more cleaver marketing nationwide. The Micropropagation Unit at NCSU and NCCE have teamed up to offer genetically superior sweetpotato 'cutting stock' to their growers. Sweetpotatoes grown with this method are virus free, and are micropropagated (tissue culture) to insure desired characteristics such as: high yield, excellent color, and great taste. In response to our efforts over the past three years, now 63% of the acreage grown in Johnston County has been propagated from micropropagated stock plants. These plants have resulted in an average increase of 40 bushels per acre across the county for a total of $2,306,920 increase in gross income realized on the 8239 acres of sweetpotatoes grown in the county. This effort has the added benefit of increased shelf appeal of our product and has increased the marketability of our product nationwide.

Specific Impact Bullets

In two workshops 62 CPAs and Tax Preparers learned at least 5 new ways to more accurately prepare farm taxes resulting 2500 farms benefitting from this knowledge.

NCCE and NCDA&CS conduct a chainstore buyers tour, which resulted in the 3 companies purchasing form 100+ growers and improved with rapport and increased sales.

Farmers are learning about futures options markets to insure that they are able to price their crops at profitable levels with several farmers successfully using options to increase their income by actively marketing rather than selling increased their income $158,500.

Counties report 60 to 90 % soybeans and 50 to 100 % cotton growers used transgenic varieties on 406,600 acres at a saving of $7.5 million in pesticides and other costs.

With an early spring Blue mold threat looming, 60 growers were contacted resulting in a reduction of 3000 lbs of fungicides after the tobacco was in the field and an estimated $500,000 in crop losses that would otherwise have occurred.

18 nurserymen have realized an average savings of $9,000 on chemical and labor costs by implementing IPM on ornamental shade trees.

By showing farmers with aphid problems that beneficials were at work, many were kept from spraying unnecessarily which resulted in saving the environment and farmers $7500.

A NCCE agent identified a poinsettia problem as soluble salts, suggested appropriate changes in fertility practices were made, he was able to minimize the amount of plants lost, with the grower able to salvage and sell 93% of his crop for $48,500.

Peanut growers used recommended maturity check and indicated it resulted in an average digging date adjustment of 3 days, with 100 pounds more per day a savings of $90 per acre or $67,500 on 750 acres tested.

Teaching farmers ID beneficial vs harmful insects and diseases reduce spray numbers and the amount of pesticide to the environment by as much as 50 %, saving over $1,200,000 for cotton growers using IPM practices in one county.

Using Best Management Practices like reduced tillage and crop rotation etc. is estimated to saved growers $6.5 million in time and money.

Eight growers were able to take action quickly following an alert of aphid damage potential via an email notice, saving approximately $5,000 in lost plants.

Widespread adoption of scouting resulted 15,000 acres of cotton receiving early action eliminate thrips feeding, saving 50 to 100 pounds of lint per acre resulting in $58 per acre or $870,000 in one county.

New snap bean growers were assisted in finding a buyer/harvester, making a profit of $24,000 and provide food, tax revenue, and local economies stimulus.

Part-time beef producers are using different forage species to better distribute forage supplies thus reducing storage hay and resulting in $40,000 improved profits on 50 farms.

Team:

D. Sanders and J. W. Dunham Cochairs and members, C. Adkins,T. Bilderback, B. Brown, K. Edmisten, C. Fountain, M. Gibbs, W. Hanlin, G. Holmes, D. Jordan, M. Lancaster, T. Melton, M. Martin, M. Parker, D. Smith, S. Southern, J. Spears, B. Spivey, M.Tucker, M. Williams, R. Wiesz, F. Yelverton

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

CEMP 8 promotes informed personal finance and other consumer decision making by individuals and families, emphasizing education to prevent financial problems. For persons who already have serious financial problems, Family and Consumer Education Agents make informed referrals to counseling and intervention services. To help people extend and increase income, FCE Agents provide resource management training for families and family business, and organize experienced volunteers to deliver skill training to youth and families.

ABSTRACT:

Programs in 63 counties assisted North Carolinians in increasing their awareness and knowledge of money management, financial/ consumer decision making, housing affordability, financial resources, and/or practices to extend or increase income. 1931 Volunteers gave their time to Family and Consumer Economics programs with a value of time of $205,060. County agents worked with many different partners to develop, implement and evaluation Family and Consumer Economics program. Partners in these efforts included Habitat for Humanity, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Social Services, local Medical Centers, SHIIP Volunteers, local IDA programs, local housing complexes, Goodwill Industries, Community Colleges, the U.S. Treasury, and Area Development Associations. Issues addressed in programming efforts include: home maintenance and repair, financial planning for high school students, pre and post purchase home owner education, investment and retirement planning, consumer fraud, credit usage and reduction, Medicare and medical insurance issues, disaster recovery, basic budgeting and financial management, estate planning, and income expansion.

NUMBER OF UNITS REPORTING:

Total Counties Reporting Accomplishments: 63

Objective 1: 34

Objective 2: 33

Objective 3: 25

Objective 4: 28

Objective 5: 17

STATEWIDE MEASURES OF PROGRESS

Objective 1: BASIC MONEY MANAGEMENT FOR LIMITED RESOURCE AUDIENCES: Limited resource individuals and families will increase awareness and knowledge and change attitudes about making and using money management plans, and adopt decision-making practices that will help them achieve family financial goals.

• 5231 individuals increased awareness and knowledge about money management and the decision-making process
• 2028 wrote financial goals
• 3834 individuals increased awareness and knowledge of family and community resources
• 2154 demonstrated use of money management skills
• 2090 demonstrated use of decision-making process to solve money management problems

Objective 2: FINANCIAL PLANNING OVER THE LIFE CYCLE: Individuals and families will increase awareness, knowledge and skill in financial planning techniques and adopt best management practices that enable them to meet their changing responsibilities over the life cycle.

• 3892 increased awareness and knowledge of the value of financial planning
• 2453 increased knowledge and skill in goal setting, budgeting, and record keeping
• 1424 increased knowledge and skill with life-cycle financial planning practices
• 653 adopted best management practices related to consumer credit
• 772 adopted best management practices related to saving and investing

Objective 3: HOUSING AFFORDABILITY: Individuals and families will increase awareness and knowledge of affordable housing issues and options and will adopt best management practices related to securing and maintaining affordable housing to meet their changing needs.

• 18716 increased awareness and knowledge of best management practices which lead to living in affordable housing
• 2362 adopted best management practices related to housing financial decisions
• 4166 adopted best management practices related to housing options
• 6166 adopted best management practices related to housing maintenance repair or home improvement
• 6582 adopted best management practices related to selection of affordable home furnishings

Objective 4: CONSUMER DECISION MAKING: Individuals and families will increase awareness and knowledge of consumer decision-making skills and adopt best management practices that improve their use of available resources and their financial status.

• 8535 increased awareness and knowledge of improved consumer decision-making skills
• 3648 adopted best management practices in selection and care of consumer goods to extend use/reduce costs
• 5763 adopted best management practices in selection and use of consumer service
• 2135 increased awareness and knowledge of consumer credit options and concerns
• 11053 increased awareness and knowledge of public policy issues affecting consumers

Objective 5: EXTENDING & INCREASING INCOME: Individuals and families will increase awareness, knowledge and skills and adopt best management practices to extend or increase income.

• 4840 increased awareness and knowledge of best management practices to extend or increase income
• 2344 demonstrated skills to produce consumer goods or services
• 1042 demonstrated appropriate decision making regarding employment
• 590 demonstrated appropriate decision making regarding self-employment
• 3020 adopted practices to extend or increase income

STATEWIDE IMPACT INDICATORS TOTALS

Objective 1: BASIC MONEY MANAGEMENT FOR LIMITED RESOURCE AUDIENCES: Limited resource individuals and families will increase awareness and knowledge and change attitudes about making and using money management plans, and adopt decision-making practices that will help them achieve family financial goals.

• 1654 made money management plans
• 1072 attained financial goals
• 1199 saved or reallocated money to meet family needs -- estimating that $70,497 dollars were saved and $38,514 dollars were reallocated
• 806 reduced their debt an estimated $73,012
• 2231 improved family financial self-sufficiency with available resources

Objective 2: FINANCIAL PLANNING OVER THE LIFE CYCLE: Individuals and families will increase awareness, knowledge and skill in financial planning techniques and adopt best management practices

• 1631 demonstrated success in planning the use of financial resources
• 1188 demonstrated ongoing use of budgeting and record-keeping skills
• 664 developed and implemented a life-cycle plan
• 946 improved financial status from using best management financial practices, estimating their debt reduction to be $10,889 and estimating savings/investment increases at $400,385

Objective 3: HOUSING AFFORDABILITY: Individuals and families will increase awareness and knowledge of affordable housing issues and options and will adopt best management practices related to securing and maintaining affordable housing to meet their changing needs.

• 930 demonstrated success in finding and securing affordable housing
• 2541 avoided costs through routine maintenance and repair, estimating $1,837,311 in cost avoidance (an average of $723 per person)
• 1710 increased house value through addition of home improvement (an average of $817 per home)

Objective 4: CONSUMER DECISION MAKING: Individuals and families will increase awareness and knowledge of consumer decision-making skills and adopt best management practices that improve their use of available resources and their financial status.

• 1905 avoided costs through appropriate selection and care of consumer goods, estimating $77,209 in cost avoidance
• 2278 avoided costs through appropriate selection of consumer service, estimating $201,346 in cost avoidance
• 2144 improve financial status through adoption of best management practices
• 272 increased participation in public policy debate on consumer issues.

Objective 5: EXTENDING & INCREASING INCOME: Individuals and families will increase awareness, knowledge and skills and adopt best management practices to extend or increase income.

• 1894 extended income through use of best management practices, resulting in an estimated income extension of $175,201
• $367,411 estimated dollar value of new or improved employment situation
• $64,558 estimated dollar value of new or improved self-employment situation

VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED:

1931 Volunteers gave 20,506 hours @ 10 per hour for a total value of $205,060

SUCCESS STORIES:

A Gaston County SHIIP volunteer assisted a senior citizen in refuting a claim for $12,960 from a local medical facility. Reviewing the bills and Medicare forms, the volunteer determined that the beneficiary was only required to pay $2,120, a savings of $10,840, because the facility had failed to file promptly and correctly for Medicare covered services or the coverage under the individuals supplemental policy. The beneficiary could not be held accountable for the charges because the error was on the part of the provider who attempted to recoup by billing the beneficiary for the denied services.

Lenoir County Cooperative Extension presented Money In/Money Out to 16 members of the Family Literacy class at Lenoir Community College. 100 percent of the participants reported an increase in their consumer decisionmaking skills. 63 percent felt they had increased their ability to manage their money more wisely. 94 percent reported increased knowledge in saving money and reducing their consumer debt. Each participant felt like they could start saving at least $15 per month. A three month follow-up revealed 88 percent had practiced at home what they had learned and 81 percent had opened a savings account.

Many limited resource families need education, guidance and encouragement in order to achieve financial success. The Edgecombe County Cooperative Extension Service has teamed with the Department of Social Services to provide classes, support group meetings and personal contacts for families in the Individual Development Account (IDA) program. Twenty-eight families are saving money on a regular basis in order to achieve their goal of homeownership. A total of $17,028 has been saved by these limited resource families during the past 16 months. One of the families enrolled in the program lost everything they owned in the 1999 flood and has since faced a serious illness. Despite these obstacles, this family has remained committed to the IDA requirements of education and saving money for the purchase of a home. They are now in the process of closing on a house and gaining a valuable asset that will strengthen their family and economic stability.

Hadden Hall is a Senior Adult Apartment Complex in New Hanover County. The average income per resident is $10,000 to $18,000 per year. Some of the residents expressed they are having problems managing their income. A 4part series of money management classes entitled Stretching Your Dollars were conducted one hour every Tuesday from June 627, 2000. The class topics included budgeting principles, credit management, consumer fraud, and consumer rights and responsibilities. According to questionnaires, verbal responses, and financial management activities, the 12 participants have saved receipts for one month in order to develop their budget plans. They have adopted skills in analyzing purchases to control their credit, implemented recordkeeping systems, and utilize the consumer complaint process in order to improve faulty goods and services. This activity was coordinated by Dianne Gatewood, FCS Educator and Penelope Morningstar, Resident Manager.

The 16^th annual Craft fair was held this fall providing a local market for area home-based crafts persons to showcase their talents and earn extra funds for their family's budgets. The sale is sponsored annually as a collaboration between Extension Staff, ECA members, and area crafts persons. As a result of this year's sale, between $25,000-$30,000 was earned by crafts persons. Participating vendors reported receiving orders for items 3-4 weeks following the sale for additional income. One vendor reported an income of approximately $4500 during the two day sale.

SPECIFIC IMPACT BULLETS:

• 1199 limited resource program participants saved or reallocated money to meet their family's needs, savings were estimated at $70,497 and reallocations estimated at $38,514.

• 806 limited resource program participants reduced their debt an estimated $73,012.


• 946 program participants improved their financial status by using best management financial practices, thereby reducing their debt $10,889 and increasing savings/investments $400,385.
• 1905 program participants avoided costs through appropriate selection and care of consumer goods, as a result, avoiding $77,209 in costs.


• 2144 program participants improved their financial status by adopting consumer decision making best management practices.


• 2278 program participants avoided costs through appropriate selection of consumer services, resulting in a cost avoidance of approximately $201,346.


• 930 program participants demonstrated success in finding and securing affordable housing.


• 2541 program participants were able to avoid costs through routine maintenance and repair of their home, avoiding an estimated $1,837,311 in costs (an average of $723 per participant).


• 3020 program participants adopted practices to extend or increase their income.


• 1894 program participants extended their income an estimated $175,201 by implementing best management practices.

CEMP 8 TEAM:

Sarah Kirby, Co-Chair, NCSU Peggie Garner, Onslow County

Linda Aycock, Co-Chair, Nash County Bob Usry, NCSU

Jan Lloyd, Area Specialist, NCSU Ellen Miller, NCSU

Frances Turner, Wake County Claudette Smith, NCA&T

Deborah Taylor, Orange County Elaine Roux, Gaston County

Jim Daughtry, Jones County Glennie Beasley, Chatham County

Joanne Cope, Macon County Connie Sherrill, Edgecombe County

CEMP 09 Program focus:

The Family & Parent Education Cooperative Extension Major Program is helping parents and families acquire and develop the skills needed to foster qualities of responsibility, cooperation, courage and self-esteem. Appropriate actions are being taken to provide quality information on how to strengthen family relationships through improved parenting skills, financial management, problem-solving skills, empowerment, conflict resolution, effective communication, and stress management. In addition, Extension personnel are equipped to make appropriate referrals for family services, support services, and self-help support groups.

Abstract/Overview of 2000 CEMP 09 Program Accomplishments:

Thousands of individuals and families across the state were contacted, taught, mentored, encouraged, and impacted by the combined efforts of 65 county partners working on CEMP 09 objectives during 2000. The many educational efforts initiated and facilitated by County Family and Consumer Educators were immeasurably enhanced by hundreds of volunteers, collaborators, county government representatives, funding partners, state faculty members, and many members of our support staffs. Literally none of our successes are accomplished without a coordinated team effort.

Program content fits within the confines of CEMP 09's two objectives. Individual educational efforts focused heavily on Parent Education, Child Care, and Child Development. In addition, different programs emphasized topics related to overall human development such as stress management, conflict resolution, personal improvement skills, decision-making, personal responsibility, communication skills, and other life skills. Program methodologies were often highly creative and non-traditional, involving diverse audiences including limited resource families, incarcerated parents, and cross-cultural groups.

The results of the CEMP 09 educational programs conducted throughout the state are quite impressive. Utilizing the new CEMP 09 Revised Evaluation and Reporting Manual , measures were taken on a number of impact indicators. The awareness and knowledge levels related to one or more content concepts of 11,571 participants were increased. In addition to learning concepts, 7,315 persons reported adopting practices as a result of Extension programs that would improve their personal or family life, and 3,085 reported learning new skills that would enhance their ability to deal with the challenges of life. According to 3,194 learners, stronger family relationships were perceived as a result of participating in CEMP 09 educational opportunities. An overall improvement in the quality of life was reported by 3,633 program participants.

OBJECTIVE 1: Parents will increase parenting knowledge and skills, and adopt effective parenting practices.

Number of Units reporting accomplishments:

(60 counties) Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Avery, Beaufort, Brunswick, Buncombe, Caldwell, Camden, Catawba, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Hertford, Hoke, Iredell, Jackson, Lenoir, Lincoln, Macon, McDowell, Mitchell, Moore, Nash, Northampton, Onslow, Orange, Pasquotank, Randolph, Robeson, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Sampson, Stanly, Swain, Union, Vance, Wake, Warren, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson

Obj. - 1 Statewide Measures of Progress totals

Number of parents attending training programs 9,382

Number of limited resource parents reached 5,713

Number of children of the parents reached 9,627

Total number of parents increasing knowledge and skills

in parenting practices 6,900

Total number of parents increasing knowledge

in understanding child development 5,759

Total number of parents increasing knowledge

in motivating and guiding children 5,805

Total number of parents increasing knowledge

in nurturing children 6,083

Total number of parents increasing knowledge

in advocating for children 3,929

Obj. - 1 Statewide Impacts totals

Number of parents attending training programs 8,232

Number of limited resource parents reached 5,583

Number of children of the parents reached 8,488

Total number of parents who adopted effective parenting practices 4,325

Total number of parents adopting practices

in motivating and guiding children 4,046

Total number of parents adopting practices

in nurturing children 4,088

Total number of parents adopting practices

in advocating for children 3,654

Number of parents reporting increased time with their children 7,662

Parents reporting increased involvement in educational

and community functions 2,717

Obj. - 1 Volunteers involved and value

Number 778

Hours 4284

Dollar Value at $ 10/hr: $ 42,840

Obj. - 1 Success Stories

Person County: The Parents in Person program was requested by the local Catholic church to work with Hispanic families in parenting issues. Hispanic school teachers were contracted to deliver materials directly to the audience without the negation of delivery with a translator. Church parishioners were recruited to work with the children. Parenting classes were offered on Sunday morning following Catholic mass with 5 participants week 1, 15 participants the second week and 25 participants the third week. Evidently something was working! The series will continue for 6 weeks before evaluation, but feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Wayne County: In Wayne County, Extension provides a six hour series of parenting education classes to male inmates three times a year. Currently, 20 inmates have completed the series in 2000. During the classes, participants go through the process of writing a mission statement for their role as a father; learn about the development of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, big kids, and teenagers; explore the importance of writing to their children while separated; discuss effective communication skills; and learning creative ways to read to their children. Participants are very receptive to the class. All participants state that they learn new information. They also give examples of how they will adopt new practices. Comments from the inmates include: "This is a very exciting and encouraging class"," There is a desperate need for me to be in my children's life. This class really presented the reality of that", and "This class should be required for all parents and parents to be".

Moore County: The Moore County library has been offering a Storyhour for preschoolers for several years. Their goal is to encourage reading and literacy among preschoolers and parents. Approximately 10-20 parents participate in this program. The Cooperative Extension service has joined in this effort by introducing a PARENT POWER program for the parents bringing their children to the Storyhour. The initial attempt was to motivate parents to read books and publications relating to parenting issues and discuss them. The parents have been meeting now for about 6 weeks. The group has grown to about 20 parents and their response has been overwhelming. They not only read the proposed literature, but use the group as a support and discussion time. The parents comment that this is the first time they have ever been able to discuss these issues and look at solutions so reasonably. When asked they definitely want to continue meeting and discussing other information and issues. Since the success of this group the Library and Cooperative Extension has written a grant to enhance and expand the PARENT POWER efforts.

Perquimans County: Family Education/Child Care Classes featuring First Aid/CPR, Playground Safety, Communication Enhancement, Family Resource Management, and Stress Reduction helped 212 individuals make significant changes in their lives. Five received playground safety training. Twenty-six adults and 24 teens received CPR Certifications. Sixteen adults and 23 teens received First Aid Certifications. Three adults reunited for AIMM (Achievements in Money Management) Update. Fifty-four participants reported using Extension Information to reach an additional 2030 individuals. What better way to market.

Forsyth County: Good, positive parenting skills are needed by many parents, especially young & single mothers, in Forsyth Co. There is too much abuse, neglect, and low self-esteem in children. Cooperative Extension collaborated with Juvenile Justice Council and provided parenting information via Chat Room Seminar(s).150 limited resource parents and 100 youth participated in educational programs on parenting needs, child development, effective communication skills, building interpersonal relationships, promoting positive self-esteem, and money issues caring for children. Sessions ended with parents feeling good and proud as parents. The participants asked questions and dialogued among themselves to seek out additional resources from other participants. 80% requested that these seminars be held on a regular basis because of the good resources and information shared by presenters.

OBJECTIVE 2: Individuals and families will enhance personal development in family relationship and management skills.

Obj. - 2 Number of Units reporting accomplishments:

(29 counties) Alamance, Alleghany, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Caswell, Catawba, Columbus, Durham, Forsyth, Greene, Guilford, Harnett, Hertford, Iredell, Johnston, Lenoir, Macon, Mitchell, Nash, Onslow, Orange, Perquimans, Person, Robeson, Stanly, Union, Watauga, Wilson

Obj. - 2 Statewide Measures of Progress totals

Number of individuals attending training programs 6,745

Number of limited resource families 2,888

Total number in immediate family 10,204

Total number of individuals reporting increase in knowledge

in family education 4,671

Total number of individuals increasing knowledge

in personal development 5,588

Total number of individuals increasing knowledge

in family relationships 4,018

Total number of individuals increasing knowledge

in family management 3,687

Obj. - 2 Statewide Impacts totals

Total number of individuals adopting effective family education practices 2,990

Total number of individuals adopting practices

in personal development 3,085

Total number of individuals adopting practices

in family relationships 3,194

Total number of individuals adopting practices

in family management 2,446

Number of individuals reporting an increased quality of life 3,633

Obj. - 2 Volunteers involved and value

Number 656

Hours 2,491

Dollar Value at $ 10/hr: $ 24,910

Obj. - 2 Success Stories

Durham County: Durham County Human Resource and the Department of Social Services recognize the valuable resources and expertise of Extension employees and thus have added Extension staff to their training team. Comprehensive staff development training of county employees on Time Management and Stress Management are a part of the Staff Development Calendar. Forty county employees participate in the training sessions quarterly. Evaluations indicate that employees valued the knowledge gained and the information most helpful included organization skills, teamwork and building on strengths, relaxation exercises and stress reduction techniques. This valued opportunity has extended the visibility of Extension and created a greater demand for Extension programs by County departments. Durham County Training and Development Manager told the County Commissioners that Extension has saved Durham County thousands of dollars on training and development of County employees.

Alleghany County: Cooperative Extension has been a key player in the Alleghany County Family Resource Center. I serve as the chairperson for the Friends of the Family Advisory Committee. Due to the success of this effort, our two rural elementary schools have expressed interest in establishing resource centers in their communities. I have presented monthly programs to the parents participating at the Glade Creek Site. Not only has this been a great opportunity to reach an audience that typically wouldn't attend an Extension program held in town, it has also allowed me to develop trust and a good reputation in that community. Now Piney Creek is in the process of starting a program in their community. Community meetings have identified the leaders and a parent volunteer is organizing a half day, 3 day a week pre-school opportunity for the children in that area. We are excited about this adventure and look forward to using extension educational resources and information to help make this effort a success.

Durham County: Orange County Cooperative Extension is a collaborator on the Families In Focus training sub committee (Families In Focus is partially funded by Orange County Partnership for Young Children). The training sub committee sponsored a staff development training titled "Home Visiting In A Challenging Multi-Cultural Environment" with the focus on Latino families. The topics included Changing Demographics in Orange County; Family Dynamics/Machismo/Domestic Violence; Faith, Tradition, Beliefs; and Parent-Child Interactions and Bonding. There were 83 professionals present representing over 15 agencies. According to the evaluations, 98% of the respondents reported enhanced knowledge and understanding of Latino family dynamics, 100% increased understanding of how faith, tradition and beliefs help shape Latino families, and 100% reported enhanced knowledge and understanding of Parent-Child interactions and bonding related to Latino families. One participant stated "This training changed my perspective of the Latino community".

Impact Bullets

• Of the 8,232 parents attending Extension training programs, 4,325 reported adopting effective parenting practices and 7,662 reported spending increased time with their children


• As a result of Extension parent education programs, 2,717 parents reported increased involvement in educational and community functions.


• Of the 6,745 persons participating in Extension family life training programs, 2,990 reported adopting effective family education practices, and 3,633 reported an increased quality of life as a result of the training.


• The estimated net value of parent education programs conducted during 2000 is $325,659.


• The estimated net value of family life education programs conducted during 2000 is $1,830,491.

CEMP 09 Co-Chairs: Georgia Kight and Wayne Matthews

CEMP 09 Planning Team:

Karen DeBord Carmen Long

Jackie Roseboro Verlene D Stephenson

Nancy Abasiekong Karen Wicker

Marilyn Gore Stephanie Tatum

Melissa Hight Candy E Underwood

Gloria H Baker

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service via the Department of Wood and Paper Science and the Martin County Center work to increase the competitiveness and profitability of North Carolina's wood products industry, improve markets, and increase consumer understanding of wood products and their proper use. The continued long-term expansion of the State's primary and secondary wood products industries not only depends on the national and international economy, but on the individual firm's abilities to compete by obtaining and efficiently using raw materials and utilizing existing and new technology. Wood Products Extension and the Martin County Center concentrate their efforts on providing educational opportunities for managers and personnel of primary and secondary wood products firms and the consumers of wood products. These opportunities allow clientele to develop their knowledge and skills to further their effectiveness in the assembly, processing, distribution, and use of wood products. The modernization of the wood products industry will increase their competitiveness in our growing international economy.

OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM

The focus of the Forest Products Manufacturing Cooperative Extension program is to increase the competitiveness and profitability of North Carolina's wood products industry, improve markets, and increase consumer understanding of wood products and their proper use. To meet this goal, faculty conducted, organized or participated in 145 workshops, conferences, seminars, short courses, and classes for forest industry and consumer audiences. These efforts reached an estimated 3,333 individuals. An additional 50,000 individuals were reached via referred publications, brochures, reports, pamphlets, nonreferred publications, computer software, popular press articles, and the web. These activities resulted in 63 firms adopting new manufacturing techniques, 142 consumers adopting practices related to the selection, use, and maintenance of wood products, 2,043 individuals increasing their knowledge of the economic importance of the wood products industry, and 10,697 consumers increasing their understanding of forest products and their proper use. In economic terms these activities resulted in the following impacts: $9,600,000 saved through improved utilization or productivity; $1,400,000 in increased production of value-added products; and $3,156,000 saved through improved yield, efficiency, and marketing.

UNITS REPORTING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Department of Wood and Paper Science Extension Specialists

Urs Buehlmann, Joe Denig, Larry Jahn, Phil Mitchell

Martin County Extension Center, Jim Kea

STATEWIDE MEASURES OF PROGRESS TOTALS

Objective 1: (A) Forest products manufacturers will increase their competitiveness, productivity, profitability, and utilization of innovative technology, and (B) North Carolina citizens will increase their knowledge of wood products, their proper application, and maintenance.

Adoption of new manufacturing techniques

Number of firms adopting: 63

Consumer adoption of practices related to selection, use, and maintenance of wood products

Number adopting:142

Increased knowledge of economic importance of the wood products industry

Number increasing knowledge: 2,043

Increased consumer understanding of wood products and their proper use

Number increasing understanding: 10,697

STATEWIDE IMPACT TOTALS

Objective 1: (A) Forest products manufacturers will increase their competitiveness, productivity, profitability, and utilization of innovative technology, and (B) North Carolina citizens will increase their knowledge of wood products, their proper application, and maintenance.

Dollars saved through improved utilization or productivity

Dollars: $9,600,000

Increased production of value-added products

Dollars: $1,400,000

Dollars saved through improved yield, efficiency, productivity, and marketing

Dollars: $3,156,000

SUCCESS STORIES

The flooding from Hurricane Floyd destroyed approximately 300 homes and damaged 900 homes in Edgecombe County. Moisture meters were supplied for the Edgecombe County Extension Center to help residents test the moisture level of wood in their homes before rebuilding. The moisture meter program has been instrumental in increasing awareness about the importance of waiting for the wood to dry to 19 percent or less, thus preventing future moisture problems, indoor air quality concerns, health problems, and further economic losses. Edgecombe County building inspectors have used the meters in approximately 500 homes. The inspectors estimate homeowners are saving an average of $19,000 per home or a total savings of $9,500,000.

Extension programs focused on educational and technical assistance to North Carolina wood products manufacturers resulted in one furniture company implementing yield improvements in their rough mill operation. Ideas implemented by this company improved their yield by 5 percent. The results reported by this firm indicated an annual savings of $125,000.

Extension programs focused on educational and technical assistance to North Carolina wood products manufacturers resulted in one sawmill deciding against investment in a large capital project due to a negative cash flow for the first five years. The results reported by this sawmill indicated an annual savings of $1,000,000.

Extension programs focused on educational and technical assistance to North Carolina wood products manufacturers resulted in one sawmill selecting the proper piece of equipment based on the results of an Extension study done over a year ago. The increased manufacturing efficiency of this firm indicated an additional profit of $500,000 annually.

Extension programs focused on educational and technical assistance to North Carolina wood products manufacturers resulted in one sawmill implementing improved lumber drying procedures. The results reported by this firm indicated an annual savings of $216,000.

Extension programs focused on educational and technical assistance to an out-of-state secondary manufacturer resulted in a decision by this firm to use a different wood species (a switch from softwoods to hardwoods) in their manufacturing process. This company has made commitments to purchase $1,400,000 of lumber manufactured in North Carolina over the next year.

Extension programs focused on educational and technical assistance to North Carolina wood products manufacturers resulted in the establishment of a relationship between a truss manufacturer and a recycling company. This relationship led to the recycling of 1,250 tons of wood residue per year. This effort will result in the truss manufacturer saving an estimated $5,000 in waste disposal costs per year.

Extension programs focused on educational and technical assistance to North Carolina wood products manufacturers resulted in one sawmill implementing strategies to reduce their downtime. Ideas implemented by this mill have increased productivity by $310,000 per year.

A two-day Rough Mill Improvement Workshop was held in cooperation with Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory. On a 5 point scale (1=not helpful, 5=very helpful) the average overall score for the first day (traditional rough mills) was 4.0, the average overall score for the second day (modern rough mills) was 4.1. Sample comments on the workshop included: excellent presentations by all instructors; keep up the good work; and definitely worth my time.

SPECIFIC IMPACT BULLETS

*A furniture company implemented yield improvement methods in their rough mill which resulted in annual savings of $125,000.

*A sawmill decided against an investment in a large capital project which resulted in annual savings of $1,000,000.

*A sawmill selected the proper piece of manufacturing equipment which increased their manufacturing efficiency by $500,000 annually.

*A sawmill implemented improved drying procedures which resulted in annual savings of $216,000.

*The proper use of moisture meters in Edgecombe County after Hurricane Floyd has resulted in an average savings of $19,000 per home or a total savings of $9,500,000.

*The decision by an out-of-state manufacturer to purchase North Carolina hardwood lumber has resulted in additional lumber orders totaling $1,400,000.

*The recycling of 1,250 tons of wood residue resulted in an estimated savings of $5,000 in waste disposal costs per year.

*A sawmill implemented improved manufacturing strategies which reduced their downtime and increased their productivity by $310,000 per year.

TEAM MEMBERS

Urs Buehlmann Jim Kea

Joe Denig Phil Mitchell

Larry Jahn, Chair

This CEMP covers a range of Food Safety programs, both county and specialist. The greatest portion of the contacts come from individual county programs which include training of consumers, daycare and food service managers. Specialist programs center on industry training for HACCP and related subjects for industry. In addition, the CEMP covers the training for agents and entrepreneurs in setting up a food business and provides assistance for entrepreneurs.

Overview

Almost all levels of the food industry plus consumers are targeted by the Food Safety, Quality and Manufacturing CEMP. Most consumer-targeted work is delivered by County food safety agents. This includes programs so diverse as home food preservation, home food safety, and cooperative programs with other state and county agencies. This year, a special agent training was conducted to teach agents the basics of the regulatory and food safety requirements for entrepreneurs. New entrepreneurs are identified and directed to the Department of Food Science for assistance in labeling, compliance, packaging and shelf life issues.

A major portion of the County effort is directed toward food service managers and employees. Cooperative efforts with the restaurant association, environmental health specialists, and food service establishments have made this a very successful program. This year over 1400 managers passed the ServSafe course. This represents a small portion of the total restaurants in the state, but due to rapid turnover and moving from restaurant to restaurant, it is anticipated that this impacts almost double the enterprises involved.

Unfortunately, this year, Forsyth County was the site of a food borne illness outbreak which caused 10 illness and the deaths of 5 infants. The outbreak was complicated due to a language barrier with the Hispanic community and resulted from the consumption of illegally- made dairy product. The agent in that county collaborated with statewide task force to stop the outbreak, to determine the source of the outbreak and develop a statewide educational campaign to contain the outbreak and to prevent similar outbreaks.

A major effort in this CEMP results from specialist programs largely along commodity lines, however the Graduate School approved the establishment of a Graduate Food Safety Minor. One of the primary objectives of the food safety minor is provide students with a broad scientific perspective of food safety from farm-to-table. This compliments major food safety efforts already underway in poultry, red meats, seafood, dairy and fruits and vegetables.

Units reporting accomplishments: 68

Statewide measures of progress totals:

OBJECTIVE 1: Participants will adopt behaviors that decrease the risk of foodborne illness.

1. Number of Programs - Food safety and quality programs held?

NUMBER FOR CONSUMERS:660

NUMBER FOR FOOD SERVICE WORKERS (managers, supervisors & employees):71

NUMBER FOR FOOD HANDLERS (day care workers, food processors, etc.):750

NUMBER FOR FOOD REGULATORS:4

NUMBER FOR OTHERS:107

2. Number of Programs - Food Handler Certification programs held?

NUMBER FOR CONSUMERS:3

NUMBER FOR FOOD SERVICE WORKERS (managers, supervisors):209

NUMBER FOR FOOD HANDLERS (day care workers, food processors, etc.):501

NUMBER FOR FOOD REGULATORS:0

NUMBER FOR OTHERS:12

3. Number of Programs - Number of train the trainer programs held?

NUMBER FOR CONSUMERS (i.e., MASTER FOOD PRESERVER):5

NUMBER FOR FOOD SERVICE WORKERS :34

NUMBER FOR FOOD HANDLERS :30

NUMBER FOR FOOD REGULATORS:0

NUMBER FOR OTHER PROFESSIONAL (including agents):39

4. Number of Participants - Number of participants in the train the trainer programs?

NUMBER FOR CONSUMERS (i.e., MASTER FOOD PRESERVER):812

NUMBER FOR FOOD SERVICE WORKERS (managers, supervisors) :25775

NUMBER FOR FOOD HANDLERS (day care workers, food processors, etc.):290

NUMBER FOR FOOD REGULATORS:0

NUMBER FOR OTHER PROFESSIONAL (including agents):60

5. Number of Participants - Increased knowledge about safe food handling?

NUMBER FOR CONSUMERS:16509

NUMBER FOR FOOD SERVICE WORKERS (managers, supervisors & employees) : 2591

NUMBER FOR FOOD HANDLERS (day care workers, food processors, etc.):2105

NUMBER FOR FOOD REGULATORS:0

NUMBER FOR OTHER PROFESSIONAL (including agents):279

6. Number of Participants - Number of participants successfully completing certification?

NUMBER FOR CONSUMERS:1

NUMBER FOR FOOD SERVICE WORKERS (managers, supervisors & employees) : 1701

NUMBER FOR FOOD HANDLERS (day care workers, food processors, etc.):248

NUMBER FOR FOOD REGULATORS:1

NUMBER FOR OTHER PROFESSIONAL (including agents):8

OBJECTIVE 2: Target audiences will increase knowledge of and confidence in the safety and acceptability of the use of biotechnology in our food supply. [Due to the continuing changes in food technology other areas not yet known will need to be addressed in the future. The first year of the plan will address biotechnology. Other selected topics in future years will be addressed in the same manner.]

1. *Increased consumer knowledge about the application of biotechnology (or other new food technologies) on the food supply.

NUMBER INCREASING KNOWLEDGE :350

OBJECTIVE 3: Food processors will adopt new technology, hire and train qualified personnel, and develop in-house quality systems to ensure regulatory compliance along with sustained growth and profitability.

1. *Increased participation in training

NUMBER PARTICIPATING :808

2. *Adoption of quality strategies

NUMBER ADOPTING :79

3. *Adoption of new technology

NUMBER OF FIRMS ADOPTING :14

OBJECTIVE 4: New and potential entrepreneurs in the food products manufacturing areas will benefit from programs in business setup, management, quality, technology and regulations by entry into the marketplace showing sustained growth and profitability.

1 *Requests for assistance from small business and entrepreneurs

NUMBER :180

2. *Establishment of county manufacturing/entrepreneurial clubs

NUMBER :12 new county programs

3. *Numbers of new companies in food products manufacturing

NUMBER :80, mostly startups

Statewide impacts totals

Objective 1

1. *Adoption of safe food handling practices by consumers. Adoption of these practices has the potential to reduce the incidence of foodborne illness in homes?

NUMBER FOR CONSUMERS: 11597

NUMBER FOR FOOD SERVICE WORKERS (managers, supervisors & employees) 1 1992

NUMBER FOR FOOD HANDLERS (day care workers, food processors, etc.): 2159

NUMBER FOR FOOD REGULATORS: 8

NUMBER FOR OTHER PROFESSIONAL (including agents): 264

2. *Total funds invested in food safety programs (not including salary)?

DOLLARS IN LOCAL FUNDS: 16667

DOLLARS IN STATE FUNDS: 17825

DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDS: 13000

DOLLARS IN INDUSTRY FUNDS: 9199

DOLLARS IN OTHER FUNDS: 28256

3. *Percentage of time spent on food safety programming (10%, 50%, etc.)?

PERCENTAGE OF TIME: 1379

Objective 2

1. *Improved consumer attitudes about the safety and acceptability of the use of biotechnology (or other new food technologies) in the food supply.

NUMBER IMPROVING ATTITUDES : 208

Objective 3

1. *Increased value of industry

DOLLARS : $2,000,000

2. *Increase in industry employment

DOLLARS :4,000,000

3. *Increase in construction and purchase of food processing equipment

DOLLARS : 10,000,000

4. *Number of new companies in the state

NUMBER : 11

5. *Increased jobs in industry

NUMBER : 200

Objective 4

1. *Increase in number of small businesses in food manufacturing

NUMBER : 80.

*Entrepreneurs will become established, hire new employees, and improve probability of success

NUMBER : 10

Volunteers Involved and value

Objective 1

Number: 1294

Hours: 3968

Dollar Value at $ 10/hr:$ 39,680

Objective 2

Volunteers Involved

Number:0

Hours: 0

Dollar Value at $ 10/hr:$ 0

Objective 3

Volunteers Involved

Number: 8

Hours: 173

Dollar Value at $ 10/hr: $ 1,730

Objective 4

Volunteers Involved

Number:18

Hours: 108

Dollar Value at $ 10/hr: $ 1,080

Success Stories

Story#1

One agent conducted three 18-hour ServSafe Manager Certification Trainings in Mecklenburg County during the year. A total of 56 foodservice managers passed the exam and received certification. This allows their establishment to receive two extra points on their health inspections in the state of NC. One FCS agent from another county in the district observed the June classes, as she offered ServSafe for the first time in her county later in the year. Several Environmental Health Specialists also took the class. This agent assisted the FCS agent in Iredell County with a ServSafe series in March by teaching the HACCP lesson. In partnership with the NC Department of Public Instruction, this agent also taught two ServSafe classes in March on the topic of The Microworld, for 98 foodservice employees of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Child Nutrition Department.

Story #2

Improper Food handling and lack of training in food safety at food service establishments causes illiness and economic problems for Food Service Operators. Working with A Cross-County team of Family and Consumer Educators (Lee, Harnett, Chatam, Montgomery, and Scotland ) that teach the ServSafe Class approximately 90-95 participants havebeen certified in ServSafe food safety taining. Working the unit on Purchasing and Receiving Safe Food, using a variety of teaching techniques and a display of various thermometers added value to the lesson. Hands-on activities, repetition and reenforcement of materials increases the chances of succcessful passing of Exam.

What has been done: A Specialized Food Safety Training Program for North Carolina County Extension Educators.

Impact: Resource materials developed as a result of agent projects were showcased at the annual extension staff conference and a poster session detailed all of the individual and group projects. The response by other county agents in attendance was overwhelming and requests for these materials are constantly being received. Due to a large demand from other county food safety educators to participate, the program was continued for a second time with eleven additional agents. To date, a total of 23 of North Carolina's 100 county extension agents have participated in this specialized training program to increase their food safety expertise. Specialists can already see the benefits and successes of enhancing the food safety knowledge of these select, food safety resource agents. They have returned to their counties and have begun to initiate new partnerships with local health departments for food service trainings, have worked with each other on regional projects and have continued to praise the training program and rate it as the "best program and training they have ever received"!

**One of the best examples of the impact this training program has had, involves the recent foodborne illness outbreak of Listeriosis in Forsyth County. The agent in Forsyth County, Martha Isenberg, is a food safety resource agent and has been able to use what she learned in the food safety training to help educate the citizens of Winston Salem and Forsyth County. Martha credits the course for arming her with the food safety information and resources she needs to spread the word to the public. An article located at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/agcomm/writing/2000/121100e.htm best details Martha's efforts to date.

Story#3

Issue:All seafood dealers, packers, and processors have been legally required to have a Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point (HACCP) and/or a sanitation plan in force since December 1997. Yet some businesses have been operating without procedures to ensure the safe handling and distribution of their products. Other firms attempted to comply with the FDA's seafood safety regulation; however, the flaws in critical control point monitoring procedures and verification methods rendered some businesses' HACCP plans ineffective.

What Has Been Done: Continued to deliver National Seafood HACCP Alliance training to seafood processors and regulatory personnel. As a result of these workshops, processors gained the competence to design and implement a HACCP system for their operations. Provided on-site assistance to develop HACCP and/or sanitation protocols for processors who had not or could not attend a HACCP training workshop.

Impact: Compliance to HACCP is mandatory. The FDA can close businesses that are subject to the seafood safety regulation but do not operate under a HACCP program. The HACCP Alliance workshops enabled companies to acquire FDA-recognized HACCP training so they could remain in business.

Story #4

Issue: Increased regulatory requirements for food processing plants has produced a need for training programs in HACCP, sanitation, and the like.

What has been done: n response to this need extension specialist in the Food Science Department at North Carolina State University have developed a six-course curriculum in food safety which, if passed successfully, provides a food safety certificate or a food safety minor. My part of this curriculum is development of a course on Sanitation in Food Processing. This course will be available by Summer 2001 for NCSU students and processing plant personnel

Impact: With the development of this course and this curriculum, there will be food safety training resources available for the food processing industry. There are estimates that currently 15 million to 60 million illnesses and 5,000 deaths a year associated with food borne illnesses. This food safety curriculum will provide significant educational training to food processing companies and food service industry to significantly reduce food borne illnesses.

Location: Forsyth

Person Reporting: Isenberg, Martha H

Older adults are in a high risk category for foodborne illness. Cooperative Extension in Forsyth County served as one of 3 counties to pilot test a food safety education series for older adults at congregate nutrition centers. Networking with Senior Services and the City Recreation Department, 5 classes were taught to 30 participants. Each session had an information sharing component, an activity, a take-home challenge and a handout which were all designed to reinforce an identified food safety message. Participants eagerly reported results of their take-home challenge at the beginning of the following week\'s session, showing they used the information. By applying these food safety principles, these 30 senior adults may reduce their risk of foodborne illness that could lead to hospitalization or possible death.

Location: Johnston

Person Reporting: Stroud, Debra L

The Rocket Room is a project run by the Johnston County Mental Health Department. It is a restaurant that employs mental health clients as part of their therapy and rehabilitation. Mental Health first approached Cooperative Extension two years ago to have the clients trained in safe food handling skills. The restaurant was not yet open at the time, but the restaurant manager wanted the new employees properly trained before it opened. This fall, two years after the initial training, Mental Health again approached Cooperative Extension for training. This time the training was intended for new employees as well as brushing up the skills of the original employees. Twelve were trained and all passed. The latest sanitation grade of the restaurant is 102. They have a perfect 100 plus two points for the successful completion of the national Serv-Safe certification exam taken by the restaurant manager.

Specific Impact Bullets

The NC Cooperative Extension Service has been awarded over a half million dollars to develop and to implement "The Fresh Produce Food Safety Program for the Southeast." These monies will be used to train producers in twelve collaborating states in the use of Good Manufacturing Practices.

An on-farm HACCP training program has been tested in meeting which have included almost every poultry integrator in the state. Participants in all four meetings have indicated interest in further training.

A six-course curriculum has been developed to provide training in food safety for industry personnel which will result in a food safety certificate improving skills of HACCP coordinators and other personnel.

Extension trains approximately 120 environmental health specialists each year in cooperation with other state agencies. This uniquely qualifies the EHS food inspectors in NC counties. Most of the food safety training is conducted by extension personnel.

The NCIMS is the regulatory agency for Grade A milk in the US. The conference is made up of representatives from industry and regulatory. NC furnishes the only academic member to the conference to develop a HACCP alternative for the dairy industry.

CEMP committee members and co-chairs:

Campus: Melissa Taylor, Pat Curtis, Kevin Keener, David Green, Donn Ward, Lynn Turner, Angela Fraser,

Counties:(listed as all reporting) Allsbrook, Margaret. P. Baker, Denise M. Baker, Geissler G. Beasley, Glennie C. Beauchamp, Celia, Beck, Cheryl A. Benzaquen, Lisa R. Briggs, Linda S. Carter, Brenda K. Carter, Lucille M. Condlin, Susan C. Cox, Debbie L. Davis, Tracy W. Edsel, Donna B. Evans, Agnes Farless, Shari T. Goldmon, Suzzette S. Goodman, P C. Greene, Connie B. Hamilton, Susan C. Henderson, Judith S. Houser, Melinda M. Isenberg, Martha H. Johnson, Eloise T. Jones, Mary H. Judge, Martha P. Knapp, Renay C. Latour, Janice Long, Carmen J. McCombs, Kelly L. McNamara, Cathryn A. McNeill, Sally E. McRae, Clinton Mitchell, Carol, Morgan, Susan M. Mosley, Margo, Myatt, Deborah B. Noble, L. S. Patton, Rosie, Pettitt, Alice L. Pointer, Donna P. Rawls, Jean S. Rothwell, Rushing, Sharon, Shenile, Shaffer, Megan, Simmons, Ann, Simpson, Olivia, Smith, Christine W. Smith, Marsha M. Smith, Nancy K. Spivey, Stroud, Debra L. Lynda P. Sullivan, Catherine S. Tallant, April C. Thompson, Betty, Thorpe, Kathleen, Votaw, Ann M. Whitaker, Elaine W. Wynne, Tanya,

Co- chairs: Sandra E. Woodard, John E. Rushing

The Health and Human Safety CEMP addresses pressing health concerns at the individual, family and community level. NCCES community-based outreach health promotion and disease and injury prevention education programs serve to increase the capacity of North Carolina's families and communities to make informed health and health care decisions resulting in improved physical, mental and social health. CEMP 12 also includes programs providing outreach education to prevent the approximately 50 deaths and 2,000 disabilities that are suffered each year by North Carolinians as a result of agricultural injuries.

Participants in NCCES health and human safety programs reported $1,060,217 in cost avoidance from reductions in high risk behaviors and reduced illness and injury. 37,198 health and human safety program participants reported gaining increased knowledge about health and health related practices for improving health status. 1,469 volunteers contributed 5,742 hours valued at $57,420 to support Extension health programs in 2000.

CEMP 12 Objective 1: Fifteen locations reported on CEMP 12, Objective1. 20,259 program participants reported increasing their knowledge of the determinants of health and recommended health practices. Over 5,700 reported an increased knowledge of the appropriate use of health care services, current issues and options. Fifty-nine communities reported increased participation in health and health-related coalitions or alliances, and in health care policy setting arenas while 21 communities reported improved availability of appropriate health care for all residents.

Impacts: There were 238 community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities conducted and an increase of 1,959 participating in health screenings in 2000.

CEMP Objective 2: Twenty locations reported on CEMP 12, Objective 2. More than 14,000 individuals reported increasing their knowledge of best management practices for creating a safe and healthy home or work environment. 4,129 program participants reported adopting these practices. Impacts: 2,430 individuals reported healthier and safer environments either at home, at school or in the workplace as a result of having implemented best management practices.

CEMP Objective 3: Twelve locations reported on CEMP 12, Objective 3. 2,939 individuals reported increased knowledge of agricultural health and safety issues with 1,528 adopting best management practices. Impacts: 634 program participants reported that they had responded effectively in an emergency situation as a result of their new knowledge. Forty health professionals indicated that they have provided better service to patients as a result of increased awareness and knowledge regarding agricultural health.

Specific Impact Bullets

1. One-hundred and twenty-three residents of Hertford County contributed to the community process for identifying health priorities as part of the Hertford Partners for Health collaborative effort.

2. External funding amounting to $15,000 was raised to support the Extension, Police and EMS's sponsored Onslow County Safe Community Coalition projects

3. The Guildford County Million Solar Roofs Committee received a $10,000 grant to provide solar energy education in the county

4. The Blue Ridge Cancer Coalition (formerly NC SALIC) received $90,000 from the NC Department of Health and Human Services to continue and expand cancer outreach prevention education in western North Carolina.

5. A Vance County farmer saved a $10,000 combine by using fire control procedures he had learned by listening to a NCCES radio program.

6. Surry County reports that nine trained individuals are on call 24 hours to provide technical expertise in emergencies involving agricultural related equipment.

7. Throughout the state volunteers indicate that youth who participate in farm safety day camps and field days have become more safety conscious, intend to share what they learned and believe farm and home injuries will be reduced because of participation in these programs.

CEMP 12 Membership

Co-chairs: Barbara Garland and Bobby Edwards

Members: Donna Edsel, Wilma Hammett, Sarah Kirby, M Bullock, Stephen Lilly, Donna Mull, Robert Mustian, Nolo Martinez, Robert Mclymore, Judy Mock, Sharon Rowland, Ellen Smoak, Mich Smith, Julia Storm, S. Scherff, Cassandra, Wiggins, Fred Yelverton

Program Description:

Leadership and Volunteer Development are unique in that this focus applies to all

Extension education programs. Each program has the potential for developing leadership competencies as well as volunteer development. Leadership and volunteer development provides benefits to the individual as well as the local county staff. It gives staff members a base from which to extend their on-going programs and involve new leaders in existing leadership and volunteer systems in the organization.

Leadership development builds the capacity of individuals, groups and organizations to address issues in a community. Volunteer development enhances the potential for beneficial community service. Leadership and volunteer development are separate

disciplines with unique purposes and methodologies, but they share a common focus that deals with human capacity building for the public good. It is this common focus that the Leadership and Volunteer Development State Major Program addresses.

Abstract:

The goal of the Leadership and Volunteer Development Cooperative Extension Major Program is to build the capacity of individuals, community groups and organizations for involvement in their community for the public good. The results reported by counties in this major program for 2000 indicate that educational experiences offered to the public have helped achieve this goal.

Citizens from varying socio-economic levels gained knowledge and skills that facilitated their participation in community problem solving and in local public policy decision-making. Local citizens (1955) improved their problem solving skills with 610 taking action and participating in the community/public policy process as a result of the training they received. A number of community issues (214) were addressed. Of those that were resolved successfully, local communities were spared $136,692.00 in cost.

Limited resource and other non-traditional participants (5745) were involved in leadership training. The participants identified community problems and took steps to solve them. Their actions resulted in 583 problems being resolved or projects completed to address the problems. To continue finding solutions to problems, these individuals formed 227 community organizations.

Many volunteers increased their capacity to lead and contribute valuable service to others. Those increasing knowledge they could pass on to others totaled 25,288. A number of these volunteers became part of volunteer management systems (733) where their advanced skills were used to facilitate the accomplishment of community projects or build skills in youth and adults that enhanced their personal development.

Number of Units Reporting Accomplishments

Objective 1:35, Objective 2:63, Objective 3:34

Statewide Measures of Progress Totals

Objective 1:

Number of participants who increased knowledge and awareness of leadership skills

NUMBER 5745

Number of participants who adopted sound leadership and decision-making practices

NUMBER 4250

Number of participants who demonstrated proper application of leadership skills and problem solving techniques learned

NUMBER 4174

Number of participants who identified community problems

NUMBER 3770

Number of participants who developed and implemented action plans to resolve problems

NUMBER 2068

Number of projects completed/problems resolved

NUMBER 583

Objective 2:

Increased knowledge of opportunities for volunteers to contribute:

NUMBER INCREASING KNOWLEDGE 25288

Adoption of volunteer management system practices

NUMBER ADOPTING 11500

Number of volunteer management systems established

NUMBER OF SYSTEMS 733

Objective 3:

Number of persons who demonstrated improved leadership and problem solving skills

NUMBER 1955

Number of persons who demonstrated acquired/improved facilitation knowledge and skills

NUMBER 1311

Number of persons who participated in a community collaborative problem solving process

NUMBER 1265

Number of persons who participated in community/public process as a result of leadership training

NUMBER 610

Number of community issues addressed (in progress)

NUMBER 214

Statewide Impact Totals

Objective 1:

Increase in the number of limited resource and non-traditional individuals with the capacity to provide valuable service to the community (assume some leadership roles in church, school, community, etc., volunteer)

NUMBER 4003

Dollars saved by increased involvement in addressing community concerns by limited resource and non-traditional leaders

DOLLARS SAVED $380,400.00

Dollars of economic value to community/county for community projects/solving community problems

DOLLARS $880,719.00

Community organizations developed to continue resolving community problems

NUMBER 227

Objective 2:

Empowerment of volunteer systems

NUMBER OF SYSTEMS EMPOWERED 1084

Economic value of volunteer intervention

DOLLARS $2,461,006

Objective 3:

Costs avoided through the resolution of (a) community issues(s)

DOLLARS $1,189,800

Dollars saved as a result of achieving successful resolution of (a) community issue(s)

DOLLARS $134,692

Volunteers Involved and Value

Objective 1:

Number of Volunteers: 8940

Hours: 62040

Dollar Value at $10/hr: $620,400

Objective 2:

Number of Volunteers: 15593

Hours: 150201

Dollar Value at $10/hr: $1,502,010

Objective 3:

Number of Volunteers: 2324

Hours: 21329

Dollar value at $10/hr: $213,290

Success Stories

Watauga County:

The local volunteer outreach center (VOC) needed help continuing their Youth Service Day, first held last year. The event was largely put together by one individual who moved away. VOC asked Watauga County 4-H/Cooperative Extension for leadership. 4-H helped define committee roles and trained subcommittee chairs on their roles. As a result, a committee of 15 adults and 20 teens board members planned the 2000 Youth Service Day in Watauga County. Committee members were more involved and had a more active role this year. The event involved over 340 youth and 89 adult volunteers in over 30 service sites across the county. Service projects included beautification, clean-up, and sorting. The youth reported they were surprised at how much fun they had doing community service and reported they were more aware of how dirty/unclean things get. Youth stated they would participate again in community service.

Cherokee Reservation:

The Cherokee Extension Office started the recycling program in 1991. As a result of a grant written to EPA, a recycling coordinator was hired and an education program began in the school and community. This program currently recycles paper, plastic, metal, glass, food, scraps, wood and tires. Last year 231 tons of paper, 3 tons plastic, 487 tons metal, 3 tons glass, 28 tons wood and 8023 tires were recycled. Two hundred fourteen tons food scraps from Harrah's and 792 tons yard trimmings were composted during the year. The Cherokee Recycling Center that was created as a part of this effort has become an income generating enterprise for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The Cherokee Recycling Center took in $451,030. Extension staff and volunteers worked hard to implement this program and educate the local people on the importance of recycling.

Camden County:

Camden County now has a recreation center that youth and adults can enjoy. This was made possible by the hard work of a network of volunteers, young and old who made up the committees that implemented steps to accomplish the goal and raised $36,000 through donations. A collaboration with state, county and school officials who contributed funding and the land to locate the park also helped to make the park a reality.

The volunteers and local officials worked first to get the park, which is the only park in the county. Thirteen volunteers (13) then put a plan in motion to secure lights for the park. The newly lighted Camden Community Park served 800 youth during the past year. The park is used from mid-March to mid-July and is constantly in use for baseball games and other recreational activities. The partnership with state, county and school officials and community volunteers netted $200.000.00 to build this recreational facility. Volunteers are also involved in the development of park rules and regulations and recommending them to local officials.

Currituck County:

Due to the many demands placed on volunteer leaders, they are hesitant to commit to spending time away from their family. In an effort to provide meaningful learning experiences, Currituck County provided scholarships for two volunteer leaders to attend Southern Regional 4-H Volunteer Forum. Both leaders participated in a variety of activities during their three-day stay. Upon returning to the County, they held workshops for other club leaders, 4-H members and after school providers. More than 90 youth and 15 club leaders have gained new skills as a result of participating in activities provided by these two leaders. Their enthusiasm has encouraged other leaders to take another look at leadership opportunities that are available. During club appraisals, it was also observed that these two leaders were continuing to use the new skills that they had acquired.

Nash County:

The Peachtree Community Development Organization, Inc. wrote a grant to the Nash-Rocky Mount School System requesting permission to bid on the purchase of several trailers that were being taken out of commission by the system. Because of the communities participation in the Leadership Training brought forth in Community Voices and Voices Reaching Vision programs that they participated in, the community was awarded two units from the school system. The community had to pay for their removal from the school property and setting them up on their property. The community now has facilities for youth programs and community activities. More work is needed to bring the units into full utilization, however, they are being outfitted for immediate use.

Durham County:

Ten community organizations participated in a Leadership Training Series with a focus on capacity building. Facilitators came from NCSU, NC A & T SU, Durham County Government and regional non-profit agencies. At the conclusion of the training, six of the ten communities submitted a proposal for a Community Capacity Building grant. The grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $2,500. Funding for this Pilot Program was provided by the Durham County Commissioners.

Five communities successfully completed their Capacity Building Projects. One organization was able to access other funding sources and did not utilize the capacity building funds. Achievement highlights were: over 180 volunteers devoted their time to the projects; non-violent crime reduction due to increased citizen participation in crime watch; increased residential involvement in community issues through task force involvement; better utilization and awareness of community resources as a result of community festivals and fairs; clean up and beautification of neighborhoods with a focus on senior citizens residents; diverse residential participation; youthful involvement in community issues/needs. The success achieved by the communities resulted in Durham County Commissioners allocating another $10,000 for the program during fiscal year 2000-2001.

Specific Impact Bullets

2068 limited resource community leaders developed action plans that led to 583 community projects being completed or problems resolved

1150 volunteers were hailed in volunteer management practices resulting in the establishment of 733 volunteer management systems

733 volunteer management systems helped to train volunteers whose contribution

to their community equaled $2,461,006

$134692 were saved because community leaders took steps that successfully resolved community issues

CEMP 13 Team

Claudette Smith, Co-Chair

Ellen Miller

Harriet Edwards

Program Description

The goal of the CEMP is to assist commercial (objective #1), and small, part time and limited resource producers (objective #2), to learn about, select and implement alternative opportunities so as to increase their income. Program efforts have been made in developing and disseminating information on commercial horticulture specialty crops, niche markets (including organic, herbs and livestock), and agri-tourism. The CEMP team continues to focus on business planning to address issues of risks in production and marketing. It also has helped develop the various partnerships and cooperative efforts frequently needed to insure success with alternative enterprises..

Abstract of Accomplishments

County Extension faculty in collaboration with farmers across the state, worked with specialists from the university, local officials, NCDA&CS staff to develop a strategic approach to developing marketing and production of alternative income opportunities. That approach focused in three directions: information about production practices; comprehensive market planning; and cooperation with and among farmers, agencies, funders and political officials. There was significant interest in alternative agricultural opportunities because of low prices for traditional crops and livestock enterprises, reductions in the tobacco quota and the impact of Hurricane Floyd.

Information about production- The universities and field faculty conducted research to identify and test appropriate production information. Variety trials occurred in grapes for wine production, fall strawberry production, specialty melons, sweet potatoes (greenhouse root production), figs, pumpkins, snap beans and sod. Farmers were assisted with greenhouse use (new and converted), irrigation, fertilizer management and organic production. In addition, Extension facilitated the sharing of very important farmer experiential knowledge through meetings, tours and field days.

Comprehensive market planning- Extension agents participated in the planning, implementation and use of market feasibility studies. They also assisted producers to explore various market options and marketing systems. Finally they assisted producers to actually make contacts and marketing connections.

Cooperation- Frequently, the cooperation of many different players is needed for alternative enterprises to succeed. Local farmers markets need political support and understanding as well as community involvement. Cooperatives require a degree of trust and collaboration among farmers that is significantly different from ordinary business methods. Support from agencies such as health departments, school systems and other systems is important in the day to day development of alternative enterprises. Some counties brought together local agencies and political leaders through "Agriculture Summits" or partnerships focusing on tourism, natural resource conservation and protection.

Number of Units reporting:

Objective #1: 27 units.

Objective #2: 17 units.

Statewide Measures of Progress Totals

Objective #1

1. *Producers indicating interest in developing alternative enterprises

NUMBER 1791

2. *Number of producers who try alternative enterprises, methods and practices

NUMBER 503

Objective #2

1. *Number of producers interested

NUMBER 1425

2. *Number of producers who try alternative enterprises, methods and practices

NUMBER 446

Statewide Impacts Totals

Objective #1

1. *Dollars of new investment in production and marketing of alternative enterprises

NUMBER $2,375,465

2. *Dollars of gross income resulting from new investment and marketing of alternative enterprises.

NUMBER $1,530,151

3. *Number of producers who gain knowledge about alternative production and marketing practices.

NUMBER 2850

Objective #2

1. *Number of producers who gain knowledge about alternative production and marketing practices

NUMBER 1361

2. *Funding support obtained

NUMBER $52,602

Volunteers Involved and Their Value

Objective #1

203 Volunteers provided 1369 hours of volunteer assistance valued at $13,690.00

Objective #2

276 Volunteers provided 1149 hours of volunteer assistance valued at $11,490.00

Success Stories that show Program Impacts

In Stokes County, local Cooperative Extension worked with farmers and local officials to develop a total marketing plan for alternative enterprises in Stokes County. Thirty-five farmers worked together to establish both a local Farmers' Market in King and the Stokes County Growers' Coop. Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, a USDA Rural Development Grant and the County Commissioners provided $340,000 to develop these combined market outlets. In 2000 approximately $45,000 in income was generated in the first year of operation. Crops grown included squash, tomatoes, green beans, green pepper, sweet corn, watermelon and sweet potatoes.

In Halifax County, Extension has established a demonstration farm to grow and document the values of alternative crops. On this site, the cooperator is producing fifteen specialty crops. Crops grown include pumpkins, sweet potatoes, cabbage, collards, strawberries, watermelons, greens, turnips, apples peach and pear trees, plus peppers and herbs. All crops are grown for profit with documentation of input costs. Information gathered will be used as locally based reference material for future interested producers.

In Alleghany County, Extension worked with the New River Community Partners as well as Extension in Ashe and Watauga Counties. Agri-Tourism, rafting and canoeing have been connected with the Christmas and field-nursery tree industry. Over one million new nursery plants were planted. A Christmas tree grower built a rental cabin on his farm that has proven so successful he is planning on constructing another. The partnership was successful in obtaining a Golden Leaf Foundation and a USDA Rural Development grant which will be used to fund a new Extension position which will focus exclusively on alternative agricultural income opportunities.

CEMP 14 Marketing and Production of Alternative Enterprises

Impact bullets

Working with Extension, a farmer filled an empty tobacco transplant greenhouse to produce 870,000 sweet potato transplants, causing his income to be $31,000 greater than it would have been otherwise.

As a result of attending the South East Vegetable Expo program in Greensboro, a small farmer is using plastic mulch and drip irrigation in a double cropping production system that follows strawberries with a vegetable crop to increase his income threefold over the previous season.

Eight burley tobacco farmers, educated in organic production and certification rules by Extension, Mountain Partners in Agriculture and Carolina Farm Stewardship Association now are growing a variety of organic crops including vegetables, herbs and tobacco.

As a result of promotional education efforts by Cooperative Extension in the face of a possible glut of local strawberries, the local populace (and people in surrounding counties) purchased nearly 750,000 lbs of local strawberries for an income to local producers of $700,000.

The Specialty Crops Program helped some Eastern NC farmers grow and market specialty melon, greenhouse tomatoes and lettuce for gross income of $145,000.

New Farmers' Cooperatives formed with the help of Extension grossed more than $50,000 income.

Farmers Markets started or helped by Extension grossed more than $45,000 in sales plus $46,000 worth of WIC vouchers.

Partnerships to explore agri-tourism were formed or received new funding in Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga, Madison, and the eight county region of the Uwhariee Lakes Region.

CEMP Team Members

John M. O'Sullivan (co-chair) Ed Estes

Bill Jester (Co-chair) Rick Hamilton

Jeanine Davis Ray McKinnie

Morris Dunn Doug Sanders

Bob Edwards Wick Wickliffe

Taylor Williams

Ada Wossink

The Natural Resource Conservation and Management program encompasses environmental and natural resource fundamentals and management of natural resources to benefit society. Educational programs span the range from understanding ecosystems, dealing with community decisions regarding environmental concerns, to managing forest and agricultural properties and wildlife and fishery populations to attain landowner, economic, and societal benefits.

OVERVIEW

The Natural Resources Conservation and Management program focuses on the significant forest, wildlife, water and fishery resources in the state of North Carolina. Particular programmatic emphases are on environmental education, youth and adult, that improve understanding of ecological processes and management techniques that conserve the environment, provide economic return, or provide other benefits to society. Over 7,383 youth and adults participated in extension environmental education programs. Many of these were programs conducted at schools, field days, 4-H and scout meetings and camps as well as traditional workshops and demonstrations. Another area is in the enhancement of decision-making regarding natural resources issues. The intent is to assist in this process as well as provide programs that improve the quality of the decisions being made. Over 6,830 people participated in programs that increased their awareness of people's involvement in the environment. A result is that there has been an increase in 1100 people participating in forums and public meetings related land use and natural resources planning. The forest resource in North Carolina is a significant economic and natural resource. Landowners and professionals benefit from learning about new management techniques, marketing strategies and tax laws. Wildlife and fish are important economically and aesthetically to many people in North Carolina. Through extension programs over 340 individuals have adopted management practices that affect over 14,000 acres with an economic return of $47,700 to those leasing acres for outdoor recreation use.

NUMBER OF UNITS REPORTING

Objective 1 - 21

Objective 2 - 13

Objective 3 - 19

Objective 4 - 8

STATEWIDE MEASURES OF PROGRESS

OBJECTIVE 1: ECOLOGICAL AWARENESS THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

1. Participation in environmental education programs (such as Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, Aquatic WILD, Catch Clinics, Wildlife Habitat Judging, etc.)

NUMBER PARTICIPATING: 7383

2. Increased knowledge and awareness of environmental realities (pre and post tests)

NUMBER DEMONSTRATING: 3510

3. Demand for environmental education programs (# of requests)

NUMBER OF REQUESTS: 142

OBJECTIVE 2: NATURAL RESOURCE DECISION MAKING

1. Increased awareness, knowledge, and understanding of people's relationship to the environment.

NUMBER DEMONSTRATING: 6839

2. Increased participation in educational programs on land use planning and natural resources management.

NUMBER PARTICIPATING: 3968

OBJECTIVE 3: FORESTRY CONSERVATION, MANAGEMENT, AND MARKETING

1. Number of acres protected with Forestry Best Management Practices (BMP) to protect water quality.

NUMBER OF ACRES: 217,841

2. Number of landowners increasing after tax income due to increased knowledge of estate, income and property tax laws.

NUMBER OF LANDOWNERS: 807

3. Number of forestry professionals certified/trained to provide specialized services such as prescribed burning and pesticide application.

NUMBER OF PROFESSIONALS: 136

4. Number of landowners enrolled in forest resource management cost-share programs.

NUMBER OF LANDOWNERS: 665

5. Number of people demonstrating understanding of federal, state, and local policies such as the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Sedimentation and Pollution Control Act and State Water Quality Laws.

NUMBER DEMONSTRATING: 1072

6. Number of County Forest Landowner Associations formed:

NUMBER OF ASSOCIATIONS: 5

OBJECTIVE 4: WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

1. Increased awareness and knowledge of wildlife and fishery management.

NUMBER DEMONSTRATING: 702

2. Adoption of wildlife and fishery management practices.

NUMBER ADOPTING: 346

STATEWIDE IMPACTS

OBJECTIVE 1: ECOLOGICAL AWARENESS THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

1. Increase in awareness and consciousness of effects of society's actions on the environment.

NUMBER DEMONSTRATING: 4950

OBJECTIVE 2: NATURAL RESOURCE DECISION MAKING

1. Number of people adopting practices/techniques to promote sustainable ecosystems with reduced health risks.

NUMBER ADOPTING: 3595

2. Increased involvement in forums and public meetings held to make decisions related to land use and natural resource planning.

NUMBER PARTICIPATING: 1100

OBJECTIVE 3: FORESTRY CONSERVATION, MANAGEMENT, AND MARKETING

1. Dollar increase in pre and post-tax income resulting from improved reforestation, timber management and timber marketing practices adopted by forest landowners.

DOLLAR INCREASE: 6,469,524

2. Increased income from fee hunting, recreation and other non-traditional forest uses such as pine straw, firewood, etc.

DOLLAR INCREASE: 823,914

3. Number of acres of forest land afforested, reforested, or placed under recommended forest resource management program by Extension program participants.

NUMBER OF ACRES: 128,842

OBJECTIVE 4: WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

1. Acres managed for wildlife and fishery resources.

NUMBER OF ACRES: 7640

2. Acres impacted by adoption of wildlife and fishery practices.

NUMBER OF ACRES: 7450

3. Acres leased for hunting, fishing, and enjoyment of wildlife and fishery resources.

NUMBER OF ACRES: 47,700

VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED AND VALUE

OBJECTIVE 1: ECOLOGICAL AWARENESS THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Number: 231

Hours: 696

Value: $6,960

OBJECTIVE 2: NATURAL RESOURCE DECISION MAKING

Number: 389

Hours: 1689

Value: $16,890

OBJECTIVE 3: FORESTRY CONSERVATION, MANAGEMENT, AND MARKETING

Number: 87

Hours: 5648

Value: $56,480

OBJECTIVE 4: WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

Number: 24

Hours: 370

Value: $3,700

SUCCESS STORIES

The week-long Environmental Explorama Camp was held for the first time for 20 9-l2 year olds in Guilford County. The following themes were chosen: Forests, Insects, Recycling, Energy, and Water. Hands-on activities, topic-related snack and field trip were part of each day. Comments included: "Fun, had a great time,learned a lot." This camp will be repeated next summer.

Wayne County 4-H has organized over 20 hours of workshops conducted by the Wildlife Commission for teachers and Home School families. Workshops conducted include: Project WILD, Aquatic WILD, and CATCH. Over 30 4-H volunteer leaders participated. Eighty students ranging in ages from 5-12 have benefited from programs taught with this environmental awareness curriculum.

In response to the development of a new 9th-grade earth science curriculum in Gaston County, Extension organized a series of 3 workshops dealing with natural resource topics in Gaston County. 22 Gaston County teachers participated in the workshops which focused on soils, landfills, recycling, and air quality issues in the County. Each workshop provided participants with 2 hours of continuing education credits. More importantly the teachers took back ready-to-use class materials to the 1600 students in the new curriculum.

The Forestry Program is continuing to make an impact on Wayne County. With our partners in the program over 600 acres are protected with forestry best management practices. 39 landowners are enrolled in forestry resource management cost- share program and are receiving assistance with forestry management practices. Over $2500 of income has been generated from fee hunting and recreational sources. An increase of $30,000 in pre and post tax income resulting from improved reforestation, timber management and timber marketing practices adopted by forest landowners.

193 youth participated in Project Wild learning experiences and demonstrated knowledge of ecosystems, web of life, predator/prey relationships, wild/domesticated concepts, and habitat destruction. In addition, youth practiced cooperation, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Follow-up letters indicated that youth learned more about wild animals and how to protect habitat, that it is hard being a prey, and that making decisions affecting others is not easy. When asked to make application of the concepts, youth said, "we have to be careful with the environment", "everything in the environment is important to everything else", "cleaning up the environment is expensive."

Four Forestry Issues Forum Teleconferences resulted in a total cost savings of $79,951 to participants acquiring continuing education credits in this manner. 999 Continuing Forestry Education credits were awarded.

In 2000 the Edgecombe Extension Center assisted 203 landowners increase their post-tax income from timber sells by over 1.3 million dollars. This was mostly done by helping owners of woodlands in Edgecombe County market their timber in a professional, business like manner.

Granville County has a large number of farm ponds that could provide recreation for the family and friends if properly managed. Most of these ponds are used for irrigation and with proper management can provide good habitat for fish and wildlife. With this in mind the Cooperative Extension Service in Granville and Person Counties conducted a Farm Pond Management Workshop. Topics covered included pond construction, stocking rates, pond fertility, and pond weed control. 100% of participants surveyed said they gained valuable information that they will use on their ponds.

Beaver damage has really become an issue along the Dismal Swamp and on precious land resources. Pasquotank County had decided against the "BMAP" of U.S.D.A. Wildlife Services. After 3 meetings with the county commissioners and county manager, Pasquotank County has allocated the $4,000.00 to participate in the program. As a result of the feasibility study, six landowners have already committed to the program.

IMPACT BULLETS

Forest landowners increased income by $6,469,524 using improved reforestation, timber management and timber marketing practices.

Landowners increased income by $823,914 by implementing non-traditional forest enterprises on their property.

Using teleconference technology, professional resource managers were able to acquire 999 Continuing Forestry Education credits while saving $79,951 in participation costs.

Conducting workshops for 22 teachers resulted in over 1600 students receiving educational programs on the environment.

Programs on southern pine beetle in one previously uninfested county helped landowners to manage and accelerate harvest plans, thus preventing the loss of thousands of dollars in timber.

One elderly couple increased the final sale value of their woodland from an unsolicited offer of $22,000 to a final sale of $61,000 by using information on marketing provided by Extension.

CEMP TEAM MEMBERS

Rick Hamilton, Forestry Extension Specialist (Co-Chair)

James Pearce, County Extension Director, Edgecombe County (Co-Chair)

Bob Bardon, Forestry Extension Specialist

Claire-Marie Hannon, 4-H Center Director, Riedsville

Bill Gardner, Forestry Extension Specialist

Scott Payne, Forestry Extension Specialist

Jim Rice, Fishery Extension Specialist

Peter T. Bromley, Zoology

r Bob Williamson, Natural Resources Extension Specialist

Bill Lord, Neuse River Environmental Education Specialist

Janine Rywak, 4-H Agent, Anson County

Program Description: CEMP 16, Nutrition and Wellness, is the conduit through which nutrition education flows to North Carolinians from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. The goal is to promote optimum nutrition and healthy lifestyle management for positive outcomes throughout life. Grounded in research, nutrition education and improved health behaviors have impacts upon health and wellness, quality of life and the ability to achieve physical and mental potential. Diet-related risks involved in chronic diseases and risk of malnutrition can be lowered through improved diet and health behaviors, healthy growth of children can be promoted by improved eating and exercise habits, infants can benefit from breastfeeding practices, and healthier pregnancy outcomes can result from better prenatal nutrition.

Overview of 2000 Nutrition and Wellness CEMP Accomplishments: Promoting optimum nutrition and health through diet and lifestyle in all North Carolinians regardless of gender, income, age, or race/ethnicity formed the main focus of the Nutrition and Wellness Cooperative Extension Major Program. Poor dietary habits are included in the top risk factors for the leading causes of death and disability. Many consumers' diets are too high in fat, low in fiber and low in fruits and vegetables. Education about the importance of healthy eating is needed especially to prevent or delay the development and progression of nutrition-related chronic disease. Early education about the importance of healthy eating is needed as nutrition habits are being formed throughout childhood. Education programs addressing diet, health, and chronic disease prevention were offered to North Carolinians of diverse income levels, age groups, genders, and/or cultural backgrounds across the state. Programs offered included Partners in Wellness, Give Your Heart a Healthy Beat, Healthy Heart, Our Destiny Is Our Decision, Be Active Kids, NoonLiting, Out For Lunch, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education program and the In-Home Breast-feeding Support Program. Programs were held in many different settings including congregate nutrition sites, senior centers, schools, churches, government buildings, businesses, daycare centers, work sites and outdoors. Various methods included using the Internet, mailed materials, media, one-on-one contacts, and public meetings. Audiences reached included children, adults and the elderly, day care workers, hospital employees, housing authorities, Head Start, Red Cross, food banks, and community coalitions. In support of these activities CEMP members brought in more than 11 million dollars in funds. As a result of programming, over 63,000 participants increased awareness of their need to have good nutrition habits, over 14,000 gained in knowledge concerning reducing risk for chronic disease, and over 24,000 changed diet and lifestyle habits, and improved their quality of life and the quality of life of others. Over 8,000 participants decreased dietary fat consumption, over 6,000 decreased dietary sodium consumption, over 8,000 increased fruit and vegetable consumption and over 4,000 increased dietary calcium consumption. As a result of the changed diet and lifestyles over 2000 decreased high blood cholesterol levels, over 900 decreased high blood glucose levels, over 2000 decreased high blood pressure levels, over 1300 decreased excess body weight and over 2,000 adopted behaviors to improve their chances of delivering a normal weight baby.

Number of Units Reporting Accomplishments per Objectives:

Obj. 1: 79 units reporting

Obj. 2: 41 units reporting

Obj. 3: 17 units reporting

Obj. 4: 62 units reporting

Statewide Measures of Progress Totals:

56,024 participants increased awareness of need to have good nutrition habits

46,741 participants increased knowledge that promotes health

33,603 participants increased attitudes/aspirations that are indicative of need for good health

8590 participants decreased fat consumption

6181 participants decreased sodium consumption

8764 participants increased fruit and vegetable consumption

4246 participants increased calcium consumption

14,389 gained in knowledge that leads to reduced risk for chronic disease

11,596 increased skills that lead to reduced risk for chronic diseases

3124 parents increased awareness and knowledge of importance of good nutrition for children

2972 parents increase knowledge about good eating habits for children

3939 parents and children participated in food and nutrition activities together

11,379 participants increased awareness of available programs such as Food Stamps, WIC, free/reduced school meals

27,575 increased knowledge of nutrition and diet

Statewide Impacts Totals:

24,222 participants improved diets to be more consistent with dietary guidelines for good health and the Food Guide Pyramid

2057 participants decreased their high blood cholesterol level

939 participants decreased their high blood pressure level

2108 participants decreased their high blood glucose level

1322 participants decreased excess weight

2722 children adopted food behaviors consistent with the Dietary Guidelines and Food Guide Pyramid

3031 parents adopt food behaviors consistent with the Dietary Guidelines and Food Guide Pyramid

2461 women practiced behaviors to help improve their chances of delivering a normal weight baby

3545 adopted behaviors such as seeking prenatal care

12,089 participants changed their meal planning to improve their diets

Volunteers Involved:

8,497 volunteers gave 45,723 hours at $10.00/hr giving a dollar value of $457,230.00.

Program Cost/Benefit Analysis:

$Value to Targeted Audience: $7,537,718

$ Value to Society: $12,128,346

$ Estimated Program Cost: $839,149

Success Stories:

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in North Carolina and can be related to overweight and obesity. Forty-two participants in Healthy Choices, a weight loss program, lost a total of 418 pounds, decreased blood pressures by a total of 321 mm, decreased cholesterol levels by a total of 665 mg/dl, and decreased total waist circumstances by 70 inches.

Be Active Kids (BAK), an early childhood physical activity and nutrition initiative, focuses on establishing an early, positive relationship with one's body through participation in fun physical activities and education about basic healthy eating concepts. BAK is designed to be used in family day-care homes and child-care centers serving four and five year olds. Family and Consumer Educators train childcare providers in over 50 counties on BAK and provide materials to participants.

Twenty- eight participants completed the revised Noonliting program and lost a total of 308 pounds, exercised by walking a total of 2897 miles, learned the principles of decreased fat, sodium, cholesterol, and sugar in the diet, and developed a positive attitude towards better health. Six reduced their total cholesterol to normal measures and10 reduced blood pressure to normal levels. Three persons were able to reduce insulin levels and manage their diabetes.

Breast-fed infants are thought to be more healthy than bottle-fed infants. To breast feed successfully, some mothers need knowledge, support and encouragement. Over 658 contacts were conducted with 62 new mothers concerning breast feeding. This may have increased the duration of breast-feeding activity which was as follows: 62 breast feeding at 2 weeks, 45 at 6 weeks, 32 at 3 months, 18 at 6 months, and 1 at 1 year.

Osteoporosis is the leading cause of hip fractures in NC and related fractures cost North Carolinians 145 million dollars each year. One out of two women and one out of ten men will get osteoporosis. 225 participants attended programs on Osteoporosis learning about diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. 24 health care providers received continuing education credit to educate individuals in their respective counties. The average cost of hip fracture is $30,000. If by practicing what they had learned, we prevented osteoporosis in half of the participants (who would have otherwise gotten the disease) from getting a fracture that is a savings of 1.6 million dollars.

Malnutrition is a major threat to older adults' health. In one county Partners in Wellness involved 150 older adults at three congregate sites. All participants made improvements from knowledge gained to improved eating behaviors to lower their risk of malnutrition.

Limited vision, resources, physical strength and possibly memory, coupled with high medication use (more that 3 different drugs taken a day) place older adults' health at risk. Partners in Wellness sessions at congregate nutrition sites in one county emphasized drug/nutrient interactions as well as safe medication use and management. Several months after the sessions were over, a stroke sent one participant to the hospital emergency room. Relatives who accompanied her were not close caregivers and were unaware of her full health history. Fortunately, all important details were written in the medication checkbook (received from and filled out during Partners in Wellness by her) that she carried in her purse. Therefore there was no delay in responding to her stroke and providing the care needed.

Older adults are NC's fastest growing population and one that is limited in income and susceptible to malnutrition. The Partners in Wellness program reached 51 adults in one county with each receiving over 8 hours of educational nutrition and wellness information. 100% of participants reported learning new information including needing to eat more fruits and vegetables; drinking more water; getting more calcium and eating from all food groups every day. 78% reported changing their behavior based on information learned in class and the top 6 behavior changes made were: drink 8 glasses of water each day; eat more fruits and vegetables; eat less fat; changed diet to eat less fat and meat; exercise more, and eat fewer sweets. Others reported exercising more and 20 pounds of body weight total were lost.

Elderly minority populations consume inadequate amounts of fruits and vegetables. These foods can help reduce their risk of chronic diseases like cancer, stroke, and high blood pressure. As a part of the Black Churches United for Better Health Project, Cooperative Extension in one county provided nutrition education in two minority churches. Follow-up evaluation showed that 50% of the participants had increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables. One elderly client proudly remarked, "Ever since I started eating more fruits and vegetables I haven't had any more trouble with being constipated! I wish I had known this a long time ago!"

Statistics relating to the health of children are shocking. 22% of preschoolers are overweight. 40% of children have at least one risk factor for heart disease. NC Cooperative Extension, Gaston Center offered Be Active Kids training to preschool teachers in the school system and child care centers. The training focused on increasing physical activity and improving the eating habits of preschoolers. 37 childcare providers attended the training. Those using the lessons and materials indicated that children in their centers were trying different foods at lunch and playing more active games together. Childcare providers rated the training session and the teaching tools as excellent.

Nutrition Program Assistants delivered the program to a total of 5,897 families in 45 North Carolina counties with the following changes in dietary behavior and food purchasing:

26% families had enough food to last the family until the end of the month

27% consumed the recommended two or more servings of fruits

25% consumed the recommended three or more servings of vegetables.

20% consumed the recommended 6-11 servings of breads and cereals.

Participants in the 'Out for Lunch' food and nutrition education program show increased knowledge of how to provide a nutritious diet for their families on a limited budget and demonstrate that they are applying what is learned though the program. In addition to that some participants find, this positive classroom experience provides the catalyst for pursuing other changes in their lives. Former participants come to other Cooperative Extension classes to learn how to manage their diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. They sign up for Extension newsletters and attend Extension programs. As one Program Assistant said, 'OFL is a confidence builder'. They want to share what they have learned so volunteer to help in future OFL classes. Some have been employed by extension as the OFL adult or preschool Program Assistant when vacancies occur and others are now 4-H Agents/Program Assistants or work in other Extension areas.

Following are just a few specific examples of spin-offs from the OFL Program. The major spin-off is that participants get their GED's and attend classes at Community Colleges relaying that 'graduating' from OFL proved to them that they could succeed in the education arena. Since completing OFL a resident of a homeless shelter obtained a job as a cook, found housing and plans to attend Community College and one day open his own restaurant. Ms. L got her GED after participating in OFL and then became a CNA and is now employed after 20 years of unemployment and another participant is now a nurse. A young mother of two sons completed high school after her experience in OFL. Another young mother signed her child up for Head Start after learning about it in class. A very unconfident woman at the beginning of OFL is now working on her associate degree in child development. A mother of 5 children completed her GED and is now going to Cosmetology School at the Community College. Another women gained enough confidence to get her driver's license. One participant who then became an OFL volunteer got full-time employment that allowed her to upgrade her subsidized housing.

Participants report that their OFL experience led them to participating in other community education programs. A former participant joined an Extension and Community Association club and has now presented a program at their meeting. One man, described as a hermit before the classes, is now going out with new friends, completed Extension's Master Gardener course and is in AA. Others have joined extension's weight control series and enrolled in exercise programs at Senior Centers.

Another spin-off is the desire to help others in a variety of ways. One women now prepares meals for a church family. Two mothers went through OFL and then started a babysitting network together. Another participant reported that OFL helped her move from public housing and now is a clerk in a gas station. Hispanic participants report that the classes helped them learn more English and have a better understanding of American culture. One participant became a foster parent. One family is now off welfare, has built their own home and the former OFL participant is a contributing writer to a small county newspaper.

There are several cases where OFL is credited by individuals in helping them regain custody of children and move from abusive households. A young mother was able to get herself and her children out of Safe House, a home for battered women. Participants are delivered to OFL from prison when they are nearing release. One women who had been through a series of physical and emotional traumas said, "This is better than going to mental health"

Finding employment in the food service industry is a common spin-off since participants learn that they can do a good job at purchasing, preparing and serving food instead of relying upon fast food restaurants and prepared meals to serve as their source of food. Former participants are employed in fast food restaurants, nursing homes, day cares and hospitals. Some attend culinary classes at community college after finding the OFL experience rewarding build upon this employable skill.

While learning to shop, plan and prepare food is a key objective in OFL there are some participants for which this in itself is a milestone in their lives. A 68 year- old recent widow whose husband had been the cook now learned to cook herself and was inviting friends over for meals. Husbands are often very vocal about their spouse's accomplishments. Children who have gone though the OFL preschool classes ask parents to buy the fruits and vegetables they have tasted in class. A single mother of an infant learned to make her own baby food.

This last example silently speaks to the impact OFL had on one participant. A former participant died. The OFL Program Assistant attended the viewing and noticed the framed OFL Graduation Certificate was placed prominently in the casket. The deceased family said they put it there because participating in OFL had meant so much to her.

An "Osteoporosis and You" seminar was sponsored by the Extension Service in cooperation with the NC Department of Human Resources, Osteoporosis Education office. There were 45 participants, both professional and persons at risk for the disease or those who have the disease. Extension was responsible for the arrangements, securing the speakers and sponsors and conducting the program. Evaluations indicated that the seminar was very successful in providing information about the disease and support programs for the disease.

The Partners in Wellness program has been well received by participants at one county Congregate Nutrition Site. Several attendees of the local fitness center liked what they heard during the first sessions and decided to add to their Wednesday morning routine and add the program to their weekly agenda. As a result of this successful program venture and the participation of other supporting groups and agencies, continued wellness sessions are being held weekly. Cooperators who are presenting the programming include a county Physicians Assistant and health educators at the county hospital and health department. Topics are reinforcing the messages taught during the partners modules. Participation continues so far to remain constant, even through the beginning of the summer months.

Bullets

*The result of having one semi-illiterate, senior citizen with uncontrolled diabetes participate in the Partners In Wellness program [using the NutriScore Board (a visual tool to balance serving sizes and food choices for better health) and the nutrition education provided] was that he lost a total of 37 pounds and got his blood sugar under control.

*87% of the 1245 participants in the Partners in Wellness program made at least one change to lower their risk for malnutrition.

*79% of the 1245 participants in the Partners in Wellness program maintained at least one positive behavior change that they had made upon follow-up evaluation.

*One Extension volunteer attending the Noonliting class under the recommendation of her doctor, lost 11 pounds, brought her elevated blood pressure down from 146/90 to 127/90 and averted having to increase her medication.

*One participant in the County Employee Wellness Program lost 14 pounds and lowered her cholesterol by 51 mg/dl, her BMI by three points, her waist size by 4 inches, and her systolic pressure by 14mm.

*Evaluation of 2336 child care providers, trained in using the Be Active Kids curriculum in their setting, indicates the program is having a positive impact on nutrition and physical activity in preschool children.

*By the end of the sessions in one county on Eating Healthier and losing weight, 84 participants had lost a total of 674 pounds.

*The evaluation of the Partners In Wellness program focused on nutrition-related issues that impact unique dietary needs of limited resource adults over the age of 65 in one county indicated that most of the 54 participants had made positive behavior changes in dietary practices.

*18 citizens in one county participated in Noonliting and lost a total of 172 pounds.

*31 participants Noonliting in one county lost a total of 137 pounds and adopted healthier eating practices such as paying attention to portion sizes and limiting high calorie snacks, and one participant reported that after she followed the program guidelines for just one month her blood pressure dropped and she averted having to take medication!

*Because one EFNEP participant followed the lesson guidelines and was able to reduce her blood pressure medicine and go off cholesterol lowering medication, her physician referred 12 more patients to the EFNEP program, 8 of whom qualified for the program and said it is seldom that patients change their nutritional habits enough to reduce their medication.

*As a result of a healthy heart health fair in one county, attended by 229 employees, highlighting the promotion of heart-healthy dishes, 18 participants who had high risk cholesterol levels at base line lowered their cholesterol after follow-up (three months later).

CEMP Committee Members:

Co-Chair: Jackie McClelland

Co-Chair: empty since Spring, 2000.

Team Members: Sarah Ash, Geissler Baker, Susan Baker, Carolyn Dunn, Sharon Farless, Lynn Hoggard, Carolyn Lackey, Doris Sargent, Christine Smith, Susan Velazquez,

Program description:

The educational programs of CEMP-17 aim to increase the knowledge of North Carolina citizens and nonprofit organizations in consumer horticulture and structural pest management. Programs target gardeners and home owners concerning: control of structural pests, installation and maintenance of home landscape and production of vegetables and fruits. Programs are also provided on community gardening, water conservation, beautification projects, youth and school gardening, and for caretakers of community property such as schools and parks and recreation grounds personnel. Through increased knowledge and adoption of practices, this program aims to improve the economic and aesthetic value of private and public property while ensuring environmental stewardship.

Overall Narrative and Accomplishment Numbers:

Objective 1 - Target audiences will adopt best management practices for residential

and public facility pests.

Public concern about exposure to pesticides continues to increase. People are demanding "safer" or "less toxic" solutions to pest problems in residential, recreational and work environments including what have been termed "sensitive area", such schools, day care centers and extended care facilities. Our educational programs emphasize two key points. First, a pest control program should not rely solely on a reactive program involving pesticide applications. The preferred approach is one involving IPM approach, which requires an effort to determine when, where and how pests are becoming a problem, then deal with them in an appropriate manner. IPM control strategies emphasize nonchemical and chemical methods that disrupt pest activity and make habitats less favorable to them. Second, pest control should not be viewed as simply the responsibility of pest control operators. Success only comes with a combined effort between the PCO and the client to eliminate conditions that attract pests and allow them to flourish.

Educational programs on pest management helped more than 45,734 people increase their knowledge of IPM practices. 102,257 program participants increased their knowledge of current state and federal guidelines governing wildlife control/depredation. Over 121,500 people reported reducing risk of their own and their pets exposure to insecticides. More than 118,600 adopted IPM practices in their pest management strategies.

Objective 2 - Consumers will increase their knowledge and adopt practices concerning proper plant selection, cultural practices, and plant pest management strategies that maximize plant performance while minimizing inputs, and protect environmental resources.

County agents provided education programs to gardeners through a wide variety of methods: meetings, radio programs, newsletters, demonstration gardens, workshops, exhibits, web sites, television programs, news articles, etc. Educational programs helped 269,089 gardeners increase their knowledge of new or under utilized plant species/cultivars and how to select plants for a specific location. An additional 227,981 participants increased their knowledge of appropriate watering practices and water conservation methods. Over 221,800 gardeners increased their knowledge of plant fertilization needs and methods of application. 251,721 participants increased their knowledge of the prevention and management of pest problems (weeds, insects, diseases, wildlife) through non-chemical methods and/or correct methods for pesticide application. Over 143,885 gardeners adopted cultural practices that reduced/recycled yard waste.

An increasing number of gardeners are utilizing the internet to find horticultural information. The consumer horticultural web site: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/ was started primarily as a tool for our Extension agents. A survey in the spring of 2000 reviled the site was receiving over 7,000,000 hits per year. As a results of the survey, the site has undergone a major reorganization and expansion - over 1,000 new pages were added in 2000.

The training and utilization of a Master Gardener volunteer staff continues to be an economical way to enhance Extension teaching resources. Over 2,662 volunteers donated 157,211 hours (valued at $1,572,110) while assisting 899,031 gardeners (excluding mass media contacts). Activities included: answering 59,764 phone calls, diagnosing 13,928 plant samples, manning 224 exhibits for 341,807 people, 181 television/radio shows, writing 639 news articles, giving programs to 771 groups with 29,748 in attendance, conducting 282 school programs for 18,705 youth, developing 105 school gardens for 5,174 youth, sharing information with 18,669 friends and neighbors, and maintaining 129 demonstration gardens viewed by 425,164 gardeners. Volunteers contributed over $44,811 out-of-pocket expenses, drove over 330,096 miles (valued at $139,561), and raised $251,503 for program support for a total contribution of $2,007,985.

Objective 3 - Youth will increase their knowledge of plants, insects, and the environment while learning new gardening skills through participation in 4-H, school, and special interest classes, and activities.

Youth programs were offered through school class rooms and demonstration gardens. Numerous special interest classes, projects, and contest were conducted in nonschool settings. Over 18,300 youth actively participated in school gardening activities and projects and 6,370 youth actively participated in 4-H horticulture activities and projects. A Junior Master Gardener program was started in several counties.

Number of Units (Counties) Reporting:

Objective #1 37

#2 69

#3 38

Statewide Impact totals

Objectives #1

121,509 participants reduced their risk of being exposed to insecticides by reducing and/or targeting insecticide usage.

118,631 participants demonstrated a better understanding of the use of IPM as a means of enhancing their ability to be good environmental stewards.

Objective #2

178,059 gardeners adopted two or more recommended practices that enhance plant growth (or yield) while minimizing inputs.

169,933 participants adopting two or more recommended practices that reduced pesticide or fertilizer misuse and water contamination.

Program participants saved $1,685,001 through utilizing appropriate cultural and pest management practices.

Objective #3

12,609 youth demonstrating increased personal responsibility by growing and caring for their own plants at home.

16,720 youth demonstrating increased proficiencies in application of horticulture skills and knowledge.

Volunteers Involved:

Objective #1 367

#2 2,074

#3 389

Success Stories

Success stories from CEMP 17 can be as diverse as the audience Extension serves. Examples, of education programs and their results include:

Cherokee County - An outdoor classroom has been established at the Andrews Middle School in Cherokee County through a grant. The outdoor classroom is and will be used by students, teachers, Master Gardener Volunteers, local citizens, nursery growers and landscapers to study and observe plant materials, wildlife, composting, etc.. Persons in the nursery industry (nursery growers, landscapers, horticulture students) can use the site to study labeled plant materials that are on the Certified Plant Professional Program Exam. With the nearest arboretum 2.5 hours away, persons can now study many of the plants locally. Students can use the plant material in the new landscape for plant propagation studies in their new greenhouse.

For example, fire ants have recently moved into Cherokee County, NC. Many citizens were not familiar with this foreign fire ant and were unaware of the hazards of their sting. Educational programs, newspaper and newsletter articles concerning the biology and control measures were targeted at the general public.

Cumberland County - 743 children, representing 32 different schools in the county, between the ages of 4 and 13 were visited by the agent or Master Gardener Volunteer and taught about seeds (germination, travel and propagation) or earthworms. Twenty three schools are continuing to do school and class projects dealing with horticulture.

Currituck County - By participating with the NRCS sponsored Environmental Field Days at two elementary, over 300 youth gain knowledge in the area of composting of materials around the home, as well as, what materials need to be recycled. Also, they were instructed in how to identify harmful pests around the home, where to take precautions and when medical attention would be necessary.

Rowan County - Cooperative Extension taught 30 hours of gardening classes to 25 school teachers. The teachers participating in the course earned 3 hours of teacher certification credits with the school system. Each teacher is to take information and use in their science curriculum. One teacher received a $5,000.00 grant to teach children composting and provide materials for gardening and other projects. The information gained by the teachers will reach approximately 800 new students not exposed to gardening.

Wake County - An elementary school in the Holly Springs community with a 70% minority enrollment requested assistance in providing a horticulture activity to anfourth grade classes and an after school program. The students and teachers had little previous exposure to the subject. Three Wake County Master Gardener provided consultation on verimcomposting to 9 classes and teachers (225 students). Gardening activities were conducted on the school grounds. They also worked with the class in a hands-on activity creating terrariums from recycled materials to take home. The students learned about the biology of worms, the environment and practiced math skills. The Master Gardeners have continued with bimonthly meetings. The class meets during their recess period so students have to choose between the two. Twenty-three students have opted to continue in the horticulture class. 100 percent of the youth demonstrated increased proficiencies in application of horticulture skills and knowledge.

Randolph County - taking time with each phone call request to promote integrated pest management rather than "spraying what the chemical manual says", is a time-consuming process. When the County Health Department sends clients to Extension, the face-to-face process is doubled. Much as we would like to reduce the number of phone contacts and use other group methods (classes, etc.), we should consider this client note to the Randolph CES office: "You've been a life-saver..inquired at 6 stores..your response to my 82 yr. old sister will result in a more comfortable life..she saved over $1,000..used your data.."

Robeson County - Following a few failed attempts at control, a local independent restaurateur called with a problem of many flying insects greeting patrons. The insect was identified and a plan of attack formulated for quick kill and searching the source of the problem insects. The CES agent taking the call visited the site and used Extension web publications noting insect behavioral habits which led to identifying the insect source under the crawl space of the restaurant from a used deep frying oil storage pit that was unexpectedly full.

Forsyth County - a major banking institution had been experiencing a problem with fungus gnats for almost a year. Three pest control companies had failed to correct the problem. The supervisor of all building maintenance for the company contacted the county CES office for assistance. The agent and an Extension Specialist from the Entomology department at NCSU visited the site and were able to determine the source and helped arrange for another pest control company to correct the problem. The fungus gnats were gone in under three weeks. The supervisor commented that he called CES because he knew that they could help solve the problem.

Randolph County - participants in the "Work First" and "Habitat for Humanity" programs attended sessions of the CES's "What's Buggin' You?" program. After discussion of the benefits of insects, the groups utilized "hands-on" opportunities for identification, habitat study, prevention and control methods. Feedback indicated participants were surprised at the number of low-cost prevention methods, the health hazards of increased in-home insect populations, and at food safety issues surrounding pest control. 80% indicated they would begin a pest management program.

Greene County - homeowners have increased their knowledge of how to manage their home landscapes through newsletters, workshops and on site demonstrations. 355 have learned how to soil sample and apply the right amount of fertilizer thus reducing fertilizer runoff.

Buncombe County - Master Gardeners started a Plant A Row For The Hungry project, coordinated with the MANNA Food Bank. Due to this effort home gardeners donated over 7,000 pounds of fresh produce to feed the hungry.

Carteret County - A weekly radio show "The Coastal Gardener" by the Extension Service has become a resource for gardeners in Carteret County. Response from the public has resulted in improvement in water conservation practices and pest management decisions. Feedback through local garden centers indicate that the public is asking for more appropriate plant material for the area.

Guilford County - A 5 week modified version of the Master Gardener volunteer program was conducted with 25 employees from 3 garden centers. In these sessions Extension highlighted: common insect and disease problems and addressed both the chemical controls as well as an IPM approach, the importance of soil testing and how to check for drainage problems in the piedmont clays, water conservation issues in relation to suggesting new drought tolerant plants and watering methods better for established plantings. Participants learned how to calibrate a spreader and read pesticide labels. All participants indicated on a follow up survey that they learned several new and usable skills that they would be passing on to their clients.

Henderson County - The Extension Center receives numerous requests for information on controlling/managing Japanese Beetles. The most common way we receive this request is over the internet through a Horticultural Message Board. Over a period of two months this message board received over 1,100 hits with the average viewing time per page of approximately 90 seconds.

Iredell County - Thirteen private and two industrial property owners saved in excess of $24,000.00 from advice and information given on managing trees during and after construction.

McDowell County - This year approximately 2371 people participated in and benefitted from the consumer horticulture program in McDowell County. A survey indicated that 84 % of the participants learned more about horticulture. The survey also indicated that 61 % of the participants implemented two or more practices that reduced the use of fertilizer, pesticides and other inputs, reduced water contamination, and enhanced plant growth.

Person County - Agents utilized the NeuseMobile at two subdivisions to provide soil sampling and classes on yard and plant fertilization. Master gardeners assisted with pre-publicity and staffing the mobile classroom during the two days. Homeowners learned proper fertilization methods and rates during the classes, and could take their own soil samples. Most participants commented that they learned at least one thing. Agents and Master Gardeners provided follow up consultations once soil reports were returned to the homeowners.

Craven - Master Gardener volunteers have maintained a demonstration vegetable garden on the grounds of the Extension office since 1990. Produce is donated to local organizations which provide services to the needy, disabled, and elderly. Value of produce donated in 2000 was $3,800. Educational activities associated with the garden included Master Gardener volunteer training, visits from garden clubs, newsletter, and newspaper reports.

Impact Bullets

Over 2,600 Extension Master Gardener volunteers donated 157,211 hours while providing educational assistance to over 899,000 gardeners.

Students in 32 different schools in Cumberland County were provided instructions on seeds (germination, travel and propagation) or earthworms.

Extension helped a major banking institution in Forsyth County identify and eliminate a fungus nat problem they had been unable to control for over a year.

Cooperative Extension in Duplin County helped 20 homeowners who were storing pesticides in their pump houses to change this practice in order to protect their water supply.

Master Gardeners in Buncombe County started a Plant A Row For The Hungry project; due to this effort home gardeners donated over 7,000 pounds of fresh produce to feed the hungry.

In Iredell County, Cooperative Extension helped thirteen private and two industrial property owners saved in excess of $24,000.00 from advice and information given on managing trees during and after construction.

In Person County, Extension utilized the NeuseMobile at two subdivisions to provide soil sampling and classes on yard and plant fertilization to education home owners on ways to reduce water pollution.

Over $3,800 of produce from a demonstration vegetable garden at the Extension office in Craven County was donated to the needy and/or disabled.

An increasing number of gardeners are utilizing the internet to find horticultural information; the consumer horticultural web site: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/ receives over 7,000,000 hits per year.

Membership

Erv Evans Co-chair Karen Neil Co-chair

Mike Waldvogel Paul McKenzie

Art Bruneau Larry Bass

Charles Apperson Lewis Howe

Carl Matyac Steven Bambara

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Residential and Community Water and Waste Management Cemp impacts the private and public sectors environmentally and economically. Drinking water quality, waste water management, watershed management and waste management are the key elements. Proper management of waste water, and watershed ultimately affect drinking water quality.

ABSTRACT/OVERVIEW

Thirty-two counties reported results of educational programs in water quality and conservation and solid and water waste management. Educational programs targeted homeowner, builders, real estate professionals, mobile home park owners, developers, local governments, businesses, industries, institutions, etc. The Extension on-site Waste Treatment Training Centers in the northeastern and southeastern districts continue to be a value resource for all types of audiences. Over 32,100 people increased their awareness and knowledge of best management practices to protect water quality. Over 44,400 people increased their knowledge of solid waste reduction strategies. Approximately 13,200 people adopted one or more best management practices to protect water quality and reduce or eliminate waste or its toxicity. Water screening programs in 6 counties reached 722 people who brought samples in to be tested. People who had samples that had unacceptable levels of triazine, nitrate, coliform or lead received recommendations on best management practices for improvement. Water system replacement costs that were avoided through implementation of proper well construction and/or protection practices amounted to $433,103. Three counties conducted onsite waste water treatment programs for over 100 real estate professionals. In one county NCCES served a coordinator for a straight piping correcting program. Twenty of the 50 homes identified now have approved septic systems, eliminating 500,000 gallons of waste water from entering streams in the county. Over $1,830,000 was estimated to be saved in on-site waste water treatment replacement costs as a result of preventative maintenance practices. Field exhibits, cooperative projects with local governments and demonstrations were used to reach audiences about watershed management. 7,425 acres of urban and residential watersheds were improved by best management practices along with 17,020 linear feet of streams. 175 businesses, industries and local government offices in 21 counties adopted waste reduction strategies. Over 12,273,500 pounds of waste was diverted as a result of Extension education programs. Included in this was 992,260 pounds of non-hazardous materials 459,544 lbs. of household hazardous or specials waste materials, 12,481 lbs. of white goods and 18,433 home use pesticides. Businesses, industries, and institutions reported saving $44,351 through implementation of waste reduction strategies. Local governments saved over $190,000 through citizens implementing waste reduction strategies. Education programs on water conservation were conducted in 6 counties As a result, almost 10,000 households indicated they had reduced their water usage based on their water bill figures. Another 1200 households on private wells estimated they had reduced their water use 11-20%

NUMBER OF COUNTIES REPORTING: 32 counties

Objective 1 12 counties

Objective 2 11 counties

Objective 3 16 counties

Objective 4 21 counties

Objective 5 6 counties

STATEWIDE MEASURES OF PROGRESS TOTALS:

7255 people increased their knowledge and awareness of best management practices to protect and improve drinking water

222 people improved existing wells

614 people adopted practices around the well to minimize the chance of contamination

691 people had their water tested and or treated appropriately

1544 number of people who increased their knowledge and awareness of the type of waste water treatment system used and its location

1449 people increased their knowledge and awareness of proper maintenance of the waste water treatment system they use

652 people adopted preventative maintenance practices to protect on-site waste water treatment systems

675 people keep periodic checks on septic system operation and/or have had their septic tank pumped by a licensed professional

11805 people who increased their knowledge and awareness of watershed management practices that protect and improve water quality

254 businesses, industries, government officials and development professionals adopted best management practices to protect and improve surface and ground water

44,457 people increased knowledge and awareness of waste reduction strategies

5501 residents adopting waste reduction strategies

175 businesses, industries, institutions, an local government offices adopted waste reduction strategies

11,499 people increased their knowledge and awareness of the need to conserve water.

STATEWIDE IMPACT TOTALS:

2 unused wells have been properly closed

53 old or hand-dug wells were replaced with modern well or hookup to a municipal supply

142 people reported benefits from adopting best management practices that protect/ improve water quality

$433,103 were saved in water system replacement costs through implementation of well construction and/or protection practices

$1,830,045 were saved in system replacement costs thorough adoption of best management practices having septic tanks pumped.

7,425 acres of urban and residential watersheds were improved by adopting structural and non-structural best management practices to prevent pollution

17020 l linear feet of streams were improved by best management practices adopted through the Stream Restoration Projects as well as other watershed best management projects

12,273,604 pounds of water were diverted from disposal through waste reduction strategies

$190,064 were saved in disposal costs by local government through implementation of waste reduction strategies

$44,351 were saved in disposal costs by businesses, industries, institutions through implementation of waste reduction strategies

9999 people indicated they had reduced their water usage based on their water bill figures

1200 people estimated they had reduced their water usage by 11%-20%

VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED AND VALUE

718 volunteers contributed 4208 hours for a $ value of $42,080

SUCCESS STORES WITH REAL PROGRAM IMPACT

Avery County: Mike Pittman

The stream restoration design for Cove Creek has been successfully completed. A F4 stream type was converted to a B4c and C4. The As-built survey was completed. Permanent cross sections, longitudinal profiles, bank profiles, substrate analyses, fish assessments, and bug assessments are used to evaluate the project. A water level recorder was also installed. The site has received three inner berm to bankfull events since construction. The project is working as designed. Fish samples were collected one month after construction and found fish in all the pools created by the rock vanes.

Onslow: Diana Rashash

A continuing education class for realtors was implemented, with the goal of increasing realtor awareness and understanding of septic systems. Response by realtors has been very positive. One realtor stated that he would not list another property without first going to the health department for a copy of the septic system permit.

Catawba: Deborah Myatt

The first HHW collection day was held successfully with 204 participants and 25,253 pounds of hazardous household waste collected from residents. On site survey results indicated strong need for future collection days with 90 new subscriptions for HHW newsletter and 20 potential members/volunteers for HHW task force. The Waste Education Center reached 1,039 people with environmental education/training through face-to-face contact.

Pender: Jennifer Hansen

4-H and Big Sweep collaborated to have a recycling education and collection contest. Fifth grade students were targeted to learn about recycling and to collect six pack rings. Through this project 125 pounds of plastic recyclable rings were diverted from the landfill to the recycling plant.

Lincoln: Amy Chilcote

North Carolina's Piedmont continues to be a popular place to live and visit. New construction is needed to make room for the influx of people. Sediment and erosion control has become a necessity to keep our natural resource of water as clean as possible. The Faircloth Skimmer is a innovative practice that can be used to combat erosion and increase sedimentation reduction on a development site. A demonstration site for this type of basin was placed at the Lincoln County Water Treatment plant in April. The basin has reduced sediment run off from the development site at the Water Treatment plant by 95%. A workshop July 19 was held to display the practice and to discuss economical and environmental friendly uses it has for both developer and environment. A total of forty-four persons attended the workshop. Currently two companies represented expressed that they are using the skimmer/level spreader and are satisfied with the results environmentally and economically.

Ashe: P. C. Goodman

Water Quality in Ashe County continues to be a major concern according to a recent county wide health assessment. Increased building construction, part-time residents who have purchased homes with older private water supplies, animal and crop production have been reasons cited by residents as cause for concern. Through cooperation and support from all agencies involved with water quality in Ashe County, 40 volunteers and a $3,300.00 grant from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, and leadership from Soil Science, 200 private water supplies (wells and springs) were screened. A total of 685 samples were screened for triazine, nitrate, coliform or lead. All participants whose water screened high for lead are letting water run before collecting for use to reduce lead concentration. Eighty percent of the participants whose water tested positive for coliform (total and fecal) have followed recommended practices given them to improve water quality. Water samples for triazine screening taken from supplies close to the crops that showed no triazine contamination put many participants fears to rest.

Watauga: Sue Counts

North Carolina Big Sweep is an annual statewide shoreline cleanup. This year Extension was chosen to be county coordinators for Watauga and Avery counties. Nearly 300 people volunteered in the joint county effort and picked up over 4 tons of trash from local streams.

Onslow Rashash, Diana

More than 900 youth attended various environmental and water quality demonstrations during this past year. When asked what they remembered most, a common response was that they learned not to trust their eyes to judge water quality. Water may look \"bad\" (brown water systems from tannic acids), but not be; or it can look \"clean\" and still contain harmful substances that they can\'t see (such as nitrate or bacteria).

Cherokee: April Tallant

The growing problem of litter along highways, waterways, and in public areas has Cherokee County Commissioners and citizens of the county concerned. To address this issue, a Big Sweep litter clean up was coordinated and implemented by Family and Consumer Education Agent April Tallant. The Extension staff, groups and organizations such as Tennessee Valley Authority, Master Gardeners, schools, Haywood County Department of Corrections, community service workers, and clubs such as community development clubs, and 4H and cloverbud clubs helped to implement the event. Twentysix sites were cleaned, with 842 bags of garbage being collected. 445 people participated, a 39 percent increase from last year. Estimates of over 16,620 pounds of garbage was removed, resulting in our county being more aesthetically pleasing to county residents and tourists. It also heightened waste disposal awareness and provided a strong foundation for collaborations that will allow for similar projects to be accomplished.

Iredell: Donald Breedlove

Concern from a citizen that an expensive water filtering system was not removing all of the level of minerals specified, advice was given on diagnostic testing. The owner of the community well tests quarterly and the standards for nitrates and biological organisms met standards. Calcium and iron deposits regularly caused stain and irritated skin. The individual submitted samples to NC Department of Agriculture Laboratory from both sides of the filter, and it showed results only in iron reduction. The representative removed the system, honored the warranty and several neighbors did not buy the system

Randolph: Lynne Qualls

Extension collaborated with the local Board of Realtors Association, Health Dept., and Extension Soil Science to present a training workshop for realtors and appraisers. This 4 hour session allowed 29 participants to receive continuing certification credits. The group increased their knowledge of local well and septic system regulations as well as basic instruction in the operation and maintenance of a septic system. 55% of the group were new participants in Extension programming efforts.

Wilson: Walter Earle

Private wells are a major source of drinking water for the rural residents of Wilson County. Following Hurricane Floyd and the resulting flood waters in the fall of 1999, many well users were concerned about the safety of their wells. The Wilson County Cooperative Extension Service in conjunction with Ground Water Guardian and Cargill, Inc., held a well water testing program to evaluate private wells for nitrate and bacteria contamination. In spite of a record snowfall on the testing day, over 50 residents submitted samples for testing. Several samples were identified has having possible contamination problems. The local staff with the help of specialists followed up on these problem samples with on-site visits and provided information on how to correct the problem.

Wake: Mitchell Woodward

Stormwater Demonstration Reduces Neuse Pollution - The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Neuse Education Team (NET), in collaboration with State Parks and an environmental group (the Umstead Coalition) has established an urban stormwater demonstration site in Umstead State Park. The site, located down hill from a newly constructed visitors center, was contributing a large amount of runoff and sediment to a tributary of the Neuse River. In response, the Neuse Team installed practices that have successfully curbed pollution 50-80 %. The site is also used as an outdoor classroom and has been featured on 2 stormwater management tours sponsored by the team and 2 separate TV news programs focusing on the environment, reaching over 250,000 triangle residents, students, and City stormwater engineers.

"Rain Garden" Cleans Residential Storm Water: In a partnership with Wake County Parks, a storm water demonstration site has been established at Crowder County Park. The demonstration site, visited annually by thousands of Wake residents who recreate at the park, redirects oil and sediment laden water that was formerly flowing directly from a parking area and sends it into a man-made filter called a \"Rain Garden.\" The rain garden is a slightly depressed area that catches and holds the run-off, letting the site act as a filter to trap and reduce pollutants, sediment, and nitrogen runoff leaving the parking lot.

Extension's Neuse Education Team: The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service established the Neuse Education Team (NETeam) in 1997 to implement educational programs aimed at helping citizens improve water quality in the Neuse River Basin. Through its innovative water-quality education program, the team is responding effectively to emerging environmental issues by putting research-based solutions to work in the Neuse River Basin. Team members have established over 70 demonstration projects in urban and agricultural areas to show how best management practices can be used to improve water quality.

SPECIFIC IMPACT BULLETS

53 old or hand-dug wells were replaced with modern wells or were hooked up to a municipal supply.

142 people reported benefits from adopting best management practices that protect/improve drinking water.

$433,103 were saved in water system replacement costs by homeowners through implementation of well construction and/or protection practices.

$1,830,045 were saved in septic system replacement costs thorough adoption of best management practices including having septic tanks pumped as needed.

7,425 acres of urban and residential watersheds were improved by adopting structural and non-structural best management practices to prevent pollution.

17,020 linear feet of streams were improved by best management practices adopted through the Stream Restoration Projects as well as other watershed best management projects.

12,273,604 pounds of waste were diverted from disposal through waste reduction strategies.

$190,064 were saved in disposal costs by local government through implementation of waste reduction strategies by citizens.

$44,351 were saved in disposal costs by businesses, industries, institutions through implementation of waste reduction strategies.

9999 people indicated they had reduced their water usage based on usage figures from their water bill

1200 people estimated they had reduced their water usage by 11%-20%

614 people adopted best management practices around the well to minimize the chance of contamination

691 people had their water tested and adopted preventative maintenance practices to prevent further contamination or had their water treated appropriately.

652 people adopted preventative maintenance practices to protect on-site waste water treatment systems

675 people kept periodic checks on septic system operation and/or have had their septic tank pumped by a licensed professional

4241 residents adopted best watershed management practices to protect and improve surface and ground water

254 businesses, industries, government officials and development professionals adopted best watershed management practices to protect and improve surface and ground water

5501 residents adopted waste reduction strategies

175 businesses, industries, institutions, and local government offices adopted waste reduction strategies

624 people adopted best management practices to conserve water use in their homes.

LIST OF CEMP COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND CO-CHAIRS

Wilma Hammett Co-chair

George Autry Co-chair

Greg Jennings Rhonda Sherman Mitch Renkow

Will Harman Dorothy Miner Diana Rashash

Sarah Kirby Sandy Wiggins Judy Mock

Bill Hunt Nancy White Bob Rubin

Carolyn Majonnier Kathy Bunton Deborah Myatt

Brenda Morris Allen Caldwell Deanna Osmond

Craven Hudson Suzanne Rhinehart

David Lindbo Mike Hoover

Program Description:

The "Resilient Youth, Families, and Communities State Major program" of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service takes action to strengthen the resiliency of youth, families, and communities. Resiliency is the ability to cultivate strengths to positively meet challenges. The program focuses on prevention programming which strengthens "protective factors" and reduces "risk factors." Participants bring together and involve educators, researchers, agency and organizational personnel, youth, families, communities, advocates, and practitioners who share an interest in strengthening the resiliency of North Carolina's youth, families, and communities.

Program Overview:

Youth in forty-six counties have benefited as a result of involvement in community based programs which focus on building resilience. Youth in high risk environments have increased coping skills, are making more informed decisions, and have a sense of purpose for the future.

Families in nineteen counties have benefited from financial management programs conducted to help them learn basic money management skills such as budgeting and investing, allowing them to reallocate resources to meet pressing family financial demands. Volunteers have been trained and matched to mentor Work First participants. Through these-efforts, program participants have become employed, retained employment, and improved employment status. Three primary themes have emerged from this objective this year. Family coping and nurturing programs were instrumental in providing families with parenting guidance, family communications skills and family violence prevention. Adolescent pregnancy prevention programs have targeted young men as well as young women. Thirdly, Mentor Education programs served to address day-to-day needs of those women who have been involved in Work First programs.

Seventeen counties reported the establishment of collaborations, the initiation of prevention programs, and reduction in criminal activities in targeted Communities.

Number of Units Reporting:

Objective one: 46

Objective two: 19

Objective three; 17

Total 82

Statewide Measures of Progress:

Objective One: Youth

Increased life skills 4,578.00

Increased literacy 8,829.00

Increase community involvement 8,439.00

Increased knowledge of alternatives to alcohol & drug use 8,839.00

Objective Two: Families

Number of money management plans made 173

Increased knowledge and awareness of effective

communications skills 3,562

Increased knowledge and awareness of family coping

and nurturing practices 3,444

Objective Three: Communities

Collaborations established 285

Prevention programs developed 115

Criminal reduction 369

Economic/community programs 26

Family support programs 75

Increased knowledge of prevention 1,798

Statewide Impacts:

Objective One: Youth

Increased life skills 15,236

Improved academic performance 7,599

Expanded citizen involvement 7,387

Reduce drug use 4,930

Reduced judicial involvement 876

Reduced violence 1,042

Objective Two: Families

Dollars saved/reallocated 11,180

Conflicts reduced 3,093

Coping and nurturing adoption 3,162

Objective Three: Communities

Community development value added 1,236,126

Increased leadership 614

Dollars saved in collaboration 231,665

Dollars saved in risk reduction 1,391,708

Volunteers Involved and Value:

Volunteers Hours Value

Objective One: Youth 1,589 38,788 $387,880

Objective Two: Families 262 986 9,860

Objective Three: Communities 590 19,148 191,480

Success Stories

Youth

The Genesis Program in Gates County was initially started to address the at-risk behaviors of African-American males. The program is just now beginning to see long term impacts from the youth that were in the program when it started six years ago and targeted 7th-12th graders. Eleven of the original Genesis participants graduated in May, 2000. They were initially referred to the Genesis program for low academic achievement, fighting, and school suspensions. Of these graduates, one is going into the Air force and the others are going on to higher education. One graduates with honors and obtained a scholarship education. One graduates with honors and obtained a scholarship to a Culinary College. He attributes his success to the Genesis program and how it made a difference in his life by helping him to focus, get on the right track with decision making, goal setting and envisioning a future for himself.

Families

As an outgrowth of the Volunteer Mentor Education, the Supervisory program was developed. The Supervisory program is designed to train supervisors and employers who employ Work First participants and working poor. The program provides approximately 10 hours of training on communication and helping skills. The goal is to improve the working environment and understanding in an effort to retain employees. Nineteen supervisors have been trained, representing Holiday Inn, Holly Inn, and the Daily Seven. Presentations about the program were made to other service industries that have indicated they would like to have the program implemented. Efforts are being made to obtain funds in order to continue the program. Supervisors who have been trained have implemented strategies learned from the training. They are also reporting an increase in retention and job satisfaction rates.

Communities

Ashe 4-H and Partnership for Children as the lead agencies have worked with Job Link, Literacy League, Wilkes Community College, CCR&R Family Resource Center and Ashe County Schools (alternative school) to make community services for child care, health care, and job assistance more accessible for the citizens. A collaborative group of agencies have consolidated their efforts and secured from the County of Ashe a vacated school. "Family Central", to be completed spring of 2001, will serve as a center for family services and will enable citizens to avoid the "hassle" as travel to multiple sites to access needed services.

Indicating a need for additional prevention programming for at-risk youth, the Hoke County School Principals and Guidance Counselors worked to change policy so that more youth could participate in the 4-H Like Skills Program. Specifically, policy was changed so that not only, are more youth involved, the program is now available during the school day. Policy now supports youth participation through removal of sanctions and penalties for during school participation in the Program.

Impact Bullets

Youth

As a result of involvement in after school program, 7,599 North Carolina youth have improved their academic performance.

Over 4,900 youth have had reduced contact with juvenile court while involved in Extension sponsored youth activities.

Families

Through Cooperative Extension programming in Rockingham County, 2336 parents made changes in their parenting skills such as making wise decisions and implementing house rules for their adolescent children, allowing them to be more effective parents.

Collaborative efforts between the Ashe County Family Resource Center and A.S.H.E. (A Safe Home for Everyone, funded by Governor's Crime Commission) provided 75 families experiencing domestic violence with family support, education and advocacy. Domestic Violence Support Groups for adults.

Communities

Cooperative Extension programs are collaborating with community agencies to implement policy changes which allow community resources and prevention programs to be more accessible to the citizens.

CEMP 19 Team:

Thearon McKinney, Co-Chair Billy Privott

Bettina Odom, Co-Chair Lucy Ringald

Millie Bruton Robert Williamson

Mike Davis Susan Jakes

Steven Lilley David Mustian

Robin Roper Ellen Smoak

Programs Description:

CEMP 20 - Youth Development focuses on three major aspects of the 4-H program that contribute to the life skill and asset development of young people; the long term 4-H Unit/Club, 4-H School Enrichment Program, and the Diverse Housing Program. Four major factors have been identified that contribute to the successful development of a child: social competence, problem solving, autonomy and a sense of purpose and future. Those factors along with the Search Institute's developmental assets are incorporated into 4-H experiences. 4-H club activities, presentations, record keeping, judging teams, school enrichment experiences, peer helper/mentoring programs, community service projects and recognition programs are designed to give the participants an opportunity to develop the life skills/assets that any child will need to succeed in life.

Program Overview:

A major goal of the 4-H Youth Development Program is to help young people participating in 4-H programs to develop life skills and assets that will allow them to become competent, caring, and responsible citizens. In 2000 emphasizes was placed on helping young people improve their life skills/assets in the areas of communication skills, cooperation, empathy and caring, critical thinking and planning and goal setting.

During 2000, approximately 187,000 young people between the ages of 5 and 19 participated in 4-H programs with 118,740 participants involved in 4-H club and other long term units, school enrichment and diverse housing programs. The positive development of young people through 4-H participation can be illustrated by the following results from selected programs: 1) 45,070 youth increased their communication skills; 2) 39,463 youth have increased their decision making skills; 3) 39,468 youth increased their awareness of community service; 4) 76,967 youth increased their knowledge in various curriculum areas; and 5) 58,479 increased their self confidence. In addition, counties reported that as a result of the 4-H community service projects their communities saved $472,744.

Number of Units Reporting Accomplishments

Objective One: 90

Objective Two: 61

Objective Four: 33

Statewide Measures of Progress:

Objective One: Long term support systems will develop competent youth.

Agents in 90 counties reported the following number of youth in 4-H clubs and other long term 4-H experiences strengthened targeted life skills:

Increased communication skills 45,070

Increased decision making skills 39,463

Increased awareness of community service 39,468

Increased knowledge gained 76,967

Increased leadership 30,566

Agents also reported that over 17,214 families have been actively involved in 4-H during 2000.

Objective Two: Youth involved in 4-H school enrichment programs will demonstrate improved academic performance.

In 2000, 4-H Agents in 61 counties reported training 1,854 teachers in the areas of curriculum content and program delivery process. After their training, teachers then returned to their classrooms and implemented the program. Approximately 86,000 students participated in 4-H school enrichment programs in 2000.

Objective Four: Limited income youth residing in Diverse/Public Housing will increase life skill development.

In 2000, 4-H Agents in 33 counties reported working in diverse housing settings with limited income youth to increase life skill development. They reported forming 28 new 4-H clubs for children 5 to 8 years old in addition to their programs for older youth. Youth participating in the reported 4-H programs acquired and/or increase the following life skills:

Acquired decision making skills 2,720

Acquired skills to resist peer pressure 2,262

Defined aspirations 836

Acquired skills in conflict resolution 4,526

In addition, counties reported that as a result of the 4-H community service projects their Diverse/Public housing communities saved $28,962.

Statewide Impacts:

Objective One: Long term support systems will develop competent youth.

The impact of active participation in 4-H on young people is illustrated in the statistics below:

$472,744 saved by communities from 4-H community service projects

$322,460 scholarships received by 4-H'ers

$870,530 earned as a result of 4-H project work

Increased Competencies in:

Managing relationships 32,197

Communication skills 39,408

Making decisions 35,671

Self Confidence 58,479

Objective Two: Youth involved in 4-H school enrichment programs will demonstrate improved academic performance.

The 4-H School Enrichment Program is designed to provide school-age youth with hands-on learning experiences that will enrich their class instruction. Teachers reported that while participating in a school enrichment program their students improved:

18,881 Class attendance (26,744 students)

11,536 Homework completed (18,201 students)

11,325 Quality of homework (21,753 students)

20,524 Science grades (26,089 students)

Objective Four: Limited income youth residing in Diverse/Public Housing will increase life skill development.

The programs for limited income youth residing in diverse housing focused on participants improving their resistance to negative peer pressure and improving their goal setting skills. Agents reported that 1,169 young people improved their resistance to peer pressure 1,134 more clearly defined their aspirations. One thousand one hundred forty-four (1,144) youth ages 5 to 8 increased their competencies within their environment.

Volunteers Involved:

Fifteen thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine (15,769) volunteers worked with young people in 4-H clubs, school enrichment programs, diverse housing units and other long term special interest activities during 2000. Their combined efforts total 187,173 hours for a value of $1,871,730. On average, volunteers committed 11 hours to their local 4-H program.

Success Stories:

While the statistics reported above illustrate the impact 4-H programs are having in the lives of youth, families and communities, success stories like the ones below make the true impact of 4-H come alive.

Eleven years ago a very timid young lady entered the Person County 4-H Program as a member of the Day Dreamers 4-H Club. Her first projects were under the Horticulture category (she had always had an interest in plant and animal life). Starting at the county level, she developed a presentation centered around flower arranging. She sought assistance from local resources and was a district winner the first year. Each year for five years, she returned to competition with the same presentation until she was named state winner and advanced to the National Horticulture Convention where she won the national competition. As an older teen, she continued to work with and inspire younger 4-H'ers through her 4-H work. She attended National 4-H Congress, and was inducted into the Honor Club. This young lady comes from a minority single-parent home and had several personal factors working against her. In May she graduated from NC A&T State University in Laboratory Animal Science and will attend Medical School at Howard University this Fall. She is a true success story because she credits her experiences in 4-H for what she has accomplished.

Nash County Cooperative Extension received a grant in the amount of $33,000.00 to conduct a 4-H Summer Flood Program. The program titled "Enrichment on Wheels" began working with the Clark Street Community which has over 150 children ages 5 - 12 that were affected by the flood. Two children affected by the flood opted to do a 4-H presentation. The "Enrichment of Wheels" staff spent a total of 15 hours preparing these two young ladies for District competition. At District Activity Day one young lady came home with a gold medal in the Bicycle category and the other came home with a silver from the open class category. These two girls have already had an exciting start to their summer which might help them to cope better with the tragedy of losing their home.

In Moore County, 30 youth who live within an "at risk" community where the crime rate is high are at risk due to little supervision during the peak time of 3:00 pm till 6:00 pm. The Moore County 4-H program along with funds from the Juvenile Crime Prevention Commission holds an after school program within this community. The children are provided quality care and a safe after school program that focuses on academics and life skills development. During this academic year 24 of the 30 youth completed sewing record book projects, along with a sewing project that taught the youth how to sew by hand, how to cut out a pattern and how to apply buttons and 60% of the 30 youth made honor roll and 80% received perfect attendance awards.

Jeremy Stalker, member of the Alamance County 4-H Club-Stable Kids raised a prize winning turkey which weighed over 35 pounds. Jeremy learned two key premises to raising good turkeys - genetics and good feed. Jeremy was awarded $2,100 for his turkey at the NC State Fair in October 2000. Harris Teeter bought the turkey and later returned it to Jeremy. Jeremy donated the turkey to the Alamance County Rescue Mission for their Thanksgiving celebration. Jeremy's club members organized, prepared and served the Thanksgiving meal. Jeremy said "Giving is fun, especially to those who have less than you".

As society changes, there is growing need for youth to increase their knowledge and develop personal confidence and leadership abilities. The 4H Embryology program was presented in 95 elementary and home school class settings reaching approximately 2,649 students. As a result, teacher evaluation forms indicated an 82 percent increase in class participation and a 93 percent increase in behavior improvement. Student essays revealed that students learned key terms and scientific processes while completing the project. Additionally, teachers estimated a savings of $4,085 to the Guilford County School System.

Youth need skills that will help them to participate in our democratic society. 4-H in Iredell County cooperates with the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce to help participants in Youth-Leadership Statesville develop and improve these skills. Twenty Sophomore and Junior students identified as emerging leaders are selected from four High Schools. During a day long session, the youth complete team building exercises, participate in speaking skills training, and participate in parliamentary procedure training. Participants demonstrate their speaking skills before the group. They also conduct an election to select a presiding officer and have a formal

meeting to select a group service project. All participants indicated an increase in knowledge about one or more of these topics. This was evidenced by observations of their speeches and conduct during the meeting. Participants indicated they would use these skills to become more involved in decisions affecting their lives.

CEMP 20 Bullets

* In 2000, approximately 187,000 young people participated in a variety of 4-H programs.

* in 2000, approximately 89,795 youth participated in 4-H special interest programming (six hours of educational programming).

* In 2000, approximately 85,850 youth participated in 4-H school enrichment programs.

* In 2000, approximately 24,433 youth participated in 4-H school-age programming.

* Agents in 90 counties reported the following number of youth in 4-H clubs and other long term 4-H experiences strengthened targeted life skills:

Increased communication skills 45,070

Increased decision making skills 39,463

Increased awareness of community service 39,468

Increased knowledge gained 76,967

Increased leadership 30,566

* Agents reported that 15,769 volunteers provided guidance and support to 4-H'ers, totaling 187,173 hours.

* In 2000, 4-H Agents in 61 counties reported training 1,854 teachers in the areas of curriculum content and program delivery process.

* Approximately 86,000 students participated in 4-H school enrichment programs in 2000.

* In 2000, 4-H Agents in 33 counties reported working in diverse housing sittings with limited income youth to increase life skill development.

* Youth living in Diverse/Public Housing participated in a variety of 4-H programs during 2000, which they acquired and/or increased the following life skills:

Acquired decision making skills 2,720

Acquired skills to resist peer pressure 2,262

Defined aspirations 836

Acquired skills in conflict resolution 4,526

* In addition, counties reported that as a result of the 4-H community service projects their Diverse/Public housing communities saved $28,962.

* Agents reported that over 17,214 families have been actively involved in 4-H during 2000.

* In 2000, 4-Her's received approximately $322,460 in scholarship monies.

* In 2000, 4-Her's earned as a result of their 4-H project work approximately $870,530.

* In 2000, 4-Her's saved their communities approximately $472,744 through community service projects.

CEMP 20 Committee:

Mitzi Stumpf, Co-chair Travis Burke Ed Maxa

Shirley Callaway Harriett Edwards Robert Mustian

Travella Free Eve Kindley Lou Otto

Peggy Lewis Cameron Lowe Natalie Rountree

Sharon Rowland Wallace Simmons