2002 Success Stories

Cobb, Roger N - Alamance: A landscaper approached me about a program for her Spanish speaking workers. She had heard about it at another program she attended. I made some calls and got the program lined up with help from the NCDA, CES, and a retired CES specialist. We had people from 3 counties (23) in all. The three hour program generated lots of questions from the attendees. The group was presented material on pesticides, insects and diseases of ornamentals and landscape problems and solutions. No survey was given out because of my obvious language barrier.

Cobb, Roger N - Alamance: A seminar was planned with the help of Elon University to have a program to enable people to get pesticide credits and gain knowledge in the fields of turf and landscaping. The training was held at Elon University and topics such as cool season cultivars, fertilizers and pre-emergents, protecting yourself from the sun and etc. were covered. A survey was given out at he end and the participants rated the program for knowledge gained on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being highest as; 1-1.6%, 2-3.3%, 3-15.1%, 4-43.3%, 5-36.7%. The participants also included future considerations for programs in their surveys.

Cobb, Roger N - Alamance: A pesticide disposal day was held in conjunction with the NCDA at the CES office. County farmers and homeowners brought in 2592 pounds of pesticides for disposal. The pesticides were brought in in 873 containers. The pesticides ranged from cancelled pesticides to current ones that the people no longer could use. This helps to prevent the disposal of pesticides in the landfill.

Cobb, Roger N - Alamance: A grain farmer read the Field Crops newsletter about increasing wheat seeding rates by the week as the ideal planting time passed. Never doing this in the past he increased his seeding rate as he was planting in November and planting no till. He gave this the credit for averaging 15 more bushels of wheat to the acre than the typical county yield this year. At 15 bushels times 2.70, this would be $40.50 more dollars per acre on 60 acres for a total of $2430.00

Cobb, Roger N - Alamance: The Alamance County Landfill asked the CES for help in promoting and carrying out a paint and pesticide disposal day. Extension did the bulk for the advertisement. The pickup day saw between 700-800 vehicles come through leaving 70,000 lbs of paint, 10 containers of aerosols, and 1069 lbs of pesticides. Some people commented they had been holding paint for as long as 30 years.

Cole, Kay L - Alamance: Alamance County 4-H Leaders continue to meet on a quarterly basis to plan county and district events. We now have 13 clubs at different stages of development and maturity. More established club leaders willingly give their telephone numbers and assistance to other leaders. Julie Stalker of the Barnyard Kids is assisting the Welcome Home School with their first year privation in the State Turkey Project. Toni Stephens is now the VP for the Northwest 4-H Leaders Association. Lisa Smith of the Hoofbeats now serves on the State 4-H Horse Council. The success to this story is that the leaders are beginning to be comfortable with their positions and willing to share with others.

Cole, Kay L - Alamance: Alamance County 4-Hers enjoyed the 4-H Shines Night on April 26, 2002. This was the first Fashion Review and Talent Show in our county since 1994. Based on the interest in the sewing projects 4-H will hold two sewing classes during the 2002 Summer Fun Program. We will also have representation at District Activity Day for the Talent Competition. The Volunteer Teens in Action took the lead in preparation and organization of this program.

Cole, Kay L - Alamance: The Alamance County 4-H Leaders hosted the Northwest 4-H Leaders Association with over 25 leaders in attendance. Alamance County Leader taught two of the three workshops presented. They also organized and provided lunch as a fundraiser with profits going to the county youth awards night. Eight Alamance County Leaders successfully completed the American Red Cross Sports Safety Training this year. Five new volunteers participated in a 4-H orientation workshop. Ten new volunteers participated in embryology orientation.

Cole, Kay L - Alamance: Alamance County 4-H youth had over 30 entries in the NC State Fair youth craft division. This is a marked increase from previous years. Alamance County 4-H s received 2nd place/red ribbon for the second highest number of blue ribbons craft items. Ten Salamanca County Youth were invited to attend the NC State Fair to assist with the opening ceremonies. Commissioner Meg Scott Phipps hosted the youth.

Cole, Kay L - Alamance: Alamance County Summer Fun Program served 585 participants with 24 programs covering areas of animal science, nutrition, earth science, woodworking, nature/sports, electricity, community resources, art and music appreciation and career exploration. Because of demand, 4 additional classes were added after registration. All classes were taught by volunteers.

DeLoatch, Evelyn D - Alamance: Powerful Tools for Caregiving

Twenty-four caregivers completed the "Taking Care of You: Powerful Tools for Caregiving six-week series. The caregivers learned strategies for self-care which would enable them to continue caring for others. The family members cared for included a 94 year old mother in relatively good health to a 54 year old man with dementia. Other carereceivers had multiple illnesses such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, dementia caused by stroke and diabetes. All of the caregivers were women and had been caregivers for at least three or more years. A follow-up reunion is scheduled in six months to determine how well caregivers are coping and see if there are any changes in their caregiving situation. Surveys indicated how beneficial the classes were in helping participants focus on themselves more. Several caregivers sought placement for their family members, one was diagnosed with cancer and one was suffering from depression with plans to seek assistance

DeLoatch, Evelyn D - Alamance: Region G held a successful Grandparents Conference utilizing Family Support Initiative funds. Thirty individuals registered for the conference. Guest speakers on the program were from three universities and North Carolina State government. Surveys indicated the conference was very beneficial and informative and wanted additional information. Follow-up information concerning grandparent issues is currently being shared via e-mail with all of the attendees.

DeLoatch, Evelyn D - Alamance: Alamance County received over $42,000 in federal funding to support programs targeting caregivers. As chairperson of the committee we have distributed over 76,000 community resource guides, provided funding for additional caregiver resources in local libraries, and committee members are submitting news articles in one area newspaper on a regular basis. One of the biggest successes was the funds enabled us to set aside funds for respite care for families that were in need. To date four families have received assistance.

Walker, David P - Alamance: With the help of the Alamance Cooperative Extension Service in evaluating and formulating livestock mineral mixes, the Alamance Cattlemen's Association group purchased 28 ton of cattle minerals. The cost of the minerals purchased in quantities was $7.65 per 50 pound bag compared to $11.50 per 50 pound bag when purchased individually. This represented a savings of $4,312 to the 28 producers who participated in the project.

Walker, David P - Alamance: A program was conducted for local cattle producers on utilizing by-product feeds for their cattle. As a result, several cattlemen began using by-product feeds from brokers and a local mill that produced a wheat-mid product. A total of 329 ton of by-products was fed during the fall and winter feeding program of 2001/2002. This represents a savings of $36,770 over commercially prepared feeds.

Walker, David P - Alamance: 694 fourth graders and 30 adults from the Alamance County School System attended the Farm To Table Program sponsored by the Alamance Cooperative Extension Service, Alamance Soil and Water Conservation Service, Alamance Recreation Center, and the Alamance Chamber of Commerce. This was a 2 day event that demonstrated where food originates on the farm, and how it is processed, packaged, and transported to the grocery store. Participants learned the role of the farms, and the value of water, soils, and crop protectants in producing food. As several youth were heard to say, "I didn't know that corn flakes were made from corn grain".

Walker, David P - Alamance: Beef cattle producers in Alamance and Guilford County received an additional $3,125 by selling their calves on the 3 state graded feeder calf sales held during August, September, and October. These sales net $25 more per head than calves sold on the regular weekly sales.

Johnson, Allison - Alexander: Alexander County hosted the 2002 Farm Safety Day Camp. Approximately 75 youth attended this event and several parents accompanied their children. We encourage parents to attend the camp with their children, so that the information taught can be reinforced at home or on the farm. The camp consisted of 8 stations including: Animal Safety, Fire Safety, Tractor/PTO Safety, CART/Animal Rescue, Lawn Mower Safety, Firearm Safety, Water Safety, and ATV Safety. One of the guest speakers for the event was a 13 year old boy who lives here in the county. Recently he became entangled in a PTO Shaft and broke his arm in 5 different places. He was very lucky to have suffered so little damage as he did, it could have been much worse. So he spoke to the campers about his ordeal and how it has affected his life. If this Farm Safety Day Camp can save one

Johnson, Allison - Alexander: In August, 2002 Alexander County Cooperative Extension along with a local producer, hosted a local field day in cooperation with Dow Agrosciences. We tested 5 different products at various rates with varying times of applications. We found that Grazon controlled broadleaf weeds better than other competing chemicals and in the coming year we will still be seeing results. We also tested Redeem with Grazon on natural woody plants to control brush and fence lines. Good results were seen but we also learned that timing is everything. With the drought that we all experienced it made it difficult to get excellent results with any product but because of Grazon's residual affect, I believe we will keep seeing better results with time. I plan to conduct another test next year and hopefully get more rain so that we can see better results.

Mosley, Margo - Alexander: Seventy-seven year old Frank, a participant in Partners in Wellness suffers from Parkinson\'s Disease. A series on physical activity included suggestions for enhancing a chair side workout with hand weights. Each participant was given a one pound weight to take home. Frank noted it helped stabilize the shakiness in his hands. At a succeeding session, Frank came to the site with not only the weight he was given the week prior, but with another he had purchased on his own. While this may seem a minor gesture, Frank can no longer drive. His small town has no stores with such items. Securing this additional weight meant special help from others. Frank notes that he even uses his weights before getting out of bed in the morning, as a part of his ritual to improve balance and movement at the start of the day and retain independence as long as possible given the potential progress of his disease.

Mosley, Margo - Alexander: The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Partnership formed to help increase awareness of resources for individuals who are raising or helping to raise their grandchildren. To recognize the important role that grandparents play in the lives of young children, the Partnership organized a Saturday afternoon festival, on the eve of National Grandparents Day. Over seventy volunteers, representing fourteen agencies assisted with games, displays, demonstrations, music, recognition and refreshments. They donated 195 hours of time and over $1700 in supplies, prizes, awards and equipment. The event attracted an estimated 250 people. As a result of this effort, ten grandparents who are raising or helping raise their grandchildren contacted our Partnership for further information and assistance.

Rhinehart, Suzanne N - Alexander: Vermicomposting--what's that? Over 475 youth in grades K & 1st in Alexander County can answer that question in great detail. The Alexander 4-H Program provided educational materials valued at over $1,300 to implement this program in 24 classrooms for the school year 2001-02. Youth gained knowledge in how vermicomposting--or worms eating garbage can provide a great soil additive that can serve as a fertilizer for vegetable or flower gardens. During the eight month project, students learn how to divert food leftovers from the waste stream by using worms to compost them. Other techniques of composting are also covered. Worms were harvested at the end of the school year and will be used to begin the program in fall of 2002. Teachers evaluated this program as a great way to incorporate scientific knowledge into other curriculum areas. Pre-test/post test results indicated that students showed an 57 percent increase in knowledge gained.

Rhinehart, Suzanne N - Alexander: Due to an increase in patriotism following 9/11/2001, Alexander 4-H program was approached in providing a flag retirement ceremony for Alexander County citizens. Usually we provide this service every 3 years. Publicity began in October, 2001 informing the public of the importance of retiring flags that are soiled, torn or worn. Over 670 people were reached with educational programs prior to the retirement ceremony on Flag Day, June 14, 2002. Twenty-three 4-H'ers spent 4 hours each folding, preparing flags for retirement and carrying out the ceremony. During the ceremony, 161 flags were retired from over 67 different individuals and organizations. This is a 47% increase in the number of flags that were retired by Alexander 4-H in 2000. This project involved the collaborative efforts from Cooperative Extension-4-H program, Taylorsville National Guard Armory, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Veteran Affairs Office, Alexander County Register of Deeds and various other

Rodgers, Lindsay E - Alexander: Through the acquisition of a $5,400 grant for the county from the NC Division of Pollution Prevention the Alexander Extension Staff has implemented a county-wide Backyard Composting Educational Drive. Educational programs were offered through the Speakers Bureau reaching many civic clubs and also through after school 4-H programs in 90% of our county schools. Media releases through the radio and newspaper encourage citizens to adopt backyard composting to give them an avenue for disposal of yard and kitchen waste. Then through the purchase via grant funds, 185 ""Earth Machine"" backyard composters were distributed to serious homeowners along with educational materials. Also a ""Backyard Composting"" exhibit was displayed at the Alexander County Fair in September with educational material distributed and drawings for some free ""Earth Machines"".

Rodgers, Lindsay E - Alexander: Through the reception of a grant totaling approximately $100,000, one of three Department Of Transportation storm water BMP sites has been constructed in Alexander County. Under the guidance of the NCSU Biological and Agriculture Engineering Department a dry pond best management practice was designed and installed below the Alexander County DOT facility to treat their storm water runoff. Alexander Extension Agents have monitored storm water runoff from sampling stations installed before and after the BMP from several storms in 2002. Storm water comes from parking lots, over multiple pieces of heavy equipment, salt sheds, sand piles, etc. Storm samples have been analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, petroleum products, etc. Through this BMP and the other two different BMP's installed across the state, the DOT will determine which is most effective and install the most efficient BMP at several sites across the state.

Rodgers, Lindsay E - Alexander: Through the coordination and work of the Alexander Extension Staff with the assistance of the NC Forestry Service via the County Ranger, the Rendezvous Forest Crew, a local scout troop and a NC Urban Forestry Grant of $1,000 the Alexander Extension Staff has been able to successfully establish educational trails in the Wittenburg and in the Hiddenite communities. These are the first educational forest trails in Alexander County. Professional tree identification signs on posts identify over 50 tree and native plant species on these educational trails. Blue bird boxes, wooden bridges, benches and an amphitheater adorn these trails. Entire trails and the amphitheater area were blazed, scrapped, sprayed with weedkiller and mulched. Wittenburg Elementary School using Extension Agents as educational tour guides held two End of Year Trail Days at the Wittenburg trail. Here, agents educated over 400 teachers and students of tree identification and specific tree importance's, wildlife habitat, watershed runoff and other aspects teachable through this nature trail. The educational trail in the Hiddenite Community label the East Park Trail was largely constructed by a local scout troop.

Rodgers, Lindsay E - Alexander: Utilizing an unused greenhouse at East Junior High School we offered a very successful Junior Horticulture Series to approximately 50 after school students. As proclaimed by their coordinators, this ten week series was the best received and best participated after school program that their school has ever had. Our hort and 4-H agents split the large group into two smaller groups and rotated them every Tuesday afternoon giving them a total of one hour of instruction. Various class sessions included: seed planting, seed germination, propagation by cuttings, bulb plantings, germination of sprouts in various lighting and temperature conditions, transplanting seedlings, composting of plant material, soil nutrients/soil sampling, when to harvest vegetables, seed identification and much, much more. The emphasis here was learning by doing, each student had approximately 10 different pots or trays of plants growing in the greenhouse during this series.

Boylan, Richard - Alleghany: In early March, I learned of the availability of free tree seedlings. I made arrangements to pick up 10,000 in Lumberton, and placed a notice about them in the newspapers of the counties I serve. In Allegheny and Watauga, a steady stream of people picked up trees each day. Ashe was another scene altogether. The morning I arrived, a crowd of approximately 45 people was outside the door. I could hardly unload bags of trees fast enough! By 11:30 AM, all were distributed, and I was taking down the names of people who still needed some.

Participants used the trees for reforestation, stabilization of eroding stream banks, wildlife habitat, planting field borders, and general planting. People expressed enthusiasm for the fact that the species distributed (green ash, red oak, sawtooth oak, sweet gum, and water oak) had applications for edible mushroom, ginseng, and goldenseal cultivation, firewood, wildlife, and other uses.

Boylan, Richard - Alleghany: On 22 May 2002, twenty Farmers from the NC High Country gathered at the Ashe County Extension Center for a one-day immersion into the intricacies of organic certification under the National Organic Program (NOP) rules. The NOP will standardize practices associated with the word "organic," and provide the continued coherence necessary for consumers to confidently choose organic products. Yet NOP rules are at present poorly understood by many farmers, who must familiarize themselves with extensive details before applying for certification. In conjunction with the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Extension met this need via a diversity of media presentations and discussion. Participants unanimously expressed appreciation for the level of detail and the accessibility of information presented. More than half of the participants stated an intent to apply for certification within the next year. Others found the workshop helpful in making their choice to seek alternate marketing avenues and product descriptors.

Edwards, Bob D - Alleghany: Correct application of pesticides, whether homeowner or large Christmas tree grower, is a major concern and is heavily regulated by federal law and enforced by NC Department of Agriculture. Homeowners, and farmers using any restricted pesticides must be certified as a private applicator. Anyone applying pesticides for hire must be certified as a commercial applicator. Both groups must attend continuing education classes to remain certified. To address this concern and need for people to become and remain certified several opportunities have been made available this year. As a result, 147 private applicators were recertified, and 36 people have become certified as private or commercial applicators. Continuing education classes providing five hours of commercial credits has been made available. The citizenry can feel

comfortable that users of pesticides have been taught correct procedures and know that Extension is always available for help and consultation concerning pests and pesticide use.

Edwards, Bob D - Alleghany: $25,000 grant was secured from the NC Agromedicine consortium to enhance the ongoing educational efforts of the Alleghany/Ashe Rural safety education program.

Participants increased knowledge base, changed behavior and adopted safety practices based on preliminary evaluations of the program. Research says that these changes in behavior will

reduce illness and injury.

Edwards, Bob D - Alleghany: Cooperative Extension has lead in the development of a program called Alleghany Critters for Comfort (ACC). Several local agencies, churches, civic groups and youth groups have been involved. According some leading health experts animal assisted therapy is the fastest growing segment of health care in the US. 29 volunteers have spent over 300 hours on program development and implementation. 120 patients and residents have benefited from the 16 visitations at local nursing homes, assistive living centers and adult day care centers. All animals are evaluated based on national standards. Administrators have given the ACC the highest marks of any program available making comments like, "This program has the most lasting positive effect on our residents of anything that has ever been done." Several other counties have inquired about developing a similar program. The Division of Human Services of NC has inquired about us helping them with a statewide effort.

Edwards, Bob D - Alleghany: Several months has been spent on developing a County Animal Response Team (CART) and an emergency response program. It has been a coordinated effort between Cooperative Extension, Emergency Management and volunteers. Alleghany County commissioners will act on the plan in early 2003. Hopefully the CART plan will never be implemented. Our plan addresses the unique situations of Alleghany and readies the community to act in the event of disaster.

Isner, David - Alleghany: Ground Cover Management is important to Christmas tree growers. Reactive approaches to ground cover management can contribute to misallocation of time and economic resources by tree growers. Environmental impacts can be enhanced by ground cover selection and control methods. Test plots have been established on two farms in Alleghany County, with up to 18 species of various ground covers seeded into newly established Fraser fir fields. Extension agents and the grower-cooperators will monitor and evaluate the various ground covers for soil stabilization and improvement, ease of establishment and maintenance considering time and economic resources. Results will be shared with growers thru on-farm field days, report summaries, and newsletter.

Isner, David - Alleghany: In Alleghany County timber and non-timber forest products are a significant source of realized or potential income for many landowners. Through forestry education and assistance targeted to these landowners, enhanced economic returns and enjoyment opportunities will be realized. Toward these ends, a Forestry Advisory Committee has been assembled, and will provide input and leadership to the newly forming Alleghany Forestry Association. The Association will then, cooperatively with Extension, sponsor and conduct a broad reaching forestry education and demonstration program for landowners and others interested in forestry. One outcome of this initiative has been the commitment of a landowner to develop and implement a Forest Stewardship Plan on a several hundred acre property. Of the several objectives identified, one will allow on-farm educational and demonstration

projects.

Joyce, Felicia - Alleghany: Alleghany County 4-H has opened an after school program for middle school aged youth at one of our County's schools. The program is part of the NC Support Our Students Program and its' development began in early 2001 when we received a $75,000 grant to fund the program. We are now completing our first year of an operating program and are proud of the accomplishments that have been made. The program is currently serving 42 youth in grades fifth-eight. We offer homework assistance, tutoring, life skills development, and opportunities for community service. Our participants are improving their study skills and are actively involved in the community around them. The program has experienced much growth and improvement over the past year. We even had one of our students named a NC SOS Student of the Year!

Joyce, Felicia - Alleghany: The 4-H Club program is steadily growing! The re-establishment and strengthening of the 4-H Club program has been a major goal for Alleghany County. We had five 4-H Clubs operating in 2001 and we have been fortunate to retain all of these Clubs. Already in 2002, we have seen the birth of four additional Clubs. Our 4-H Clubs serve more than 125 youth, allowing them to create long term relationships with caring adults. There are more than 20 adult volunteers who make these 4-H Clubs a reality. These Clubs are impacting Alleghany County in many ways. They are currently working on community service projects, which are being funded through a $2500 grant we received from America's Promise. Most importantly, they are building the future of our County by creating caring, competent, and active citizens!

Joyce, Felicia - Alleghany: One goal of our 4-H program this year is to make our program more inclusive. This includes marketing the program to families of different socio & economic backgrounds and making our programs inviting to youth who have disabilities. Often times the families of youth with disabilities do not seek us out because they do not perceive mainstream youth development as accessible. An accomplishment in this area was reached this month when we had a 4-Her with a hearing impairment participate in our Presentations program. Presentations are a great way for youth to develop confidence, communication skills, & leadership. This child is deaf and wears a Cochlear implant. Her family is working with her to develop her spoken language. This 4-Her successfully gave a presentation at our County Presentations Event. Through this experience she improved her vocabulary, which was a primary goal, and gained personal satisfaction from her accomplishment.

Joyce, Felicia - Alleghany: The Alleghany 4-H summer enrichment program offers opportunities for youth to have fun and educational experiences while developing life skills. This program is open to any youth in the County but there is a special emphasis on making the program available to high risk youth. Through the support of our community we have raised $5,185. This money will allow families with limited financial resources to send their children to 4-H Summer Enrichment programs. We have been able to offer scholarships to 55 different youth, many for 2 or more enrichment programs. This includes six youth who are part of our County's One-On-One program which serves adjudicated youth. In addition to local Daycamps we will have a delegation of 32 youth attending Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Camp this year. Of those 32 youth, 27 have received scholarships to make this worthwhile experience possible.

Joyce, Felicia - Alleghany: The opportunity to do community service projects is a powerful way to teach young people to care about others. Our 4-H program was very fortunate to receive a grant from Alleghany's Promise-America's Promise in the amount of $2500 to make an impact on our County. Six of our 4-H Clubs completed service projects that included things such as giving potted tomato plants to homebound Seniors, area beautification projects, hosting bike safety clinics, donating fans to residents without air conditioning, and sponsoring a community Easter Egg Hunt. In addition to these projects done by individual Clubs our County program has also made bags which will be distributed through our local law enforcement and social programs to youth who are involved in automobile accidents or situations where they are removed form their homes.

Joyce, Felicia - Alleghany: Alleghany County 4-H has had a wonderful opportunity to teach young people about livestock and develop valuable life skills in the process. Through monies donated to our program in honor of a retired Extension Agent we were able to purchase lambs which were housed on our County Fairgrounds from June until October. The program was open to anyone interested but we specifically targeted families who had no livestock experience and those who were unable to keep livestock either for financial or physical reasons. Nine youth were involved in the program. Youth learned to care for their animals, train them, fit them, and how to show them. Participants in the program showed at events in Ashe, Alleghany, Yadkin, Surry, and Stokes Counties, as well as, the Dixie Classic Fair and the State Fair! Participants reported that they learned a lot and that they enjoyed the experience.

Joyce, Felicia - Alleghany: Alleghany County 4-H was proud to make a difference in our county on National Make A Difference Day. More than thirty-five 4-H youth and volunteers gathered to construct 4-H Cares Bags. These draw string bags were handmade and filled with goodies including a handmade fleece blanket, stuffed animal, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, crayons, coloring book, stickers, and candy. One hundred 4-H Cares Bags were assembled and are being made available to our local sheriff's department, domestic violence agency, emergency room, and hospital outpatient surgery department. They will use these bags when they serve young people of our county. It is the hope of the 4-Hers that these young people who may find themselves in scary situations will know that someone cares about them and that the items in the Care Bags will help comfort them. Great job 4-Hers!

Joyce, Felicia - Alleghany: Alleghany County 4-H is proud to be a leader in teaching rural community safety. Rural Community Safety Day is an event that is attended by all of our counties 4th grade students and focuses on safety issues such as fire, tractor, water, gun, personal, animal, bike, and chemicals. We were very excited this year to receive an evaluation from a parent that proves that our efforts are working. The child said they had made a change in their behavior by no longer being an extra rider on a tractor. The parent stating they had adopted a "no extra rider" rule for everyone since her child attended our field day. It feels great to know we made a difference and hopefully saved someone in this family from potential death or injury.

Joyce, Felicia - Alleghany: The 4-H Community Club program has long been viewed as an effective strategy for youth development. In these Clubs youth are able to develop long term relationships with caring adults and to learn in an environment which is relaxed, hands on, and fun. Recently we received evaluations from some of our 4-H Club members. It was reassuring to see that the comments of these youth supported what research has long said about the value of these long term learning units. 75% of the respondents felt that their involvement helped them perform better in school. When asked what they had learned through their participation in 4-H, 75% said that they had learned to stand and speak in front of others. Other responses included, "believing in myself, leadership, and to be kind to others." These responses show that the 4-H Club strategy is effective in teaching life skills to youth.

Long, Carmen J - Alleghany: Lack of exercise, poor nutrition, and an increase in soft drink consumption are all contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic. Read Me A Story pre-school nutrition education is making a difference in Alleghany County. Each month, I present fun, educational nutrition programs for local child care centers, pre-schools and play groups. Children are read a story that has some connection to food, are given the opportunity to taste new foods, make some easy recipes, and then do some art, music or movement activity that ties the program together. I have presented 16 programs reaching 416 participants. Teachers and child care providers report that students are more willing to try new foods, have learned that they actually like foods that they thought they didn't, and are more aware of the importance of eating nutritious foods including more fruits and vegetables. Parents have reported positive changes at home as well.

Long, Carmen J - Alleghany: An exciting new program in Alleghany County for 2002 is the Rainbow of Hope Cancer Support Group. For the past several years we have only had a support group for women whose lives had been touched by breast cancer. With Alleghany County having many people who have lung, prostrate, colon and other types of cancers besides breast, we needed a support group for everyone. After identifying and training some potential community leaders, the group was born. They have had monthly meetings with guest speakers presenting educational information on community resources, have organized a team to participate in Relay For Life, and are serving as hostesses at the Regional Cancer Summit. For a group dealing with such a depressing subject, their meetings are some the most uplifting and positive of any that I have ever attended. Everyone feels good when they leave while learning to focus on the positives.

Long, Carmen J - Alleghany: All 19 participants recently completed and passed a Serving Safe Food course offered to food service workers in Ashe and Alleghany counties. This joint effort between Cooperative Extension and the District Health Department gave food service workers the opportunity to increase their knowledge of food safety issues. Participants are also better equipped to be good role models and teachers to their co-worker who did not attend the three day session. An outbreak of a foodborne illness can be life threatening to those who consumed the food and disastrous to the establishment who prepared it. Anything that we can do to prevent foodborne illness is well worth our time and efforts.

Long, Carmen J - Alleghany: Handwashing plays a key role in food safety. A medical student working with a local Dr. needed a community service type project and contacted me for help. We decided to focus on personal hygiene with the elementary age students at our community summer day camp program. The teachers expressed a need for some reinforcement in this area. Hand

washing is an important message to learn. Using Glo Germ and a blacklight we showed the participants how just rinsing off your hands does not really get them clean. Parents of the participants and teachers have reported that the kids are washing longer and more willingly. They see the need to thoroughly wash their hands before eating, handling food and after play and using

the bathroom. Parents say that the students are reminding them and other family members to wash their hands as well.

Long, Carmen J - Alleghany: Extension has been actively involved in establishing a developmental play group/ parent education program, Building Blocks for Tots, for families with pre-school age children. Available weekly in Sparta and at our two other elementary schools, parents and children have the opportunity to learn, play, create in a group setting. Each quarter the parents fill out an age appropriate form that asks 5 questions about their child's development. There are also 5 ideas for the parents to use as activities with their child at home. After 3 months, they look back over their form to see where progress has been made and which areas still need work. Participation is increasing and parents report improvements in age appropriate development, social skills and abilities. Activities have increased the quality of time spent together.

Long, Carmen J - Alleghany: Alleghany County's Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) has had its busiest year ever. With the discontinuation of a Medicare HMO that served our county, over 100 senior adults have had to change their health insurance coverage. We have been actively involved in helping seniors see their options. We provided accurate, unbiased information from the NC Dept. of Insurance to help these citizens make good decisions & good use of their insurance dollars. Informational programs helped spread the word about the available services. Participants have been very appreciative. Coming from all educational and socioeconomic backgrounds, they were often alone and really didn't know where to start the process of finding affordable supplemental insurance coverage. Many have been individuals who have had no previous experience with our organization. This provided a good opportunity to gain loyal supporters who will continue to utilize our resources in the future.

Long, Carmen J - Alleghany: Recent statistics show us that more and more children are not as healthy as they should be. The percentage of children who are overweight has more than doubled in the last 30 years. One out of every five children in the United States has a weight problem. North Carolina children are at an even greater risk and are two ? three times more likely to be overweight

than youth nationwide. Color Me Healthy address these concerns. Combining good eating

habits with fun physical activity helps child care providers, teachers and parents of young

children move kids in the right direction for better health. Evaluations from Color Me

Healthy show that 100 percent of the participants learned knowledge and skills that will help

them eat healthy and stay active. 100 percent of the participants stated that they would use

the materials with the children in their care to teach about healthy eating and physical

activity.

See, Todd - Animal Science: Swine Extension is working closely with independent pork producers to develop value added marketing opportunities. Over 500 pork carcasses from 15 producers have been evaluated to provide information on quality attributes that can be used for branding. A production and processing certification program has also been developed and training initiated. These efforts have allowed the producers to identify and secure marketing opportunities.

Melton, Richard V - Anson: Selecting productive bulls, cows and heifers is an important management practice for Anson County cattle producers. Twenty-three producers were assisted in evaluating 340 performance or farm tested bulls. Fourteen bulls were selected from those. 446 brood cows were evaluated for 11 producers. Sixty were culled for a cost savings of 9000 dollars. Six producers were assisted in evaluating 221 heifers with 105 being selected. Thirteen producers were involved in a coordinated bull breeding soundness program. 35 bulls were tested with 5 marginal breeders being identified. Those 5 bulls could have cost their owners over 6000 dollars in lost income.

Melton, Richard V - Anson: Improved marketing of beef calves is important to Anson County beef producers. Since they basically have one shot at maximizing their returns for their calves, they must use market outlets that present them with the best opportunities. Forty-two producers marketed 1589 calves through graded sales or off-farm sales to add 50000 dollars to their income over using weekly sales.

Melton, Richard V - Anson: Forages are important to beef cattle producers. Anson County producers have expressed an interest in seeing forages other than fescue or Bermuda grass trailed in the area. As a result of that interest two plots containing ryegrasses, broom grasses, a new fescue variety and a new Bermuda grass variety were established. This year they were highlighted in a local forage tour. 15 producers attended the tour. As a result of the tour, 150 acres of a selected ryegrass variety, 50 acres of a new fescue and 40 acres of a new Bermuda have been or are being planted. 115 individual inquiries related to these varieties have been answered.

Melton, Richard V - Anson: Row crop production continues to be important to farmers in the Tri-County area of Anson, Union and Stanly counties. An advisory committee of those producers continues to ask for production type meetings and variety plot work. This year 105 producers attended corn/soybean and cotton production meetings. Also 3 farmers have provided over 30 hours of volunteer time and 18 acres of crop land for row crop plot work. Industry also provided over 2000 dollars of materials for those plots.

Melton, Richard V - Anson: Continuing education is an important component for commercial and private pesticide applicators. This year 4 hours of continuing education credits were offered for 14 commercial applicators. Sixteen private applicators were recertified and 13 more were provided with 2 hours of continuing education.

Melton, Richard V - Anson: Many current Anson county agricultural producers and former producers have unused and/or unusable crop production chemicals on hand. These materials can pose a serious hazard to people unaware of them who may accidentally come in contact with them. In a coordinated program this year with the Anson County Solid Waste Department, NCDA and the Anson County Cooperative Extension Center, a pesticide disposal day was held. At this event 55 containers of pesticides weighing over 550 pounds were turned over to NCDA for disposal.

Melton, Richard V - Anson: In 2001 Anson County went through a property tax re-evaluation process. A result of that process was a requirement of all use deferred property owners to re-apply for that deferral. Many property owners were unaware of exactly why and how to do that. As a result in 2002, a Property Use Value educational meeting was held. Over 100 citizens attended the program. Over 200 property owners were assisted in developing their own use value applications.

Melton, Richard V - Anson: Beef cattle production is an important part of the agricultural industry in Anson County. A functioning local commodity group for Anson beef producers did not exist. In February 2002 a selected group of local industry leaders were brought together to look at forming such a group. Through their efforts and the efforts of the Anson County Cooperative Extension Center the Anson County Cattlemen's' Association was formed. At present there are 89 dues paid members. The group sponsored 6 educational meetings with an average of 60 attendees and co-sponsored the Anson County 4-H lamb Show.

Molaro, Alicia - Anson: Again this year, the Anson County Parenting Coalition (in which Extension is a vital partner) has had much success with its weekly parenting classes. To date, we are in the middle of Cycle 2 for 2002. Cycle 1 participants did well. There was a 66.5% graduation rate for the class. And the post test showed that two parents made dramatic increases in valuing alternatives to corporal punishment. Cycle 2 is going well, also. So far we have had an enrollment increase of 44.5% since the first class. I routinely get phone calls from one mother telling me how much she enjoys the classes and that she is learning a lot of information and skills that will benefit her parenting practices.

Molaro, Alicia - Anson: Food Safety & Foodborne Illnesses are a major concern for small children and their care providers. The Anson County Cooperative Extension in cooperation with the local partnership for children sponsored a food safety training for family home child care providers. Emphasis was on storing and handling food properly and making sure food temperatures were correct when cooking and holding food. Twelve family home providers attended the 2 hour training and received contact credit hours. Participants took both a pre- and posttest to examine their knowledge. The average score on the pretest was 80% while the average posttest score jumped 14% to 94%. Evaluations and verbal comments after the training showed there was great need for knowledge in this area. Further Food Safety Trainings are being scheduled for the upcoming year.

Rywak, Janine B - Anson: Yearly completion of project records is an important component of the traditional 4-H program. Records reflect what 4-H'ers have planned, done and learned. However, getting young people to complete these records can be a daunting task. Empowering volunteer leaders to motivate, encourage and assist club members was the answer. Therefore, Anson County sent volunteer leaders to assist with the district level judging of record books. By judging other books, leaders not only learned new methods of reporting, but also became enthusiastic about the process and the importance of record keeping as a life skill in the development of their 4-H'ers. As a result, a total of 144 4-H project records were submitted this year. From the county's best, Anson sent 20 projects for district competition. 4-H'ers from Anson County were declared winners with 13 gold medals and 3 silver medals of the total 35 categories.

Rywak, Janine B - Anson: The increase in the number of homeschool families in Anson County emphasized the need for extra-curricular activities for these children. Organizing a homeschool 4-H group through the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service resulted in a good match. 4-H is a natural extension of curriculum and life skills that children are learning at home. The program also provides youth opportunities to interact in group settings on local, district and state levels. Parents applaud their experiences and their children's participation by saying: "4-H can include all the family at one time, making it easy to bring activities home for the whole family to share and participate,"; "4-H helped the kids set goals and complete tastes, grow in confidence and poise. Most of all, they have fun!"; "The young people have blossomed through their work in 4-H. I am grateful for the opportunity they have had."

Blackburn, Linda - Ashe: Training lab at Family Central was utilized to do the training for this year. 80 participants were trained in Basic School-age Care and 12 participants were trained in Rated license. Ashe County 4-H School-age Care staff developed a Staff Development Plan for the school-age staff in Ashe County as well as the surrounding area. This plan encompasses all the required training that addresses the six elements of quality in school-age programs. 54 providers went through the plan for this year.

Blackburn, Linda - Ashe: Due to a reduction in staff turnover (about 80% reduction during the school year and 86% of last years staff returning for the summer program) training was offered at a higher knowledge level since the staff had already been trained in the basic information and put the information into practice. This provides knowledgeable, well trained staff working with the youth.

Blackburn, Linda - Ashe: Ashe County 4-H School-age Care Program added a Migrant Education Program to our existing program. This is a collaborative effort between the Board of Education and Ashe County 4-H. This allows the opportunity to serve 60 additional youth. CCR&R continues to fund youth in school-age care which also allows for increased slots. We have increased slots by 120 since January.

Blackburn, Linda - Ashe: Programs county wide increased attendance by 26% allowing our slots to fill up and to create new slots. The homework track created with TANF funds awarded to us by DSS gave the opportunity for the program staff to work on weak academic areas. With the collaboration 100% of the youth individually improved in the homework track and as a whole youth improved in grades by at least 60% in each of the programs.

Blackburn, Linda - Ashe: A Volunteer System is now in place that allows for added volunteers as well as a tracking system to manage the volunteers. Volunteers were enlisted, screened, trained and placed in areas of need within our programs. The programs saw a 75% increase in volunteers to work with youth. Adding volunteers to the existing programs gives more one-on-one time for youth who are in need of extra help.

Blackburn, Linda - Ashe: Several youth were recruited into our programs because of the great need for help with language or academics. This caused a great strain on the existing staff. By recruiting volunteers to assist these youth more time could be spent with each individual youth. From January through June 392 volunteers were recruited for a total of 2,905 hours. Because of these numbers Ashe County 4-H Support Our Students received the Program Volunteer of the Year award this year. More importantly every youth in the homework track who had volunteer s assistance showed an improvement in their academic progress.

Blackburn, Linda - Ashe: Assigned themes for our summer program added substance to the activities designed for the youth. Themes included Environmental Awareness, Inclusion, Gardening, Cultural awareness, Food and Nutrition and Community service. All these themes were created around the targeted Life Skills. All programs also used an Outdoor Adventure model to teach life skills to our youth. Staff are trained to recognize developmental needs of their group and to design activities to support the development of needed life skills.

Blackburn, Linda - Ashe: The Ashe County 4-H Summer Parks Program had an enrollment of 314 youth this summer and an average daily attendance of 186. In this number we had 34 Hispanic youth and 52 identified as 200% poverty that we secured scholarships for. For these two groups we were able to offer an educational component to aid these youth in staying at the same academic level when school starts back that they were when school ended.

Blackburn, Linda - Ashe: Ashe County Short Stops Program (afterschool, beforeschool and full day program) began a new school year with 20 staff returning from last year, a 100% retention of program staff. Returning staff allows for a more advanced training for the year and staff ready to hit the ground running.

Blackburn, Linda - Ashe: The need for academic success for at risk youth in Ashe County is great. For youth to be truly successful they must have some level of success academically. The Ashe County 4-H S.O.S. Program strives to narrow the gap academically for at risk youth in our programs. When the EDSTAR state evaluation was completed Ashe County was one of the top 11 counties in North Carolina to show a significant achievement in academic improvements.

Blackburn, Linda - Ashe: Ashe County families have a great need for help with their child care costs. There was a danger of losing the subsidy monies that we have been receiving for School-age Care slots. Our long standing relationship with the Department of Social Services and the Child Are Resource and Referral allowed us to sustain the current level of funding and even were ask to expand the families being served at the current time. About 36% of our parent fees portion of our budget comes from subsidy monies.

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: We had 2 students in afterschool who worked hard getting their homework done but was never getting it turned into their teachers. They were getting farther behind in their schoolwork and as a result their grades were suffering. Also they were rarely coming prepared with their books and materials for homework completion. The homework tutor and school teacher spoke and worked out a system in which a box was set outside the classroom where the students work and books were left afterschool and the students put their work after completing it. As result their grades are improving . homework being completed and turned in consistently.

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: Their was approximately 30 youth in each homework tract for one teacher to try and work with daily. So we contacted the high school and worked on a plan for them to send some teacher cadets over to work with some of these youth. As a result students are receiving more individual help so they are therefore making better grades and feeling better about themselves because of their successes

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: Some of the youth in the program were very upset after the 9-11-01 attacks so for the life skills lesson that week they were encouraged to write cards and draw pictures about what they had saw and heard on that day. They were then sent out to others in the community and as a result the youth had many of their questions answered and spoke of feeling much more in control. a stronger sense of community, and a stronger sense of security and support for themselves and the US as a whole.

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: There was a student in the Ashe county in one of the shortstops program that was had failing grades. The homework teacher spoke with the father about us in 4-H being there to help their child and also spoke with the child's teacher in which we found out that the child was seriously behind and that's why they were failing. The teacher gave the homework teacher the child's missed assignments and the worked on them one each day along with the child's current assignment. The child is now all caught up and now has B's in those same subjects.

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: Here in Ashe county we were trying to raise the students in the shortstops programs awareness of community needs and areas that they can contribute to their communities. They decided that if they could raise the money that they could buy blankets to give to the poor and elderly. They worked with a Avon representative to do a fund raiser where they could raise funds to but 20 blankets. Two months later they delivered 20 blankets to and adult daycare and the ASFA. The children spoke of learning how much of a need there was for people to get involved in their community.

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: There is a fourth grader at Fleetwood Elementary School, who has been failing all year. In seeking volunteers we found a 10th grader at the local high school who was willing to go out and tutor him one day a week. As a result this child is now not only taking a interest again in his school work and willing to do homework he has made a dramatic turn in his grades.

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: This has been a very successful year in the Migrant Education Program. 29 youth have been worked with in some form. 16 were worked with in school tutoring and 13 during the afterschool program. In addition these youth were took on several field trips which were enrichment in their new local culture. 7 of these youth also participated in a state wide AIMS Conference. This was a week long conference which was a celebration of their unique abilities and of their Spanish culture.

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: This has been a very successful year in regards to teaching youth about community service and letting them problem solve in their own community about their needs. The youth at Mountain View Shortstops planned, raised money and implemented 3 different service projects. At West Jefferson and Blue Ridge Shortstops they planned and implemented 2 community projects.

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: Their were 4-6 grade youth in each Shortstops program who were not being as successful as they could have been. We created a 4-6 grade component to the homework tract which included: collecting reports quarterly, teacher conferences and staff conferences and reviews concerning those youth who were in academic trouble. These youth were assigned volunteers from the FTA club at the high school. As a result 75% of those youth worked with made significant grade improvements.

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: 4-6 grade in each shortstops program were not being as successful as they could have been. A 4-6 grade component was added to the homework track which included: collecting reports cards quarterly, teacher conferences and staff conferences, and reviews concerning the youth who were in academic trouble. These youth were assigned volunteers from the high school. As a result 75% of those youth made significant grade improvements.

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: I worked closely with the homework teachers and allowed them to write and create their own life skill curriculum. The reports that I have received concerning their level of commitment has improved greatly and the children's response has been much more positive.

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: 75% of the work first youth that received scholarships have experienced academic improvement.

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: 95% of the work first youth enrolled are maintaining active participation in their respective programs.

Bumgarner, Cathy - Ashe: 100% of teachers with students enrolled in homework and participating consistently speak of improvement in quality of homework.

Goodman, P C - Ashe: Ashe County's pre-school program assistant taught thirty-seven children during the February 8, 2002 through March 15, 2002 Out For Lunch series. These children were participants from the More At For Program and public school Kindergarten. The lessons were well received by all the children. They were eager to participate in Out For Lunch and to try new snack foods they helped prepare. Parent and teacher evaluations were positive. One parent wrote "Michaila's handwashing is 100% better!" Another parent said "Alex does show a greater awareness of which foods are good for him" and a teacher wrote "I know this is a successful program because I hear children talking about it during the week in their play."

Goodman, P C - Ashe: Several children participating in this series had participated last year in the Pre-K classroom. I was amazed at how much knowledge they had retained about Out For Lunch. Brandon wanted to show everyone how to wash their hands! Sydney was so proud of herself for already knowing about the bread and grain group. All of the children were eager to learn, asking questions about what kinds of foods were good for you and why germs make us sick. I received positive feedback from parents and teachers alike. One parent stopped me on the sidewalk at the school to tell me how much her son was enjoying the Out For Lunch program and that he talked about it at home.

Goodman, P C - Ashe: Prevention of chronic disease and providing educational opportunities to address chronic disease were identified as needs by a county-wide health assessment. The census has shown a growing population of seniors with limited resources and seniors living alone. These seniors desire to live independently as long as possible. Twenty-four seniors participated in the Partners In Wellness Program. All participants gained knowledge of preparing foods with less fat and salt, the importance of consuming more fruits and vegetables, the importance of exercise, how to get the necessary nutrients needed for good health, and the importance of consuming adequate amounts of water. 60 percent of participants increased calcium intake. All increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Through collaborative efforts with Lowe's Food, seventeen clients participated in the workshop Living Well With Diabetes. 100 percent of the group gained knowledge about diabetes, and learned how meals/snack patterns can help control blood sugar levels. Evaluations showed

Goodman, P C - Ashe: The economic burden of obesity in the United States approximates 100 billion dollar. Obesity affects one in five children in the United States, with North Carolina children 2 to 3 times more likely to be obese than children nationally. Through collaboration with Ashe Partnership for Children, 23 child care providers participated in the 2 hour workshop Obesity and Children: What Child Care Providers and Parents Need to Know. Evaluations reflected all participants gained knowledge about childhood obesity and the importance of helping children develop healthy habits and daily exercise. Evaluations reflected that all child care providers gained knowledge they would use in their work with children. Participants agreed to share knowledge gained with parents.

Goodman, P C - Ashe: Ashe County continues to be one of the most economically deprived counties in the state with limited resources, high unemployment (unemployed with no health insurance) and lack of transportation. County human service agencies are strained to provide needed services with waning resources. Trained volunteers have been instrumental in helping to extend services. Thirty participants attended the 5 county Blue Ridge Cancer Coalition Summit for leadership development and planned outreach projects to educate groups and individuals on the importance of early detection. Over 15 people have been reached through volunteer efforts. 8 volunteers were trained to provide outreach for A.S.H.E. (A Safe Home For Everyone) against domestic violence, including advocates who work on call shifts. Volunteers have given over 500 hours in support of A.S.H.E. and its clients. 12 ECA (Extension Community Association) leaders participated in a 3 hour leadership development/planning session. As needs are identified, ECA members work to meet

Goodman, P C - Ashe: The largest growing population in Ashe County is seniors. As local adults age and as seniors move to the county, their desire to live independently for as long as possible is a priority for them. Research shows that most homes need to be modified for safety and comfort for senior living and that gradual changes made over time allows seniors to better adjust to modifications rather than having to make immediate changes based on urgency due to health problems with no time to adjust. Twenty seniors participated in Modifying Your Home for Comfort and Safety, and gained knowledge about affordable ways to make changes in their living spaces. All participants stated they planned to assess their homes and begin making changes. Six participants went home and removed throw rugs (which cause a large percentage of falls with seniors). All participants planned to add additional lighting in their homes after viewing

Goodman, P C - Ashe: Research shows that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon levels in North Carolina are highest in the mountain counties. Because newer homes have less air exchange because of their energy efficiency, radon levels can accumulate to higher levels. Prolonged exposure to this radioactive gas irradiates the lungs causing lung cancer. Over 250 Ashe County residents gained knowledge about radon, its effects on health, and how to test their homes for radon in air. 50 radon in air test kits were distributed. Through collaboration with the Division of Radiation Protection, 150 households with private wells participated in a research project to test radon levels in their homes air and water. Each household received testing supplies valued at $60.00 at no charge to them. Results of the project reflect the maximum level of radon in air was 36.3 with the average being 3.6. Extension has provided recommendations for

Goodman, P C - Ashe: A large number of North Carolina citizens have no estate plan and many die without a will. This often affects family relationships, causing friction among surviving family members. While the law provides a concise plan of distribution of titled assets among surviving family members, it is often the non-titled assets such as family heirlooms, furniture, dishes, etc. that causes discord in distribution. Fifty six senior adults in Ashe County participated in the program Who Gets Grandma s Yellow Pie Plate, that addressed the need for estate planning of non-titled assets. Evaluations reflected all participants gained knowledge. Several participants with wills had not planned for their non- titled assets. 60 percent of the participants began a list of their non-titled property with intent to make their wishes known about distribution of their non-titled assets.

Goodman, P C - Ashe: Many people are uncomfortable talking with family members about aging issues and death. Lack of planning and making wishes known burdens family members to make decisions without adequate information, lengthens suffering and increases medical bills of the patient. Collaboration among senior service agencies in Ashe County has formed an End Of Life coalition in Ashe County which provides education, appropriate paperwork and a notary to encourage seniors to make decisions about living wills and health care power of attorney. Over 75 seniors have gained knowledge and made decisions about their health care power of attorney and living wills. The visibility of Extension has been enhanced as the forms being used and notarized are Extension publications.

Goodman, P C - Ashe: Research has shown that age influences one s susceptibility to foodborne illness. Children s immune systems are not fully developed while seniors immune system are weakened by age. With a more diverse food supply and resistant strands of bacteria, the need to know and use recommended food safety practices to prevent foodborne illness is great. Thirty six seniors gained food safety knowledge in purchasing, storing and preparation. Evaluations reflected participants planned to use at least one recommended practice learned in their homes and in their work with other seniors. Through collaboration with Appalachian District Health Department, twenty-two child care providers gained knowledge about food safety in child care settings. Evaluations reflected that all participants will use at least 1 recommended practice learned in their work.

Goodman, P C - Ashe: Keeping food safe to eat has been identified by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans as a major emphasis. With the continued increase of the family s food dollar being spent purchasing ready to eat foods away from home, the need for well trained food service managers/employees is critical. According to Appalachian District Health Department, the turnover rate of food service managers and employees is great and continuous training is critical in providing safe food for the public. Ashe and Alleghany County Cooperative Extension Services collaborated with health department environmental health specialists to provide the nationally recognized food safety certification course Serving Safe Food. 100 percent of the 19 participants successfully completed the 16 hour course and exam, giving the restaurants with whom they work an additional 2 points on quarterly inspections for 3 years. Evaluations reflected participants gaining knowledge of food safety practices they would use in their work

Goodman, P C - Ashe: An elderly couple requested information on improving the safety/comfort of their home that would allow them to live independently as long as possible. After receiving information, the couple made changes in their living space, including decreasing the amount and rearrangement of furniture, improving lighting, removal of small area rugs and rearrangement of kitchen equipment. The couple continues to live in their home and are able to care for themselves and live independently.

Goodman, P C - Ashe: With a more diverse food supply and resistant strands of bacteria, the need to know and use recommended food safety practices to prevent foodborne illness is great. Thirty six seniors gained food safety knowledge and evaluations reflected participants planned to use at least one recommended practice learned in their homes and in their work with other seniors. Through collaboration with the Health Department, twenty-two child care providers gained knowledge about food safety in child care settings. Evaluations reflected all participants will use at least 1 recommended practice learned in their work. 38 people participated in Home Food Preservation workshops in Ashe and Watauga Counties. All gained knowledge and planned to implement at least one recommendation learned in home food preservation. 33 people were certified in the "Acidified Foods" workshop that would enable them to begin the process for selling acidified foods to the public. This was the first time the

Goodman, P C - Ashe: Keeping food safe to eat has been identified by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans as a major emphasis. The need for well trained food service managers/employees is critical, according to Appalachian District Health Department. The turnover rate of food service managers and employees is great and continuous training is critical in providing safe food for the public. Ashe and Alleghany County Cooperative Extension Services collaborated with the health department to provide Serving Safe Food. 100 percent of the 19 participants successfully completed the 16 hour course, and exam, giving the restaurants with whom they work an additional 2 points on quarterly inspections for 3 years. Evaluations reflected participants gaining knowledge of food safety practices they would use in their work and in their homes. 33 students in a high schools advanced foods class gained knowledge about food safety they planned to use in their homes and in their work.

Goodman, P C - Ashe: The largest growing population in Ashe County is seniors. As local adults age and as seniors move to the county, their desire to live independently for as long as possible is a priority for them. Research shows that most homes need to be modified for safety and comfort for senior living and that gradual changes made over time allows seniors to better adjust to modifications rather than having to make immediate changes based on urgency due to health problems with no time to adjust. 54 seniors participated in Modifying Your Home for Comfort and Safety, and gained knowledge about affordable ways to make changes in their living spaces. All participants stated they planned to assess their homes and begin making changes. Six participants went home and removed throw rugs (which cause a large percentage of falls with seniors). All participants planned to add additional lighting in their homes after viewing

Goodman, P C - Ashe: Research shows that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon levels in North Carolina are highest in the mountain counties. Because newer homes have less air exchange because of their energy efficiency, radon levels can accumulate to higher levels. Prolonged exposure to this radioactive gas irradiates the lungs causing lung cancer. Over 250 Ashe County residents gained knowledge about radon, its effects on health, and how to test their homes for radon in air. 67 radon in air test kits were distributed. Through collaboration with the Division of Radiation Protection, 150 households with private wells participated in a research project to test radon levels in their homes, air and water. Each household received testing supplies valued at 60.00 at no charge to them. Results of the project reflect the maximum level of radon in air was 36.3 with the average being 3.6. Extension has provided recommendations for

Goodman, P C - Ashe: Ashe County continues to be one of the most economically deprived counties in the state. County human service agencies are strained to provide needed services with waning resources. Trained volunteers have been instrumental in helping to extend services.

Thirty participants attended the 5 county Blue Ridge Cancer Coalition Summit for leadership development and have reached over 17 with information on early detection. 8 volunteers were trained to provide outreach for A.S.H.E. (A Safe Home For Everyone) against domestic violence. Volunteers have given over 500 hours . 10 ECA (Extension Community Association) leaders participated in 30 hours of leadership development and planning to identify county needs and have contributed over 2508 hours of volunteer service valued at 25,080.00 this year. Other Extension Family and Consumer Science volunteers have given in excess of 137 hours of service valued at 1,370.00 that has benefited Ashe County.

38 seniors participated in the Partners In Wellness Program. All participants gained knowledge of preparing foods with less fat and salt, the importance of consuming more fruits and vegetables, the importance of exercise, how to get the necessary nutrients needed for good health, and the importance of consuming adequate amounts of water. 60 percent of participants increased calcium intake. All increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Through collaborative efforts with Lowe's Food, seventeen clients participated in the workshop Living Well With Diabetes. 100 percent of the group gained knowledge about diabetes, and learned how meals/snack patterns can help control blood sugar levels.

Goodman, P C - Ashe: Obesity affects one in five children in the United States, a 100 billion dollar burden. North Carolina children are 2 to 3 times more likely to be obese than children nationally.

Collaborating with Ashe Partnership for Children, 23 child care providers participated in "Obesity and Children: What Child Care Providers and Parents Need to Know". Evaluations reflected all participants gained knowledge about childhood obesity and ways to help children develop healthy habits and daily exercise. Evaluations reflected that all child care providers gained knowledge they would use in their work with children. 14 child care providers and public school teachers were trained in "Color Me Healthy," an Extension Family and Consumer Science statewide initiative to integrate daily, age appropriate nutrition education and activities to establish healthy eating habits and exercise habits in four and five year olds. Evaluations reflect that all participants gained knowledge and have used the "Color

Goodman, P C - Ashe: The Out For Lunch Preschool Program has reached over 125 age appropriate children with nutrition education and the importance of handwashing all "gained knowledge practiced what they learned. A teacher said "my students have learned a lot in these classes. I know they have because I hear them talking about in their play. They also take longer to wash their hands because they are practicing what they learned in Out For Lunch.

Goodman, P C - Ashe: The advertisement and sale of herbals and other dietary supplements has reached an all time high. Consumers purchasing these products often do not know that these products are not monitored by the FDA for quality or safety. Forty two adults participated in "Pills, Potions and Powders." Over 50 percent of participants were using one or more of these products daily to improve their health, all of which had never read the small print on the labels of the products they were taking - until they participated in the class. Evaluations reflected that all participants gained knowledge they planned to use: generic brand instead of name brands (that would save them money). 20 percent of the participants taking prescription medicine planned to talk with their pharmacist about possible interactions with these herbals/supplements they were taking.

Goodman, P C - Ashe: In Ashe County there is limited affordable housing for limited resource families. Often times, families live in houses that are structurally unsafe. Through collaborative efforts of Region D and county government, 400,000.00 was appropriated in the county to address housing needs of families living in substandard housing. Through an application process, 9 families were selected to participate in having their homes' structure upgraded, or, if homes were not economically feasible to repair, replacing them with new mobile homes. All families receiving upgrades on their homes attended a 4 hour Family and Consumer Science Home Maintenance Workshop. Evaluations reflected that all participants gained knowledge that would help them care for their homes, including cleaning and maintaining the inside and outside of the home.

Goodman, P C - Ashe: Ashe County citizens listed water quality as a priority concern in county assessments and at public meetings. Seniors retiring here and building a second home are often not aware of water quality issues as they have relied on municipal water supplies. Through collaboration with Jefferson Waste Water Treatment Facility staff, local health department and 18 volunteers, 196 samples of drinking water from private wells and springs was screened for nitrate, and 198 samples of drinking water was screened for coliform bacteria. All participants received screening results with recommendations for correcting problems revealed in the water screening. Sixty percent of water supplies with problems/potential problems made changes to improve water quality.

The water screening in Ashe County has made a difference for many families. A participant found that his spring contained fecal coliforms. He disinfected the spring according to Extension recommendations and fenced around the spring to keep his cattle away from

Goodman, P C - Ashe: The rural area of Ashe County has several springs jetting out from mountainous rocks. My experience with the water screening has revealed that many people believe this water is clean, pure and safe for drinking because it is clean, cold and away from developed land. A participant in the screening brought 2 samples of water for screening for coliform. Screening results showed one sample (his well) did not contain coliform, while the other sample (spring water he regularly collected for drinking from a well known water source that thousands frequent each year) contained fecal coliform. The owner was contacted and immediately disinfected the spring, and agreed to check it yearly for fecal coliforms.

Hartsoe, Tammy - Ashe: We have youth enrolled in our program that has behavioral problems and is not respective of others. He degrades his peers and his attitude is such that he doesn't think that anyone is as good as he is. He is a 7th grader that with the attention will flourish into someone who is caring and respective of others. With cooperative games and group related activities he has been shown that not everyone is perfect including him and that it is okay to make mistakes, they make us better people. We have volunteers that work within our program to assist with youth such as this one and we have seen a marked improvement in his attitude but not only this, he is now making friends and showing consideration for others. He is volunteering to help others with activities and homework.

Hartsoe, Tammy - Ashe: In the program we have youth that has been very disruptive and his behavior has been really bad. He talked back to his team leaders and teachers. He had no desire to do any of his homework. He is a 8th grader student with an attitude. Since coming this semester his behavior and improved as well as his grades. He is enrolled in 5th Dimension and works with ASU tutors and also receives homework assistance from our group leaders and teachers of ACMS. In turn with one on one assistance this youth has improved not only with his grades but also his behavior has improved. He takes his time and does his work right and listens to others and follows directions. He now offers his assistance to help others out with homework.

Hartsoe, Tammy - Ashe: In our program we have (2) 7th grade males that participate in the program day to day activities. They are both enrolled into our homework track and love outside activities. Their behavior was really somewhat negative and very disrespectful, they talked back to both group leaders as well as teachers and ASU tutors. Since they have been enrolled with our program and participating in such activities cooperative games and basketball with a group and outdoor adventure their behavior has thus improved and their ability to do their homework during our allotted time they have excelled and turned completely around with attitude. They in turn have learned that others have feelings to and that they can make positive comments about others instead of always looking for the negative side to things.

Kelleher, Michael - Ashe: In the Migrant Education Program, Ashe County, the Migrant students are considered at-risk youth. The main reason they are considered at-risk is because of the language barrier. We set out to solve this problem by enrolling these students in our ESL, and after-school programs. We focused on teaching them English, and helping them with their studies.

The result was that five students made the A,B honor role. Their names were listed in the local newspaper. As for the Migrant students that were not on the list, we noticed a definite improvement in their grades.

Lambert, Colby - Ashe: The commercial horticulture industry in Ashe County is rapidly growing. There are now over 75 commercial nurseries and greenhouses in the county. With growing concerns of the environment, pesticides, and nutrient loading of water sources, these green industries in Ashe County need to be aware of new production practices, specifically, the business of Integrated Pest Management to reduce pesticide and herbicide use. The Small and Part-Time Farm Program has awarded a grant of $10,000 to Ashe County's horticulture program to provide IPM manuals and hand lenses to nursery and greenhouse producers and provide IPM training workshops for northwest area producers in September 2002. Expected impacts will be increased knowledge of insect and disease diagnosis, treatment on a proactive level, reduction of pesticide use, and increased profits for producers.

Lambert, Colby - Ashe: The Ashe County Christmas Tree Association has not seen an increase in membership over the last few years and the direction of the association has not been clear. Many of the advertising materials for the association were outdated. Through collaboration with Cooperative Extension, the county association revamped their buyers guide to improve the look of the cover by selling ad space in the buyer's guide to local businesses to pay for the improved covers. The usability of the buyer's guide was also improved. The board members also motivated members to recruit new members and in 2002 the association has seen 18 new members join the county association. The Ashe County Christmas Tree Association now has a new and improved look, a better marketing scheme, and the 100 members are more satisfied and involved in the county association.

Lambert, Colby - Ashe: The green industry in Ashe County has grown rapidly in the last few years. Many of the producers are not using Cooperative Extension for a source of research-based information. By organizing a Horticulture Advisory Committee, the needs of the commercial horticulture industry can be assessed and efforts to meet the needs of the clientele can begin. Through a donation of $200 by Parsons Farm Supply, a group of 15 individuals in the horticulture industry have met twice to discuss the needs of the industry and what Cooperative Extension can do to address their needs. Based on the meetings with the advisory group, a mailing list has been compiled and programming efforts have begun in the county such as a greenhouse and nursery production meeting held in April and a $10,000 grant awarded to the program for a comprehensive IPM training for nursery and greenhouse producers.

Lambert, Colby - Ashe: Agriculture in Ashe County experienced a devastating freeze from May 20th through May 24th 2002 that affected Christmas trees, tobacco, ornamental nurseries, and other crops. Many farmers were faced with the uncertainty of being able to recover from the damage. Through collaboration with USDA Farm Services Agency, local and state governments, and farmers, the county was recently declared an agricultural disaster area. This designation will provide low interest loans to farmers to maintain operations and continue to farm. Efforts are also underway to provide assistance through the Tree Assistance Program through USDA to provide monetary assistance to Christmas tree growers who are unable to buy crop insurance for disasters such as the freeze damage experienced in May of 2002. Cooperative Extension also worked one-on-one with local farmers in assessing the damage to trees and providing direction on how to repair damaged trees for the 2002 and 2003 markets.

Landry, Julie B - Ashe: Ashe County does not have the connectivity to internet on a county wide basis. There are no public access centers for the public to "get on line" with the exception of the public library. "Public Access Centers that are free, flexible, and convenient are critical to empowering citizens to attain the economic security and knowledge that they need." As a result of a collaborative effort among multi agencies, Ashe County received two grants from the rural Internet Access Authority to develop a plan for "Connectivity" for Ashe County. Approximately 243 citizens participated in the planning process through community meetings and public forums. If continued funding is approved, there will be a total of 12 PAC sites established throughout the county providing skill level digital training. These centers will be valuable to providing much needed digital literacy for farmers/producers and families.

Landry, Julie B - Ashe: With the loss of industry in Ashe County the search for alternatives continues to be a priority for economic development. With the growth of the Ashe County Farmers Market as a venue for selling Home Grown and Hand Made products and the interest in cottage food industries it has become important to provide needed training/certifications offered outside of the county locally . As a result of partnership efforts with the Department of Food Science at NCSU a Low Acidity Foods Processing School will be offered in Ashe County for the area to citizens who want to process and sell such food items as pickles, salsa, relish and other high acid foods. This is the first time that such a course has been offered off campus in a local setting

Landry, Julie B - Ashe: As funds become more difficult to secure, it is important that fundraising efforts continue and broaden in order to ensure that existing programs can be sustained and that programs can be expanded as needed to meet the needs of our audiences. Fund raising efforts for the 1st 6 months of the program year include grants, fundraising events and donations and have resulted in $164,000.00 for the fiscal year 2002-2003. Appropriated county funds were increased by approximately 5% for operating and 2 « % for salaries. This increase in such a tight year will enable Ashe County Extension to continue to provide full program efforts to the community.

Landry, Julie B - Ashe: Opportunities for economic growth continue to be critical to the community. The unemployment rate is at an all time high at 9.8% in Ashe County. Citizens are searching for opportunities to "make money". Because of the need to expand opportunities for income earning, the Ashe County Farmers Market decided to open up "for business" 3 « months early and to expand the types of vendors who are eligible to become members of the market. As a result of expanding the member base to include craftsmen, commercial horticulture businesses and greenery producers in the county, membership has doubled and vendors who have previously not had a market for their product have increased their income(as reported by vendors).

Landry, Julie B - Ashe: Hispanic school population has grown 700% since 1990 in Ashe County. As a result schools cannot provide adequate one on one attention to help with English As A Second Language instruction or with homework tutoring that will help these children to become more academically successful. Resource development efforts have resulted in continued collaboration with the school system in the Migrant Education Program providing 28,000.00 to maintain a "Recruiter" position on staff. The Recruiter identifies migrant families with children age 3-21 and provides for them appropriate options for support. School age children are placed in the 4-H After School Programs and provided homework tutoring, ESL instruction and one on one support. 45 Hispanic families have been identified and engaged in the program with 72 youth enrolled. Classroom teachers reported "great" improvement academically and socially as a result of this effort.

Landry, Julie B - Ashe: Farm related accidents remain a concern in the community. Although there are not large numbers occurring, the severity of this type of accident is often fatal. The Ashe/Alleghany Farm and Rural Community Safety Committee received $1000.00 from SAFE KIDS to support the Safety Field Day in September of 2002. 250 fourth grade students participated in prevention education session (fire, water, farm equipment, personal, chemical, farm animal, gun and wildlife safety). Teachers report that students are more aware of safety issues and practice better safety habits in the classroom.

Landry, Julie B - Ashe: Feedback from the current Advisory Leadership systems (after school site specific Parent Advisory Committees (5), Youth Advisory Committees at each after school site, parents, school administrators, teachers, youth and volunteers) state that children culturally and socially at risk are in need of after school and summer programs to improve overall confidence of youth in both school and in the community. Such programs provide a "safe secure environment after school (school dismissal - 6PM) and during the summer (7 AM - 5:30 PM)". Resource Development efforts to meet this need resulted in the expansion of the full time summer program located at Family Central. The project increased involvement of 30 Hispanic youth and 30 youth considered to be at poverty level or at 200% of poverty (designated by DSS) to the current available slots of 260, for a total of 320 available slots for the summer of 2002

Landry, Julie B - Ashe: Surveys requesting information on the need for after school programming were returned by 47 parents (members of the after school advisory leadership system). Forty youth (members of Youth Advisory Committees) surveys were returned with feedback on their needs/interest. The county SOS Advisory Council met and provided input into the "weaknesses and strengths" of the current program and what needed to be changed. The results of these surveys and meetings were provided in grant request to the NCDJJP for continuation of SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS programs for youth at risk after school in 4 elementary and 1 middle school. $60,000.00 was awarded to expand programs to meet the needs of students K-8 through SOS in order to reduce the number of students who are left unsupervised after school, improve the academic performance of students participating, improve attitudes and behavior of undisciplined youth referred, and help to reduce court involvement.

Landry, Julie B - Ashe: Financial Resources continue to decrease as a result of economic decline. As a result of new and sustained collaborations and networking efforts by staff and volunteers, financial resources from outside resources are $400,000.00. Resources support in excess of 200 Extension Programs annually involving over 3000 people in Extension educational efforts in 2002.

Miller, Jennifer - Ashe: Two children at one of the afterschool programs have hectic home life's and need a stable safe environment for them to do their homework. They also need one on one tutoring that they can not get at home. 4-H Fleetwood Short Stops has been able to provide the structure and environment that these children need. When the children get home they are able to spend needed time with their families without the stress of homework. Teachers at Fleetwood Elementary say that the homework track at the afterschool program has been a great help for them as well as the parents.

Miller, Jennifer - Ashe: A child at 4-H Fleetwood Short Stops was having trouble in school not only with academics but socially too. One of the teachers went to the afterschool staff to see if they would be willing to work with him in the afternoons. They worked out a plan to allow the child to spend 30 minutes playing and them he would do homework. After a few weeks, the child was no longer frustrated with homework, but show it as a challenge that he knew he could meet. The teacher writes "I feel that the change in his attitude came from the confidence that he was gaining due to the successes with his schoolwork during afterschool."

Montgomery, Suzanne - Ashe: In January 2002, each Ashe County High School student who is a migrant and at risk of failure has been supplied with four hours of one to one in school instruction every week. This is a direct result of volunteer recruitment efforts. Other Volunteer tutors are now placed in the MT View Elem. school and middle school to work with migrant children who are at risk.

Montgomery, Suzanne - Ashe: Successful after-school tutoring assistance has been accomplished by recruiting students from the Ashe County High School Future Teachers of America Club. The Future Teachers work in the lower and middle school grades one to one with Hispanic migrant youth and other students needing help in all areas of academic deficiency. The tutoring opportunity for Future Teachers helps them complete their required community service hours component necessary to graduate from high school. They also receive a letter from Cooperative Extension thanking them for their volunteerism.

Montgomery, Suzanne - Ashe: An adult male volunteer with the Migrant Education Program, currently tutoring an Hispanic migrant, male high school student has agreed to continue tutoring and mentoring the student through the 4-H Ashe Youth Connection. The adult volunteer will be spending 4 hours per week over the next year with the migrant youth. The ESL teacher who teaches at the high school reports that the "match" between the Hispanic youth and the volunteer has been a positive one. The male volunteer now spends 2 hours per week with the youth tutoring him in all subject areas.

Montgomery, Suzanne - Ashe: While working in a volunteer capacity with a 14 yr old Hispanic High School Youth, the adult volunteer became aware of the positive impact he was having in the life of the 14 yr. old Hispanic male and agreed to continue his volunteer work throughout the year. The volunteer is now in the capacity as mentor in the governors' one on one program in Ashe county. He continues to tutor the youth in his studies but beginning in June will extend his involvement to 4 or more hours in the Ashe Youth Connection program. The youth is At-Risk for school drop out which we hope to prevent.

Montgomery, Suzanne - Ashe: Ashe County Elementary School contains the majority of the counties migrant Latino school-age children. Considerable effort by volunteers recruited through 4-H has resulted in higher than expected improvements in academic proficiency (as measured by the last report card period) and one teacher has reported that one first grade migrant child whom the teacher expected to do poorly on the EOG test actually scored 88 out of 100. The teacher contributed this outcome directly to the one-on-one help by the 4-H volunteer working with this child.

Montgomery, Suzanne - Ashe: The Ashe County Migrant Education Program enjoyed a recent success with a third grade Hispanic migrant child who had been tutored in reading for the last half 2002. The student received one-on-one tutorial help in reading by a 14 year old 4-H volunteer student. Tutorial time was approximately 50 minutes per day Monday thru Friday. Because the third grader was LEP and had lived in the United States under two years, the teacher held little hope of her passing the reading exam. The student passed and with a score of 88 on her exam, an unexpected result which according to the child's

2002 Program Success Highlights