TRENDS AND ISSUES
|
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
With the increase in growth and development across the county in both the urban and rural communites, issues involving residential and consumer horticulture and pest management intensify each year. Guilford has experienced increased demand for educational assistance in homeowner food production and landscape investment decision-making. The public has become more aware of the economic and environmental importance of applying pesticides to plants, turf and gardens around homes. Emphasis on reduced pesticide use has also increased the need for additional chemical and alternative methods of pest control education. Clientele are aware of the educational programs offered by the Cooperative Extension Service and have begun to expect assistance in making these nutrient and pesticide application decisions.
Stringent regulations relating to water quality protection in residential and watershed areas have increased the need for a greater public education about storm water runoff of nutrients and rainfall transport of pesticides which can be harmful to our environment.
In addition, regulations relating to soil conservation, waste management, recycling and pesticide use will require education and lifestyle changes for the majority of Guilford County residents. Environmentally friendly landscape management training for both ornamental and edible crops will allow citizens of Guilford County to adopt essential stewardship practices, especially in the fast growing urban areas.
NUTRITION & WELL-BEING
Public interest and concern about nutrition and health issues are at an all-time high. While more consumers than ever are aware of the major issues, fewer can put those concepts into every day practice. At the same time, consumers are vulnerable to the myriad of misinformation. Consumers are now learning how to read product labels. However, label information and percentage calculations can be confusing for all consumers, especially limited resource people. Consumers need help in order to understand, interpret, and apply the label information to eating and preparing food for good health. Consumers need help in using the Food Guide Pyramid to incorporate balance, moderation and variety in their diets. It is through the use of the Food Guide Pyramid that obesity, hypertension and osteoporosis can be addressed in a tangible way through Extension programs and classes on food selection. Consumers need help in assessing the risks and benefits of taking over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements as a method of getting the nutrients needed to optimize health.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Over 54,000 school age youth reside in Guilford County communities where they need opportunities that will help them grow into responsible citizens. Family, schools and communities all play a role in this effort. While a great deal of attention is often focused on issues and programs for "high risk youth", many of our state's youth do not fall under that classification, yet they face many challenges as they strive to develop into caring, competent adults.
Extension's 4-H Youth Development program is working together with community resources, striving to address the needs and provide quality programs for youth in afterschool settings as well as school enrichment programs and community 4-H clubs. Every day involvement is essential in providing a safe environment where children can grow and learn during the afterschool hours. The increase of gang activity and hate groups is an indicator that youth are desiring to belong to a group of some sort. In Extension's programming, 4-H offers educational, upbeat, consistent activities where the youth "learn by doing" in afterschool settings.
Opportunities are provided for leadership, group interaction, public speaking, creative work, self esteem building and more. Curriculum selected by afterschool coordinators and 4-H staff strives to meet the various needs of kids who are based at seven diverse afterschool sites in High Point and Greensboro.
The Guilford County Cooperative Extension Program is one of the community based programs that can provide learning experiences which positively impact the lives of children.
PESTICIDE EDUCATION
Protecting workers, the public and the environment are important considerations anytime pesticides are used. Whether it's a golf course, city park, residential area, greenhouse, lake or stream, someone who maintains any of these areas has received training through the Cooperative Extension Service's pesticide education program and has become certified in the proper and safe use of pesticides.
According to state and federal laws, individuals and businesses who buy or apply pesticides commercially must under go training and Extension is the only agency that offers it. About 480 applicators attend Extension's pesticide education classes every year.
Extension teaches participants how to properly identify pests and select the best management approach for dealing with the pests, how to select the proper chemical to use, and how to store, mix, apply and dispose of it correctly to minimize danger to people and the environment. The certified applicator has to be kept up-to-date. Without the Extension seminars and without an office that these people can call, a lot of certified applicators would not be able to get good, quick answers about pesticide use methods and new products and it would cost them a lot of money to try to get this knowledge.
The pesticide education program is equally important to both the landscape and agriculture industries. Both industries are important to Guilford County. The estimated annual agricultural income in Guilford County exceeds $55 million. The estimated annual landscape management and garden center industry income is $130 million.
Extension certified and recertified 220 applicators in 1997 and offered an additional 938 continuing certification hours to others. Whether Extension is training farmers, applicators or public operators, our goal is to make our communities safer, healthier places for all of us.
AGRICULTURE
Agricultural and natural resource policy issues, especially animal waste, have been in the forefront of issues in North Carolina in the past year. Laws passed by the state legislature are affecting Extension clientele all over North Carolina as well as in Guilford County. Livestock owners who meet certain criteria must conform to the new laws or go out of business. It is Extension's responsibility to teach waste management certification classes to these clientele so they can comply with state law.
A variety of agricultural crops is grown in Guilford County with tobacco still being the primary field crop in cash value. The highly specialized area of greenhouse and nursery crops surpass tobacco as a source of agronomic income in Guilford. The value of agronomic and horticultural crops in 1997 exceeded $55 million in Guilford County. The future of tobacco remains uncertain with the challenge from the FDA and government policy resulting in obstacles which will impact tobacco growers at every level of employment. Growers of all types and all commodities must constantly seek to maximize their net income and also to seek alternative crops which provide reasonable revenues per acre in order to stay in business or provide an income for their families.
Other agricultural issues involve the introduction of genetically engineered crops and changes in government regulations affecting prices and consumer trends , both of which are challenges facing all segments of North Carolina's agricultural industry. The Guilford Extension Service must be prepared to interact with full-time and part-time producers, agribusiness and the non-farm public to ensure stability in the economy and secure the quality of life for our citizens.