Alternative Forages Buffer Drought Effects

        A hard April freeze in 2007 followed by uncharacteristically high temperatures and drought reduced forage production by half across the County and much of the midwest. In order to create affordable and high quality forage to replace these losses, local Ag Extension staff worked closely with area producers offering advice on growing summer seeded oats as a forage alternative. Nearly 1500 acres of summer seeded oats were grown across the county, producing an average of 3 tons of dry matter per acre. This 4500 tons of high quality oat forage replaced more than $350,000 worth of forage losses experienced during the summer of 2007.

County Cattlemen Learn and Earn
        In an effort to allow area cattlemen to observe exactly what kind of product they are providing to the market place and ultimately the consumer, the Ag Extension staff cooperated with the Fairfield County Cattlemen's Association (FCCA) to conduct a beef carcass merit demonstration, evaluation and competition in 2006-07. Extension staff used industry accepted standards to grade 30 beef carcasses entered in the program by 13 local farms, enabling participants to evaluate the use of grid marketing and learn firsthand its impact on the value of their cattle. Members also realized the impact of different feeding programs and genetic bases on carcass merit. With over $1500 in prize money and sponsorships, the program also created a level of competition and reward that encouraged participants to produce a high quality product that would benefit them financially in the market place.

West After School Center Programs

148 Preschool students were taught by the Fairfield County Master Gardeners using the popular Janet Stevens book, Tops & Bottoms to learn and see how vegetables are planted and grow.  In addition, the students were encouraged to learn how to become better stewards of the soil.   Students were then given potatoes and various seeds to watch and see how they grow.   Several of the classes then harvested vegetables and created soups and such. 

Heritage Gardening Weeding Project –The Fairfield County Master Gardeners initiated a weeding project at the  Ohio Heritage Gardens.  Approximately 150 hours were spent at the Governor’s residence weeding, interacting and learning about the preservation of the Native plants in the Heritage Garden.

Container Gardening Knowledge Shared- Fairfield County Master Gardeners trained 32 Garden Club members and created  Leader Lessons for 120 Extension Homemaker members on container gardening and plant care.

Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Displayed- After being added to the EAB quarantine list in late September of 2007, The Fairfield County Master Gardeners used materials from the Ohio State University Emerald Ash Borer Team and The Ohio Department of Agriculture to assemble a booth on Emerald Ash borer education and information at the Fairfield County Fair in October, 2007.  A follow up educational meeting was held after the Fair, which attracted Street Tree Commission members, Safety Service Directors, Golf Course Groundskeepers, Business owners, local News Reporters and homeowners.

Weekly Radio Program Offers Gardening Advice-A weekly radio program entitled the Weekend Gardener is offered April through October offering timely garden tips, things to do in the garden as well upcoming events throughout the growing season.  Listeners are also encouraged to call- in with gardening questions.

Family Financial Stability….Taking charge of spending and saving

“Fairfield Saves” was kicked off in 2007 with five local banks participating by offering no cost savings accounts to individuals and youth. Several social agencies including Jobs and Family Service, Metro housing and Community Action have actively encouraged their clients to open a savings account. Forty two accounts have been opened.

Money Choices: Over one hundred individuals improved their household budgeting skills through Take Charge of Your Money a $4,500 grant from Jobs and Family Services for their Pay It Forward program and also through individual coaching sessions that teaches steps in tracking spending habits, paying bills on time and tips to saving regularly. 89% of participants indicated they planned to make significant changes in the way they manage their household budgets, pay down credit card or other debts. 82% stated they will start a savings account.

Family Nutrition Program…Improves Low-Income Individuals Nutrition Choices

This federal funded program continues to make a positive contribution to the low-income individual and families in Fairfield County. An average of 32 programs are held each month with a total of 2, 465 participants that increase knowledge in the area of nutrition, food safety, food preparation and management and food purchasing. Participants have indicated through evaluation that 94% learned new information about nutrition and 76% planned to make changes in their food practices based on information presented in classes.

Parenting Pathways…improving parenting skills

Funding is provided by Ohio Children Trust Fund for $15,805 for parenting education with a focus on child abuse and neglect prevention. Over 660 parents, grand parents and foster care parents attended either a 4 or 6 week series of classes. One parent stated “I have learned different ways to deal with my child’s behavior in a positive way.”

Financial Literacy in Schools: changes in the Ohio Revised Code that beginning with students who enters ninth grade by July 2010 will require having a course in economics and financial literacy. This Extension FCS educator provided training to Family & Consumer Sciences teachers in the Southeast region for their annual conferences. 159 FCS teachers were trained in using the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program in the spring on an interactive web based program with a free student guide for each student.  Training on Real Money Real World with curriculum on a CD was offered in the Fall as an active, hands-on experience for students to make lifestyle and household budget choices in a real life simulation.

Couples and Marital Relationships

Fairfield County received a $2,000 grant from Healthy Marriage Collaboration of Central Ohio to build successful collaboration within the County to provide educational information on couple communication and marital relationships. Twenty three attended the training and a Fairfield Marriage Coalition is being formed.

4-H Family & Consumer Sciences

A 4-H FCS Advisory committee was formed to provide input for the clothing, foods and nutrition and special FCS projects. The committee meets 4 times during spring through fall each year. This year we have three new Master Clothing volunteers who are in training, they will provide information on clothing construction projects and help during judging and fair. The Fashion and Culinary Board had 7 members this year and a parent volunteer advisor. They planned and decorated for the style revue and were rewarded with a field trip to the Columbus Art Institute and North Market in Columbus.

The 4-H Community Club program strives to provide youth with positive relationships with caring adults.  This year 331 volunteers assisted 1181 youth in developing life skills in communication, interpersonal relations, decision-making, and responsibility. 
 
Teens Offer Service and Take Leadership

Service learning experiences such as the Junior Leadership Club, Camp Counseling, 4-H State Ambassadors, Ohio Teen Council, Project Workshop Instruction, 4-H Fashion & Culinary Council and community service projects highlight the focus of Fairfield County 4-H teen involvement at the county, state and national levels.  These opportunities have allowed members to give back to their community and to recognize the difference they make for others and the world around them.  This year, 12 of these teens attended the overnight retreat at the Extension Office before heading to the Teen Conference, where they were joined by 12 additional Fairfield County teens in order to gain leadership and organizational skills.

Youth Develop Life Skills at Camp

Youth need opportunities to engage in learning.  222 county youth had the opportunity to engage in learning in at least one of four camping programs offered this past year.  Members participating in the program(s) indicated they met new people, learned and practiced new skills, citizenship, outdoor living, responsibility and improved self-esteem.  49 counselors went through camp counselor training and utilized these life skills both at camp and upon camps completion.  These individuals developed leadership, social, preparedness, and organizational skills to better provide younger 4-H members with learning experiences.

Adult Volunteers Improve Their Skills

Through volunteer education programs in 2007; adult volunteers improved their skills in the areas of club management, positive youth development and specific project areas.  39 adults completed the new volunteer process.  Of the new and seasoned volunteers, 11 adults and 2 youth attended the Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference where they gained knowledge in order to improve youth's experience in their clubs; 1 adult received an award for his years of service to the program!  The 4-H Advisory Committee conducted the first 4-H Day to recruit new members; 35 youth and adult volunteers assisted the 74 youth that attended.