University of Idaho Extension Trends 2021

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Extension

TRENDS 2021

A Message from the Director It is a great day to be part of University of Idaho Extension, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the University of Idaho!

As the director of University of Idaho Extension, it is with a proud and grateful heart that I share our 2021 Extension highlights and accomplishments with you.

We faced 2021 with high expectations that it would be a better year than 2020. As the year progressed, we found ourselves still battling COVID-19 and honing our skills as we continued to work hard to deliver educational programming to the people of Idaho. By moving more of our programming online, we have expanded our reach to new audiences and have saved the resources of time and money.

Nav Ghimire, associate director of UI Extension, recently submitted his annual report to the federal government with detailed statistics about what we’ve accomplished during 2021. His report shows we had 255,916 direct contacts with stakeholders, and we delivered 2,054 different educational programs for a combined 6,911 activities.

We provided 15,895 hours of educational programs, which equates to 1,987 working days. In the past year, we surveyed 20,027 of our program participants – 63% reported a change in behavior based on what they learned. That’s a tremendous number. So often when we take a class, we never find the chance to apply that knowledge. Just among those surveyed, our return on investment was estimated at $17.6 million.

We could not improve the lives of so many people in Idaho without the hard work of our faculty and staff. They have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make Idaho a great place to live. Our work could not be accomplished without partners and funders who come alongside us to build a thriving, prosperous healthy Idaho.

With gratitude,

Barbara Petty Director, University of Idaho Extension

UIBYExtension THE NUMBERS 60,000+

2,438

participants earned pesticide recertification credits through the UI Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program.

84

producers and consumers participated in the Palouse-Clearwater Food Summit, with 25 survey respondents indicating an intent to be active in a food coalition in their region.

$100,000 in estimated savings for 8 Idaho dairies participating in on-farm research in liquidmanure solids and nutrient separation from installing centrifuges.

Participants in 4-H Youth Programming

FUNDING BREAKDOWN Federal: $3,075,669 State: $13,323,421 County: $5,448,061 Grants: $7,100,000

2021 EXTENSION FACTS 84 UI Extension Educators

1,200 &

$400

49 UI Extension Specialists 840,362 Web Page Views 255,916 Direct Teaching Contacts 89 Peer-reviewed Publications 116 Professional and Scientific Journal Articles

1,200 participants in

the Idaho Victory Garden online course potentially reduced their fresh fruit and vegetable budget for the year by an average of $400 per household.

95%

of adult participants in Eat Smart Idaho programs reported improvement in one or more diet quality indicators.

643

family-forest owners and employees participated in forest-management programs, with 299 adopting monitoring techniques.

UI EXTENSION ADVISORY COUNCIL • • • • • • • • • • • •

Mary Schmidt Russ Zenner Caroline Troy Sherman Takatori Jeremy Hampton Clark Kauffman Krista Huettig Allison Bischoff Arnold Callison Hortensia Hernandez Will Ricks Stephanie Etter

EXTENSION TRENDS: ADA COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Ada County • www.uidaho.edu/ada • 208-287-5900

2021 Impact

2021 By the Numbers • 13,381 direct contacts • 2,477 youth participants • 222 volunteers • 5,733 volunteer hours • $6,068,587 extramural funding

UI Extension Educators Ariel Agenbroad ariel@uidaho.edu Community Food Systems & Small Farms Susan Bell sbell@uidaho.edu Horticulture

Andrew Bingham abingham@uidaho.edu Family & Consumer Sciences and Financial Management Sendy Martinez smartinez@uidaho.edu 4-H Youth Development

Bridget Morrisroe-Aman bridgeta@uidaho.edu Family & Consumer Sciences

Educator Ariel Agenbroad conducted 12 workshops, taught 40 synchronous and four asynchronous webinars and made 54 presentations for nearly 4,000 direct contacts. She recruited and supervised three student interns to support small farm and community food systems programs benefiting Ada County. She collaborated on two Cultivating Success online courses and three additional onfarm workshops attended by residents of Ada County pursuing small farm entrepreneurship. Post-class surveys indicated significant knowledge gained and best management practice implementation among participants. In year three, the Harvest Heroes veteran farming and gardening program serving Ada and Canyon counties enrolled 10 veterans and their families, growing nearly 1,800 pounds of produce, with most donated to collaborating non-profits. A Rapid Market Assessment of the Boise Farmers Mobile Market was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the market in increasing access to fresh, local fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products. Agenbroad was the lead trainer for three Produce Safety Alliance Grower trainings statewide for commercial produce growers, resulting in 56 FDA FSMA required producer certifications. Agenbroad also collaborated with the Ada County Soil and Water Conservation District to conduct on-site field days for Ada County fifth grade classes, introducing hands-on lessons in pollinator insect preservation and conservation to over 370 youth.

Educator Bridget Morrisroe-Aman is the Idaho lead for the National Diabetes Prevention Program. From 2017-21, the program was delivered at 18 sites in seven counties, reaching over 240 participants. The program was the first provider in Idaho, and one of the first in Extension nationally, to be delivered virtually. In 2021, Morrisroe-Aman taught one online and one hybrid program. In total, five programs were delivered in Ada and Canyon counties. She also received funding through Idaho Diabetes Prevention Programs to hire a facilitator to build capacity to apply for Medicare and health insurance reimbursement. Outcomes for the program include: 11 certified Healthy Lifestyle Coaches; 200 participants in 18 cohorts in 11 counties; an average weight loss of eight pounds for 46 participants; development of two series in Spanish and five series online; and estimated health care savings of $278 per participant per year for three years for a total savings of $166,800.

Morrisroe-Aman co-designed the Nutrition for Healthy Aging program and has delivered it 10 times in Ada County since 2017 to over 100 participants. She co-taught two classes virtually that were originally planned for in-person, reaching 220 adults ages 55-87 in four counties.

Survey results show the program positively influenced participants nutrition and health knowledge and anticipated behavior changes.

Morrisroe-Aman leads a first year and Advanced Master Food Safety Advisor (MFSA) program in southwest Idaho. In 2021 she taught the seven-week, first year program with online delivery followed by inperson labs. She also facilitated eight trainings for the Advanced MSFA group, including teaching at five trainings. She trained and supervised eight first year MFSA volunteers and continued to train and support 25 advanced advisors. Volunteers made 1,404 contacts and volunteered 793 volunteer hours in 2021, a value of $22,632 of their personal time.

This ability to expand Extension’s food safety and food preservation outreach is greatly needed and has become prevalent with the pandemic.

The 2020-21 consumer data continues to show increased sells in groceries, and decreased sells in the restaurant and food service industry, a reflection that more consumers are currently preparing and eating meals at home.

Educator Susan Bell provides leadership and support for commercial green industries and home gardeners. She organizes and teaches Extension programs in volunteer development (Master Composter (MC), Master Tree Pruner (MTP), Master Gardener (MG), Continuing Master Gardener (CMG) and Advanced Master Gardener (AMG)).

Bell conducted 53 workshops, 87 field visits and 67 presentations to further these programs. She taught two full MG courses (13 classes each), one MC course (five classes), four MTP workshops and organized monthly classes for CMG and AMG volunteers. Bell evaluated her MG, AMG, MTP, water conservation and gardening/landscape class programs documenting clientele knowledge gained, skill improvements and positive behavioral changes. MG volunteers make presentations, staff diagnostic plant clinics, act as plant sale fundraisers, host radio programs, support Extension through social media sites and write newspaper articles which increase the reach of Ada County’s horticulture programs.

Gardening presentation in the community and 250 days of MG staffed plant diagnostic clinics reached 5,600 people.

Bell assisted with programming for the Idaho Horticulture Expo, Idaho Botanical Garden, Garden City and Lake Hazel libraries, Canyon and Bonneville MG programs, Boise Community Education and Pesticide Applicator CEU training.

She was honored by the Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association with the Gold Medal of Horticulture Award for her efforts in green industry and community education. She and her students maintain 11 plant demonstration sites at the UI Extension, Ada County office to evaluate landscape and garden plants, turf and composting methodologies.

4-H in Ada County

UI Extension, Ada County 4-H reached 275 underserved youth in 2021. Youth participated in programs such as Yoga for Kids, Soccer for Success, STEM, Healthy Habits and other activities.

With the support of the National 4-H Council Walmart Foundation grant ($7,500), the 4-H program was able to engage 109 (63 males and 46 females) youth participates in Soccer for Success and 4-H Healthy Habits programs.

Together with Eat Smart Idaho, 6-8 4-H Healthy Habits

lessons were delivered during the health and wellness portion of the program. Community partners included Sacajawea Elementary School, Whitney Community Center, Northwest Pointe and Caldwell Housing Authority. These sites target underserved groups including ethnic/racial minorities, rural and isolated youth. Youth were able to keep a soccer ball and shin guards at the end of the program to continue working on their soccer skills.

Youth indicated on the 4-H Healthy Habits survey that 71% plan to eat the recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables; 64% plan to stay active; 81% plan to drink the recommended amount of water; and 71% learned about healthy food choices.

Yoga for Kids was delivered at nine sites in Ada County between 2018-2021, reaching over 200 youth. In 20202021, the program was delivered in two new formats, virtual and outdoors to allow for social distancing. Both youth and partners reported both formats worked well and they appreciated the continued programming during a very stressful time. The program was evaluated statewide and results show 89% of youth reporting that exercising is fun and yoga helps them to relax; 58% have shown yoga poses to family members; and 69% have done yoga at home. Youth expressing that exercise is fun is an important social wellbeing indicator. As they share the newly learned yoga poses and try new routines at home, they are setting a path to a positive quality of life. Social interaction and feeling good are proven quality of life indicators in adults. Yoga helps youth improve their physical health practices.

On the Horizon

The Almon W. and Dr. Mary E. Spaulding Ranch is a 20-acre farmstead in Boise. The city’s Master Plan for Spaulding Ranch envisions a center for agriculture history, recreation and experiential education. UI Extension and the City of Boise have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the ranch where the city agrees to continue developing the facilities and partner for the development of agricultural related activities and programming and UI Extension agrees to provide recommendations regarding activities and programming. These proposed opportunities may include hands-on small farms programs for adults, urban livestock and gardening 4-H projects, Harvest Heroes veteran farmer training, 4-H, Idaho Master Gardeners and Master Food Safety volunteer development programs, and Eat Smart Idaho nutrition education for low-income families.

The city plans to begin construction on public access to the agricultural production areas of the site in late Spring 2022 with a desire to begin programming in 2023.

The 4-H program will use ARPA funds to bring new programs like Enrichment, STEM (Edison, Spheros, SPIKEPrimes, etc.), and Cloverbuds to the county. In addition, a $1 million ARPA grant for the Outreach to Military Youth program was awarded in July 2021. In partnership with the Idaho National Guard Army and Airforce Youth and Family Services, two residential summer camps and 10 weekend day camps have been implemented, reaching over 600 youth, and 32 staff, faculty, teens and volunteers have been trained. The partnership continues through August 2022 and plans are to apply for additional funding to continue this program.

EXTENSION TRENDS: ADAMS COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Adams County • www.uidaho.edu/adams

2021 Impact The Ranchers Feeding Youth program offered by UI Extension, Adams County continues to provide programs to schools in Adams, Valley and Washington counties. This event features a half day of youth instruction about the beef cattle industry, including information about the byproduct uses of cattle, day-to-day ranch life and how the industry protects natural resources. Volunteers attend 3-4 schools a year and also provide a local beef lunch prepared by local ranchers. Impacts show an increase in knowledge and more awareness of the beef industry and the different aspects of the rural lifestyle so closely tied to the industry.

2021 By the Numbers • 788 direct contacts • 514 youth participants • 35 volunteers • 180 volunteer hours • $25,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Adams County: Dean Dryden, Sandy Dryden, Dave Veselka, Shirley Florence, Sara Swain, Phil Davis, Sara Warner, Rafaela and Brian Goodwin, Trista Robbins, Katie Tharp, Casey Anderson, Les Nunn, OX Ranch, Adams County Fair Board, Council FFA teachers, Weiser River Cattle Association directors and members, Adams/Valley Farm Bureau directors and members, Meadows Valley and Council school teachers, staff, and leadership, and Adams County Commissioners Mike Paradis, Joe Iveson and Vicki Purdy.

UI Extension Educator Tyanne Roland 208-253-4279 tyanne@uidaho.edu

UI Extension, Adams County also offers cattle industry learning opportunities including beef quality assurance classes for local producers and other topics that will help to strengthen their businesses.

Online programming offerings continue to be successful for youth to complete their annual requirements for fair projects and for adults to continue ongoing learning especially during the winter months.

4-H in Adams County The UI Extension, Adams County 4-H program continues to show growth in participation and new club offerings. Youth also continue to attend district events like the 4-H Adventure Camp and state events like the Know Your Government Conference, State Teen Association Convention and district 4-H camps. Additionally, UI Extension, Adams County continues to collaborate to offer the Idaho 4-H Rangeland Skillathon.

4-H programming is offered in local schools with a variety of events and monthly activities and youth activities are offered throughout the summer with the help of seasonal employees with a passion for youth development and enrichment.

Youth are also actively participating in shooting sports clubs with the help of certified and specially trained volunteers and through grants from the Friends of NRA. The local gun club has also been especially accommodating.

On the Horizon Classes for newer landowners to Adams County are being offered in late summer and fall that focus on rural lifestyle, land management, smaller acreage farming and animal husbandry. Classes for seasoned ranchers will continue in late fall and winter that will help meet their needs.

A dryland grass mix demonstration trial is continuing in partnership with UI Extension, Owyhee County and the OX Ranch.

The highlight of the year is the Adams County Fair where the facility is getting new structures funded by the Adams County Fair Board and the Adams County Commissioners so that there is more capacity. New buildings, new arena and new wash facilities have all been added within the last couple of years. The barns continue to fill with livestock every year and new projects are exhibited yearly as well.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BANNOCK COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Bannock County • www.uidaho.edu/bannock

2021 Impact Educator Reed Findlay has continued his work studying the thrips insect pest in alfalfa crops. This year he extended his research by studying the effects thrips feeding has on alfalfa quality. This will enable him to modify the economic threshold for this pest to include the possible effects on crude protein. He has presented preliminary results of this work at the UI Forage Schools and at the regional Hay Symposium. This study is part of a team of field men, growers, specialists and educators in Blackfoot and Mud Lake.

2021 By the Numbers • 4,579 direct contacts • 1,613 youth participants • 32 volunteers • 1,310 volunteer hours • $6,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Bannock County: Curtis Austin, Evelyn Hitchcock and Eileen Huestis.

UI Extension Educators Reed Findlay 208-236-7310 rfindlay@uidaho.edu

Nikola Dalton 208-236-7312 nmdalton@uidaho.edu

Findlay is also assisting U of I Agronomist Jared Spackman in studying the effects of liming on cereal crops. He also continues to assist in the study of forage cereal production. This study will investigate use of the various grains such as teff, wheat, barley and oats as forage crops and how best to grow them. Findlay has again partnered with other educators and specialists to determine how teff grass responds to herbicides. This data will eventually be used to develop a herbicide label for the crop.

In the area of horticulture, Findlay has initiated apple grafting research to study the effect of bud placement on graft viability.

The 4-H program continues to have a positive impact on the community with continued growth in all areas of projects.

4-H in Bannock County The 4-H program in Bannock County continues to do well. 4-H Camp has grown to over 80 youth attending from Bannock, Butte and Teton counties. The partnership through the 21st Century After School program in School District 25 is continuing. 4-H professionals are providing robotics programming to three elementary schools and one middle school. Schools throughout the county are reached through STEM programs like stomp rockets, dissection labs and robotics, and FCS projects such as learning arts and food and nutrition.

On the Horizon Findlay will continue studying the viability and agronomics of forage crops as well as teff grass in Idaho. Future plans include working with area community gardens and horticultural demonstrations. UI Extension commodity schools such as forage, potato and cereal schools will be a priority as the main vehicle educational efforts directed to agricultural producers. Farm management and succession planning educational activities are also planned for the coming year.

The 4-H program recently completed a teen counselor training at 4-H Alpine Camp with almost 100 youth attending from the Eastern District. This district effort to have a counselor training is to allow teens to network and gain leadership skills useful at camp and in their future. This year Bannock County 4-H was able to attain an AmeriCorps volunteer, which will help extend the programs outreach into the community.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BEAR LAKE COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Bear Lake County • www.uidaho.edu/bearlake

2021 Impact Youth are learning skills and life lessons through involvement in clubs and day camps. There are more teens involved in leadership and youth are learning technology skills through school visits.

4-H in Bear Lake County The Bear Lake County 4-H program has strong participation in day camps. Market livestock had a project completion rate of 97% and there is a strong recruitment to the market livestock program. The livestock coordinator has expanded the 4-H horse program and doubled the number of participants.

On the Horizon 2021 By the Numbers • 6,906 direct contacts • 780 youth participants • 39 volunteers • 772 volunteer hours • $83,403 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Bear Lake County: Blake Wells, Elaine Peterson, Eric Cochran, Jamison McPherson, JC Price, Keven Wells, Mary Jensen, Scott Wells, Wayne Cochran, Shayden Mathews, Kolby Romrell, Ben Eborn and Lorelei Harmon.

UI Extension Educator Kord Killpack 208-847-0345 kkillpack@uidaho.edu

UI Extension, Bear Lake County plans to continue Lego robotics classes in schools again next year. The goal is to teach six lessons in every third, fourth and fifth grade class in Bear Lake County. Participation in market livestock projects continues to grow, allowing for new leaders and expanded clubs.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BENEWAH COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Benewah County • www.uidaho.edu/benewah

2021 Impact

Despite on-going COVID-19 and technology challenges, UI Extension, Benewah County programs were able to move forward in 2021. Most activities and events were held in-person this year, although they may have looked a little different. The 28th annual Sixth Grade Natural Resource Tour was able to travel around the county to natural resource sites again this year, and summer camps, after-school programs, and adult education classes came back in-person and were well attended.

2021 By the Numbers • 2,333 direct contacts • 485 youth participants • 67 volunteers • 1,608 volunteer hours • $219,500 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Benewah County: Becky Harold, Windy Sotin, Erin Reid, Sally Grant, Mary Getz, Gwen Edwards and Nancy Malensky.

UI Extension Educators Gail Silkwood 208-245-2422 gsilkwood@uidaho.edu

Chris Schnepf 208-292-2525 cschnepf@uidaho.edu

Thirty-one forest owners attended the 2021 Thinning and Pruning Field Day held in St. Maries. Many Benewah County residents also attended UI Extension forestry programs held in adjacent Idaho Panhandle counties.

Zoom-based forestry programs held in 2021 on forest health, fire risk reduction for homes located in the wildland urban interface, forestry cost sharing, backyard forests, and a multi-faceted program titled 10 Acres and a Dream reached over 631 participants, including many from Benewah County. In 2021, one Benewah County resident served as a certified UI Extension volunteer with the Idaho Master Forest Stewards.

Collectively, Idaho Master Forest Stewards provided over 530 hours of volunteer service to over 1,000 contacts in 2021.

4-H in Benewah County

The UI Extension, Benewah County 4-H program continued its strong presence, with youth completing their projects during the Benewah County Fair and Horse Show. Four regional livestock online workshops were held, with over 200 attendees from eight states, including 11 presenters from six different states. Due to health outbreaks and weather considerations, the annual fall awards festival was held as an online awards show. Families were encouraged to dress up and cheer for each other. The event was well attended and pictures from the evening show that attendees enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate each other’s success with quite the creativity, including dressing up pets and decorating their chairs for the festive event.

Despite COVID-19 and technology challenges in the past two years, hybrid opportunities have allowed for more dynamic engagement by volunteers and 4-H families to join virtually for meetings and events. This is in part to increased technology infrastructure across the county, more comfortability with online platforms and the new technology available in the UI Extension classroom.

On the Horizon

The Ignite Your Spark youth development program provided the opportunity to offer STEM programming on days when kids were out-ofschool and continued to support homeschool cooperatives and afterschool programs in the district. From lessons on sustainable polymers to simple machines, youth have been engaged with hands-on educational activities. UI Extension hosted a maker’s table at the St. Maries Farmer’s Market, creating an opportunity to experience and access materials for STEM experiments and projects. Funding has been secured to continue the after-school program and to hire AmeriCorps members to help provide these programs. Small farm education will be offered, and the Idaho Master Gardener program has created new outreach and education opportunities for the upcoming year.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BINGHAM COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Bingham County • www.uidaho.edu/bingham

2021 Impact

To address persons with diabetes during the second year of the pandemic, Educator Julie Buck was part of a five-faculty university team of Family and Consumer Science educators who developed the Dining with Diabetes email challenge. This national program was piloted in May 2020 to 228 participants, then offered nationally in November 2020 to 380 participants. The program received the National Extension Association Family and Consumer Sciences Western Region Excellence in Multi State Collaboration Award, and a poster was presented at the National Health Outreach Conference in May 2022.

2021 By the Numbers • 4,550 direct contacts • 1,171 youth participants • 54 volunteers • 2,301 volunteer hours • $25,150 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Bingham County: Evelyn Hitchcock, Eileen Huestis, Jessica Lewis, Lloyd Tolman and Nola Cates.

UI Extension Educators Reed Findlay 208-236-7310 rfindlay@uidaho.edu

Julie Buck 208-785-8060 jhbuck@uidaho.edu

Educator Reed Findlay continued his work studying the thrips insect pest in alfalfa crops. He extended his research by studying the effects thrips feeding has on alfalfa quality. This will enable him to modify the economic threshold for this pest to include the possible effects on crude protein. He has presented preliminary results of this work at UI Forage Schools and at the regional Hay Symposium. This study is part of a team of field men, growers, specialists and educators in Blackfoot and Mud Lake. Findlay is also assisting UI agronomist Jared Spackman in studying the effects of liming on cereal crops. He also continues to assist in the study of forage cereal production. This study will investigate use of the various grains such as teff, wheat, barley and oats as forage crops and how best to grow them. Findlay has again partnered with other educators and specialists to determine how teff grass responds to herbicides. This data will eventually be used to develop a herbicide label for the crop. In the area of horticulture, Findlay has initiated apple grafting research to study the effect of bud placement on graft viability.

4-H in Bingham County

The Cooking Under Pressure class teaches participants how to safely use an electric pressure cooker and prepare a meal to enjoy. This program continues to be popular and was taught in-person at Skyline High School and screen-to-screen for Idaho State University Workforce Training. The class reached 125 youth and 13 adult participants.

The school pantry cook-off taught participants about food insecurity and pantry foods to prepare a meal from foods found in a pantry. This program was taught at Blackfoot High School and is their final project for each semester, reaching 117 youth in 2021.

On the Horizon

The UI Extension 4-H Think, Make, Create Lab trailer will be at the Bingham County Fair in August 2022. The opportunity to share STEM related activities to youth will broaden their 4-H experience. The trailer will also be taken to schools to share with youth during the 2022-23 school year.

Findlay will continue studying the viability and agronomics of forage crops as well as teff grass in Idaho. Future plans include working with area community gardens and horticultural demonstrations. UI Extension commodity schools such as forage, potato and cereal schools will be a priority as the main vehicle for educational efforts directed to agricultural producers. Farm management and succession planning educational activities are also planned for the coming year.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BLAINE COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Blaine County • www.uidaho.edu/blaine

2021 Impact Annie's Project provided education for women in agriculture, with many women improving their risk management skills. Some of the comments after the program included: “The one thing that I did not realize existed was the NRCS web soil map, this is something I can use.” “My goals are to use what I have learned to be able to format my enterprise budgets and cash flow statements to be more user friendly and easier to access information quickly and continue to study our position as far as cost of production, estate planning and leases.” “Decrease debt, become involved in more specialized marketing, really working on financials of each enterprise.”

2021 By the Numbers • 1,780 direct contacts • 714 youth participants • 17 volunteers • 204 volunteer hours • $26,500 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Blaine County: Dick Fosbury, Pat Purdy, Amy Mattias, Lynea Petty, Tracy Green, Susan Kranz and Pamela Donoso.

UI Extension Educators Grant Loomis 208-788-5585 gloomis@uidaho.edu

Chandra Vaughan 208-788-5585 cvaughan@uidaho.edu

The UI Extension, Blaine County 4-H program reached 685 youth with 14 presentations, and 426 indirect contacts through social media.

4-H in Blaine County The following events were held by the UI Extension, Blaine County 4-H program in 2021: camp counselor training; homeschool group Lego robotics camp; Cloverbud day camp animal science lesson; Teen Tent Camp; BCRD/Hunger Coalition youth garden group; Adventure Quest Camp; All Things Wild 4-H Camp; showmanship education day; information booth at Trailing of the Sheep Festival.

On the Horizon Pest Friends, a pest education board game, is emerging out of its development stage and will enter a phase of production to become more available to the public. Pest Friends has been awarded a $100,000 Western SARE professional development grant to continue the development of different pest scenario expansions and to create a webbased version of the game. It is also in the process of being published as a peer-reviewed publication through University of Idaho Extension publishing.

A new eight week 4-H afterschool program will be held in 2022, offering a different activity each week.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BONNER COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Bonner County • www.uidaho.edu/bonner

2021 Impact UI Extension, Bonner County serves the community by offering programs on horticulture, small acreage farming and 4-H youth development. In addition to these programs, UI Extension forestry programs are offered in the county.

2021 By the Numbers • 487 direct contacts • 419 youth participants • 99 volunteers • 227 volunteer hours • $456,860 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Bonner County: Diane Green, Breigh Peterson, Harry Menser, Connie Trotter, Chris Elliot and Sarah Garcia.

UI Extension Educator Jennifer Jensen 208-263-8511 jenjensen@uidaho.edu

Chris Schnepf 208-292-2525 cschnepf@uidaho.edu

One of the main horticulture programs offered in 2021 was the Idaho Master Gardener program. The program was offered both in-person and online which allowed some seasonal residents to participate. The program included over 50 hours of instruction and trained 11 students.

Four of those trainees went on to complete the requirements to become certified Idaho Master Gardener volunteers. Together, all the Master Gardener volunteers contributed 227 volunteer hours helping other gardeners in the community through the plant clinic and event booths.

Work continued to educate beginning farmer and ranchers both in Bonner County and around the state. Virtual trainings were offered on crop production, Digging Deeper: Growing Your Idaho Market Garden, and poultry production, Scratching Below the Surface: Idaho SmallScale Poultry Production. Four hands-on workshop on market garden production were offered with six beginning farmers participating.

A total of 106 forest owners, loggers and professional foresters attended UI Extension forestry programs held in Bonner County, including the Forestry Shortcourse, Measuring Your Trees and Idaho Master Forest Stewards core training sessions. Many Bonner County residents also attended UI Extension forestry programs held in adjacent Idaho Panhandle counties.

Zoom-based programs on forest health, fire risk reduction for homes located in the wildland urban interface, forestry cost sharing, backyard forests and a multi-faceted program titled 10 Acres and a Dream reached over 631 participants, including many from Bonner County. Fifteen Bonner County residents served as certified volunteers with the Idaho Master Forest Stewards. Collectively, Idaho Master Forest Stewards provided over 530 hours of volunteer service to over 1,000 contacts in 2021.

4-H in Bonner County The 4-H Youth Development program in Bonner County focused on organizational and project clubs in 2021. A variety of projects were offered such as cooking, leathercraft, livestock and shooting sports.

There were 413 youth members in the program and 93 adult volunteers.

On the Horizon Hands-on beginning farmer and rancher programs will continue to be offered. The facilities at the University of Idaho Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center have been a great resource for these programs. In 2022, more hands-on market garden workshops as well as poultry production workshops will be offered.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BONNEVILLE COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Bonneville County • www.uidaho.edu/bonneville

2021 Impact

Eastern Idaho Pest Alert newsletters continue to expand and improve, providing pest and beneficial insect information to gardeners from Burley to St Anthony. In the Garden articles for EastIdahoNews.com have increased the horticulture education to local residents. The water check program helps homeowners conserve water while maintaining a healthy landscape. The Idaho Home Garden Tips online classes have provided timely information to local growers in a convenient format. Educator Ron Patterson continues to help with agriculture and farm business management programs.

2021 By the Numbers • 15,806 direct contacts • 5,311 youth participants • 129 volunteers • 12,812 volunteer hours • $88,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Bonneville County: Kathy Duplessis, Danae Schoenborn, Diane Skoy, Marnie Spencer, Donna Whitham, Mark Whitham, Linda Beckstead, Hersh Mynarcik, Wendy Radford, Judy Seydel, Bryon Reed, Catharine Dudley, Gary Lewis, Stan Boyle, Mark Wilson, Steven Boyle, Wendy Horman, Joy Boyle, Heather Rutledge, Emily Fitzpatrick, Cassie Adams, Cassie Humrickhouse, Molly Brinkerhoff, Jan Prudent, Brian Andersen, Karen Foster and Cathy Johnson.

UI Extension Educators Leslee Blanch 208-529-1390 lblanch@uidaho.edu

Ron Patterson 208-529-1390 rpatterson@uidaho.edu

Family and Consumer Sciences programs included regularly scheduled fitness programs, both virtually and in-person, including assisted living chair-based classes. Nutrition topics presented in 2021 included performance nutrition, mindful eating, weight management, healthy aging and meal planning. General wellness topics ranged from cancer prevention and improving sleep, to body alignment and stress management. Local wellness programming partnerships in Bonneville County include: Idaho Falls Police Department, Department of Labor, Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership, Idaho State University Friends for Learning, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and several organizations serving low income community members.

4-H in Bonneville County

The 4-H program in Bonneville County saw some interesting numbers in 2021. COVID-19 restrictions in school classrooms had a significant impact on the ability to reach youth outside of standard 4-H clubs.

However, while numbers of total youth contacts for the year was down 31%, project counts for 4-H were higher. Market livestock projects saw an increase of 6.8% over last year. In FCS programs, there was an increase of 41% over last year’s numbers. Two AmeriCorps volunteers helped with day camps and outreach education. New projects added to the day camp lineup this year focus on outdoor and environmental education, including courses on survival, hiking, sportfishing and a unit on jump rope and healthy living. Dog projects were doubled with the addition of a new 4-H dog club. A hands-on livestock quality assurance clinic was held covering quality issues, management practices, administering medications, reading labels and record keeping, and consumer confidence. 4-H staff also presented a beef consumer education program.

On the Horizon

Patterson will lead a team to develop an online QuickBooks for farmers and ranchers class that will be available to producers across the state.

This delivery will grant access to local producers at times when a strictly local class will not be large enough to justify.

Local partnerships will continue to strengthen the healthy living programming offered by Educator Leslee Blanch to venues throughout the community.

A new 4-H educator will help to continue the strong trajectory of the Bonneville County 4-H program.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BOUNDARY COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Boundary County • www.uidaho.edu/boundary

2021 Impact

The Master Food Safety Advisor program completed its third year with six people completing the program and fulfilling volunteer obligations. They joined the current group of 15 Advanced Master Food Safety volunteers across five counties in North Idaho. This program educates participants with in-depth information regarding handling food safely during harvest, storage, preparation and consumption.

2021 By the Numbers • 3,006 direct contacts • 1,113 youth participants • 68 volunteers • 1,051 volunteer hours • $89,049 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Boundary County: Joan Poppino, Jan Bayer, Shirley Anderson, Liz Bigsby, Kimber Gliden, Sandy Ashworth, Lauren Kuczka, Jack Nelson, Wally Cossairt, Danielle Larsson and Laci Click.

UI Extension Educators Amy Robertson 208-267-3235 amrobertson@uidaho.edu Chris Schnepf 208-292-2525 cschnepf@uidaho.edu

Boundary County participated in the Idaho FORM Project, funded by the Idaho Community Foundation. The University of Idaho-based project focuses on building partnerships in rural Idaho communities with a goal of creating sustainable and evidence-based mental health programs. The program strives to reduce the stigma towards mental health, increase mental health knowledge and access, and decrease the number of suicides in rural Idaho. Three QPR: Suicide Prevention classes and two Mental Health First Aid classes were offered. As a result, 45 community members increased their knowledge on mental health and how to help others experiencing mental health issues. Two community conversations on mental health were also held.

Forty-eight forest owners, loggers and professional foresters attended the Forest Insect and Disease Field Day in Bonners Ferry and many Boundary County residents attended forestry programs held in adjacent counties.

Forestry programs on forest health, fire risk reduction for homes in the wildland urban interface, forestry cost sharing and backyard forests reached over 631 participants. Six Boundary County residents served as Idaho Master Forest Stewards volunteers, helping provide over 530 hours of volunteer service to over 1,000 contacts in 2021.

4-H in Boundary County

There were 234 youth participants in traditional 4-H programs in Boundary County who exhibited projects at the 2021 county fair. There were increases in the number of youths participating in many projects including drawing/art, sheep, beef and ATV. During the 2020-21 school year, a partnership with BCSD 101 resulted in the hiring of a halftime AmeriCorps member, who provided STEAM education at Naples Elementary and 4-H Friday Friends. During the summer, they helped with 4-H day camps, including cooking camp, summer scientist camp, Camp Clover, nature camp, Babysitting 101, a youth farm tour and others.

4-H Friday Friends celebrated its' 14th year of all-day programs offered to elementary children on Fridays during the school year. Community partners participating included the Boundary Volunteer Ambulance, Boundary County Library, Bonners Ferry Fire Station, Idaho Master Gardeners, Boundary County Sheriff, Bonners Ferry Vet, and many others.

The program received almost $19,000 in grants which allowed rates to stay affordable for families as well as the opportunity to increase staff pay.

On the Horizon

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare funding allows for the implementation of programming to help fill gaps with learning loss due to COVID-19. Robotics programming will be offered to youth ages 5-13 across the county and funds will be used to purchase robotics curriculum and materials and pay for two part-time robotics instructors.

The Advanced Idaho Master Gardener program will be offered to retain certified volunteers and increase volunteer hours provided to the community.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BUTTE COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Butte County • www.uidaho.edu/butte

2021 Impact

Classes and workshops were held in the areas of forage production, small grains, pasture, and pest management, allowing farmers the opportunities to improve their skills and maintain their licenses.

The tillage demonstration trial was started in Howe in conjunction with the Butte/South Custer Soil and Water Conservation District.

2021 By the Numbers • 1,880 direct contacts • 114 youth participants • 15 volunteers • 300 volunteer hours • $310 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Butte County: Randy Purser, Michelle Purser, Romero Pancheri, Lacey Pancheri, Brad Huerta, Robert Chambers, Gretta Chambers, Dina Johnson, Melinda Shodin, Colleen Madarieta, Nickolas Hawley, Hadley MacConnell, Monte MacConnell, Anne MacConnell and Brian Harrell.

UI Extension Educator David Callister 208-527-8587 dcallister@uidaho.edu

Community development work is continued with participation in Butte County Economic Development board meetings. Educator David Callister was able to continue teaching youth about the importance of training after high school, how to pay for college and the acquisition of job skills.

The advisory committee met in November and offered an array of topics for classes in 2022. Drought and water management ranked high in priorities.

4-H in Butte County

The 4-H program in Butte County had active beef, cat, chicken, dairy, rabbit, sheep, swine and robotics clubs in 2021. Most youth participated in the Butte County Fair in August. The 4-H market animal sale exceeded previous years' prices and several youth competed in the Eastern Idaho State Fair and Junior Dairy Show.

Callister taught classes on animal nutrition at day camps in Butte and several other counties. Several high school seniors attended coaching sessions on applying to scholarships held in the Extension office.

On the Horizon

Work continues on the tillage demonstration trial in Howe. Two AmeriCorps interns were hired to help with 4-H positive youth development for the summer of 2022.

Callister has joined the Farm Stress Management team, which is teaching around the state of Idaho. The goal of the team is to reduce the number of farmer suicides.

EXTENSION TRENDS: CAMAS COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Camas County • www.uidaho.edu/camas

2021 Impact

The UI Extension, Camas County office saw success in the scholarship, career and leadership education programs in 2021. Thirty teens from seven counties participated in the Second Annual Tent Camp and Leadership Training. Of those attending, 60% became summer camp counselors. Tent Camp gave teens the opportunity to build their leadership NOW skills with both online and face-to-face learning activities. Teens and camp counselors were given the opportunity to gain leadership skills focused on leading small and large groups of 8–12-year-olds in a camping format. Counselors also attended two to four other trainings and were selected to be camp counselors at the July or June summer camp.

2021 By the Numbers • 2,287 direct contacts • 1,279 youth participants • 12 volunteers • 306 volunteer hours • $105,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Camas County: Amy Botz, Angela Thompson, Ben Walters, Chanda Ashmead, Cindy Kinder, Cornelia Williamson, David Sanders, Debbie McLam, Donna Koch, Ed Reagan, Harold Lefler, Jeni Brown, Kristie Olsen, Nathan Whittle, Randy Jewett, Reily Geritz, Roxanne Bell, Tracy Gill, Travis Kramer, Travis Martin, Meghan Burnt.

UI Extension Educator Cindy Kinder 208-764-2230 ckinder@uidaho.edu

Teens who attended leadership and camp counselor trainings were also taught how to conduct a self-mental health check. Reflecting on stresses that can happen as a teen and to recognize when they or a peer is not healthy.

A series of five livestock Zoom sessions were conducted about quality assurance, livestock breeds, feeds, meats and breeding. Members that attended these sessions took the knowledge learned and performed skills at a statewide contest where they placed second and seventh in the senior division and fourth in the junior division, demonstrating they could perform the skills in the contest with the knowledge provided.

4-H in Camas County

A new 4-H Program Coordinator was hired in Camas County in 2021, along with the very first endowed summer intern. Both hires were extremely successful in conducting local programs and writing and receiving external grants. The summer intern helped organize club work, quiz bowl activities, county activities of Jamboree, county demonstrations and three outreach education days. The three new programs expanded the county’s outreach to those who were new to Extension by 85%. The intern learned about grant and report writing, designing and planning one-day and multi-day events, and working with volunteers and community supporters. The intern assisted the county in receiving a grant for $80,000.

On behalf of Camas County 4-H, a grant application to fund 4-H inschool and after-school programming was written. This grant is from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (ARPA), which allowed UI Extension, Camas County to establish three new partnerships with the Camas County Library, Camas County Home School group, and Camas County School District. In addition, the partnership with Camas County 4-H Volunteers and the Camas County Commissioners is continuing.

On the Horizon

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (ARPA) grant programming is underway in 2022. Design and technology, STEM & robotics, farm safety and healthy habit programs are being planned and conducted.

Camas County is also part of a multi-state 4-H Youth Livestock Management Program Evaluation where youth participating in local livestock programs are conducting assessments to determine if program efforts are increasing their knowledge in four main areas: health, feeding, selection and handling.

EXTENSION TRENDS: CANYON COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Canyon County • www.uidaho.edu/canyon

2021 Impact

A survey of PNWPestAlert.net subscribers indicated that 19% were able to reduce the number of sprays applied to crops; pesticide applications were more effective and timelier 47% of the time; and 39% increased the use of field scouting. Subscribers are using approximately 5.56% less pesticides on their crops than before they began using the pest alert network.

Landscape and garden alerts generated 32 alerts, with 43% reporting they were able to manage pest problems more effectively and 21% indicating they spent less time on pest issues.

2021 By the Numbers • 18,899 direct contacts • 73 volunteers • 5,717 volunteer hours • $909,864 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Canyon County.

UI Extension Educators Jerry Neufeld 208-459-6003 jerryn@uidaho.edu

Carrie Clarich 208-459-6003 carriej@uidaho.edu

Educator Jerry Neufeld was part of a team that developed a UI Extension pesticide recertification webinar series, consisting of 12 webinars providing 12 recertification credits. A final survey was completed by 1,356 pesticide applicators. The majority of attendees (97%) believed the webinars were worth their time. An average of 98% indicated they would plan to attend future recertification webinars; 90% thought the online format was convenient; and 82% indicated the online format saved them time and money.

The Plant Diagnostic Clinic logged 1,233 contacts, with 66% indicating an improvement in their skills from information gained at the clinic and 36% indicating they were able to reduce pesticide use. Clients reported saving $28,150 from advice received at the clinic. Thirteen new Idaho Master Gardener volunteers were certified, and 73 total volunteers logged 5,717 hours, a value of $138,580. Volunteers taught 2,529 community members, grew 11,870 pounds of produce and field gleaned 4,047 pounds for a total of 15,917 pounds donated to local food banks.

4-H in Canyon County UI Extension offers traditional 4-H programs, spring and summer day camps, short term enrollment programs (STEP), in-school and afterschool programs, and community celebration events. With over 660 members in 54 clubs, Canyon County is home to one of the largest 4-H programs in Idaho. Youth participate in a wide range of projects and current and new members can complete a project in six to eight weeks in the STEP program. Spring and summer day camps are held at various sites on a variety of topics. Summer day camps in 2021 provided opportunities for 76 youth to learn about STEM, art, food, animals and shooting sports.

Other day camps hosted by 4-H AmeriCorps volunteers focused on STEAM projects and reached over 232 underserved youth.

On the Horizon Neufeld and Professor Jae Ryu are investigating a new method to monitor populations of thrips and mites and resulting crop damage in onions and hops using hyperspectral sensor imagery. Fields are flown with a DJI Matrice with a hyperspectral sensor and a DJI Phantom 4 Pro with a NDVI sensor. Simultaneously, thrips and mites are counted and crop damage assessed in the same fields. The idea is to see if there is a spectral band of light reflectance associated with crop damage caused by these pests.

If it is possible to monitor arthropod pests using a UAV system, then the technology can be adapted for insect scouting for agricultural producers and allied industry.

Junior Master Gardener programs will be taught by Idaho Master Gardener volunteers at various locations around the county.

The 4-H program has received over $685,000 in grants in 2022 from Idaho Health and Welfare, Children Youth and Families at Risk and Idaho Fish and Game. With these grants, programming has been expanded to more out-ofschool time programs, including libraries, schools and 4-H clubs.

EXTENSION TRENDS: CARIBOU COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Caribou County • www.uidaho.edu/caribou

2021 Impact Challenging times led to a reconsideration of how to disperse information. In-person meetings were not an option, but classes were still offered to participants across southeast Idaho using Zoom. Most individuals still prefer attending most events in-person, but there are programs that participants enjoy attending virtually. One of which is Pesticide Applicator Recertification seminars. Participants claim that viewing Pesticide Applicator Recertification seminars remotely saves them money. In the fall of 2021, 131 people attend; collectively they saved $6,733 by attending virtually. In the future, in-person meetings will resume, but a virtual component will be offered if appropriate.

4-H in Caribou County 2021 By the Numbers • 1,613 direct contacts • 179 youth participants • 19 volunteers • 605 volunteer hours • $36,828 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Caribou County: Brett Torgeson, Cameron Williams, Scott Brown, Kyle Wangeman, Eric Simonson, Blair Rindlibaker, Glen Wight, Steve Wight, and Reed Crandall.

UI Extension Educator Justin Hatch 208-547-3205 jlhatch@uidaho.edu

As restrictions lifted, youth were eager to participate in 4-H activities.

Additional staff members during the summer allowed for more programs and activities, including an array of programs for youth to develop life skills. Some of which included: working ranch horse, horse, market animal, sewing, tree identification, geology, astronomy, fishing, 4-H camp and many others.

On the Horizon UI Extension strives to meet the needs of the community by offering relevant programs and conducting local research. Plans are underway to continue assisting with the UI Extension cereal variety trials, the Aphid monitoring network and with grazing studies.

EXTENSION TRENDS: CASSIA COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Cassia County • www.uidaho.edu/cassia

2021 Impact

A high number of food preservers in central Idaho requires trained volunteers to teach food safety and food preservation practices. There are 10 Master Food Safety Advisors in the Central District teaching classes, testing canning equipment and answering critical food safety/food preservation questions.

Healthy Meals for Busy Families was developed to encourage more Idahoans to prepare meals at home. The class covered nutrition and food safety for slow cooker meals, freezer meals and 20–30-minute meals. A smoking and grilling food class began in 2021 with 12 participants increasing their knowledge regarding meat science and the how’s and whys of smoking and grilling meat to perfection.

Increasing the understanding of how to cook different meat cuts was an important part of the class.

2021 By the Numbers • 11,191 direct contacts • 7,478 youth participants • 92 volunteers • 1,000 volunteer hours • $10,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Cassia County: April Bryngelson, Braden Lake, Brandon Brackenbury, Braylund Sanders, Darin Harper, Kelly Anthon, Mick Hodges, Mitchell Searle, Brandi Perry, David Mabey, Kent Searle, Leonard Beck, Amy Christopherson, Donna Gillespie, Jeannie Allen, Ryan Taylor, Nancy Kunau, Beverly Searle, Penne Main, Judge Hodges, Al Barrus, Dorene Allred, Katie Muir, Jodi Hepworth, Kyle Hodges, Alisha Samples and Jay Heward.

UI Extension Educators Joel Packham 208-878-9461 jpackham@uidaho.edu

Grace Wittman 208-878-9461 gwittman@uidaho.edu

Cassia County 4-H continues to develop partnerships and funding from ARPA grants allowed 4-H staff to teach STEM in local schools. The livestock program continues to be successful and FCS and at-home programs have expanded to include smaller communities.

Five operations attended a virtual succession planning class where they learned the correct questions to ask as they meet with professionals. Cover crop research demonstrated that 44-inch spacing between twin row corn was more productive for the corn and for the cover crop interseeded into the corn canopy, compared to 60 inches between double rows. Other cover crop research includes testing the use of biostimulents in raising corn.

4-H in Cassia County

Educator Grace Wittman advises the Idaho 4-H State Teen Association officers and helped form a committee to determine the leadership development needs of Idaho 4-H teens. A virtual program was developed with sessions focused on different aspects of leadership and the completion of a service-learning project.

Exploring the Treasures of 4-H summer classes introduce 4-H curriculum to youth, allowing for participation outside the traditional club experience. The Food, Fun and Fitness in the park program delivers STEAM programs for eight weeks to 150-200 underserved youth each week. Staff present at the Cassia County School District fourth grade history day to approximately 250 youth and 25 adults. Youth at local schools also learned about open and closed circuits and how electricity works as part of an ARPA grant funded project.

The livestock program included the showing and sale of 396 head of livestock with an average above market price of over $1,785 per project. Dairy project participants gained speaking and presentation skills as they learned about the dairy industry and gave an oral report to judges prior to the fair.

On the Horizon

UI Extension FCS educators have discovered a need for individuals to learn more about cooking in a timely and healthy manner. Data collected from the first year of classes will be used to determine if needs are being met and what else people are interested in learning. The goal is to help Idaho families make healthy meals at home while saving money.

4-H STEAM programming will be offered to youth in local elementary schools.

Trained shooting sport instructors and equipment from an NRA grant will allow for a wider variety of shooting sports.

Cover crop research will continue. Educator Joel Packham is planting grazing corn into established pasture on a working ranch to provide additional grazing during the winter months. Smoking and grilling foods will be offered in Cassia and surrounding counties. Training is being provided to Extension educators about succession and estate planning to improve classes and help producers prepare for this inevitable time on their operations. Farm and ranch management classes will include record keeping using computer programs like Quick Books or Wave.

EXTENSION TRENDS: CLARK COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Clark County • www.uidaho.edu/clark

2021 Impact UI Extension, Clark County offers most 4-H classes free of charge to youth in the area. With the decreasing budget at the school many elective programs have been cut. Office staff collaborate with the Clark County School District and city library to give youth opportunities to learn new skills and to be involved during the summer months. The 4-H program gives them a chance to explore other interests they may have, and always strive to do the best they can.

2021 By the Numbers • 792 direct contacts • 38 youth participants • 7 volunteers • 300 volunteer hours

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Clark County: Jill Grover, Brenda Laird, Lorrie Clark, Amy Mickelsen, Bailey Downs, Danette Frederiksen and Valeri Steigerwald.

UI Extension Educator Joseph Sagers 208-374-5405 jsagers@uidaho.edu

After a brief hiatus due to COVID-19, agricultural education was held in-person in Clark County in 2021. Agricultural producers the public were invited to learn more about forages and beef production through UI Extension. Educator Joseph Sagers was also involved with research being conducted throughout eastern Idaho focused primarily on rangeland management, forages, cereal grains and alternative crops to provide data applicable to Clark County producers. A total of 14 presentations were planned and conducted (four in-person, six web-based synchronous and four web-based asynchronous); three engagement/facilitation activities were held; additional education was provided through four newsletter articles and 43 newspaper articles; 792 (63 minority) direct contacts were reported, including 547 teaching and 245 engagement contacts; and 2,040,000 indirect contacts were reached.

4-H in Clark County 4-H classes were well attended in 2021 and the livestock program has a lot of new faces. The arts with mosaics, paints, and rug making programs were expanded, shooting sports and rocketry are always a big hit, and the sewing classes offered were full every day.

On the Horizon The 4-H program in Clark County has been approved for an IYS Building Program Capacity grant with the University of Idaho which will bring new supplies, equipment and an AmeriCorps member to the county. Classes for summer 2022 have doubled to expand the curriculum offered. The 4-H program is also working towards setting up an archery club for after school and investigating activities to offer on one or two Fridays every month targeting sciences in the lower grades.

EXTENSION TRENDS: CLEARWATER COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Clearwater County • www.uidaho.edu/clearwater

2021 Impact

2021 By the Numbers • 4,309 direct contacts • 441 youth participants • 54 volunteers • 2,500 volunteer hours • $56,400 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Clearwater County: County Commissioners, Chris St. Germain, Alex Irby, Eileen Rowan, Norm Tomlinson, Larry Taylor, NRCS, Clearwater Soil and Water Conservation District Board and our many workshop patrons.

UI Extension Educator William A. Warren 208-476-4434 williamw@uidaho.edu

Despite the challenges of the continuing pandemic, UI Extension, Clearwater County conducted 10 adult education events (seven of them virtual) reaching 257 clients, representing 4,041,688 acres of land, and 93 new clients. Workshop topics included Introduction to Small-Scale Grass-Fed Beef Production for the Rural Landowner, Weed Management in Field and Forest, Natural Resource Planning for Rural Landowners, How to Plan and Manage a Timber Harvest on Your Property, Managing for Forest Resilience, Wildlife Management for Landowners, Forest Insects and Disease Field Day, Anticipated Effects of Climate Change on Forests and Other Ecosystems, and Preparing for the 2021 Wildfire Season: Reducing Wildfire Risk to Your Home and Outbuildings. In addition, presentations were made at the Idaho Forest Owners Association annual field day, the Clearwater Basin Collaborative and at national conferences.

UI Extension took the lead on a program in partnership with Clearwater Basin Collaborative to host a two-night webinar series on Clearwater Basin Elk: History, Research and Management. A total of 107 people registered for the event and over 50 viewed the recording online. Elk biologists and researchers were brought together from the US Forest Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, University of Idaho and other organizations to present. The program won a national Achievement Award for Outstanding Team from the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals.

Adult direct engagement activities increased by 43% over 2020 to 102, and direct adult engagement contacts went up 43% to 1,244. Adult education programs bring attendees the latest science on land management to encourage sound land stewardship and the perpetuation of Idaho’s abundant natural resources and their use to provide a robust economy for rural Idaho.

4-H in Clearwater County

Clearwater County 4-H continued to see growth in all areas, most importantly, enrolled members and projects. 4-H market animal projects were the highest of the last 20 years at 82 completed projects.

4-H volunteers conducted in-person meetings and four project camps along with community service, making 1,600 contacts. Social media continues to be an effective way to communicate with families and the community with over 20,000 views. Resuming CL2N 4-H Camp after postponing a year due to the pandemic, with a new location, enhanced safety procedures, and eager volunteers and teen leaders made camp a success for 134 campers.

Community support made the 2021 livestock auction the highest grossing in program history. Just over $156,000 was raised for local 4-H youth.

On the Horizon

In 2022, renewed live programing and forest tours are planned, as well as a continuation of some programs delivered virtually, including a webinar on climate change and salmon in the Snake River Basin. The highly popular workshop, Current Topics of Farm and Forest Health, will return, and other workshops that offer ISDA pesticide applicator credits will be offered for many clients who hold applicator licenses.

4-H market animal project growth necessitates improvements to the fair barn to accommodate the animals. Clearwater County Commissioners will fund a $20,000 project to replace the old, wood swine pens with new, galvanized metal pens.

EXTENSION TRENDS: CUSTER COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Custer County • www.uidaho.edu/custer

2021 Impact

UI Extension, Custer County continued to serve clientele and meet their needs through a variety of methods in 2021, including 19 presentations, 23 engagement classes and workshops, 11 in-person and 43 web-based professional development trainings/events, and serving on 13 local, district, state, and regional committees.

2021 By the Numbers • 2,383 direct contacts • 79 youth participants • 30 volunteers • $5,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Custer County.

UI Extension Educator Sarah Baker 208-879-2344 sdbaker@uidaho.edu

Educator Sarah Baker held programs on livestock production and marketing, specifically beef end-product quality. This included meat cutting demonstrations for beef producers, chefs, retailers and social media influencers, and carcass contests for 4-H and FFA members. She collaborated with the local Farm Bureau on a workshop for beef producers and business owners to answer questions and provide information about COVID-19 funding resources. She served on the Idaho Young Cattle Producer’s Conference committee and helped conduct the 5th annual event. She coordinated Ag Week activites, providing educational programs in every elementary classroom in the county.

In conjunction with the Custer Soil and Water Conservation District, Baker provided programming during the 5th Grade Conservation Tour and Natural Resource Day at the local elementary school. She conducted field visits and addressed calls from beef producers, including soil and hay testing consultations, fertilizer recommendations, nitrate testing of annual forages and weed identification and management. This included calls on pasture management, grasshopper infestations, ground squirrel, vole, and gopher control, and other pest management programs. She served as a resource on public rangeland policy issues, including assisting ranchers in completing year-end monitoring requirements on public rangelands.

4-H in Custer County

The 4-H program is primarily composed of livestock projects, but includes active leadership and shooting sports clubs. The State Teen Association president and Eastern District representative all hail from Custer County.

Leadership club members attended statewide leadership events, including Know Your Government, Ambassadors and the Idaho 4-H State Teen Association Convention. Members brought information back to the county and encouraged other youth to become involved in these great leadership opportunities. 4-H members conducted the annual flower barrel fundraiser, planting flower barrels for local businesses in Challis and Mackay.

Livestock program numbers were up in market beef, swine and lamb projects. 2021 saw the largest sale on record, with 70 animals sold for a total of $292,233, topping 2020’s total of $227,140 for 59 animals.

Market lambs averaged $15.85/lb compared to 2020's $11.94/lb. Market steers averaged over $7,500/animal; sheep averaged over $2,300/animal; and hogs averaged over $2,600/animal. Add-on contributions were over $50,000 compared to just over $38,000 at the 2020 sale.

On the Horizon

Volunteers, community partners and Vandal alumni gathered to welcome U of I President Scott Green and presented program highlights showcasing the reach the office and volunteers have on the local community and economy.

UI Extension, Custer County provides educational programming and resources to community members in Challis, Mackay, Stanley and Clayton, as well as many other small rural populations. The office is small with only one educator and numerous volunteers, but they are excited to be a resource to the community offering programming in livestock, beef endproduct quality, range management and 4-H youth development.

EXTENSION TRENDS: ELMORE COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Elmore County • www.uidaho.edu/elmore

2021 Impact

Educator Brad Stokes organizes a yearly pesticide recertification course for agricultural and horticultural professionals in Elmore County. He also bridges the gap with various research projects that are directly applicable to local growers and their crops. Stokes and his program assistant help judge the National Corn Yield Contest every fall for several county corn grain producers and he responds to various agricultural and ranching related questions across the county to help solve real-world problems in Elmore County.

2021 By the Numbers • 1,178 direct contacts • 229 youth participants • 71 volunteers • 2,580 volunteer hours • $69,760 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Elmore County: Justin Wootan, Jared Zito, Billy Wolfe, Kya Vines-Bideganeta, Jason Nettleton, Jennifer Gilbert, Jeff Blanksma, Billy Galloska and Julie Lisle.

UI Extension Educator Brad Stokes 208-590-2286 bstokes@uidaho.edu

Stokes recruited, taught and developed an Idaho Master Gardener class of eight individuals in spring 2021. Master Gardeners for 2023 will be recruited starting in mid-summer of 2022. Master Gardeners are solely involved in planting, growing and managing the Community Garden in Mountain Home. The majority of food and fresh produce is donated back into the community. Stokes responds to various horticultural and insect/ arthropod related questions in the community and responds to questions through UI Extension’s Idaho Insect Identification website.

Stokes oversees the Elmore County 4-H program, coordinated by Nadine Cook, and expanded the shooting sports program to include shotgun, pistol and rifle projects and adult certified leaders. A part-time 4-H program assistant, Jami Davis, was hired to expand programming to include after-school projects, including a five-week entomology science course, drone classes and sewing for youth.

4-H in Elmore County

UI Extension, Elmore County's 4-H program encompasses 237 youth in various traditional and innovative projects. Youth can choose from 29 projects led by 4-H leaders in over 20 clubs throughout Elmore County.

The 4-H program is led by Nadine Cook who has been a remarkable asset for program implementation, youth members and 4-H leader development and training. Shooting sports continues to be a popular attraction, as well as the majority of traditional 4-H livestock projects.

The afterschool 4-H programming encompasses sewing, entomology science and visual arts to provide additional opportunities.

Through the National 4-H Council National Mentoring Program (NMP 11) grant, Stokes oversees Mountain Home Air Force Base programming and Jami Davis serves as site coordinator. Davis provides mentor/mentee matching for 60 youth and 15 mentors using healthy living curriculum.

All Elmore County youth programs have continued to see tremendous success with amazing community and county support.

On the Horizon

Stokes has started the second bee sample for the Elmore County Bee Survey Project to complete a four-year study on native and introduced bee species in Elmore County. The survey project encompasses a 100plus mile trap set across the majority of Elmore County, including a small portion of Owyhee County. A study of this magnitude scientifically documents the current species found and explores hypotheses concerning the richness of bee species in the county for the future.

EXTENSION TRENDS: FORT HALL RESERVATION University of Idaho Extension, Fort Hall Reservation • www.uidaho.edu/forthall

2021 Impact

2021 By the Numbers • 2,275 direct contacts • 753 youth participants • 8 volunteers • 74 volunteer hours • $109,516 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help develop programming and disseminate the work we do for UI Extension, Fort Hall Reservation through our five advisory boards in beef, range, general agriculture, horticulture and 4-H/youth development.

UI Extension Educator Danielle Gunn 208-236-1046 dgunn@uidaho.edu

In 2021, the Fort Hall Reservation was under continued COVID-19 regulations.

Many programs could not be conducted, so community and agricultural needs were assessed and addressed using smaller scale outreach techniques.

Through creative programming and outreach methods, the UI Extension, Fort Hall Reservation program continued a beef marketing program and conducted three small scale beef marketing workshops for producers who were unable to sell their calves due to COVID-19 market disruptions and the loss of a major cattle buyer. As a result, several affected producers were able to market and sell hundreds of calves at a more competitive price. The producers also gained knowledge and skills regarding how to use online beef marketing tools and have implemented skills learned from this program for two years. Eight (reduced number due to COVID-19) producers were led in the evaluation of 177 bulls.

No bulls (0% rejection rate) were rejected which demonstrated significant achievement and improvement in bull quality selection. If bulls are rejected, the producer must replace them. This is the first year out of a 22-year program that a 0% rejection rate has been achieved. Additionally, 56% of bulls graded “A.” This quality improvement and impact results in significant savings for producers as bull purchase prices are ≥$3,000/bull. The bull grading program collectively saved ranchers approximately $18,000/year in bull purchases.

In the area of horticulture, the UI Extension, Fort Hall Reservation program was part of a tribal cultural committee organized to develop a native plant garden at the Fort Hall Tribal Museum. Collaboration with UI Extension Horticulture Specialist Steve Love led to the selection of the most beneficial native plants for this garden. Cooperation with U of I’s landscape architecture program resulted in the development of incredible garden plans. This project is ongoing with plans to begin garden implementation this summer.

Fort Hall Reservation 4-H

Educator Danielle Gunn collaborated with Tribal 4-H Program Director Nola Cates to provide COVID-19 compliant Tribal Youth in Ag programming.

Due to tribal restrictions, regular 4-H programming was not allowed in the small office space. In response, Gunn and Cates traveled to the tribal early childhood development facility where social distancing could be practiced to teach classes. Six scientific lessons and hands-on activities were developed to teach agricultural practices to youth. Additionally, 10 youth livestock projects were completed (seven lamb, two beef and one poultry).

Programming also included lamb and beef showmanship classes. All youth showed and sold their projects at the local county fair. Youth also conducted two large successful fundraising activities to offset their livestock production costs. As a result, 100% of these youth stated they had gained invaluable skills in responsibility, finances, leadership and project management.

On the Horizon

A new range spring development program for 2022-23 is being developed which will include formal class training to teach spring development techniques. Formal class training will be followed by hands-on training of developing at least one spring on tribal rangeland. Through this class, producers will learn how to properly develop springs to provide a clean and adequate water source for livestock and wildlife, conserve natural resources and improve water quality.

EXTENSION TRENDS: FRANKLIN COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Franklin County • www.uidaho.edu/franklin

2021 Impact

Educator Laura Sant taught 67 classes and wrote 30 newspaper articles in 2021. She taught three six-week sessions of Preserve@Home with other Extension educators from Idaho, Oregon, Colorado and Wyoming, with 86% participants completing the class with a grade of 70% or higher showing increased knowledge of safe home food preservation practices. Twenty-seven participants completed a post survey and between 33-70% reported learning new skills, and 93-100% indicated intention to do the skills/behaviors in the future.

Ninety-three pressure-canner dial gauges were checked for accuracy in Franklin County. Of these gauges, 23% were accurate, 74% had to be adjusted and 33% had to be replaced.

2021 By the Numbers • 1,646 direct contacts • 310 youth participants • 45 volunteers • 287 volunteer hours

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Franklin County: Spencer Barzee, Jeff Palmer, Angela Beckstead, Stanley Packer, Carol Packer, Jeannine Groll, Julie Johnson, Minnie Christensen, Kelly Keller, Lucinda Bingham, Marc C. Gee, Sheena Jones, Dirk Bowles, Robert Swainston, Boyd Burbank, Claudia Erickson, Necia Seamons, Kathy Winward, Pat Bowles and Verlene Knapp.

UI Extension Educators Bracken Henderson 208-852-1097 brackenh@uidaho.edu

Laura Sant 208-852-1097 lsant@uidaho.edu

56% of county employees made a lifestyle goal to maintain or improve health at the beginning of the year and received a $50 incentive. 77% of those who made goals reached and maintained their goal and attended at least two educational classes. They received an additional $50 incentive at the end of the year.

4-H in Franklin County 4-H members enrolled in 959 projects in Franklin County in 2021, completing 77% of their projects. Sant taught or co-taught three projects (12 classes). She also taught three school enrichment programs (41 classes), including Bread in the Bag (6); Recruitment (4); and Ready, Set, Food Safe (31). She helped to plan and conduct the Alpine 4-H Camp for Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin and Power counties, hosted two sessions at camp and co-taught one camp counselor training. Sant assisted with planning and presenting 4-H projects, contests and activities at the Franklin County Fair and EISF and also served as the EISF 4-H Building Chair.

On the Horizon

Sant plans to offer more Mental Health First Aid classes to county employees and community members in the upcoming year.

EXTENSION TRENDS: GEM/BOISE COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Gem and Boise County • www.uidaho.edu/gem

2021 Impact

2021 By the Numbers • 2,935 direct contacts • 1,116 youth participants • 65 volunteers • 5,416 volunteer hours

UI Extension Educator Rebecca Mills 208-365-6363 rmills@uidaho.edu

Small acreage landowner support continued in 2021 with site visits and consultations with 15 landowners with questions from pasture management and livestock grazing design, to livestock care and weed control. Of the individuals assisted, three went on to register for longer course offerings and four reported back the positive impact that the information provided has had on their land management. These individuals are overcoming struggles with weed problems, improving their pastures with beneficial grasses and increasing their carrying capacity with management intensive grazing practices. One gentleman owns 39 acres that he’s been renting to a local farmer for many years. He questioned if he was getting the appropriate amount of rent from the lease and had desires to go a different direction. Educator Rebecca Mills connected him with Idaho Land Link and another colleague that works closely with ag economics. He responded with the following via email: “Thank you for the information you sent, I appreciate it very much. I think I will be able to work through the issues and get to a much better place than I am at now with the information you provided.”

4-H in Gem and Boise County A highlight of the Gem and Boise counties 4-H program are the 4-H School Enrichment classes taught at Gem County elementary schools.

In May 2021, 16 teachers were surveyed regarding the impact of the school enrichment activities. All teachers responded as being somewhat satisfied to extremely satisfied with the following: age appropriateness of the activities; connection of activities to other curriculum covered in the classroom; educational value of activities; and creativity of activities.

Most teachers (70%) strongly agreed that the hands-on delivery method improves learning and retention; that staff members are caring adults who create an inclusive environment and foster positive relationships with students; that the activities promote independent thinking and problem solving; and that the activities are not only an asset in their classrooms but would be an asset to other elementary classrooms. These indicators align with established youth development research about the power of 4-H. The data from this survey was used during budget negotiations with the Gem County Commissioners resulting in the expansion of the 19 hour/week position that oversees and delivers the in-school enrichment program to a full time salaried/benefited position resulting in a budget increase of $35,618 ($21,102 in salaries and $14,516 in benefits).

On the Horizon In 2022, the Gem and Boise counties 4-H program will be hosting a group of 4-H members from Michigan in a State-to-State Exchange.

There will also be expanded offerings with small acreage courses with the addition of on-farm poultry tours held across the state.

EXTENSION TRENDS: GOODING COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Gooding County • www.uidaho.edu/gooding

2021 Impact

The Gooding Community Garden produced 7,600 pounds of fresh produce donated to underserved audiences. Presentations included cover crops, drought-tolerant grasses, pollinator habitat, fruit trees planting and care, storm runoff capturing and community gatherings. Active research and trials included covers crop research, a field day, compost and vermicompost classes, and soil amendments for corn silage.

2021 By the Numbers • 6,538 direct contacts • 3,060 youth participants • 35 volunteers • 120 volunteer hours • $511,448 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Gooding County: Mark Bolduc, Susan Bolton, Cooper Brossy, Ron Buhler, Larry Bybee, Ricky Fritz, Kay Hults, Sue Johnson, Jessica Knapp, Barb Messick, Tanya Oldham, Leigh Patterson, Jamie Price, Chris Pruett, Derek Romer, Megan Satterwhite, Arlene Shaw, Jordan Stebbins, Isaac Tellez, Jaren Wadsworth and Larry Walton.

UI Extension Educators Mario de Haro Martí 208-934-4417 mdeharo@uidaho.edu

Cindy Kinder 208-934-4417 ckinder@uidaho.edu

The Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE) was formed to develop and deliver immunization education to underserved audiences. EXCITE and Idaho State University School of Pharmacy provided voluntary immunizations and employers and organizations helped reach farm, manufacturing and service industry workers.

The Gooding County High School Science Fair provided opportunities to learn and practice the scientific method. Forty projects were presented by 55 students in 10 divisions. Of those, 11 students went to state and state winners entered the National FFA Agriscience Career Development Contest. Five local businesses hosted research projects and sponsored awards. Surveys and interviews found an increased knowledge of science and technology careers, food science, animal agriculture and natural resource systems. 21% are interested in a science-related career.

Family Focus on Mental Health brought families together to learn a skill like embroidery, crochet, cardmaking, sewing or heritage button crafting.

4-H in Gooding County UI Extension, Gooding County continued to support 4-H families, volunteers and the community by offering flexible programming, safety guidelines and other support. Classes included leathercrafting, cake decorating and Create Art Now, an eight-week series. Despite continued challenges, 193 animal projects and 26 other projects were presented at the 2021 Gooding County 4-H Fair. Horse education events were held to increase 4-H members’ skills and knowledge of horse management and volunteer training was conducted at county and district levels.

AmeriCorps Youth Instructor Jennifer Hamilton lead STEAM activities throughout the year, including Summer Space Exploration, Oil Painting without Rules, Family Friendly Gardening, Pumpkin Bash and December Holiday STEAM Activity. At the Pumpkin Bash, youth learned about 4-H shooting sport programs, including archery, and built catapults. In-and after-school STEAM programming was provided at various schools throughout the county.

On the Horizon The Gooding Community Garden will expand to produce and make available fresh vegetables to underserved and at-risk populations.

Research and Extension programs related to the long-term USDA-SAS grant, rebranded to Idaho Sustainable Initiative for Dairy (ISAID), will be generating its first sets of research data.

The 4-H program will hold a small animal education day, dairy education day and cake decorating series. Four multi-week summer STEAM programs and Lego robotics activities will be held. Gooding County is also taking part in a multi-state livestock management program evaluation.

Youth in local livestock programs are conducting assessments to determine if program efforts are increasing their knowledge in four main areas: health, feeding, selection and handling.

EXTENSION TRENDS: IDAHO COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Idaho County • www.uidaho.edu/idaho

2021 Impact

Educator Kirstin Jensen collaborated with Partnership for Community Health to offer Walk the Prairie & Beyond – HD, a community walking program offered through Facebook. She also developed and presented educational videos for the challenge and provided weekly feedback.

Jensen partnered with another UI Extension educator to offer two Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses and certified 22 participants.

MHFA teaches participants how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Evidence demonstrates that the program helps trainees identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

2021 By the Numbers • 4,589 direct contacts • 1,314 youth participants • 128 volunteers • 5,680 volunteer hours • $1,600 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Idaho County: Katrena Hauger, Andrea Solberg, Dustin Elliot, Eve McColloch, Lance McColloch, Kristi Brooks, Teri Wassmuth, Mary Charley, Heather Kestner, Leslie McIntire, Tammy Nail and Sarah Walters.

UI Extension Educator Kirstin Jensen 208-983-2667 kdjensen@uidaho.edu

Jensen also planned and conducted events for PICH Extreme Adventure Club to 142 participants.

UI Extension, Idaho County and UI Extension, Lewis County offered Idaho Master Gardener training in Grangeville in 2021. This new group of 10 volunteers is very enthusiastic about gardening and has great ideas.

Classes were held each week on different topics including landscaping, soils, fruit trees, plant disease and insect management.

A training course on water bath and pressure canning was offered in partnership with the Grangevill Elks Lodge to 49 community members.

The Elks received a grant to purchase canning supplies and the class taught basic canning techniques, pressure canning safety, the importance of acids in canning, calculating appropriate and safe cooking time intervals for different foods and food safety. Each participant canned their own jar of apples and carrots.

4-H in Idaho County

Idaho County is a large and geographically diverse area with seven communities spread throughout the rural county in different time zones.

This presents unique issues when planning 4-H events. There are 17 organized 4-H clubs with at least one club in each of the communities.

Over 400 youth participated in clubs and activities in 2021 with over 90 adult volunteers leading the way.

The 4-H program has two teen leadership development groups. The 4-H Ambassador program is for teens in 9th-12th grade. Ten teens are selected each fall to participate in monthly meetings designed to develop leadership, public speaking and organizational skills. 4-H M.O.D. Squad (Members of Distinction) is for teens in 7th-8th grade. This group meets three times during the 4-H year and is designed for members who are ready to expand their leadership skills outside of club activities. Members of this group have a leadership role in county activities held throughout the year. Twelve teens participated in 2021.

On the Horizon

Jensen worked with a team to develop the Five for Five physical activity add-on curriculum consisting of mindfulness, cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance and bone strengthening, muscular strength, and flexibility and balance. Five for Five is designed to be offered in just five minutes time with an overall goal of increasing physical activity for all ages. By using this add-on curriculum within existing Extension programs, participants are provided access to new, fun and achievable types of activity which they can take with them.

EXTENSION TRENDS: JEFFERSON COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Jefferson County • www.uidaho.edu/jefferson

2021 Impact FCS Educator Lorie Dye taught classes on pressure cooker meals, making freezer meals, a five-week food preservation course and taught nutrition classes in the local elementary schools. Because of food supply issues, consumers have created unsafe remedies and posted them on social media. Dye created posts on Facebook concerning safe food practices for current issues. Newsletters were written and many phone call questions were answered concerning food safety. Dye was also awarded a $135,000 Idaho Community Program Grant (ARPA) addressing learning loss.

2021 By the Numbers • 9,629 direct contacts • 523 youth participants • 55 volunteers • 1,400 volunteer hours • $135,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Jefferson County.

UI Extension Educators Lorie Dye 208-745-6685 ldye@uidaho.edu

Joseph Sagers 208-745-6685 jsagers@uidaho.edu

Educator Joseph Sagers offered agricultural education in person throughout Jefferson County in 2021. Agricultural producers attended and the public was invited to learn more about forages, cereals, pest management, weed control, beef production and gardening. Sagers was also involved with research being conducted throughout Eastern Idaho focused primarily on forages, cereal grains and alternative crops to provide data applicable to Jefferson County producers.

4-H in Jefferson County UI Extension, Jefferson County has a strong 4-H program. The shooting sports program continues to grow due to 4-H Assistant Amanda Hickman’s efforts. Sue Walker heads up the horse program in the county and district, the largest horse program in the state. Walker’s passion for youth having a positive experience with their horse drives the program.

With the community program grant funds, after-school programs at Harwood and Roberts Elementary were established. Two employees and three interns were hired through grant funds to teach these programs.

They use the 4-H hands-on learning model and have been very successful.

On the Horizon Dye will continue to teach classes in food preservation and cooking trends. She will also continue managing the Idaho Community Grant and coaching interns teaching the 4-H after-school program.

Sagers will continue to provide educational opportunities to farmers in Jefferson County and respond to local needs as they arrive.

The 4-H program will continue to grow and expand. Receiving the Idaho Community Program Grant has allowed for 4-H programing to be offered to youth that have not previously been involved in 4-H due to lack funds and program availability in their area.

EXTENSION TRENDS: JEROME COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Jerome County • www.uidaho.edu/jerome

2021 Impact

Educator Steven Hines continues to work on advancing the knowledge of cover crop growth and adaptation. There is little regional data about cover crop use in the Western U.S. Cover crop adoption is growing, and there are many unanswered questions about specific uses and species, and how cover crops will work in various production systems. Hines is in the third year of a project growing cover crop species at the Kimberly Research and Extension Center where personal experience in growing the species will help Extension faculty, and other agency personnel, answer cover crop questions.

2021 By the Numbers • 2,871 direct contacts • 1,010 youth participants • 43 volunteers • 220 volunteer hours • $237,907 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Jerome County: Debbie Hartley, Laurie Lickley, Michelle Emerson, Charles Howell, Ben Crouch, John Crozier, Gary Warr, Becky Warr, Jack Nelson, Brady Fife, Tianna Fife, Jim Patrick, Clark Kauffman, Roger Wells, Kim Lickley, Mike Knutz, Kyli Gough, Amy Worthington, Doug Huettig, Dara Carpenter, Andrea Wiesenmeyer and Eddee Gallegos.

UI Extension Educators Steven Hines 208-324-7578 shines@uidaho.edu

Gretchen Manker 208-324-7578 gretchenm@uidaho.edu

The 4-H program has impacted almost 100 Latinx youth with community and in-school programs. They are learning life skills, STEAM programming and college and career readiness. Community club members are learning record keeping, goal setting and other life skills to help them be successful.

Educator Gretchen Manker collaborated with UI Extension Central District colleagues to coordinate a Preserving with Purpose partnership with the Martha and Mary Food Pantry. The pantry received funding from a local medical system to purchase food dehydrators, food preservation books and reusable storage bags for participants and underserved and low-income audiences were educated on food preservation methods with a focus on dehydrating. Three classes were taught to 44 participants and community volunteers translated each class for the 25 Spanish speaking participants.

4-H in Jerome County

Most of the 4-H youth in Jerome County are involved with community clubs and have animal projects. Summer programming in STEAM is offered through AmeriCorps and ARPA grants to broaden the scope of activities and events. Livestock numbers are constantly increasing.

The Juntos 4-H program, hosted by Jerome High School, has been serving students and families since 2018. The program is funded by a five-year USDA-CYFAR grant, which funds the Juntos coordinator, STAC and program needs. Juntos 4-H served 77 students in 2021 with 16 family events and 4-H club meetings along with 55+ hours of one-to-one student success coaching. This is the first Juntos program in the nation implemented as a for-credit elective offered during the regular school day with bi-weekly 4-H club meetings during class time. Juntos is typically implemented as a biweekly after-school program.

On the Horizon

Hines received a $5,000 Extension Innovation Grant to conduct a project with a Jerome County cattle producer using cover crops to extend the grazing season and explore ways to develop new pastures without losing any grazing opportunity through the establishment season. A grower in Twin Falls County is going to try a cover crop interseeding to corn practice Hines has been demonstrating for a couple of years.

The 4-H program is continuing with ARPA grant and AmeriCorps funded projects for 2022 focused on STEAM activities and programming in partnership with the library, picnic in the park, recreation center summer camp and the local fair board.

The first cohort of Juntos students graduated in 2022 and a new 8th grade in-school club will be offered at Jerome Middle School in the fall.

Manker will continue to offer food preservation classes with the local food pantry, with a focus on dehydrating and water bath canning.

EXTENSION TRENDS: KOOTENAI COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Kootenai County • www.uidaho.edu/kootenai

2021 Impact

UI Extension, Kootenai County offers forestry, family and consumer sciences (FCS), home horticulture, water quality, and 4-H youth development programming and education.

2021 By the Numbers • 23,435 direct contacts • 2,199 youth participants • 51 volunteers • 3,472 volunteer hours • $309,725 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Kootenai County.

UI Extension Educators Shelly Johnson 208-292-2525 sjohnson@uidaho.edu

Chris Schnepf 208-292-2525 cschnepf@uidaho.edu Jim Ekins 208-292-1287 jekins@uidaho.edu

FCS programs focus on nutrition, wellness and obesity prevention. The UI Extension Northern District’s Eat Smart Idaho program is managed in Kootenai County and focuses efforts on access to healthier foods for low-income families. Programming includes the Smarter Lunchroom Movement in three local school districts and Healthy Food Pantry/Healthy Food Drive initiatives supporting many North Idaho pantries. In 2021, FCS programs helped over 2,600 youth and adults establish healthy eating habits and a physically active lifestyle. Participates showed improvement in dietary knowledge or practices, use of food resource management, food safety, physical activity and an improved sense of food security.

FCS Educator Shelley Johnson has implemented meaningful access to healthy food through various healthy food drives and Christmas for Kids with the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County. The Post Falls School District food drive that Johnson plans a major role in revamped their competitive school vs school food drive to a Stuff the Bus Campaign.

Johnson was asked to film the kick off of the event. She also secured internal funds to offer a new Pantry Project in which 52 weeks of healthy nudges and nutrition education are being developed. Five partnering food pantries have been recruited for the project and their input was gathered, materials developed and is currently in the review process. This tool will be offered in partnership with Second Harvest and the Idaho Food Bank and will be available to all food pantries nationally as a downloadable educational resource once approved.

4-H in Kootenai County continued to thrive and a new educator will be hired to lead the program in 2022.

The Idaho Master Gardener (IMG) program opened accessibility and evolved the IMG program into a broad, diverse audience through a pilot program of the IMG Certification program, a new digital interactive book and online/hybrid labs with Top Hat Educational Platform and NC State Extension. This allowed for interactive engagement online. This pilot program ran from January-April with online videos created to assist current IMG volunteers with their annual CEU requirements. The program has gained international recognition and coordinator Kara Carleton has been asked to speak in three states and an international conference. The program was developed with NCSU; however, Kootenai County and UI Extension were the first location to use it in the U.S. Carleton is advising other states on the use and effectiveness of the program and has met with the Idaho State Board of Education about the usefulness, affordability and scalability of the project. This same program can be altered to appeal to the green industry professionals in the area as they take it asynchronously, learn best practices and help fund the local program.

The program has allowed Carleton to attract a younger and wider demographic to the IMG program while continuing to engage longtime volunteers. An 82-year-old volunteer said he now has a "renewed sense of involvement and excitement about our program." He has been a volunteer for over 30 years and was ready to move on to something else with his

time, but after completing the program he is more involved than. Carleton also attracted a broad audience of volunteers planning to move to Kootenai County and could follow along with training in real-time or with the video collection and hit the ground running once they arrived in the area. The IMG program also contributes a bi-monthly column to The Coeur d'Alene Press.

Fifty-three forest owners, loggers and professional foresters attended UI Extension forestry programs held in Kootenai County in 2021, including the Forestry Shortcourse and Logger Education to Advance Professionalism. Many Kootenai County residents also attended UI Extension forestry programs held in adjacent Idaho Panhandle counties. Zoombased forestry programs on forest health, fire risk reduction for homes located in the wildland urban interface, forestry cost sharing, backyard forests, and a multi-faceted program titled 10 Acres and a Dream reached over 631 participants, including many from Kootenai County. Thirteen Kootenai County residents served as certified volunteers with the Idaho Master Forest Stewards. Collectively, Idaho Master Forest Stewards provided over 530 hours of volunteer service to over 1,000 contacts in 2021.

UI Extension Water Outreach provides youth and adults with science-based programs related to water quality in Idaho's 10 northern counties. Educational events include learning how to protect drinking water, how to avoid polluting the sole-source Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, understanding how to protect streams and lakes with best management practices, to learning how to scientifically assess the water quality of streams and lakes.

Area Educator Jim Ekins partnered with multiple organizations and agencies to engage with 300 north Idaho high school students to learn about watershed science. An entirely hands-on education is implemented, including field trips to engage students in real world data collection and the development of research-based solutions to local water issues for The Confluence Project's Youth Water Summit.

More than 75 adult citizen scientists learned how to scientifically assess their local stream or pond. More than 80 K-12 teachers learned how to use the activity-based Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) curriculum in their K-12 classrooms. And the wonderful world of aquatic

macroinvertebrates, as an important link in the food chain for fish, was brought directly to hundreds of youth in a variety of settings including watershed festivals.

A peer-reviewed 4-H Wildlife and Water Habitat Curriculum was published, which can be downloaded at: www.uidaho.edu/extension/idah2o/resources.

On the Horizon

Johnson has been working with the Idaho FCS Physical Activity Collaborative with other Extension faculty on development for the Five for Five - Five Minutes for Better Health curricula. The goal is to increase the rate of physical activity in all age groups. The physical activity add on curricula consists of components of mindfulness, cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance and bone strengthening, muscular strength, and flexibility in balance.

The IMG program has initiated partnerships with the 4-H program and the City of Coeur d'Alene Parks and Recreation Department for certification as a Bee City USA participant with the Xerces Society. Through a multi-generational learning framework, the group will work together to conserve native pollinators by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites and reducing the use of pesticides. This project will be laid out in a resolution adopted by the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 2022. City staff and community members will work together to carry out commitments and make Coeur d'Alene a better place for pollinators. A regional specific seed mix has been developed for Northern Idaho supporting local, native bees. This seed mix will be sold to the public in 2022 and will be showcased in a new city park along the river and utilized in 4-H curriculum. A new summer camp, Bee City, also incorporates educational requirements for this certification while monitoring for the health of bumble bee populations along with scientists and the Xerces Society through the PNW Bumble Bee Atlas Project. This STEM science camp will allow youth to participate in field science learning from insects and IMG volunteers. Youth will also incorporate technology into this experience while documenting the camp for a marketing video and utilizing the IMG wood shop to create habitat for native bees in their home gardens and city parks.

Upcoming IDAH2O workshops will be held in Cusick, Washington, Boise and Sandpoint. Additional training workshops for Project WET and Crayfish and Freshwater Ecosystems are also available online at various times throughout the year.

EXTENSION TRENDS: LATAH COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Latah County • www.uidaho.edu/latah

2021 Impact

The 2021 Pollinator Summit provided research-based information to over 200 stakeholders in small farming and horticulture. Educator Iris Mayes worked with community members and Master Gardeners at the community garden in Troy on various topics such as composting, transplanting and irrigation. The Harvest Heroes program was impactful for U.S. military veterans engaged in small acreage farming. The Tuesday Community Market is assisting economic growth for beginning farmers.

Mayes and Educator Sara Fluer delivered a Mental Health First Aid program to community members, furthering UI Extension’s efforts to address mental health needs across the state.

2021 By the Numbers • 8,100 direct contacts • 600 youth participants • 93 volunteers • 791 volunteer hours • $26,527 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who inform the work we do for UI Extension in Latah County: Jodi McClory, Suvia Judd, Deb Berman, Susan Fluegel, Cathy Perillo, Guy Spencer, Sue Weaver, Linda Dewitt, Jonalea Hanson, Carla Wesson, Mark Heinlein, Tina Bass, Michelle Reynolds, Tammi Johnson, Stephanie Fletcher, Jennifer Ashmead, Jennifer Wallace, BJ Swanson, Kim Vogel, Marlys Wilson, Jenny Ford, Rusty Schatz and Barb Morris

UI Extension Educators Iris Mayes 208-883-2267 imayes@uidaho.edu

Karen Richel 208-883-2241 krichel@uidaho.edu Sara Fluer 208-883-2267

Educator Karen Richel reframed how financial wellness programs were offered. Along with live conferences and classes she also eased stakeholders back into accepting and using financial information to help in real-time. This was a trial-and-error year with many planned events requiring modification or cancellation. Much of this was due to the pandemic and current economic conditions, however, more people have been asking for Extension help.

4-H in Latah County

The 4-H program expanded to reach new audiences with the addition of a quarter-time AmeriCorps member. Program highlights include a new partnership with the City of Moscow Parks and Recreation Kids Camp program; STEM programming offered countywide, reaching new youth audiences and community partners; the traditional summer overnight 4-H camp successfully returned, in cooperation with Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater and Idaho counties, to a brand new location at Camp Sanders; and multiple certified 4-H volunteers were brought on board to expand high-demand areas such as beef, sewing, horse, sheep, goat and robotics.

Mayes worked with teachers and students at the Moscow Middle School on the school garden program teaching horticulture topics in alignment with seasonal changes and factors. She also began implementation of the 4-H Healthy Habits program with MMS students in 2021.

On the Horizon

Mayes will utilize the Tuesday Community Market to connect UI Extension with new stakeholders in the community. There is interest for pollinator habitat and Bee City USA and Mayes is working with several youth on various pollinator garden projects.

Our Financial Conference was held virtually in 2020 and 2021 and live in 2022. Financial organizations and businesses are thrilled with the event and an improved version of the conference is slated for April 2023.

Richel has held financial education classes for pre-K-2 grade in the past and teachers have now asked her to create classes for 3-6 grade to bring financial training full circle (7-12 grade are educated with the That's Life simulation).

In the year ahead, the 4-H program will receive 12 LEGO Robotics Spike Essentials kits and tablets to provide engaging, curriculum-based STEM programming to youth. These kits are made possible through Idaho 4-H ARPA funding and will allow UI Extension, Latah County to reach early elementary age youth in a new capacity and build a robotics program from the ground up.

EXTENSION TRENDS: LEMHI COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Lemhi County • www.uidaho.edu/lemhi

2021 Impact A partnership with a local volunteer resulted in fundraising of $3,600 from local businesses and individuals to host Family Fun Night at the Lemhi County Fair. The event’s annual funding source was gone, and it would have been canceled if not for the partnership with a passionate parent who wanted to help make the event happen. Family Fun Night attracts nearly 800 youth and adults to the only alcohol-free evening event at the fair and is one of the top three attended fair events. The Salmon Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition matched the raised funds to cover the rest of the costs and keep the free, family-friendly event going. Over $6,500 was raised in total to host the event.

2021 By the Numbers • 2,540 direct contacts • 1,468 youth participants • 112 volunteers • 2,398 volunteer hours • $24,808 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who inform the work we do for UI Extension in Lemhi County: Brett Barsalou, Merrill Beyeler, Kim Brown, Ed Palmer, Jill Patton, Bobbi Eby, Susy Avery, Shawna Troughton, Ruth Young, Amber Pace, Colleen Hillman, Mallori Wing, Sherri Miller, Leah Madsen, Jake Zollinger, Tom and Carrie Whitson, Caleb and Brittany Wallace, Rick Snyder, Jen Smith, Katie Slavin, Toni Ruth, Kevin Ramsey, Bruce and Ann Mulkey, Frances Mueller, Myriam Mualem, Mike Kossler and Paul Fisher.

UI Extension Educators Shannon Williams 208-742-1696 shannonw@uidaho.edu

Katie McFarland 208-742-1698 khoffman@uidaho.edu

UI Extension teams up with University of Idaho Nancy M. Cummings Research, Education and Extension Center to host Salmon Pioneer 5th graders for a beef production field day each year during Agriculture Week. Students rotate through hands on-workshops on genetics, beef nutrition, beef digestive system, technology and how a rancher cares for a newborn calf. For the past two years, students have completed a pre and post quiz. The average pre-quiz score for 2021 was 46.32 and the average post-quiz score was 75.26. This is a 62.48% increase in knowledge.

4-H in Lemhi County The UI Extension, Lemhi County 4-H program has worked hard this year to continue to expand projects outside of traditional livestock programming. One of the best ways found to introduce youth to nonanimal projects is to through day camps. These camps are short-term, usually three hours and explore a different topic each month. Camps are held the first Friday of each month when youth in the community are out of school. Some of the most popular classes are those focusing on candy making, cake decorating and cooking classes. Seeing what classes are popular can also help determine which projects will do well as long-term projects. Families can also get more experience in 4-H without having the longer commitment. Camps also have some sort of STEM component for youth to explore and find out about the science behind their project.

In the coming year 4-H program plans to offer more popular classes such as rocketry twice a year for more youth to participate. Plans are also underway to expand some of the classes like cooking into a series of classes to expand what youth participants are learning.

On the Horizon UI Extension, Lemhi County is excited to expand STEM projects to youth in Lemhi County. With the assistance of grants from the state 4-H office, supplies and equipment will be purchased for projects. For 2022, UI Extension and partners will have access to the "think, make, create" trailer for summer programs.

EXTENSION TRENDS: LEWIS COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Lewis County • www.uidaho.edu/lewis

2021 Impact

2021 By the Numbers • 1,306 direct contacts • 230 youth participants • 48 volunteers • 480 volunteer hours • $48,447 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Lewis County.

UI Extension Educator Audra Cochran 208-937-2311 audrac@uidaho.edu

Crop programs provided by UI Extension, Lewis County help farmers receive annual information on variety trials and other crop research through cereal schools, crop tours and educational certification for pesticide applicator's licensing. Nearly 25 local farmers participated in the 2021 Prairie Area Crop and Conservation Tour at Nezperce.

University of Idaho and industry partners led participants on a tour of local crop trials, giving them real-time information on variety performances and best management practices. Tour topics included winter wheat varieties, pea and lentil varieties, conservation practices, winter pea nursery, blackleg control in canola, and spring/winter canola/ rapeseed variety nurseries on the Camas Prairie. The 2021 Prairie Area Cereal School at Craigmont was also well attended, with 35 famers participating. Farmers learned up-to-date information about varieties, weed control and disease, and insect management.

4-H in Lewis County The UI Extension, Lewis County 4-H program is an important youth development program in the county with nearly half of the eligible youth enrolled. Youth not enrolled in 4-H are also impacted through FFA, the North Central Idaho Farm and Forest Fair, and the Spring Into 4-H Fun Day. Market animal programs are outstanding and strongly supported by the community.

Although Lewis County saw record enrollment in 4-H programs during the pandemic, the number of youth participants remains strong. This year, the annual North Central Idaho Farm and Forest Fair also saw record attendance. A total of 194 youth from surrounding schools attended the event.

On the Horizon UI Extension, Lewis County saw the retirement of long-time Extension Educator Ken Hart in February 2022. Ken served Lewis County for nearly 30 years and leaves behind a legacy of knowledge and programming.

In May 2022, Audra Cochran was hired as the new UI Extension, Lewis County educator. Audra brings a diverse background to the county, including experience in animal science, forestry, forage production, and 4-H youth development. She looks forward to better learning the needs of Lewis County and offering programs within those areas.

EXTENSION TRENDS: LINCOLN COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Lincoln County • www.uidaho.edu/lincoln

2021 Impact Programming on range management practices to help producers continue to operate under drought conditions were offered. Producers were assisted in decision making processes related to crop and livestock losses due to the continued drought. Educator Carmen Willmore promoted and participated in the Idaho Young Cattle Producer Conference for cattle producers aged 20-40. She also led coordination of the Idaho SARE program continuing the promotion of agricultural sustainability throughout Idaho and produced many educational materials for the University of Idaho Sheep and Goat webinar series.

4-H in Lincoln County 2021 By the Numbers • 3,500 direct contacts • 250 youth participants • 15 volunteers • 150 volunteer hours • $30,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Lincoln County.

UI Extension Educator Carmen Willmore 208-886-2406 cwillmore@uidaho.edu

The UI Extension, Lincoln County 4-H program was involved in 4-H camp and hosted Sheep and Goat Education Day and cooking classes for 4-H members.

On the Horizon UI Extension, Lincoln County will grow the reach of 4-H youth development through new and growing programs and host more educational opportunities for youth. Willmore will continue education for drought management practices and sustainable agriculture.

EXTENSION TRENDS: MADISON COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Madison County • www.uidaho.edu/madison

2021 Impact

The University of Idaho Extension, Madison County office continued efforts to teach needed programs to improve financial literacy, expand the 4-H program throughout the county, provide educational credits to farmers and ranchers, and increase awareness of mental health concerns. Madison County youth were taught skills to help them find and maintain employment and essential personal finance skills to help them reach their financial goals. The UI Extension, Madison County newsletter shared several financial topics to improve financial stability. STEM programs were shared with 4-H youth that promoted problem solving and critical thinking skills.

2021 By the Numbers • 6,761 direct contacts • 3,493 youth participants • 44 volunteers • 600 volunteer hours • $46,230 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Madison County: Cheryl Empey, Catherine Stanton, Kellie Kigonya, Richard Larsen, Greg Blaser, Noelle Taylor, Gale Harding, Brent Mendenhall and Doug Smith.

UI Extension Educator Lance Hansen 208-359-6297 lancehansen@uidaho.edu

Pesticide credits were offered during the local cereal school hosted in the Madison office, and other virtual classes were shared with Madison County residents. Stress awareness and Mental Health First Aid classes were taught to residents in Madison County to help bring awareness to the rising concern of suicide related to stress and mental health issues. The stress awareness program focuses on prevention and early intervention to help individuals recognize the effects of stress in their lives and the lives of their family and friends.

4-H in Madison County

The 4-H program continues to grow as new families move from out-ofstate to the area. These new youth made new friends and built positive life experiences while working on their 4-H projects. The county fair was back to pre-pandemic numbers and was well received and supported by Madison County residents. The livestock shows were very competitive, and youth participants did an admirable job with their animals. The livestock sale hit new record highs in 2021 due to the generosity and support from the great residents of Madison County. The youth demonstrations were thought out and well presented. The 4-H projects on display covered several topics: sewing, hiking, drones, cooking and photography. The county fair is fun and exciting for both participants and the community. All the hard work these young people put into their projects is evident and appreciated. The 4-H program is always looking to include and expand programs to reach a diverse audience in the county.

On the Horizon

UI Extension, Madison County will continue to provide programs that will help and impact the lives of 4-H youth and all community members.

Several educators are working together to offer research-based information on the University of Idaho Personal Finance Facebook page.

The LifeSmarts youth educational program will continue to be promoted in Madison County. Mental Health First Aid for Youth classes will be offered to help create awareness around this critical topic and break down stigmas surrounding mental illness and suicide. The UI Extension, Madison County newsletter will continue to share financial tips to help residents combat the effects related to inflation and other economic issues. A new Extension educator will be hired to bring new ideas and share in-person programs with local farmers and ranchers and the local advisory committee will continue to advise on relevant programs to help improve the lives and welfare of those in Madison County.

EXTENSION TRENDS: MINIDOKA COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Minidoka County • www.uidaho.edu/minidoka

2021 Impact

Educator Becky Hutchings was the recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Service Award from the Idaho Family and Consumer Sciences Educator Association. She was also invited by the Eastern Idaho State Fair (EISF) committee to teach two presentations at the 2021 EISF in Blackfoot.

Both classes were well attended with over 750 people. She continues to teach and produce live videos for the Cooking Under Pressure Facebook page to teach healthy cooking options. The page currently has 495 members, about 75 more than last year. This page presently hosts 28 videos and over 300 written files along with photos that contain recipes, tips and tricks.

2021 By the Numbers • 6,161 direct contacts • 4,797 youth participants • 96 volunteers • 11,520 volunteer hours • $131,681 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Minidoka County: Kathleen Whitlock, Dixie Tate, Kris Faux, Susi McCall, Jessie Williams, Heather Hepworth, Staci Joyce, Nikki Kent, Wendy Beedle, Jeff Miller, Brian Kossman, Salvador Moreno, Jessica Stapleman, Doug Hansen, Diana Wheeler, Troy Draper, Jessica Stapelman, Justin Studer, Tawnya Tracy, Adrian Vergara, Camryn Clark, Lexie Evans and Shalynn Garner.

UI Extension Educators Becky Hutchings 208-436-7184 bhutchings@uidaho.edu

Jason Thomas 208-436-7184 jasont@uidaho.edu

Educator Jason Thomas continues to investigate the usage of barn owls to manage vole populations. During the 2021 nesting season, barn owls living in monitored boxes consumed an estimated 134,568 voles. Thomas also continues work on his educational board game, Pest Friends, which is progressing well and has received a large grant to continue this work. Thomas also manages the Idaho Insect Identification website where he and another entomologist assist farmers and homeowners in the identification of insects and other arthropods.

4-H in Minidoka County In July 2021, UI Extension, Minidoka County received two major ARPA grants to enhance 4-H programming. The first grant of $80,000 was awarded to increase the access of STEAM programming to youth ages 5-13. With this grant, which is still ongoing, 3,383 additional youth have been reached, learning about a variety of topics including entomology, Lego robotics, engineering, food science, art and other topics. Another ARPA grant for $35,000 was awarded to Thomas to increase the availability of entomology programming across the state. Through this grant he has put on multiple in-services and trained other individuals how to teach bug programs to youth. He has also reached an additional 1,000 youth across the state. 84% of surveyed youth indicated they had a more positive opinion of insects and spiders following the training and 83% wanted to learn more about these topics.

On the Horizon

Thomas has received a $100,000 Western SARE grant from the USDA to help expand the Pest Friends board game he created with Grant Loomis during the pandemic. The game has been play tested by over 200 individuals. With the help of this grant, Thomas will be producing over 600 copies of the game, improving the artwork and developing a program to help teachers use this tool.

EXTENSION TRENDS: NEZ PERCE COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Nez Perce County • www.uidaho.edu/nezperce

2021 Impact

Educator Kathee Tifft supervised an undergraduate intern from the U of I Department of Movement Sciences to revise and introduce the Valley on the Move walking program to encourage physical activity and decrease social isolation in the Lewis-Clark Valley. She provided an online presentation for the NEAFCS Leadership Experience workshop series on participatory action research tools and piloted the Five for Five: Better Health in Five Minutes physical activity add-on curriculum to 200 youth and adults at four online 4-H/FFA livestock animal youth field days. She also co-taught the Mental Health First Aid class in three north central counties. The training helps community members identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorder.

2021 By the Numbers • 1,362 direct contacts • 571 youth participants • 90 volunteers • 2,060 volunteer hours • $17,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Nez Perce County: Tom Conklin, Clint Zenner, Steve Riggers, Maria Garvey, Lisa Stoddard, Shawn Smith, Carol Thompson, Craig Hall, Janis Forsmann and Betty Peters.

UI Extension Educators Kathee Tifft 208-799-3096 ktifft@uidaho.edu

Doug Finkelnburg 208-799-3096 dougf@uidaho.edu

Area Educator Doug Finkelnburg hosted in-person and online/hybrid cereal schools and the UI/WSU integrated pest management clinic. He delivered programs on invasive and noxious weed management for homeowners, drought implications for northern Idaho agriculture weed and pest management and herbicide resistant weed management. A three-year field study was completed on annual oat and barley hay varieties for grazing focused on agronomic performance, nutritional value and economics. The 2021 Dryland Field-Day Abstract: Highlights of Research Progress was published, and a $10,000 innovative project grant was obtained to develop noxious weed management programming. He also helped plan and execute the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association annual conference and summer expo.

4-H in Nez Perce County

The UI Extension, Nez Perce County 4-H program continued to remodel the livestock areas at the fairgrounds to accommodate an increase in large animal projects. A collaboration with 4-H programs in Benewah County and Asotin and Whitman counties in Washington provided virtual youth livestock field days focused on beef, swine, lamb and market goats. Clinic level experiences for members to observe and practice specific skills and techniques for grooming, feeding, health care and correct handling of their small animals such as poultry, rabbit and cavy projects continue.

On the Horizon

Tifft will complete coursework for certification in home modification offered through USC’s School of Gerontology. She will provide the Mental Health First Aid class and incorporate both programs into the Aging with Intent and Meaning healthy aging program offered throughout north central Idaho. She will oversee the county horticulture associate coordinating the Idaho Master Gardener program and continue to support the development of the Master Food Safety program. The Youth Aware of Mental Health program will be offered in regional high schools.

Finkelnburg will continue to emphasize crop rotation and diversification strategies to minimize risks and maximize cash crop production potential.

He will continue working with the multi-institutional effort to implement a PNW based herbicide resistant weed initiative and will collaborate with local soil-water conservation districts to evaluate post-harvest weed seed control strategies. Educational events for crop producers, agricultural professionals, and Master Gardeners, and ISDA pesticide license recertification events, will continue.

A new horse volunteer is bringing fresh energy into the county horse program and hopes to rebuild interest and increase the number of members getting involved in 4-H horse projects.

EXTENSION TRENDS: ONEIDA COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Oneida County • www.uidaho.edu/oneida

2021 Impact Few Extension events were held in Oneida County in 2021 due to the absence of an Extension educator for most of the year. In September, Sawyer Fonnesbeck was hired as the new UI Extension, Oneida County educator.

Since September, a meeting was held on water management within the Malad Valley as well as a beef school for producers in Oneida County.

Both meetings were well attended. There are many more events planned for the upcoming year which will benefit the residents of Oneida County.

4-H in Oneida County 2021 By the Numbers • 235 direct contacts • 182 youth participants • 19 volunteers • 160 volunteer hours

The Oneida County 4-H program had a great year in 2021 with many club projects being completed and a successful county fair and livestock sale.

In September, the 4-H program held a Bug Extravaganza event where youth were able to learn about and hold certain insects and arachnids.

This was a huge success and saw over 100 kids come to the new county event center to participate. There are plans to hold this event again in future years.

Our Advisory Council

On the Horizon

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Oneida County: Bill Lewis, Phillip Firth, John Williams, Jon Abrams, Josh Pasket, Lexie Evans and Luke Waldron.

UI Extension, Oneida County will offer more classes and informational sessions for farmers and ranchers which will help them gain more knowledge to help manage their operations. With a new educator available, plans are being made to help land and homeowners with soil samples and forage testing and bringing other opportunities to the community. There are also plans to increase the size and number of 4-H clubs available for youth in the county.

UI Extension Educator Sawyer Fonnesbeck 208-766-2243 sfonnesbeck@uidaho.edu

EXTENSION TRENDS: OWYHEE COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Owyhee County • www.uidaho.edu/owyhee

2021 Impact

Educator Surine Greenway partnered with SW District Health to expand the Marsing Health Coalition into the Owyhee Health Coalition programming emphasis on health-based factors. Six Owyhee County teens participated in a Project Filter sponsored campaign and drafted scripts, edited, and filmed videos on teen vaping and smoking prevention education. A Master Food Safety Advisors program was started with six volunteers becoming certified to provide research-based information to clientele, thus expanding program reach.

2021 By the Numbers • 11,197 direct contacts • 2,001 youth participants • 72 volunteers • 885 volunteer hours • $57,876 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Owyhee County: Kelly Aberasturi, Jake & Megan Astorquia, Scott Bunderson, Jon Brown, Lath Calloway, Amy Carson, Sherry Crutcher, Patty Dalrymple, Deidre Erwin, Jessica Eubanks, Patty Garcia, Randi Garrett, Jolyn Thompson, Cathleen Hegerhorst, Jerry Hoagland, Rex Hoagland, Brad & Mary Huff, Kelly Ineck, Rosa Jacabo, Sharla Jensen, Nick Ketterling, TIm Little, Ginger Loucks, Brad McIntyre, Joe Merrick, Janet Miller, Annie Miller, Chad Nettleton, Josh Noteboom, Ken Price, Doug Rutan, Chad Sevy, Gina Showalter, Connie Stahle, Norm Stewart, Hailee Tilton, Dave Tindall, Paunee Uberuaga and Olga Valero.

UI Extension Educators K. Scott Jensen 208-896-4104 scottj@uidaho.edu

Surine Greenway 208-896-4104 surineg@uidaho.edu

Agriculture, livestock and range programming focused on improving pasture management for producers, which equates to reduced input costs and increased productivity. Programs resulted in 45 individuals trained/certified in artificial insemination with eight of those also completing the ISDA AI licensing exam. Beef quality assurance trainings resulted in 48 individuals becoming BQA certified.

Two Smoking and Grilling programs were offered collaboratively by Greenway and Jensen. Participants receive a lecture, demonstration and hands-on education to trim, season and cook their own beef and pork meat cuts. A live trimming demonstration is held, and a fully cooked brisket is sampled, along with other smoked food samples like cheese, pepper jam and cheesecake. This program structure contributes to knowledge, skill and confidence in participants, all while increasing food preparation at home. Additionally, a Smoking and Grilling train-thetrainer was held to expand the reach of the program across the state.

4-H in Owyhee County

Livestock projects, including swine, sheep, beef cattle and market goats, continued to be Owyhee County's most popular projects in 2021. Of the 382 4-H and FFA members who exhibited at the Owyhee County Fair, 269 sold a market animal in the Junior Livestock Sale, which grossed $620,260, nearly $200,000 more than 2020. Youth also exhibited in small animal, breeding livestock, dairy cattle and goat, horse, family and consumer science, healthy living, shooting sports and communication and expressive art project areas. Healthy living (cake decoration), shooting sports, family and consumer science (sewing and quilting), and communication and expressive arts (leathercraft) project enrollments and exhibit numbers are on the rise and prove to be a draw to youth.

Youth involved in 4-H programming are far likelier to give back to their communities, be civically active, make healthier lifestyle choices, participate in STEM programs during out-of-school time and pursue entrepreneurship than their peers who are not involved in the program.

On the Horizon

Agriculture research efforts include two range projects: dormant season grazing to reduce fine fuels and a range cow grazing efficiency study.

FCS efforts are focusing on food safety targeting youth with a Just Grill It program. Implementation of new 4-H programs, including after-school programming, day-camps and workshops, are in the works. Additionally, grant funding has been secured to grow, expand and make shooting sports more accessible to Owyhee County 4-H youth.

EXTENSION TRENDS: PAYETTE COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Payette County • www.uidaho.edu/payette

2021 Impact

2021 By the Numbers • 3,402 direct contacts • 326 youth participants • 153 volunteers • 2,060 volunteer hours • $59,664 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Payette County: Clay Ritter, Barbara Brody, Jane LlanasTalbot, Danny Gabiola and Mike Partin.

UI Extension Educator Joey Peutz 208-642-6022 joeyp@uidaho.edu

Eat Smart Idaho provides nutrition and physical activity education for low-income Idahoans helping adults and families learn the basics of healthy eating, smart shopping, food safety, quick meal preparation, management of limited grocery dollars and increased levels of physical activity. In 2021, 95% of adult participants showed improvement in one or more diet quality indicators (eating fruits, vegetables, red and orange vegetables, dark green vegetables, drinking less regular soda, drinking less fruit punch, fruit drinks, sweet tea, or sports drinks, and cooking dinner at home) following participation in an Eat Smart Idaho class series, compared to practices before the series. A survey of adults participating in Eat Smart Idaho one-time classes found that 85% had positive intent to change or maintain positive behaviors related to diet quality and food resource management.

Well Connected Communities is a national well-being initiative of the Extension system in partnership with National 4-H Council and support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The goal is to ensure that lifelong health and well-being are within everyone's reach. Since 2017, the program has been working to build healthy communities, listening and serving locally, combining the power of youth-adult voice and action, and addressing systemic health inequities.

Preserve@Home is an online course teaching food safety and food preservation. Twenty-six Preserve@Home participants reported intention to follow nine identified research-based safe food preservation practices.

The Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement team engaged 1,547 Idahoans across 14 counties during a COVID-19 educational campaign. Although that includes indirect contacts, many of those interactions included one-on-one conversations. The project ended with many positive stories and meaningful, impactful interactions. The greatest success was everyone who felt comfortable asking questions and left with accurate information. UI Extension provided a safe, nonjudgmental space for people to address their concerns.

4-H in Payette County

The UI Extension, Payette County 4-H Youth Development program has continued to build a strong partnership with the Payette Public Library.

Youth are being reached through 4-H Fridays; Outside the Box 4-H kits to deliver programming in expressive arts, Junior Master Gardener, and Skillet Creations (cooking); and the U and I Together family focus series.

A mini grant from the Idaho Space Grant Consortium allowed a small group of youth to experiment with using Martian soil to grow produce while also learning more about technology and space exploration.

On the Horizon

A new peer-reviewed publication, Market Fresh in a SNAP, is in the process of being published and will include fresh, healthy recipes and resources to be used at farmers markets.

EXTENSION TRENDS: POWER COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Power County • www.uidaho.edu/power

2021 Impact

Science Day was held at JR Simplot Elementary School again in 2021, with four UI Extension educators teaching 5th graders about barn owls, rodents, bugs and the life cycle of several animals.

Farm management classes were offered virtually, as well as several pesticide recertifications classes, including some aquatic weed classes. Educator Terrell Sorensen continued to serve with the IWUA as the education committee chairman and worked on the Idaho Noxious Weed Commission helping with their annual convention and board meetings.

2021 By the Numbers • 4,674 direct contacts • 1,870 youth participants • 47 volunteers • 564 volunteer hours • $5,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Power County: Ken Koompin, David Zimmerman, Jerome Clinger, Kim West and Shawn Tishendorf.

UI Extension Educator Terrell Sorensen 208-745-7621 tsorensen@uidaho.edu

4-H in Power County

The UI Extension, Power County 4-H program was very busy this past year with 20 clubs doing everything from cooking and sewing to livestock animals. There is a new dog leader in the county, a fantastic addition to the 4-H program and to the youth in the county. The 4-H year ended with a record livestock sale, which will provide a lot of education opportunities down the road.

On the Horizon

Sorensen is working with two other UI Extension county educators to make short videos about various water issues. Topics will include well depth measurements, installing water meters, snotel sites, cloud seeding, measuring stream flows, types of measurement devices for irrigation purposes, water sampling, and several other ideas. They should be a lot of fun and very educational for the water industry. He is also working on a CREP budgeting program and should have it presented in the coming year.

EXTENSION TRENDS: TETON COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Teton County • www.uidaho.edu/teton

2021 Impact

UI Extension, Teton County hosted events and classes such as the statewide Cultivating Success Digging Deeper crop production and Scratching Below the Surface poultry production courses (eight classes).

Thirty clients enrolled in the online High-Altitude Victory Garden course.

Two hands-on small farm and horticulture workshops on drip irrigation and assessing soil resources were held.

2021 By the Numbers • 2,817 direct contacts • 686 youth participants • 39 volunteers • 2,000 volunteer hours • $99,975 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Teton County: Cindy Riegel, Bob Heneage, Doug Self, Rebeca Nolan, Hallie Poirier, Kim Kolner and Wyatt Penfold.

UI Extension Educator Jennifer Werlin 208-354-2961 jwerlin@uidaho.edu

Educator Jennifer Werlin organized and served as the lead facilitator of a four-part statewide webinar series, Starting a Specialty Food Business in Idaho, with 90 registrants throughout the state. Werlin continues to facilitate the Teton Food and Farm Coalition meetings, with increased attendance at meetings during the pandemic while meeting on Zoom. For the fifth year, Werlin helped the farmers market gather economic sales data.

Despite less vendors to allow for social distancing, the overall market sales increased by an astounding 27% from 2020 ($98,081 increase in sales).

The impact of UI Extension programs is far reaching as illustrated by the broad partnerships and notable extramural grant funding awarded for adult and youth agriculture education and research.

4-H in Teton County

The UI Extension, Teton County 4-H Youth Development program continues to adapt and grow, reaching a broader audience annually, with over 175 youth participants. There are over 30 4-H clubs led by community volunteers, with a large emphasis on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) subjects. In 2021, an $80,000 Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Community Project Grant was received to expand STEAM offerings to underserved youth in the community. New volunteer trainings were developed and partnerships with community organizations such as the Above and Beyond in the Classroom program in conjunction with the public school system continue. These partnerships are helping 4-H reach more at-risk minority students in the community and ameliorate potential barriers to participation.

Six 4-H Friday STEAM day camps were held in 2021. To accommodate for social distancing and a small teacher-participant ratio, only 11 youth participated. One parent noted about the camps: “As a parent in southeastern Idaho, I appreciated learning about the Teton County STEAM 4-H day camps.” Activities included watershed science, biology, robotics, gardening, pollinators, yoga, art and community service. In September, the first full-time 4-H coordinator, Abby Grundler, was hired for Teton County, giving much needed additional resources for program capacity.

On the Horizon

An additional part-time AmeriCorps volunteer, in partnership with Teton Science Schools, worked remotely to help execute an applied research project started in 2020 which included aggregating agritourism activities and businesses in the Teton foodshed (Jackson Hole and Teton Valley), as well as a community online survey to gauge consumer interest in agritourism and local food (pre-COVID and present). Research is planned to be presented at the International Workshop on Agritourism in Vermont in 2022, after being postponed from 2020. Research findings will also be published on the Teton Food and Farm Coalition website.

EXTENSION TRENDS: TWIN FALLS COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Twin Falls County • www.uidaho.edu/twinfalls

2021 Impact

Educators Siew Guan Lee and Andy West received a community transformation grant for $43,999 from the City of Twin Falls through the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, and $4,300 from SNAPEd to provide gardens, gardening and nutrition education, and access to fresh produce for low-income families in Twin Falls County. The goal is to create systemic and environmental change in the community to improve children’s health. They established 14 garden sites, in partnership with many community entities. Over 65 gardening and nutrition education classes were held, reaching 776 low-income youth and adults. Lee secured an additional $11,817 of in-kind and industry donations for materials and supplies.

2021 By the Numbers • 6,911 direct contacts • 5,795 youth participants • 231 volunteers • 1,462 volunteer hours • $375,745 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Twin Falls County: Chance Munns, Tom Schwartz, LaMar Orton, James Reed, Kali Sherril, Kurk Tubbs, Robin Rausch, Rick Novacek, Tonya Corle, Sherry Olsen-Frank, Don Hall, Jack Johnson, Brent Reinke, Delia Villanueva, Abby Greenfield, Rosa Hernandez, Kyli Gough, Makenzie Ellsworth, Shelley Pursell, Liz Mandelkow, Sarah Brown, Susie Beem, Megan Devaney, Buddy Gharring, Jeff Schroedar, Cammie Jayo and Celia Villicana.

UI Extension Educators Siew Guan Lee 208-734-9590 siewguanl@uidaho.edu

Andres West 208-734-9590 andywest@uidaho.edu

The Twin Falls County Pollinator Demonstration Garden project came together with donations from local partners, grants from the Idaho Native Plant Society and Idaho Botanical gardens and support from the Magic Valley Master Gardener Association. Round one was completed in fall 2021 with the planting of 150 native pollinator plants. The garden will be complete this spring with remaining areas planted and signs installed.

4-H in Twin Falls County

Lee collaborated with three educators from University of Georgia Extension to offer a Kids in the Kitchen Virtual Cooking Club to address the increased need for healthy cooking education due to COVID-19. The program builds confidence and increases self-efficacy in the kitchen.

The team offered 31 sessions throughout Idaho and Georgia, reaching over 1,200 youth and adults from 30 counties across six states. Average attendance was 40 per class, almost tripling regular in-person classes, with more than half attending two or more sessions. Survey results showed 92% gained food safety and nutrition knowledge; 93% increased self-efficacy for cooking; 93% gained cooking skills; and 100% of recipes had been made again.

4-H program assistants provided 52 hours of educational programming to Hansen Elementary School youth. They also worked with the Boys and Girls Club 21st Century Community Learning Center to provide outof-school programs to 50 K-2 youth at Lincoln, Bickel and Oregon Trail Elementary Schools. $30,000 in ARPA funding was secured to provide supplies for 640 seventh graders at Twin Falls School District Middle Schools to dissect a variety of animals utilizing the Dabble in Dissection curriculum pilot.

This program provided the opportunity for students to focus on the digestive systems in each of eight animal species and identify similarities and differences across the animal kingdom.

On the Horizon

The community garden project has been expanded into local elementary school classroom gardens, making the gardens more accessible during the school year. Over 60 gardens were placed in January 2022 and three more schools will start this fall. The team has also received in-kind support from local greenhouses and Chobani and will create a protocol in 2022 for Eat Smart Idaho team members to replicate in their district for a statewide impact.

EXTENSION TRENDS: VALLEY COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Valley County • www.uidaho.edu/valley

2021 Impact

UI Extension, Valley County provides programming in community development, youth development, agriculture and horticulture. In 2021, the office continued to respond to the pandemic by leading hybrid and virtual classes to meet stakeholders needs.

2021 By the Numbers • 1,170 direct contacts • 857 youth participants • 21 volunteers • 520 volunteers hours • $85,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Valley County: Pat Duncan, Sandy Dingman, Steve Anderson, Shauna Arnold, Delta James, Sherry Maupin, Karla Eitel, Jill Chapman, Kerrie Stevens, Janet Chappel and Patsy Kelly.

UI Extension Educator Melissa Hamilton 208-382-7190 mbhamilton@uidaho.edu

Community development efforts included the formation of a nationally recognized virtual Diversity Learning Circle (DLC) and a Peer Learning Network (PLN). The DLC was hosted in partnership with Alpine Abby: New Meadows United Methodist Church. Participants concluded this six-month learning circle with an outdoor in-person celebratory gathering. The PLN gathered monthly allowing participants more rapid solution finding to community needs and issues. The PLN is part of the WeCAN network organized by UI Extension community development specialist Lorie Higgins. Other programs include the CISPUS Institute (virtual), ripple mapping assessment and committee facilitation for community partners including the Idaho Farmers Market Association, WCM Trails Coalition and the Valley County Opioid Response Team.

In 2021, an Advanced Master Gardener class explored the concept of extending the growing season in Valley County through the indoor cultivation of oyster mushrooms. Some Master Gardeners found success and cultivated mushrooms through experiential learning and the peer feedback process. This project, along with log inoculation for outdoor cultivation, will take place again in 2023.

4-H in Valley County

The UI Extension, Valley County 4-H Youth Development program received $80,000 of ARPA funding. Innovative drone and 3D printer STEM programs have been implemented throughout Valley County. In addition to STEM opportunities, youth have participated in sewing, leathercraft and shooting sports. The grant has expanded the reach and exposure to 4-H programs with increased enrollment in 4-H clubs and shortterm enrollment programs. The 4-H Ambassador program, Know your Government and district youth opportunities continue to be shared with local youth participants. Two virtual programs were developed for the U and I Together family learning series including Get Outdoors and Energy

Detectives programs in the summer and fall. AmeriCorps after-school

youth development programs continue to be offered in partnership with the Donnelly Library and AmeriCorps summer placements continue to make an impact on year-round learning opportunities.

On the Horizon

In 2022, Educator Melissa Hamilton will be working with the City of Cascade to implement a Cascade Arts Walk (Placemaking project) in the downtown corridor. The Placemaking committee includes community partners such as the Horizons' Lifestyle and Education Team, the city and community members at large. Funding for the Arts Walk was received from the University of Idaho innovation grant. In addition to the 2022 Arts Walk project, Hamilton will be organizing several bike and pedestrian counts. Data will be collected with citizen volunteers in 2022-23, to support the Cascade Mobility Team's efforts to increase transportation options and accessibility throughout the city enhancing the concept of complete streets planning.

EXTENSION TRENDS

4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AMERICORPS www.uidaho.edu/extension/4h/people/americorps

2021 Impact The UI Extension 4-H Youth Development AmeriCorps program provides STEAM education opportunities to underserved youth including rural, economically disadvantaged and socially isolated youth from across the state. AmeriCorps members gain variable professional skills while helping youth develop their own life skills.

2021 By the Numbers • • • •

4,255 youth participants 296 volunteers 3,088 volunteer hours $525,646 extramural funding

4-H AmeriCorps State Program Coordinator Natasha Tienhaara 208-454-7614 ntienhaara@uidaho.edu

The 4-H AmeriCorps program matches AmeriCorps members to communities in need of STEAM education across the state. During the grant year of September 2020 to August 2021, there were 34 active AmeriCorps members in the program engaging youth in 18 different communities allowing them to provide STEAM education activities to underserved youth. AmeriCorps members worked with youth organization partners including Naples Elementary School in Bonners Ferry, Creations Art Alliance in Sandpoint and Idaho Out of School Network to host activities. Members presented every type of STEAM activity from agricultural sciences to chemistry, gardening, robotics, and everything in between.

The program continues to increase its impact by reaching out to new communities including eight new counties, and three new partners across the state. There are currently 41 active AmeriCorps members serving Idaho counties. Ten summer 2022 AmeriCorps members are current University of Idaho students gaining valuable professional development experience in UI Extension county offices.

On the Horizon UI Extension is working to expand the 4-H AmeriCorps program by increasing the number of members that can serve in the state while lowering the overall cost to counties to have an active member. Funding has increased to $638,000 for the 2022-23 grant year.

EXTENSION TRENDS: AREA EDUCATORS

PANHANDLE AREA FORESTRY www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry/panhandle

2021 Impact

In 2020-2021, 643 owners of 73,384 family forest acres attended UI Extension workshops and other educational activities in the Idaho Panhandle. Participants indicated they would implement many improved forest management practices. For example: 324 forest owners will favor tree species that resist insects and disease; 299 will monitor for insect, disease, or animal damage issues; 160 will thin forest trees; 118 will prune forest trees; 77 will contact a forester or other natural resource professional for additional assistance; 44 will complete a forest management plan; 37 will plant forest tree seedlings; 28 will reduce fuels in home ignition zone; and 23 will apply pesticides more safely.

In 2021, 40 certified Idaho Master Forest Stewards provided over 560 hours of volunteer service to 1,139 forest owners and others.

2021 By the Numbers • • • • •

1,041 direct contacts 20 youth participants 40 volunteers 560 volunteer hours $18,800 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to Idaho Master Forest Stewards who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension.

UI Extension Area Educator Chris Schnepf 208-292-2525 cschnepf@uidaho.edu

The improved management practices family forest owners implement with knowledge and skills gained in UI Extension programs will increase wood to fuel Idaho’s economy, maintain water quality, reduce catastrophic fire risk, improve forest growth and health, and enhance biological diversity.

A total of 1,153 loggers have attended 47 Idaho Panhandle LEAP sessions offered annually since 1994. As a result of the 2021 Idaho Panhandle LEAP update session, 66 panhandle loggers will be more aware of mental health in the logging industry; 65 will understand Idaho smoke management rules; 59 will communicate to others about fundamental tree planting techniques; 56 will communicate to others about mass timbers and cross laminated timber; and 38 will assess use of drones in logging.

Two-hundred and thirty-five foresters and other natural resource professionals attended 2021 UI Extension Idaho Panhandle forestry programs. Family forester’s workshop participants indicated percentage knowledge increases ranging from 20% to 70% on insects and disease, smoke management, forest security, GPS technology, drones, forest pollinators, forest owner sociological issues, and family forest economics/policy.

On the Horizon

Idaho Master Forest Stewards are continuing to help reach more family forest owners. They will also inform the forestry community about family forest owners' needs and help guide University of Idaho Extension and research programs and technical assistance efforts of public and privately employed foresters. The Idaho Master Forest Stewards continue to grow both as a group of forestry education volunteers and as a peer-to-peer learning community. There are currently 13 people signed up for Idaho Master Forest Stewards training, so an additional cohort of volunteers will be trained in 2023.

EXTENSION TRENDS: AREA EDUCATORS

UI EXTENSION WATER OUTREACH www.uidaho.edu/idah2o

2021 Impact UI Extension Water Outreach provides youth and adults with critical science-based education programs related to water quality throughout the 10 northern counties of Idaho. Educational events for wide-ranging audiences include learning how to protect drinking water, how to avoid polluting the sole-source Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, understanding how to protect streams and lakes with best management practices, to learning how to scientifically assess the water quality of streams and lakes.

2021 By the Numbers • • • • •

2,164 direct contacts 1,328 youth participants 100 volunteers 300 volunteer hours $10,124 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension: Marie Schmidt, Kristin Lowell, Laura Laumatia, Jamie Brunner, Jamie Esler and Shelley Austin.

UI Extension Area Educator Jim Ekins 208-292-1287 jekins@uidaho.edu

Area Educator Jim Ekins partnered with multiple organizations and agencies to engage with 300 north Idaho high school students to learn about watershed science. An entirely hands-on education is implemented, including field trips to engage students in real world data collection and the development of research-based solutions to local water issues for The Confluence Project's Youth Water Summit.

More than 75 adult citizen scientists learned how to scientifically assess their local stream or pond. More than 80 K-12 teachers learned how to use the award-winning, activity-based Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) curriculum in their K-12 classrooms. And the wonderful world of aquatic macroinvertebrates, as an important link in the food chain for fish, was brought directly to hundreds of youth in a variety of settings including watershed festivals.

A peer-reviewed 4-H Wildlife and Water Habitat Curriculum was published, which can be downloaded via the IDAH2O Resources website: www.uidaho.edu/extension/idah2o/resources.

On the Horizon Upcoming IDAH2O workshops will be held in Cusick, Washington, Boise and Sandpoint. The prerequisite online training is free and available to anyone at any time: https://canvas.instructure.com/enroll/MG63TJ. Additional training workshops for Project WET and Crayfish and Freshwater Ecosystems are also available online at various times throughout the year.

EXTENSION TRENDS: SPECIALISTS

AQUACULTURE SPECIALIST JACOB BLEDSOE www.uidaho.edu/aquaculture

2021 Impact

Jacob Bledsoe was hired as the UI Extension Aquaculture Specialist in February 2022. Since then, he helped the aquaculture program at the College of Southern Idaho finish the semester in the absence of an instructor, while also helping to streamline aquaculture degree articulations between CSI and U of I. He has worked with the Idaho Aquaculture Association to participate in DEQ Middle Snake River Watershed Advisory Group planning; judged an elementary and high school science fair and talked with students about careers in science; participated in the Challenges and Opportunities in Idaho Water Symposium; met with high school advanced placement educators about integrating aquaculture/aquaponics into science curriculum; and advised Northwest Indian College students and instructors on how to implement a community aquaculture/aquaponics farm.

By the Numbers • 203 direct contacts • 120 youth participants

UI Extension Specialist Jacob Bledsoe 208-837-9096 ext 1105 bledsoe@uidaho.edu

On the Horizon

Upcoming events include the National Aquaculture Extension Conference; teaching a fish anatomy lecture to 41 campers at the Central Idaho Natural Resources Camp; hosting a week-long coldwater fish culture course for 35 state, tribal and commercial participants; and working with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service to bolster aquaculture in Adjara, Georgia.

EXTENSION TRENDS: SPECIALISTS

4-H SPECIALIST TIM EWERS www.uidaho.edu/4h

2021 Impact

The UI Extension 4-H Igniting Your Spark (4-H IYS) program is a coordinated set of projects to engage youth in educational activities that excite their interests and willingness to work hard to achieve their goals. The projects were designed to address urgent needs in Idaho communities due to COVID-19 protocols, specifically educational programming to address learning loss, provide behavioral health support, and/or provide educational activities to support student learning.

2021 By the Numbers • 13,474 direct contacts • $3,250,000 extramural funding

UI Extension Specialist Tim Ewers 208-885-4080 tewers@uidaho.edu

The UI Extension 4-H Youth Development program responded quickly to implement programming in many Idaho communities. 4-H professionals were able to ramp up programming quickly because of their reputation within their communities for providing quality informal education, and because of connections with other youth-serving organizations in their communities such as libraries, after-school programs, Boys and Girls Clubs and scouts.

The 4-H IYS programs had two major impacts: quickly addressing the urgent needs of communities to support student learning; and engaging with other agencies within communities to enhance their abilities to support youth.

Both impacts help to make healthy communities.

In spring 2021, the UI Extension 4-H program learned about a new funding opportunity through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Idaho Community Grant Program. Funding was from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Within a month of learning about the opportunity, the state 4-H office coordinated the submission of 16 proposals totaling $1.49 million for the first period. All 16 proposals were accepted. An additional six proposals were submitted in the second period, of which three were accepted. The total grant funding for both periods was $3.25 million.

The speed for ramping up new programming was remarkable, especially given that summer months are some of the busiest for counties with a full slate of summer programming, camps, conferences and fairs. ARPA funded programs were implemented on top of existing programs. By the end of the first period, new programs had been implemented in 19 counties involving 1,744 youth. By the end of the second period, new programs were implemented in 36 counties and two Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Programs engaging 13,474 youth.

On the Horizon

4-H IYS projects will continue for at least two more grant periods, through summer 2022, and funding is being sought to continue these projects. One benefit of the program is the increased collaboration within the UI Extension 4-H program and within communities. A consortium of 4-H professionals has been developed to share educational materials and support. For instance, one grant project was the development and implementation of entomology activities and another was focused on electricity. The educators are sharing those activities and knowledge with their colleagues. Counties are implementing programs they likely wouldn't have because of the time required to learn and create it by themselves. The educator consortium is lowering the barriers to adopting new programming for counties.

County 4-H programs are also developing stronger bonds with other youth-serving agencies in their communities. Many of the grant projects are working with local libraries, service clubs and after-school programs by providing educational opportunities. This is important for sustaining healthy communities, which in turn supports healthy youth.

EXTENSION TRENDS: SPECIALISTS

ECONOMICS SPECIALIST PATRICK HATZENBUEHLER www.uidaho.edu/idaho-agbiz

On the Horizon

UI Extension Specialist Patrick Hatzenbuehler and a graduate student are implementing a supply chain analysis of fertilizer substitute products made from dairy cow manure under the USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Sustainable Agricultural Systems grant.

Hatzenbuehler is also implementing an Extension program that discusses the usage of point of sale (POS) technologies by farmers and the integration between POS systems with other business management software (e.g., tax preparation programs), with particular focus on differences in POS technologies and software integration for farms of different types and sizes.

2021 By the Numbers • 491 direct contacts • $26,542 extramural funding

UI Extension Specialist Patrick Hatzenbuehler 208-736-3607 phatzenbuehler@uidaho.edu

EXTENSION TRENDS: SPECIALISTS

BEEF SPECIALIST JIM SPRINKLE www.uidaho.edu/cals/nmcreec

2021 Impact

Over the last five years, research on beef cow efficiency on rangeland has demonstrated that cattle can be selected that not only are more efficient (eat less in a feedlot setting) but also: • Graze rugged rangeland pastures more sustainably (less time at lower elevations near shade and water) than do their inefficient counterparts when temperatures get hot (≥79 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer.

• Efficient cattle, presumably with less maintenance requirements, maintained similar production outputs to their inefficient herd mates (weaning weights, cow weights, cow body condition, reproductive efficiency and milk production).

2021 By the Numbers • 552 direct contacts • 103 youth participants • $49,021 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do at the Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center.

UI Extension Specialist Jim Sprinkle 208-756-2749 sprinkle@uidaho.edu

• On late season rangeland with decreasing forage quality and no supplementation, young (almost three years old) efficient cattle lose less weight than do inefficient cattle.

• Efficient cattle appear to engage in less search grazing and thus harvest forage more efficiently.

• Early indications suggest that efficient hill-climbing cattle can be identified with genetic markers, possibly revolutionizing the selection of herd replacements that can more effectively graze pastures with endangered species concerns.

On the Horizon Research on beef cow efficiency on rangeland will continue.

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO EXTENSION ON THE MAP UI Extension County Office

Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Office

UI Research & Extension Center

UI Extension County Office and UI Research & Extension Center

www.uidaho.edu/extension