Extension Trends: Latah County

EXTENSION TRENDS: LATAH COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Latah County • www.uidaho.edu/latah

2019 Impact In addition to requested programming, 2019 brought new opportunities to the Latah County community. With over 6,700 direct contacts, UI Extension, Latah County is continuing to fulfill its land grant responsibility of bringing relevant and timely education to the public through family finance, small farms and horticulture, and 4-H youth development programs.

2019 By the Numbers • 6,701 direct contacts • 981 youth participants • 117 volunteers • 1,150 volunteer hours • $152,031 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Latah County: Julie Stafford, Kelsie Smathers, Marlys Wilson, Aerius Franklin, Bill Farmer, Rusty Schatz, Betta Buntzel, Guy Spencer, Alison Detjens, Diane Noel, Tim Steury, Linda Dewitt, Jodi McClory, Jen Eliot, Matt Roth, Rebecca Burt, Kim Monk, Stephanie Fletcher, Jennifer Ashmead, Tammi Johnson and Brandi Griffin.

UI Extension Educators Sara Fluer 208-883-2267 sfluer@uidaho.edu

Iris Mayes 208-883-2267 imayes@uidaho.edu

Karen Richel 208-883-2241 krichel@uidaho.edu

New formats for classes, college scavenger hunts, and group money coaching allowed UI Extension to offer interactive learning, inspire empowered financial choices, and entertain new audiences. Partnerships with community leaders also extended outreach efforts through Medicare classes, America Saves Week, and simulations both in local schools and the local prisons. Idaho Department of Insurance (SHIBA), Latah Credit Union, Washington State University, Lewis-Clark State College, and University of Idaho faculty and students continue to be strong supporters of Extension programming.

Agricultural programming supports small acreage farming through various educational events, including classes, farm tours, tabling, and workshops. These activities are conducted in coordination with other University of Idaho colleagues including the UI Extension Small Farm team. A beginning farmer training for U.S. military veterans, Harvest Heroes, was piloted in Moscow and Caldwell in 2019. Approximately 4,000 pounds of food was grown by veteran participants and donated to local food banks.

In addition, the 2019 Master Gardener program produced 11 new certified volunteers. Participants logged over 1,000 hours of service to the community by sharing their knowledge through the plant clinic, Moscow Farmers Market, Latah County Fair, and multiple other activities.

The UI Extension, Latah County 4-H program saw an increase in youth enrollment from 2018 and 2019. With the guidance of certified 4-H leaders, youth explored a wide variety of project areas and continued to expand their existing knowledge and skills by engaging in a 4-H project of interest. Latah County 4-H teens further refined their leadership skills through involvement at the district and state level. Key outreach events throughout the year include summer library programs, animal clinics, the Moscow Farmers Market, and the Latah County Fair, bringing in new families and prospective leaders to the program.

4-H in Latah County The UI Extension, Latah County 4-H program spans a wide variety of project areas, from sewing, cooking, and small animal and livestock projects, to shooting sports, horse, and much more. Highlights of 2019 included 11 local youth attending the Idaho 4-H state shooting sports contest, two of which qualified for a national event. Participation in the horse program grew and several Latah County members attended the Know Your Government Conference in Boise where they learned about local and state government. In addition, the summer library program had a high turnout and several new families were welcomed into the 4-H program.

2019-20 marked the fifth and final year of the 21st Century Afterschool grant at Potlatch Elementary School. Forty highrisk students received vital education and afterschool care in this program. As UI Extension leaves a sustainable footprint and hands over its responsibilities, the Potlatch School District plans to seek funding along with their high school afterschool program to maintain this value-added program.

UI Extension, Latah County has also been working with the Moscow Middle School Earth Club on a school garden and related activities. In early 2020, the Earth Club teachers and youth members helped host the youth component of the Pollinator Summit attended by approximately 150 people.

On the Horizon In spring 2020, UI Extension, Latah County Family Finance Educator Karen Richel introduced Spend, Save and Share piggy banks and Creative Chore Charts to 15 kindergarten and first grade classes in Moscow, reaching 275 students.

These programs were well received and all 40 of the classes in Latah County have asked to participate in the programs next year. To reach all constituents, UI Extension and community sponsors will be offering a virtual financial conference, Our Financial Conference, in October and a live conference in April 2021. This conference will replace the Smart Women, Smart Money Conference and will include anyone that wants to learn how to have a healthy financial life.

The small farms and horticulture team is working with Rural Roots to develop a pollinator working group to improve pollinator and beneficial insect survival in the region. They are also developing a farm work training program for the wine grape industry. Harvest Heroes, a multi-community program, is continuing to grow in 2020 with funding from USDA. The 2020 Master Gardener program saw a full class of 24 students. Certified Master Gardener volunteers as well as trainees are helping maintain community gardens, volunteer in Extension’s weekly plant clinic, and assist with gardening projects in the area.

The 4-H program recently partnered with the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine student ambassadors to host an outreach class to Latah County 4-H members in early 2020. The student ambassadors will continue to teach youth about important animal husbandry topics. Partnerships with local library branches to provide summer programs will continue and the youth will showcase their 4-H projects at the Latah County Fair in September.