Grow Your Own Mushrooms | Finance Tips for Kids | Pinterest for Business Expert Articles and Advice from the Research and Knowledge of West Virginia State University Extension Service
SPRING/SUMMER
2 013
Surviving College How to beat the odds and earn a degree
Tidy up Your Town How to start a community beautification program
Extension Service
She turned to the sunlight And shook her yellow head, And whispered to her neighbor: “Winter is dead.” — A.A. Milne When We Were Very Young
Orlando F. McMeans, Ph.D. Vice President for Research & Public Service and GRDI Dean and Director
William Woodrum
Assoc. Dean and Assoc. Director WVSU Extension Service
Matthew Browning
Director of Communications; Editor WVSU Gus R. Douglass Institute
Rob Russo
Communications Specialist; Designer WVSU Gus R. Douglass Institute
Extension Matters is published by West Virginia State University Extension Service, a division of The Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institute.
To request an edition of Extension Matters or to be added to our mailing list, please contact the editor at extension@wvstateu.edu
WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, AGE, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, SEX, MARITAL STATUS, DISABILITY, OR STATUS AS A U.S. VETERAN.
2
E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13
O U T L O O K
Another winter has fled from the mountains of West Virginia, and with spring
comes a feeling of renewal. Flowers are pushing from the ground, trees have begun to unfurl leaves in shades of bright green, and everything seems brighter than it did just a few weeks ago.
An annual part of spring in West Virginia is the cleaning of yards and
communities, planting gardens, and commitments to be more active and healthy. You’ll see each of these topics covered in this edition of “Extension Matters.” The articles come from extension agents, program coordinators and specialists who are helping people and communities lead these efforts in different areas across the state.
Two articles are written by extension professionals and volunteers actively
engaged in making their communities a better place to live. In 2011, through a five-year grant award from the Children, Youth & Families At Risk (CYFAR) program, WVSU Extension Service launched the SCRATCH (Sustainable Community Revitalization in Appalachia through Children’s Hands) Project.
The SCRATCH Project brings together inquiry-based science, real-world
technology and outdoor education at the elementary level to prepare children
Dr. Orlando F. McMeans
Vice President for Research and Public Service; Dean and Director, Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institute
to become problem-solvers, entrepreneurs and live a sustainable lifestyle. The project includes development and implementation of several backyard edible gardens, greenhouse production, hydroponic/aeroponic growing and a specialization in high-yield urban gardening for end-product production.
The project is leading to great things in Huntington and has brought many
partners, sponsors and friends of agriculture to the table in a city that was once labeled “the fattest in America.” In this issue, you’ll see some tips from two university-supported VISTAs who are working with SCRATCH.
Another community redevelopment effort highlighted in a “How To” article
is by Extension Agent Adam Hodges from Fayette County. He has been involved in the creation of a Benedum Foundation-supported effort in community beautification that helps communities realize their internal strengths and capacities and leverage these assets to clean up, revitalize and rebuild.
These efforts are especially important with the pending Boy Scout Jamboree
that will occur for the first time this summer at the Bechtel Summit Reserve national camping center. Thousands of scouts and their families will be coming
William Woodrum Assoc. Dean and Assoc. Director WVSU Extension Service
to central West Virginia to visit the site for the Jamboree and, thanks to the efforts of local organizers like our own Adam Hodges, will be greeted with clean, open, revitalized communities.
There are other great programs also highlighted in this edition of “Extension
Matters,” including educational attainment, health and nutrition, and low-cost spring and summer education/recreation. It is our hope that these articles help you make the best of your spring and summer and enjoy the beauty of “Almost Heaven” West Virginia.
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
3
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E
6 Tidy up your town
How to start a community beautification program
8
12
Trash to garden treasure Building garden plots out of recycled materials
That sounds like fungus!
No matter how you slice or dice them, mushrooms can be a healthy and delicious addition to your dinner menu.
10 Something new: A twist on family fun With our family budgets being stretched thinner and thinner, it is easy to get sticker shock from the cost of traditional spring and summer activities.
4
E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
Financial Literacy for children and teens.
Teaching children and teens about money can be a daunting but necessary task.
How to beat the odds and earn a degree
SPR I NG
Thriving in College
2013
16
Contents
PAGE 22
20 I’m well, and you?
How to make wellness a priority
26 “Pinning” for Profit Pinterest Tips for Business
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
5
C O M M U N I T Y
D E V E L O P M E N T
Tidy Up Your Town: How to start a community beautification program
Many of us have things we would like to change in our communities, but it can be difficult to find a starting point. While the desire to make positive
a few established members of the community, you
change happen is important, projects
can still form a sizeable working group.
are often too complex for one person to
accomplish alone, so joining with like-
community group is trust. Every person in the
minds can make projects a success. Chances
group should feel that their ideas and opinions
are, if you are a long-time member of the
matter. Whether the group chooses to move
community, it will be relatively easy to
The most important element in a diverse
forward with a project idea, it should at least be
develop a list of people or organizations
thoughtfully discussed and perhaps considered
to bring together for discussion and
for another time. Members of the group need to
brainstorming. This can be difficult if you
respect one another’s opinions and be prepared to
are new to your area, but, with the help of
remind each other of the need for mutual respect.
The members of your group need to know
that their own interests and concerns are being Adam Hodges Fayette County Extension Agent Community & Economic Development ahodges7@wvstateu.edu
considered if you expect them to support other ideas.
Most community organizations fail when the
members no longer believe the group shares their interests or concerns, or when a disagreement has been allowed to escalate.
6
E X T E N S I O N M A T T E R S | S P R I N G / 2S0U1M 3 MER 2013
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
It is important to
start with short-term, high-impact and visible projects, especially with newly formed groups. This energizes people and announces to the community that you are getting things done.
A good first project is to
organize a citywide cleanup. Working with your city or a state agency can help get the supplies you will need. A citywide cleanup can include a roadside litter pick-up, cleaning sidewalks, powerwashing buildings or planting
A citywide cleanup can include a roadside litter pick-up, cleaning sidewalks, power-washing buildings or planting gardens in public areas.
flowers in public areas. project. Even with a successful event behind you,
REFERENCES
on their own residences if they are not able to
it is still important to think about short-term,
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
volunteer in other parts of the community. The
high-impact projects.
scope of your project will be determined by your
level of support and number of volunteers.
during this period is when many organizations
This kind of project is ideal for a new
fail. Completing one community project does not
organization because it gives you something
mean you are ready to take on a project that may
positive to promote, rallies the entire community
take two years of fundraising and development to
behind a specific event, establishes a connection
complete. Focus instead on continuing to complete
with your municipal leaders and, most
at least three short-term projects before working
importantly, helps you find the other members of
on a project that will take a year or more.
your community who are willing to volunteer to
make it a better place.
term projects you would like to accomplish, but do
not get too overwhelmed by them and forget about
Ask private citizens to spend the day working
These volunteers may become new members
You must learn to walk before you run, and
Of course you do need to develop some long-
of your group, but if not you will still be able to
the small projects that will make a difference
call on them for help with your next project. Your
today.
volunteers are also your best publicity, because if
Another beautification project that can help
they have a positive experience they will spread
bring the community together is public art. This
word of your efforts throughout the community.
can take the form of a mural or a sculpture, but
If you can accomplish a community cleanup
event, you should be ready to consider your next
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
Kretzmann, J. P., & McKnight J. L. (1993). Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community’s Assets. Chicago, IL: ACTA Publications. Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. Putnam, R. D., & Feldstein L. M.; with Cohen, D. (2003). Better Together: Restoring the American Community. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
See “Tidy” on page 30.
S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
7
A G R I C U L T U R E
&
N A T U R A L
R E S O U R C E S
File Cabinets
Using old file cabinets as planters is an easy
way to start with recycled gardening because few modifications are necessary. These planters also work well for ADA needs since they make higher raised beds. Simply obtain an old file cabinet, preferably one of the older, heavier, steel models, and take out all the drawers. You can find old file Joe Gorman and Jenny Totten AmeriCorps VISTAs
cabinets at thrift stores, Habitat for Humanity ReStores or even just an office that is converting to digital storage to save space.
It does not matter what size file cabinet you use,
but try a four- or five-drawer cabinet so you have room for plenty of vegetables.
Once the drawers are out of the cabinet, paint
it! (Or not, if you like it in its current state.) Make sure to use rustproof enamel paint to get the longest life out of the planter. It is well-known that growing your own food can
location where you want to have a raised garden. If
be a cost-saving labor of love for your monthly food
setting directly on the ground, use a couple of boards
budget, but is the expense involved in starting your
or pieces of rock to level the planter and raise it just
own at-home garden worth the payoff?
a bit so it isn’t in direct contact with the ground.
Garden construction, especially for city dwellers
Next, fill the bottom two-thirds of the planter
who opt for things like raised beds, can become
with plastic bottles, bricks, cinder blocks, etc. The
quite costly after trips to the hardware store and
goal is simply to take up space before you put in
construction supplier. But all hope isn’t lost.
good dirt.
There are plenty of nearly free options out
Then, fill the remaining 12 inches of the file
there, and you may be surprised where you can
cabinet with a good-quality growing medium and
find them! For instance, look outside on trash day
place your seeds, starts or plants!
and you may find everything you need!
warmer than beds closer to the ground, so you
If you have ever explored Pinterest or typed
“recycled gardens” into an Internet search engine before, you know how cool some low-to-no-cost projects can look. Let’s explore three different options for building raised beds out of recycled items. Always remember: one man’s trash is another’s treasure!
8
Then, place the file cabinet on its back in the
E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13
Remember, these beds will be considerably
may want to plant tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and other heat-loving plants.
Pallets
Pallets are generally free and easy to find if
you scout around construction sites or delivery locations long enough. Many shipping companies will give them to you if you ask.
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
Be cautious with the use of pallets in garden
gardens dry out faster than other containers.
settings, however. Attempt to find ones that are
heat-treated instead of chemically treated with
pallet garden. Experimenting is fun! For instance,
methyl bromide. If the pallet has an IPPC stamp
at one of the WVSU Extension Service garden
on the side, it will either say “MB” (treated with
projects in Huntington, we are planning to grow
methyl bromide) or “HT” (heat-treated).
oyster mushrooms in a pallet this season.
Also, based on size, 40” x 48” pallets are most
often used for food but are also standardized for
Feel free to try several different plants in a
Recycled Glass Bottle Hot Beds
other uses. Other sizes, like 48” x 36”, 40” x 40” and
36” x 36,” are safe for home and garden use. No
it involves collecting glass bottles and using
pallet should be used if it shows signs of spills, as
concrete to build a bed. It is well worth the effort,
this will leach into the soil used for your garden.
though, when you see the results. Also, the soil
heats up much faster, and you can harvest peppers
Once you have your pallet, take a few steps to
This is a labor-intensive method, because
prepare it for planting.
and tomatoes earlier!
First, decide if the pallet will be horizontal
First, collect glass bottles with long necks. Any
or vertical as a garden. If the pallet is to be
sort of bottle works, just make sure they are all about
horizontal, simply place the pallet where you
the same size. Wine bottles work especially well.
want your garden, fill it with dirt and plant in the
holes between the pallet boards.
be the perimeter of your bed.
If you have been drooling over all of the
Mix up concrete and spread a row of it down to Next, lay the bottles on the concrete so that the
gorgeous vertical garden pictures on your Facebook
necks are facing into the bed where you want your
feed, you will need landscape cloth, a staple gun
soil. After this, every row will be cemented in at
and staples in order to make your garden.
the neck area, leaving the larger area towards the
bottom of the bottle open to sunlight.
First, cut a piece of landscape cloth large enough
to cover the side of the pallet that you want to be
against the wall and staple it to the pallet.
with good soil and plant heat-loving crops such as
peppers and melons in the bed.
Next, fill the pallet with a lightweight growing
Once your bed is three to four bottles high, fill
medium mixture while it is lying down, such as Promix. Avoid soil-based growing mediums because they will be too heavy when watered.
Gardening doesn’t have to be
Add your plants at this point; strawberries
expensive, and ones created on a meager
work really well, as do many herbs. You can also
budget can still look beautiful. Consider
direct-seed lettuces and other greens.
trying one, two or all three of these
methods this summer and share your
Water everything well, and let the pallet sit for
about a week to allow the rooting process to begin.
Once things are growing, find a friend to help
lift the pallet to its final location. You can lean it
REFERENCES ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Information on file cabinet gardens: http://aol.it/17vdSWT Information on safety labeling of pallets: http://bit.ly/1106oX0 Information on glass bottle hot bed gardens: http://bit.ly/16RUNg8
stories (and photos) with us at fb.com/WVSUExtensionService.
against a wall, attach it to a fence with chains, or drill into an existing wall and hang the pallet like a heavy picture. Remember to water regularly; pallet
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
9
Y O U T H
D E V E L O P M E N T
Chris Kessell 4-H Extension Agent kesselg@wvstateu.edu
a twist on family fun
With our family budgets being stretched thinner and thinner, it is easy to get sticker shock from the cost of traditional spring and summer activities.
Grab the camera and go on a search for any and every thing. Take pictures of the tallest buildings, the longest bridges, the biggest pothole – the
And it does not appear that the cost of amusement
possibilities are endless. Creating a checklist for
parks, movies and the circus will be lowering
your scavenger hunt and printing the pictures
any time soon. Knowing that families that “play�
out when you get home can make this event a
together tend to be closer, more cohesive and have
multiday activity and will create lasting memories.
improved chances of staying together, cutting family recreational time is not in the best interest of a healthy, happy household. As parents, we sometimes
10
City Safari
The Wheels on the Bus
We all know the song, but has your child actually
need to open our eyes to the smaller, everyday
ridden a city bus? Jumping on the bus and riding
activities available to us that we can turn into a
around town can be a grand adventure for you and
series of exciting experiences for our little ones. Here
your child. Without the necessity of driving, you
are a few ideas to help get you started in a spring
can both look out the window while pointing out
and summer full of fun family activities.
and discussing things of interest.
E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
Hit the Trail
As parents, we sometimes need to open
national forest or even just a trail in a city
available to us that we can turn into a series
Taking a short hike through a local state or park is a quick and easy way to get your child reacquainted with nature and is a great way for the family to get some exercise.
The Scenic Overlook
our eyes to the smaller, everyday activities of exciting experiences for our little ones. the seasons or any holiday by looking for four-leaf
We spend so much time driving that we forget to
clovers, searching for the brightest leaves for a fall
notice the beauty right outside of our windows.
foliage craft or anything you can imagine.
Pulling the car over and watching the river lazily flow past while a tugboat pushes a barge against the current can lead to an interesting discussion with a child about where the river starts, why boats float or any number of things a child’s imagination can lead your conversation toward. Does your child love trains, but you have no train to ride? Stopping and eating a sandwich while trains roll past can be the highlight of their day.
Art in Nature
Community gardens and public art displays are located in cities nationwide. Taking the time to “smell the flowers” at a community garden with your child or stopping and viewing a mural, statue or a legal graffiti wall can stoke an interest that carries over into the home. Bringing a field manual with you to spot birds, flowers or bugs can make a lazy walk in the park, where many of these items are located, into a “science expedition” for your child.
When is it Spring?
One of my family’s favorite activities is looking for
Pick Up a City Parks and Recreation Guide Many cities, including Charleston, have great Parks and Recreation systems, with many activities that are great fun for the family: board game tournaments, corn hole competitions and many more.
How Do They Make That?
Getting a behind-the-scenes look at how something is made can turn simple tasks like running errands into an in-depth look at the complexity of our daily lives. Watching the baker make fresh bread or an artisan make handmade ice cream can change your child’s mind on where things come from. Bread will stop coming from the store and start coming from the baker who made it.
The West Virginia State Museum at the Culture Center
For those of us in West Virginia, this museum
the first signs of spring. Looking for spring’s first
offers free, self-guided tours through our state’s
robin or the first flowers blooming in the backyard
wonderful history. Going to the museum takes
gives our kids something to search for, and what
history out of the textbook and puts it in front of
kid doesn’t enjoy a good game of hide and seek
your child’s eyes.
with Mother Nature? This can be extended to all
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
11
l i k s e d n u o s t a h T
! us
Fung
Brad Cochran Extension Associate Agriculture & Natural Resources bcochran2@wvstateu.edu
12
E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
A G R I C U L T U R E
&
N A T U R A L
R E S O U R C E S
No matter how you slice or dice them, mushrooms can be a healthy and delicious addition to your dinner menu. Whether you are a fan of button mushrooms on your pizza, oyster and shiitake in your stir-fry, or portabellas stuffed with different cheeses, they all come with their own health benefits to go along with their amazing flavor.
What most people don’t realize is how easy
these fungi can be to grow either inside the comfort of your own home or as part of your landscape.
Mushroom cultivation has increased leaps and
bounds since the 1960s. In 1965, total worldwide mushroom production was at 350,000 metric tons (Royse, 2003). This number increased to 6.2 million metric tons in 1997, a nearly 18-fold increase in total production (Royse, 2003). These production totals have continued to increase in the years since 1997. Of the mushroom species mentioned above, the button mushroom (Agaricus spp.) is the most commonly produced worldwide, followed
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
by the oyster (Pleurotus spp.) and then the shiitake (Lentinula edodes).
Two of the easier mushrooms to produce
in West Virginia, or the Appalachian region in general, are oyster and shiitake mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms can be grown on a variety of substrates, including coffee grounds, straw, shredded paper or logs. Of these different substrates, growing oyster mushrooms on coffee grounds is the easiest and least time-consuming of the methods.
The only materials you need are a five-gallon
bucket with four to six holes drilled in the bottom for drainage, about half of that bucket filled with used coffee grounds, and oyster mushroom sawdust spawn. Once you have enough coffee grounds, mix the sawdust spawn and grounds together with your hands. After this is completed, cover the bucket with a clear plastic bag, punching some airflow
S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
13
14
holes into it. You will also want to spray the coffee
cannot drill into the logs for inoculation. Next, find
grounds with water once a day to keep them moist.
a location that has approximately 70 percent shade
In six to eight weeks, you will be enjoying oyster
throughout the summer months.
mushrooms in your dinner dishes!
Producing shiitake mushrooms is a more
you are ready to inoculate. Shiitake spawn
intensive process at the beginning, but involves
comes in three forms: sawdust, dowel and
very little time and labor when it comes to
thimble. If you choose dowel spawn, use a 5/16�
production and harvesting. The modern method of
drill bit to drill into the log about one inch deep
shiitake mushroom inoculation has been used since
and six inches apart.
the early 1940s and involves drilling a hole into a
log and introducing the laboratory produced spawn
the log and seal with beeswax or a soy-based wax,
via these holes. During the winter months, begin
like cheese wax. If you use sawdust or thimble
finding and cutting the logs for inoculation. Species
spawn you will want to use a 7/16� drill bit and
to consider are white and red oak, sugar maple
again drill about one inch deep and four to six
(cut before January), ironwood or gum. Oak is the
inches apart. The sawdust spawn will need sealed
best; oak logs have enough bark thickness to hold
with the wax again, but the thimble spawn does
in moisture but not so much thickness that you
not need to be sealed.
E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13
Now that you have found your site and logs,
Using a rubber mallet, drive the dowels into
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
Left:
A mushroom workshop attendee prepares to inoculate.
Most people don’t realize how easy these fungi can be to grow — either inside the comfort of your own home or as part of your landscape.
Once your log has been inoculated, lean the
for watering the bucket. If you are inoculating
log against a tree or fence for one summer.
logs, let the kids put the spawn in the logs
Then you will begin to see the mycelium on
before the adults put the hot wax in the holes.
the top part of the log to tell you that the log is
Kids love to watch the mushrooms grow when
ready to fruit.
they can monitor the change in the buckets
Once this happens, submerge the log under
every day. It becomes a research project outside
water for about 12 hours then place the log back
of school hours.
in its growing location. Harvesting will occur
in about seven days. Then you can enjoy your
currently showing a four million pound gap
delicious shiitake mushrooms. These harvests
between mushrooms demanded and mushrooms
will occur during the summer months every six
produced (Hartz, 2012). This suggests a huge
to eight weeks for three to four years.
need for added mushroom production in the
state and shows market potential for someone
The best thing about growing your own
Mushroom production in West Virginia is
cultivated mushrooms is that you know exactly
interested in commercial production.
what you are getting when you make your
harvests. There is no questioning whether the
household alone can be a fun new project and a
mushroom is poisonous or safe to eat.
way to utilize shady areas of your property that
don’t allow for other crops to thrive. Cultivated
Cultivated mushrooms are also a great way
However, mushroom production just for your
to get your family involved in the production
mushrooms are a very hands-off production
process. If you are growing oyster mushrooms
crop that can make for a delicious addition to
on coffee grounds, let the kids be responsible
any meal.
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
REFERENCES ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Royse, D. (2003). Cultivation of oyster mushrooms. College of Agricultural Science. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. Retrieved from http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/ freepubs/pdfs/UL207.pdf Hartz, Laura, et al. (2012). West Virginia Food System: Seasonal production expansion and its impacts. Downstream Strategies. Retrieved from http://www. downstreamstrategies. com/documents/reports_ publication/ds_food_ system_report_final.pdf
S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
15
Surviving in College: How to Beat the Odds and Earn a Degree
Danielle Metz HOUSE Program Coordinator dmetz@wvstateu.edu
Every fall, students begin the exciting journey of heading off to college. Faced with increased independence and responsibility, the first year can be a difficult transition. 16
E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
According to American College Testing, one in four students leaves before completing their sophomore year, and half of freshmen will either quit altogether or complete their education elsewhere. The statistics are bleaker for firstgeneration students: 89 percent leave without a degree within six years (Greenwald, 2012). W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
Although intimidating, these statistics are not meant to prepare those considering college for failure. With a strong foundation, all students can be successful. The decisions made and the actions taken during the first year of college directly impact the remainder of the experience. Consider the following practices of successful students. S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
17
Tour Campus
Many students never tour the college they plan
to attend, only to end up miserable once there
coursework and deadlines. They will usually
because it is a bad fit. Odds are if a student loves
give out syllabi to inform students of assignments
the city life, they are going to dislike being on a
and due dates for the entire semester. Students
campus in the middle of nowhere.
should invest in a planner or calendar, or set a
Tours are often led by students to provide
Professors will not handhold through
smartphone reminder — whatever it takes to
a more personal perspective than what is
remember assignments.
represented in university marketing.
Seek Help Early
This is a great way to learn more about the campus atmosphere or information such as
Many students wait until they are failing
what professors to take or where to find the
before they seek assistance, and by then
best pizza.
it is often too late. Students should find help
Go to Class
before failure, at the first sign of struggle. Writing labs, tutors, study groups and counseling
Without the fear of detention or grounding,
are available at colleges for free. Students that
skipping an 8 a.m. class can be tempting.
are doing well should utilize these also to help
However, many schools have attendance policies,
maintain grades. They may learn something and
and some professors have even stricter ones
develop relationships in the process.
themselves. Some will lower grades significantly
Be Healthy
for absenteeism; others remove absent students from class. Missing once may not seem like much but can
Many problems students encounter are associated with missing several classes due to illness, which
lead to falling behind. Professors move quickly
causes them to struggle all semester. Fatigue
and do not always follow the textbook. Useful
and malnourishment increase the likelihood
information can also be missed, such as what
of sickness. Students should get adequate sleep,
to expect on tests, deadline changes, etc. Being
take vitamins, wash hands and eat right. In
present, interested and engaged as a student also
addition to a healthy diet, students should avoid
helps build good relationships with professors,
the “freshman 15� by getting exercise, even if it is
which could be useful in the future for career
walking to class.
mentoring or job references.
Be a Better Student
Buy the Book
Students should get the books that professors
Making good grades takes more effort than
require. Professors generally expect students to
it does in high school. Students should plan to
know book material for tests even if they did not
study approximately two hours for each hour
cover it. Campus bookstores can be expensive.
of class. This sounds like a lot, but it is better
Books can be ordered or rented elsewhere, but one
than pulling an all-nighter to cram what could
must make sure to have the correct ISBN so the
have been learned in advance. One cannot
proper edition can be found. Students should also
procrastinate and catch up for exams.
18
E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
A D U L T S
&
check that the estimated arrival date for shipped
know the individual is hardworking and honest.
items has books arriving promptly for assignments.
Similarly, students should know their advisor.
Maintain Financial Aid
This person helps with anything involving classes,
Services are available to help, but it is the
student’s responsibility to maintain their financial aid. Every student must reapply yearly by filing
such as scheduling and conflicts.
Get Involved
Many students feel homesick or feelings of
the FAFSA in January. They must also know if
not belonging. Joining a group, such as a club,
awards have requirements or restrictions, such
fraternity/sorority, student government or
as GPA, course hours, time limits, etc. Students
intramural sport, can alleviate this. Even if
can also seek out additional aid, such as to cover
a student lives off campus, they should stick
books or study abroad.
around for more than just classes. Campuses have
Get a Job
activities going on reguarly. These events are great opportunities to meet people, learn and feel
Working provides extra money and
more connected to the college. However, students
makes students feel self-sufficient.
should not get so involved in campus life that they
It will also look good on future resumes, as
lose sight of why they are there: their education!
F A M I L I E S
REFERENCES ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Greenwald, R. (2012). Think of first-generation students as pioneers, not problems. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/ article/Think-of-FirstGeneration/135710/ Hansen, R. S. (n.d.). Your first year of college: 25 strategies and tips to help you survive and thrive your freshman year and beyond. Retrieved March 14, 2013, http://www.quintcareers. com/first-year_success. html Roe Clark, M. (2005). Negotiating the freshman year: Challenges and strategies among firstyear college students. Journal of College Student Development, 46, 296-316.
employers seek experience. On-campus positions are most desirable as they work around students’ schedules and can require fewer hours. They may even include benefits such as free printing or food.
Utilize Resources
Students are often not successful because they fail to take advantage of services available to them. Most universities provide academic assistance, health clinics, career centers and counseling services that are free to students. Some even offer childcare and special housing at a reduced cost for families.
Build Faculty Relationships
College is a challenge that will never be regretted once a degree is earned. Whatever a student does, they must strive to be receptive and enjoy the journey. It will not be easy, but every student should remember that they will get out of the experience what they invest into it. The decisions made in the beginning will help them to not only survive college, but to thrive in it.
Students should visit professors for assistance.
Meeting also gives opportunities for them to get to know the student, which can be beneficial in the long-term. Professors will be more likely to assist with problems or give students the benefit of the doubt when their hard drive crashes if they
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
19
I’m Well, and You? How to make wellness a priority David Miller Extension Program Assistant Family & Consumer Sciences gmiller5@wvstateu.edu
Whether it’s the winter blahs or a stress-filled time at work or school, everyone has to deal with periods of depression
or anxiety. For many, these are chronic medical conditions that require help from a qualified physician. Whether our depression and stress are chronic conditions or temporary trials, we can be helped by making wellness a priority. “Wellness” means that we do more than just try
Eat Healthy Avoid fatty foods and processed sugars, such as high-fructose corn syrup, and try to work more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Not only is it good for your body, but a healthy diet is proven to have a positive effect on mood and mental clarity.
Drink Plenty of Water After long periods of stress and anxiety, toxins
to avoid feeling bad; it means we actively do what
can build up in the body and make us physically
it takes to feel good. Working toward wellness in
sick. Drinking plenty of water can help flush these
your day-to-day life can help ease stress, lift your
toxins out, keeping body and mind healthy.
mood and increase your overall health.
Wellness is an outlook on life – a decision to
Get Moving!
make a priority of being happy and healthy. Since
Physical activity stimulates endorphins in the
each of us is different, everyone’s wellness routine
body, which can lift the mood, and is one of
will be unique, but here are a few suggestions to
the simplest yet most powerful ways to fight
get you started.
20
E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
H E A L T H depression. Even if all you do is take the stairs instead of the elevator, or try to walk a little extra each day, it can make a noticeable difference.
Sleep and Rest Our bodies and minds need rest. Make time for healthy periods of sleep. Seven to eight hours a night is recommended for most people. You may be surprised how much just getting enough rest changes your mood and helps you manage stress.
Get Some Sun Even just 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight each day can be a powerful boost to your mood. Studies show that, for many people, depression is worse during the long, dark months of winter. This has been linked to a lack of healthy vitamins that our skin absorbs from sunlight.
&
N U T R I T I O N
Take a Bath It’s simple but effective. Take a long, warm bath, perhaps adding aromatherapy and relaxing music.
Spend Time with healthy friends If we work or live with negative people, it can be an emotional drain. Try to spend time or talk with people you actually enjoy being around.
Journal A lot of stress and depression come from things we aren’t saying. Get a journal and write down your thoughts. No one has to ever see what you write, but you may find that putting your feelings into words is a helpful emotional release.
Work on your Spirituality Spirituality means different things for different
Look for Beauty Whether it’s nature or art, taking time to look at things you feel are beautiful can be deeply relaxing. Try to surround yourself with things you feel are visually appealing whenever possible.
Listen to Soothing Music
people. For some this may mean going to a church regularly or praying, while for others it may mean spending time in nature or practicing yoga and meditation. Studies show that people with a routine they consider “spiritual” often are less stressed and happier. What does being spiritual look like for you?
What kind of music helps you unwind? The
Every person’s wellness routine is different. What
answer is different for each person. Find music
matters is you start believing your happiness and
that lifts your spirits and work it into your routine.
health are worth some time and effort.
Whether it’s any of the above suggestions
Try Aromatherapy
or some you find on your own, make the time
Smells can have a powerful effect on our emotions.
to take care of yourself. Take care of your body,
What smells do you enjoy? When possible, try
work simple joys and pleasures into each and
to avoid artificial smells derived from chemicals
every day, and nurture your spirit. In the end,
and use natural fragrances, such as essential oils.
wellness is all up to you, but don’t see this as
Many essential oils, such as lavender, not only
one more chore to fit into your busy schedule.
smell good but have chemicals that can reduce
Wellness isn’t an obligation. Instead, see wellness
anxiety when inhaled.
as a commitment to yourself and your own happiness. You are worth it!
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
REFERENCES ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Harvard University Health Services. “Wellness Tips.” Retrieved from http:// cw.uhs.harvard.edu/tools/ wellnesstips.html. Melinda, M.A.; Segal, Robert, M.A.; Segal, Jeane, Ph.D. (January 2013). “Improving Emotional Health: Strategies and Tips for Good Mental Health.” Retrieved from http://www. helpguide.org/mental/ mental_emotional_health. htm. Rutgers University Student Health Services. (2011). (“101 Health & Wellness Tips for College Students.” Retrieved from healthservices.camden. rutgers.edu/topics_ wellness.
S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
21
Y O U T H
D E V E L O P M E N T
Courtney Estes 4-H Extension Agent cclayshulte@wvstateu.edu
Teaching financial literacy to children and teens can be a daunting task – but also a necessary one. Here are 20 things
kids need to know
to live financially smart lives, the best age to learn them, and simple suggestions to help you introduce them, according to the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability.
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
Age 3-5 Years: You need money to buy things. Help your child identify things that cost money, such as toys, gas for the car and clothes, as well as things that are free, such as playing with a friend in the backyard.
You earn money by working. Describe your job to your child, or walk through the neighborhood and point out people who are working, like the mailman, bus driver or police officer. When you are out shopping with your child, point out the people working in the stores.
You may have to wait before you can buy something you want. When your child is standing in line for a turn on the swings or slide, or looking forward to their favorite holiday, explain that sometimes we have to wait for things that we want.
There’s a difference between things you want and things you need. When you are shopping with your child, point out essential items such as food and clothing and ask your child to point out items they may want but are not essential, such as treats or toys.
Age 6-10 Years: You need to make choices about how you spend your money. Include your child in some of your small decisions; for example, at the grocery store, explain why you pick one item over another.
S P R I N G 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
23
It’s good to shop around and compare prices before you buy. Include your child in comparing prices for a
The sooner you save, the faster your money can grow from compound interest. Show your child the following
particular toy at different retailers and online.
example: if they set aside $100 every year starting at age 14, they will have about $23,000 at age 65.
It can be costly and dangerous to share information online. Know the
However, if they begin saving at age 35, they will
websites your child visits and make it a rule that
account earns 7 percent interest.) Ask your child
your child never gives out personal information
which option they think is better.
like their name, address, birthdate or school while online. Make sure your child knows not to make online purchases without your supervision.
Putting money in your savings account will protect it and pay you interest. Take your child to a local bank and open a savings account for them.
only have about $7,000 by age 65 (assuming the
Using a credit card is like taking out a loan; if you don’t pay your bill in full every month, you’ll be charged interest and owe more than you originally spent. Talk about how a credit card can be useful for making online purchases or as a convenience. Spend time talking with your child about why they should not use a credit card to buy
Age 11-13 Years:
You should save at least one dime for every dollar you receive. Consider a “matching plan” for your child’s savings: you put in 25 cents for every dollar they save. Go to the bank two or three times a year to deposit their money into their savings account and look at how the balance grows.
something they can’t afford to pay for with cash.
Age 14-18 Years: When comparing colleges, be sure to consider how much each school would cost you. Point out to your child that college graduates earn almost twice as much as people who did not go to college. Discuss how much you can contribute to your child’s college
Entering personal information online, tuition fund and explore scholarship opportunities like a bank or credit card number, with them. is risky, because someone could steal it. Explain that thieves can use personal You should avoid using credit cards information entered online to open credit cards or to buy things you can’t afford with create fake documents. cash. While discussed in the previous age group, stress further at this point with your child that when they use a credit card, they should aim to pay it back in full each month; otherwise, they could be charged high interest.
24
E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
Your first paycheck may seem smaller than expected since money is taken out for taxes. Explain the difference between gross pay (before taxes are taken out) and net pay (the amount you take home after taxes). Discuss what taxes pay for, including schools, road maintenance and medical help for the elderly.
A great place to save and invest money you earn is in a Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account.) If your child has a job, encourage them to open a Roth IRA, which allows the interest they earn to grow tax-free for life.
Age 18+ Years: You need health insurance. It is important to comparison shop for insurance like you would with any other product. If you are under age 26, have your parents check with their insurance company to see if you can stay on their policy. (By law, with some exceptions, you should be able to.)
You should use a credit card only if you pay off the money owed in full each month. Paying bills late can hurt your credit history and affect your chances of getting a job. Look for a credit card with a low interest rate and no annual fee. There may be an emergency
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
expense that you have to charge and can’t pay off
REFERENCES
immediately; this is why it is important not to
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
charge everyday items.
20 Things Kids Need to Know to Live Financially Smart Lives. (2010) Retrieved March 12, 2013, from http:// moneyasyougrow.org/#
It’s important to save a least three months’ worth of living expenses in case of emergency. Make a list of your expenses (rent, bills and food) to see how much you spend each month. This will allow you to estimate how much you need to save for three months’ worth of expenses. Store the money in a
Financial Literacy Statistics. (2007) Retrieved March 13, 2013, from http://www. financialeducatorscouncil. org/financial-literacystatistics.html
safe place, like a federally insured bank or credit union. Don’t stop saving once you have three months’ secured; try to automate your savings so you stash away 10 percent of your earnings.
When investing, consider the risks and the annual expenses. Invest in an IRA or 401(k) as soon as you have some income. Consider a diverse mix of stocks, bonds and cash because putting “all your eggs in one basket” can be risky. Think about your future long-term goals and make a plan to reach them.
S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
25
B U S I N E S S
D E V E L O P M E N T
If you know anything about social media, you’ve probably heard of Pinterest. And while you may be having some fun “pinning” for pleasure, businesses have taken a definite interest in the Pinterest sensation as well.
“Pinning”Pinterest for Profit Tips Rob Russo Communications Specialist rrusso1@wvstateu.edu
for Business
In this connected world we live in, most businesses have a website, blog or some sort of Internet presence. If you are looking for traffic to your site, Pinterest might be worth exploring. Depending on your business goals and preferred target market, you might need to add Pinterest to your marketing mix. It has been known to be a great referral of web traffic in some case studies. Read on to discover how many marketers and entrepreneurs have found ways to turn one of the latest social media fads into a profit.
Bonus Tip: Keep the profile name the
same on Pinterest and Twitter (and other social media networks, if possible) so your friends and fans will recognize you across the board, which ultimately will build trust faster and can increase engagement.
26
The Basics: How to pin for play If you are new to Pinterest or need a brush up, the relatively new social media network ditches the newsfeed of Facebook and the tweetstream of Twitter and puts images in the forefront.
E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
Coming out of nowhere late 2011 to becoming one of the most popular sites in 2012, Pinterest seemed to find a following overnight. Many online experts dubbed 2012 as the year of images thanks to the interest in Pinterest and other image-driven sites such as Instagram, purchased by Facebook the same year. Pinterest is similar to a virtual vision board, or bulletin board, where you pin up images for inspiration around various topics.
Above: Log on to business.pinterest.com to get started. You may convert your personal
account (if you have one) into a dedicated business account or create a new business account.
Once you set up a profile, you can create different boards arranged and themed to your liking. Your boards might include “Things that are Yellow,” “My Favorite Recipes” or “Dream Vacations.” At any time you can upload a “pin” — an image entry of your own creation — and write a brief description of the content pictured. Or, you can like or re-pin the content previously uploaded or shared by other Pinterest users. You can (and should) attach a link to your own
The Business: How to pin for business After you create you Pinterest business account, it’s time to play. Follow these five steps and you’ll be a Pinterest pro, set up and pinning in no time.
1. Create your account.
pins so you can encourage clicks back
You can sign up with your e-mail account,
to your website.
or just login and connect via Facebook
Then, as with any social media network, it’s all about engagement. “Follow” the boards of other
or Twitter. I’d suggest logging in through Twitter, if you are an active tweeter, as
users you like, re-pin and like their best content
you can later tweet when you upload or
and leave comments — there is a space to do that
share a pin.
under each pin.
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
27
2. Fill out your profile. Completely fill out your profile before you start pinning. This includes a little about you and/or your business. You might provide a short list of services or products and what you can provide for your (potential) clients or customers. Click the drop-down menu in the top right and select Your Boards. Then, click the edit pencil icon. In the pop-up window, fill out your profile information completely.
3. Create your first board. Create a board (or several) based on applicable categories for your business. If you are a baker, you might have a “Wedding Cakes” board that could act as both a portfolio of your creations and inspiration based on current trends. Or, have one board for “Our Cakes” and one for “Wedding Cake Inspiration.” It’s up to you!
4. Upload your first pin. Design and upload plenty of your own pins to be known as a content creator. Photographers can upload their best images; designers, their best work. Chefs can upload photos of their favorite dishes. Authors can upload book covers and include a brief plot summary.
28
E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
Remember, each pin can (and should) include a link back to your own website.
5. Re-pin other pins. Once you have created a few boards, fill them up with pins you like (and your clients will love). You might have a thing for barns, for example. Click the “Pin it!” button on the top left to pin to your own board. Choose your board or, if you don’t have an appropriate board set up already, you can create one now. Try a “Country Barns” board or a more general “Country Landscapes.” Add or edit your own information in the description field, if you wish. Just don’t leave it blank.
Create pins that promote your products
and services, just don’t spam with a steady stream of them. Sprinkle in your offers among other pins of interest. It’s an easy (and fun) way to no-hassle soft sell.
Add plenty of valuable content and
keep sharing great pins from others. If you become the content provider for your fans, they will keep coming back to you.
Once you’ve pinned or repinned, you
can share to Twitter or Facebook to cross promote further.
Ready to give Pinterest a spin? You might
be surprised at how addictive pinning can be—and how customers flock your way via interesting Pinterest boards.
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
REFERENCES ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pinterest for Business. (2013) Retrieved April 22, 2013, from http:// business.pinterest.com Pinterest is 4th Largest Traffic Driver. (2012) Retrieved April 22, 2013, from http://techcrunch. com/2012/09/06/ report-pinterest-beatsyahoo-organic-trafficmaking-it-4th-largesttraffic-driver-worldwide
S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13 | E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S
29
C O M M U N I T Y
D E V E L O P M E N T
Cont. from “Tidy� on page 7.
can be as simple as having people paint all
Public art projects are an excellent, eyecatching way to show the community that people are trying to make a difference. In an example of positive community change, a partnership between West Virginia State University Extension Service and the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority has produced a useful toolkit for beautification that can be accessed at http://www.nrgrda.org/images/toolkit/index.html.
30
E X T E N S I O N M AT T E R S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 13
of the fire hydrants in town according to a certain theme. Students or artists could paint images to hang in empty storefronts or second-story windows. Public art projects can take a variety of forms and do not always require trained artists or large amounts of money. Some of the simplest forms of public art are those that involve community participation and can be the most effective in expanding awareness and making it possible to take on larger projects. Public art projects are an excellent, eye-catching way to show the community that people are trying to make a difference. For your first few projects, carefully consider who has the most to gain. If you want to build a dog park in a vacant lot, organize the dog owners to help make it happen. If you want to put flower boxes and benches along the city sidewalks, contact local business owners for support. If you consider the beneficiaries of your projects, you will have a much easier time getting needed participation and support. You should also identify people in the community with the skills or resources necessary to complete the project. Garden clubs, Master Gardener groups and 4-H clubs could help with flowers and plantings, while local hardware stores might help with materials. The most important thing you can do to sustain your group is to complete projects. Each project will bring your group closer together and rally others to your cause. Seeing the results of your hard work will help energize the rest of the community. Positive change is contagious.
W V S TAT E U . E D U/ E X T E N S I O N
West Virginia State University conducts research that is highly applicable and responsive to agricultural and environmental needs, while providing hands-on student learning opportunities.
providing solutions
A D V A N C I N G
S C I E N C E
View our ever-expanding research portfolio at
wvstateu.edu/research
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PA I D Institute, WV 25112 Permit No. 1
The Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institute 106 Ferrell Hall P O Box 1000 Institute, WV 25112-1000 Address Service Requested
West Virginia State University steers the scientists of tomorrow toward careers in the advancing fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Hands-on learning experiences are available for young people of all ages.
inspiring leaders
E X P A N D I N G
M I N D S
Explore our exciting learning opportunities at
wvstateu.edu/castem