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| LEARN ABOUT US |
| BONNER County Extension Programs |
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| Person: |
Susan Traver |
| Program Thrust: |
Community Development, Family Development |
| Major Programs: |
Idaho Journey for Human Rights, Customer Service Training |
| Successes and Current Activities: |
Ms. Traver is co-leader for the Civil Society topic team within CALS. She is co-director of the Idaho Journey Project, which offers Idahoans the opportunity to learn about diversity through studying Idaho’s history of diversity. Ms. Traver has networked with representatives of the CDA Tribe and members of human rights organizations in the Panhandle to define the northern component of the Idaho Journey. Another major focus for Ms. Traver has been to offer Customer Service training. In partnership with Boundary County Extension Educator Sarah Howe, a curriculum from Oklahoma State University was adapted. They offered the six hour workshop to a number of groups including Bonner County employees, library employees and employees of local businesses. Total participation was over 150. Ms. Traver and Ms. Howe are currently working with the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce to develop a customer service certification program to help local businesses compete with large “box stores” that are moving into the community. Ms. Traver is also seen as the “go to” person when it comes to poverty issues. She has shared her applied research on poverty’s effects on women in rural communities with local, state, and national audiences. She has secured numerous grants to support AmeriCorps volunteers and Parents As Teachers parent educators in the Panhandle. |
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| Person: |
Robert Wilson |
| Program Thrust: |
Commercial and Urban Horticulture, Small Acreage Farms |
| Major Programs: |
Nursery/Greenhouse Industry, Landscape Industry, Bonner County Master Gardener Program, Small Acreage Farms |
| Successes and Current Activities: |
Mr. Wilson is the only county faculty member in the Panhandle with commercial horticulture program responsibilities. He works with businesses that represent over 2500 acres of nursery and Christmas tree production. He provides technical assistance through an annual workshop and on-farm visits. Workshop participants indicate on evaluations that they have used what they learned in their nursery/greenhouse businesses. Mr. Wilson serves on several regional committees including the Community Canopy, a tree care education group in Kootenai County. The Community Canopy was formed in 2003 to address a number of poor and damaging tree care practices, particularly in commercial landscapes. Workshops and tailgate sessions have been held and educational materials developed to help green industry businesses increase their expertise. Mr. Wilson acts as a resource for Master Gardener (MG) volunteers in the Panhandle. He develops classes and short courses, organizes regional conferences, offers the basic MG course, and holds field tours and advanced training to ensure this important group of volunteers is highly skilled. Mr. Wilson has worked with approximately 150 Master Gardeners in four counties, and these volunteers return over 4500 hours of service to their local communities. Mr. Wilson has created a land stewardship course to address needs of an increasing number of small acreage rural landowners. Mr. Wilson is recognized by colleagues in eastern Washington and northern Idaho for his expertise in pest identification and control. He has written a number of fact sheets that have been shared across the region. |
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