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| LEARN ABOUT US |
| CASSIA County Extension Programs |
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| Person: |
Richard Garrard |
| Program Thrust: |
Agriculture – Competitive, Profitable Agriculture, Livestock Production |
| Major Programs: |
Farm and Ranch Management, Beef Nutrition, Youth Livestock Education |
| Successes and Current Activities: |
Because federal policymakers want agricultural borrowers to win the confidence of private lenders, policies have been implemented that encourage producers to become effective farm or ranch managers. The 1990 Farm Bill requires FSA (Farm Service Administration) borrowers to receive formal education in farm business management. Mr. Garrard serves as state coordinator for the FSA Borrower’s training, and over the eight-year period this in-depth educational opportunity has been offered, 469 Idaho families have participated and been able to obtain loans for their businesses. Last year Mr. Garrard offered two 72-hour courses on basic and advanced farm management, with 21 farm families attending. He provided materials and support for many other courses offered by UI Extension Educators. Mr. Garrard has taught basic beef nutrition courses to area ranches and feedlot operators with multi-county beef program committee input. He assisted farmers with irrigation management of over 4400 acres of wheat. A grasshopper spray program was organized by Mr. Garrard at the request of Albion area ranchers and timely spraying was provided. As a result, pest damage to crops was minimized. Mr. Garrard has continued to develop nutrient management plans for producers, and provides defense of the plans at planning and zoning hearings. |
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| Person: |
Grace Wittman |
| Program Thrust: |
Family and Consumer Sciences – Food Safety, Nutrition, Health, Community Development |
| Major Programs: |
Master Food Preservers, Germ City, Ready Set Food Safe, Nutrition and Health Education, ENP (nutrition education for limited resource families), 4-H/Youth Development, Customer Relations |
| Successes and Current Activities: |
Ms. Wittman has been working as an Extension Educator in District III since April of 2005. She is currently working with the Master Food Preservers (MFP’s) from across District III in providing training for current MFP’s and new MFP’s. Currently there are 10 active MFP’s in District III who answer an average of 20 questions per month on Food Safety and Food Preservation either by phone or personal contact. This last September Ms. Wittman conducted the Ready Set Food Safe curriculum for 115 high school age youth. This curriculum prepares youth to work in the food industry. At the end of this course youth are given the opportunity to take a state food safety test in order to receive a certification. Over the next year Ms. Wittman will be conducting a program called Germ City. This program is conducted in schools and at fairs and is a way to educate youth on the importance and proper way of washing your hands. Ms. Wittman will also be conducting workshops for two new nutrition and health curriculums: Steps to a New You (a pedometer walking program), and Meal Time in Less Time (participants learn how to better manage their time and learn short cuts so that their families can eat healthy and nutritious meals). She also provides support to the ENP program by being available as a resource to the ENP advisors and offering to conduct various programs regarding food safety. Ms. Wittman currently provides assistance to the 4-H/Youth Development program by working with the Teen Association on service learning projects and by assisting with mini 4-H classes. Ms. Wittman will be working with a team of educators from around the state to develop a statewide customer relations curriculum. This curriculum is called The UI Gold Standard in Customer Relations. It is a workshop that enhances customer service quality, helps employees develop an understanding of the elements of quality service, and helps employees and employers learn how to support each other as they deliver quality service. |
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