UW EXTENSION 2005 ANNUAL REPORTS

AG/AGBUSINESS                                                                                                                                   Peg Reedy

• Integrated Pest Management—The Variant Western Corn Rootworm (Vwcr) Monitoring Network expanded to 10 counties and 80 sites in 2005, continuing to map and delineate the range of this pest in Wisconsin. In Southeast Wisconsin, insecticide applications or use of Bt corn rootworm hybrids to control Vwcr on an estimated half-million first-year corn acres costs growers $8.6 million annually, while failure to treat can result in substantial economic damage.  The network is using on-farm applied research to verify economic thresholds and correlate thresholds with root damage ratings. Peg Reedy works with 20 Walworth, Racine and Kenosha County farmers in this project. Other pest management activities for 2005 included a soybean rust sentinel plot, soybean aphid suction trapping, and spider mite management training. Eighty farmers became certified to apply restricted use pesticides at annual training.

• Direct Marketing—The first Farm Fresh Atlas for Southeast Wisconsin was published and featured 10 Walworth County farms and businesses. Over 65,000 copies were distributed and a survey among featured farms indicated the worth of the publication in connecting farms and consumers. Despite a January 2005 blizzard the morning of the FarmDirect conference, 30 hardy souls attended. Peg Reedy presented local regulations and how they affect direct marketing businesses. The Southeast Wisconsin Food Farm Network received grant funding and has begun to connect farmers with restaurants in Walworth County. A comprehensive survey to determine feasibility of the project and find businesses and institutions interested in buying locally indicated that this initiative was promising in the region. The Walworth County Farmers’ Market wrapped up its first year with mixed reviews and will continue in 2006. For the regular vendors and customers, evaluations were very positive, but more of both are needed to make a long-term success of the market.

• Management Intensive Rotational Grazing—2005 figures from NRCS are not yet available, but rotational grazing continues to gain in popularity, especially among younger farmers. Several new marketing businesses featuring grass-fed meats among the Southeast Wisconsin Grazing Network started in 2005 and one will be featured in the upcoming Wisconsin Grazing Conference in Stevens Point. Pasture walks were very well attended this year with an average of over 30 attending each one. Topics included stock dogs, weed control, pasture species selection, and alternative forages.
  
• Youth Outreach—Twenty-four youth completed the Tractor and Equipment Safety course and were successful in their certification examinations. Response from both youth and parents continues to be very positive and the recent Rock County tractor overturn fatality of a young person emphasizes the importance of this type of training. The course is a cooperative effort between UW-Extension, Gateway Technical College, and area implement dealers, including Case IH who donates personnel to help students with driving skills. The Ag in the Classroom program brings Wisconsin agriculture to elementary classrooms. Students learn about the importance of agriculture in providing food and fiber. Meat Animal Quality Assurance training helps youth learn factors that affect meat quality and safety in the food production chain. Animal welfare and ethics are also emphasized.

• Newsletters—Approximately 1,400 farmers and landowners in Walworth County received Your Partners in Farm Business, a collaborative newsletter published six times yearly. Current production issues, USDA, state, and local programs are publicized as well as upcoming events of interest to the farming community of Walworth County.

• Grants—The Walworth County Agriculture Program conducted programming with the help of four grants in 2005. The first was an Agricultural Health and Safety grant for use in Tractor and Equipment Safety training. The second was a grant from the Soybean Marketing Board to support the Variant Western Corn Rootworm Monitoring Network. A grant from the UW Emerging Ag Markets Team (Kohl Foundation) supported SWFFN, and a multi-agency grant through the Grasslands Conservation Initiative was used by the grazing network to pay a grazing specialist in the area.

The department of Ag/Agbusiness passed the tenure portfolio of Peg Reedy and it was forwarded to the Deans office for consideration.

HORTICULTURE                                                                                                      Christine Regester

• Horticulture Community Assistance – From May through December the horticulture educator, Christine Regester, received over 275 phone calls concerning many gardening topics.  Thirty-five people came to the office to drop off plant or pest samples and obtain literature of a wide variety of topics.  Of the total amount of questions received, more than 45% of the questions and concerns were focused on tree health and identification, landscape pests, and proper pruning techniques, 15% regarded controlling and identifying invasive species, about 5% were questions on soil sampling, and the other 35% were miscellaneous gardening questions.  Other methods in which information was dispersed was supplying literature at the Walworth County Dairy Breakfast, the Walworth County Fair, and meeting with local business owners. 
  
• Gardening Presentations – Over 100 people were educated through garden presentations throughout the year. Thirty-four people attended one or more of the six gardening presentations that were offered during the Walworth County Fair.  Over 60 senior citizens were presented to in October during a Walworth County Senior Travel Club meeting about home gardening.  In June, twenty people joined Christine on a neighborhood walk in Delavan to identify local trees and native plants.  Five people joined Christine in the Delavan Memorial Arboretum Walk in September.
  

• Master Gardeners – Efforts have been made throughout 2005 to build relationships between the UW-Extension and the Walworth County Master Gardeners Association.  Christine met with two leaders of the Master Gardeners in December to discuss interests and ideas for 2006.
  
• Local School Outreach –Discussion has been held to brainstorm the possibilities of incorporating a school garden project at Badger High School in Lake Geneva.  This also sparked interest in developing a school forest program in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources at Big Foot Beach State Park with local area schools to aid in ecological forest education.

• Horticulture Newsletter – Over seventy-five people received the 2005 horticulture newsletter that was dispersed monthly between September and December.  This newsletter contained interesting facts on gardening as well as the history of many plants.  It was used as an educational tool for people to learn more about gardening in southeastern Wisconsin.

FAMILY LIVING                                                                                                      Jenny Wehmeier

• Better Kid Care—Nineteen Better Kid Care sessions were held throughout Walworth County in 2005.  The locations of these classes included Lakeland Little Learners Child Care Center, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Gateway Technical College, and the Courthouse Annex.  The popularity of these continuing education workshops continues to grow with every session.  Session topics included: “The Art and Science of Playing with Small Children, Easy Ways to Boost Kids’ Brain Power, What Children Need to Know to Start School, Avoid Behavior Problems-Teach Self-Control, and Changing Spaces.”

• Story Time Fun with Food and Fitness—Six county libraries (Darien, East Troy, Elkhorn, Genoa City, Whitewater, and Williams Bay) agreed to pilot a four-week class for two to six year old children and their caregivers.  The children’s librarian would read selected titles and the FL Educator would complete activities with the children that revolved around healthy eating and exercise.  For example, after reading “Me and My Amazing Body,” children received toothbrushes and toothpaste and a short lesson on proper brushing.  All lessons included preparing a healthy snack with parents and children working together.  Due to enrollments, only two programs were completed (Elkhorn and Genoa City).  A fee of $10 was charged for the class in Elkhorn while Genoa City Lions Club sponsored their program.

• Parks & Recreation Collaboration—After an initial invitation to all county Parks, Recreation, and Community Education Departments; Badger Community Education, East Troy Parks & Recreation, and Whitewater Parks & Recreation all desired programs in 2006.  The program offerings included: I Am Your Child, Discipline: Teaching Love with Limits, The First Years Last Forever, Ready to Learn, MyPyramid, Preschoolers and Money, and Reading Your Credit Report.  Fees were charged for each program.  Due to enrollments, the only classes that were completed were two sessions of Reading Your Credit Report in Whitewater.  Many classes had 1-3 people enrolled.  All offered scholarships for those unable to pay.
  
• Independent Living Program—Sixteen teens participating in an eight session series experienced activities that focus on the development of specific life skills useful for independent living.  The class met for two hours weekly and focused on a single skill each week.  Key topics included Teamwork and Communication—a low ropes course, Life Skills Inventory, Consumer Choices—grocery shopping strategies, Money Management—personal banking manager and bank tour, Careers—job center and interest inventory, Education—counselor and Gateway Technical College tour, and Housing Options—county housing authority and unit tours.  When asked what they learned in the Independent Living Skills program, participants responded that "I learned how I could go to college and know what classes I can take, I learned how to fill out checks and how to set up an account at the bank, and to ask people for help when needed."  The program was conducted in collaboration with the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services.
  
• Newsletters—Approximately 1040 families in Walworth County received either Parenting in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd Year.  In addition, 1,600 copies of each issue of As They Grow were distributed through libraries, day care centers, schools, and direct mailings.  Electronic copies of these publications are now linked to our website.
  
• Grants—The Walworth County Family Living Program received four minigrants in 2005. The first enabled Jenny Wehmeier to attend the California Childhood Obesity Conference in January.  The second grant purchased materials and training for the Strengthening Families evidence-based parenting program for parents and children age 10-14.  The first session is scheduled in January 2006 in Whitewater.  The third minigrant supports the Rent Smart collaboration with the Housing Authority of Walworth County.  Books for the two-session workshop are being printed and dates are being set for this program.  The final grant will enable Jenny Wehmeier to obtain training in the Strong Women, Strong Bones program from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy in March 2006.

• NEAFCS (National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science) — Jenny Wehmeier attended the National Conference of NEAFCS in Philadelphia to co present the work of her predecessor on the “Five-County Latino Needs Survey.”  Family Living Educators from across the country attended session with positive evaluation results.  Jenny was also able to network with a variety of educators and learn about many programs.

Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program (WNEP)                                                 Gabriela Anaya

In fiscal year 2005, WNEP reached approximately 2,055 low-income families in Walworth County.  More than 63% of the clients were women and seventy percent were Hispanic.  1,355 individuals, including 778 children aged 5-11, learned about improving their dietary intake.  Other WNEP program topics included managing financial resources effectively, food safety, and utilizing community food resources.  WNEP collaborated closely with more than 15 community-based organizations—including school districts, the public health department, homeless shelters, food pantries—and initiated partnerships with two more agencies for the new program year.

The following list summarizes programming efforts that are currently underway.

• Early Bytes—This program emphasizes dietary quality and food safety amongst pregnant women and parents of school age children.  Parents play a critical role in their children’s nutrition habits through food selection and preparation, timing of snacks and meals, and making mealtimes pleasant. Educational efforts currently target Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), local food pantries, family resource centers, and Headstart.  Topics range from increasing fruit and vegetable intake to preparing quick and easy meals and have also customized to fit the unique needs of teenage parents.

• Money for Food—Educational materials are used with both families with or without children and focus on managing food dollars and utilizing food community resources.  Sessions are delivered monthly at local homeless shelters and the Food Stamp office.  Key topics include cost-effective grocery shopping and meal planning.

• Pyramid between the Pages—In Spring 2005, this nutrition literacy program was piloted in school districts of Lake Geneva/Genoa City, Walworth, and Whitewater.  Students in grades K-3 were introduced to nutrition through books and food-related activities and sampling. Because the majority of our audience is affiliated with the English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, teachers are offered the option of sessions in English or Spanish. Messages were also reinforced through weekly parent newsletters. Topics included safe hand washing techniques, exploring variety within the food guide pyramid, and “sometimes” versus “everyday” foods.

• Math, Science & Nutrition—Age appropriate variations of this program are used with both 4th/5th grade learners and teenage youth.  The math component is geared towards culinary measurements, reading food labels, and assessing personal nutrition habits.  Activities may include measuring sugar intake or comparing current dietary intake and recommended dietary intake through graphing. The science component of the program targets food safety topics.

• Power of Choice—Educational program promotes nutrition and healthy living amongst teenage youth through life skills topics such as personal assessment, decision making, and taking action.  It is effective in both traditional classroom programs and out-of-school projects (i.e. summer, after-school).

• Sisters in Health—In November 2005, this program was delivered for the first time targeting Spanish-speaking parents of school-age children in Lake Geneva.  Walworth County was one of three counties in Wisconsin who was chosen to pilot the program.  24 teaching contacts were made with participants—all focused on choosing, preparing and storing fruits and vegetables. 

4-H/YOUTH DEVELOPMENT                                                                       Carolyn L. Belczyk and Jan Ellsworth                                                                                                                                                                                           

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. In Walworth County, the traditional 4-H program remained strong in 2005, with 955 members enrolled in 18 community 4-H clubs.

• Strengthening 4-H Club Leadership – Adult Leader Development—More than 400 enrolled adult volunteers provided leadership to the community clubs and the many 4-H projects and activities. A Minnesota study shows that a 4-H leader spends an average of 7.9 hours a month working directly with youth. The value of this time to Walworth County, calculated at a conservative $12 per hour, is more than $455,000 annually.

• Youth Protection Process—Sixty-seven new adult volunteers and host family members 18 and older participated in new volunteer orientation trainings and completed the state's Youth Protection Process, designed to help adults learn about 4-H, develop skills for working with youth, and provide emotionally and physically safe environments for youth in 4-H.

• General Leaders Meetings—Four meetings were held for club general leaders, with an average of 11 clubs represented at each of these meetings. The February meeting focused on member record books and record keeping, and the May meeting focused on creating a welcoming environment in the club.

• Master 4-H Leader Development—Fourteen leaders attended one or more of the sessions in the 2005 Master 4-H Leader Development series. Ten of these attended at least four of the six sessions and were recognized as graduates. Participants learned about a wide variety of topics, including "Dealing with Difficult People," "Ages and Stages of Youth Development," "4-H Opportunities for Youth and Adults at the District, State, National, and International Level" and "Character Counts! in 4-H."  Participants report that they learned a lot and would like to see the series offered again, with new topics. One leader commented, "I really like the ethics portion—will share with school board. Also will use a lot from dealing with difficult people at work."

• Strengthening 4-H Club Leadership – Youth Leadership Development—4-H provides youth with opportunities to develop and practice their leadership skills. In 2005, 87 teens belonged to the county's Junior Leaders' Association, advised by Jan Ellsworth, 4-H Program Assistant. This group planned and conducted countywide 4-H activities such as the annual Bowling Tournament; planned and conducted numerous community service activities including a "baby" drive in the spring to collect clothing, a high chair, a stroller, and other baby items that were donated to the needy and provided Christmas dinners;, supported the House of Pork fund raising efforts; and helped fund members' participation in a wide variety of out-of-county learning opportunities, such as trips to Citizenship—Washington Focus and National 4-H Congress. Additional leadership development opportunities provided in 2005 included:

• Officers’ Retreat—Thirteen 4-H Junior Leaders' Association officers and ambassadors met in January at Lake Lawn to plan their budget and activities for the year. This annual overnight event focuses on building youth self-confidence, leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. The junior leaders practice these skills in planning and implementing programs in their local clubs and in the Junior Leaders' Association. These same skills will make them effective community leaders in the years to come.

• State 4-H Youth Conference— Nineteen youth in grades 8 through 10, along with two chaperones and the 4-H Program Assistant, attended the 85th Annual State 4-H and Youth Conference in Madison. Two Walworth County delegates to the State 4-H Youth Council also attended. The annual four-day conference gives youth a chance to learn about a variety of 4-H and other youth programs, experience hands-on learning in a university campus atmosphere, strengthen life skills such as communication and leadership, gain knowledge to share back home, and exchange ideas and form friendships with youth from around the state. The delegates attended workshops and assemblies developed around the theme, “Path to Success," which highlighted leadership, individual responsibility, goal setting, and living up to potential.

• Junior Leader Ambassadors—Ten ambassadors are elected each year to promote Junior Leaders to county 4-H clubs and to promote 4-H in schools and to other civic organizations.  Ambassadors plan and coordinate promotional displays for the Dairy Breakfast and other county and community events.

• Club Officers' Training—Training for new club officers was offered in November. More than 50 officers attended the training workshop hosted by Junior and Senior 4-H Leaders' Associations. Youth received information and materials to help them confidently perform their specific duties and run a meeting correctly. They discussed and participated in special group situations to help them identify how to deal with similar concerns in their own club.

• Strengthening the 4-H Animal Science Program—Jan Ellsworth also provides leadership to the county's 4-H animal science projects. More than 700 of the county's 4-H members are enrolled in one or more animal science project, with the largest project areas being horse and pony, poultry, and swine.  In 2005, 151 steers, 629 swine and 179 lambs were weighed in and tagged for the Wisconsin State Fair and the Walworth County Fair.

• Meat Animal Quality Assurance—Walworth County held its first Meat Animal Quality Assurance (MAQA) session in April with seven adult volunteers and staff assisting in training. The training is mandatory for swine project members and is highly encouraged for youth in the beef and sheep projects. Approximately 125 youth and more than 50 parents attended training. Nearly every participant said they learned from the training. Youth especially enjoyed the injection station, where they learned where and how to give shots to their animals. Other stations included reading medicine labels, recording treatment, and ethics in raising and showing animals. The MAQA program helps youth livestock exhibitors learn how to produce a safe and wholesome food product and helps assure buyers at the Walworth County Fair Meat Animal Sale.  Participants develop life skills in the animal science projects including decision making, problem solving, communications, and record keeping; understand and are able to articulate the reasons for certain types of care, management, and production of their projects; understand the importance of a wholesome and safe food supply and will apply safe procedures when handling animals; and recognize and explore career and business opportunities in animal science and related fields.

• Miniature Horse Drill Team—The Walworth County 4-H Miniature Horse Drill Team performed at the Upper Iowa Horse Show in April and at the annual BreyerFest in Kentucky in July. This drill team is one of a kind in the state. It is under the direction of volunteers Will and Nancy Swierenga of Darien. The team members and their parents solicited donations and conducted fund raisers to offset the costs of purchasing carts, harnesses, and other supplies associated with the team traveling and performing at these shows.

• Judging Teams—Dairy, livestock and horse judging teams competed in district and statewide competitions, including Area Animal Science Day, World Dairy Expo and World Beef Expo.  At Area Animal Science Days, 12 youth participated in dairy judging, with the senior team placing 1st and the junior team placing 9th. Six youth participated in livestock judging. The senior team placed 5th overall, with several members placing high individually. The junior team placed 7th overall.

• Gymkhana—The Walworth County 4-H Horse Program hosted the State Gymkhana Show at the fairgrounds in September. This is a two-day, state-sponsored horse show in which members and their horses compete against the clock in classes such as barrel racing and pole bending. Many Walworth County 4-H volunteers helped plan and conduct the show, and a number of Walworth County youth participated. These youth practice weekly at the fairgrounds throughout the summer months.

• Life Skills Development through Participation in 4-H Events and Activities—A number of county activities are planned, implemented, and evaluated annually that are designed to provide members with opportunities to develop and practice a variety of life skills, such as communications, leadership, decision-making, and teamwork; make new friends, master project skills, and provide service to others. The following are among those conducted in 2005:

• Annual Kids’ College—Seventy-eight members, a number of Junior Leaders, and several adult volunteers participated in the annual Walworth County 4-H Kids' College in March. Youth registered for their choice of two classes, including Basket Making, Bead Jewelry, Cake Decorating, Painting of Wood, Rocketry, Scrapbooking, Wildlife, and Woodworking. They had the opportunity to work hands-on, which allowed them to find out if they are interested in pursuing the project. They also were able to take home a finished product from each class. Members evaluated the day as “Fun” and “Awesome,” and most indicated that they had learned at least one new skill as a result of their participation.

• Drama Fest 2005—The annual 4-H Drama Fest was held in March in the Black Box Theatre, which will close when the Annex is vacated in 2006. More than 150 4-H members and leaders representing 14 of the county's community 4-H clubs took part in the production and performance of 13 one-act plays and skits. Opportunities such as Drama Fest help members develop self-esteem and communications skills and serve as a creative outlet.

• Summer Camp Goes Dancin' through the Decades—A total of 153 Walworth County 4-H members, teens, and adult volunteers participated in the 2005 summer 4-H camping programs at Upham Woods. Among these were 33 teen counselors and two youth directors. Planning for camp began in March. First-time counselors attended orientation and training sessions. Teens report that being involved in the 4-H camping program helps them develop their leadership and communications skills. Many of this year's camp activities related to the theme, "Dancin' through the Decades!"  Campers enjoyed a sock hop and drive-in movie, made their own hula hoops and tie-dyed shirts, and enjoyed a "Woodstock" style campfire.

• Softball—More than 200 4-H'ers from 14 clubs participated in the 2005 softball program. Team coaches nominated their top players to participate in all-star games. A tournament was held at the end of the season for both Senior and Junior teams. Trophies were awarded at the annual Record Book Recognition Program in October.

• Summer Fling—Eleven sixth through eighth grade youth, along with three chaperones and two junior leaders, traveled to Platteville, touring the UW-Platteville farm and a mining museum. They continued to Mineral Point and stopped at historical sites along the way. They had the opportunity to participate in hands-on art classes and glassblowing demonstrations, and they also had the chance to act on stage at the Opera House.

• Wisconsin State Fair—More than 50 Walworth County youth exhibited animals at the State Fair, and 21 non-animal exhibits were displayed in fair's exhibit building. Three youth participated in the Style Revue activities at the Fair, and the Walworth County Reach Out Singers performed twice on opening day. In addition, Walworth County's Rebecca Sunde performed with the State 4-H Showcase Singers throughout the first several days of the fair. The State Fair is a great opportunity for youth to meet and interact with other youth from across the state. It also teaches them responsibility and other life skills.

• Walworth County Fair—4-H youth, 4-H projects, and 4-H activities could be found across the Walworth County fairgrounds throughout the annual fair. Pre-fair judging of non-animal projects began on August 15, and the last exhibits left the fairgrounds on Tuesday, September 6!  The Walworth County Bankers Association recognized two Outstanding Youth during the annual Bankers Night Awards at the fair. They were Sarah Harper, Lyons 4-H Club, and Amanda Travis, Elkhorn 4-H. The fair also featured the annual Fur & Feather and Meat Animal sales, performances by the Reach Out Singers, a Style Revue, and numerous animal shows.  Post-fair evaluation meetings are held to evaluate the year and to begin planning for educational programming for next year.

• Developing Multicultural Understanding—UW-Extension is challenged, both legally and morally, to provide programming to all segments of the population. In Walworth County, the rapidly growing Latino population has traditionally been under-served by the 4-H/Youth Development Program. Two programming initiatives addressed this issue in 2005.  As a result, the number of racial or ethnic minority youth enrolled in 4-H clubs or special interest groups increased by 175%, to 44 youth or 4.5% of enrollment.

• Un Libro, Un Niño Youth Literacy/Teen Leadership Project—The pilot of the Un Libro, Un Niño Youth Literacy/Teen Leadership Project was conducted in August at the Latino/Hispanic Service Center in Lake Geneva. The six-session project matched Latino youth with high school students in shared reading. The youth took home five books, participated in story-related crafts and activities, made their own snacks, and wrote and illustrated their own short stories. Fifteen Latino youth participated in the project. Fifteen mentors, including 14 Badger High School students, also participated in the project. All of the teens report participating in the project helped them develop their leadership and teaching skills to some or to a great extent. Eighty-six percent report that the project helped develop their Spanish language skills. All of the teens believe that the project helped the Latino youth develop their English literacy skills, and 93% of the teens report that the project helped them develop increased diversity awareness and greater cultural understanding. The project was sponsored by Walworth County UW-Extension, Lake Geneva Schools, the Latino/Hispanic Service Center in Lake Geneva, the Walworth County 4-H Senior Leaders' Association, the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Centennial Fund, the Dairy Farmers of Walworth County, and the First Banking Center of Lake Geneva.

• Latino Outreach—A new after-school 4-H club began meeting in October each Monday afternoon at the Latino/Hispanic Service Center in Lake Geneva. The club, an outgrowth of the summer's Un Libro, Un Niño Youth Literacy/Teen Leadership Project, has eight Latino youth members from area schools. Five of these participated in the summer project. In addition, six teens from Badger High School, all Latina, help with the club. A sixth teen, a Linn 4-H Club member, also assists on a regular basis. The club members are exploring a variety of 4-H projects, and they made piñatas to carry in the Lake Geneva Christmas Parade.
  
• Other—4-H Pledge to the Walworth County Fair Foundation—The Walworth County 4-H Program has pledged $20,000 over the next three years towards the building of a new youth activity center at the Walworth County Fairgrounds. Fundraising on behalf of the pledge began at this year's Fair with a "500 Who Care About 4-H at the Fair" button campaign. Several clubs and the Walworth County 4-H Senior Leaders' Association have also contributed to the effort, which in 2005 raised $6,311, approximately 32% of the total. The pledge amount breaks down to approximately $10 per 4-H family in each of the three pledge years

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