2007 Muskingum County Program Highlights

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Dry Growing Season

This past year’s growing season was challenging for farmers. Soil compaction from the previous year’s wet har­vest, an ice storm in February and a severe freeze in early April all contributed to potentially poor growing condi­tions. But the worst blow came from extremely dry condi­tions during the spring and summer. As a result, hay and pasture yields were significantly lower. Ninety-five farmers received individual assistance from OSU Extension in 2007 with forage and grazing issues. A number of news articles in the local media discussed forage topics. One hundred ten farmers participated in a post-drought meeting that addressed livestock feed options and forage management strategies for 2008.

Master Gardener Volunteers—Busy as Bees

The Muskingum County Master Gardener volunteers (MGV) combined pottery with flowers in conducting their first annual Earth to Art Contest. Forty-five floral entries were auctioned with the proceeds being used to fund four horticultural projects in the area schools. Other MGV ac­tivities included the educational booth at farmer’s market, Gale Garden renovation and a bus tour to Athens County horticultural sites. Sixty-two MGV contributed over 2,200 hours of horticultural service to the community in 2007.

Ag Breakfasts—Forum for Learning

The monthly Ag Breakfast provides a forum for farmers, agricultural agency personnel and community leaders to gather and learn about issues facing the county. This year’s topics included new septic regulations, emerald ash borer, floodplain regulations, agriculture in India, honey bees and Colony Collapse Disorder, drought update, Epizootic Hem­orrhagic Disease (EHD) in deer and cattle, wind energy, wildlife damage to crops and a new working guest ranch.

Educating the Community about EAB

The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an insect that has destroyed an estimated twenty million ash trees in Michi­gan and Ohio. It has been found in thirty-four counties in Ohio with the closest finding about thirty miles from Muskingum County. OSU Extension conducted a number of EAB awareness activities including news articles in the local media, several talks and displays for area groups and participation in Ohio EAB Awareness Week. Thirty-five landowners consulted with OSU Extension staff and Mas­ter Gardener volunteers about identification and control of the destructive pest.

Community Development

Work Continues on Plan

Where is the county heading? In 2006, the county embarked on an initiative to create a citizen-based plan for future growth and development. The process to develop this new comprehensive plan (the first since 1974) for the county continued in 2007. Eleven task forces are gathering information, assessing the community’s needs and con­sidering recommendations for the county commissioners. OSU Extension is facilitating the planning process. The plan should be completed in 2008.

4-H Youth Development

Life Skills for Incarcerated Youth

Interactive life skills education reached 124 incarcerated youth, ages 11-17. Six different programs were conducted. Each topic was presented to up to three groups of males and one group of females at the Muskingum County Juve­nile Detention Center. Topics involved youth in decision making, setting and achieving goals, personality types/peo­ple skills, healthy eating and team challenges. Participants indicated the information presented was useful and could be applied to their life situations.

Teen Traffic Safety

In 2007, 306 teens and 298 parents participated in 4-H CARTEENS, a two-hour traffic safety educational program for first-time teen traffic offenders. OSU Extension, teen volunteers, State Highway Patrol and a car crash victim provided instruction during the 12 sessions. The 4-H CAR­TEENS program generated user fees that covered program costs and provided college scholarships for teen volunteers. Overall effectiveness of the CARTEENS program was rated good or excellent by 90% of participants.

4-H Overnight Camp

Learning about nature, hiking, swimming, living history, canoeing and aerospace were only a few of the opportuni­ties at Muskingum County 4-H Camp. For 148 campers, ages 8-13, spending four nights and five days at 4-H Camp Ohio was a highlight of their summer. Leading their expe­rience were 31 4-H teen counselors. A partnership with Job & Family Services provided $9,195 for 64 income eligible youth to attend 4-H camp at no cost. Campers gained skills in the areas of independent living, leadership and nature appreciation. Highlights included mountain boarding (snowboarding without snow) and camp-wide competi­tions in sports and swimming.

Cloverbuds: Growing Up with 4-H

Cloverbuds is a 4-H Youth Development program designed for children ages kindergarten through second grade. Goals of the program are to develop children in the areas of social, physical, emotional and intellectual skills. Three hundred twenty-four youth and 61 adult volunteers participated in this program this year. Specific efforts to support Cloverbuds came in the form of volunteer training for advisors and Cloverbud teaching kits for groups to use. Cloverbud camp was held in which 56 youth participated. This camp provided youth the opportunity to learn subject matter in a non-formal, fun atmosphere. At the county fair, a Cloverbud public speaking event was held where 27 Cloverbuds made presentations in front of 75 persons.

A Wholesome Food Product is Our Goal

Livestock quality assurance was conducted to teach junior fair exhibitors and their families methods of produc­ing a safe and high quality food product. Over 800 youth and adults were involved in trainings provided at three locations. Topics emphasized feeds and nutrition, animal selection, health, grooming and showing, proper injection techniques and approved animal identification methods. Six teens were a part of the teaching team to present quality assurance topics to livestock exhibitors. An additional 300 youth took part in quality assurance lessons at the club level and at livestock clinics held in the spring.

Spreading Green through the County

Several groups worked this year to promote 4-H in the county while at the same time learning leadership and communication skills. Promotional brochures were distrib­uted to over 500 youth. News releases were run in the local newspaper as well as in school newsletters. Club members were on hand at the re-opening celebration of the Kroger store to share the 4-H story with others. The 4-H Com­mittee worked with a local pottery to design Muskingum County 4-H crocks and sold them during the year. A 4-H display was set up at the library during Ohio 4-H Week. Several youth were interviewed on local television and radio stations.