Extension Board Meeting Minutes
October 11, 2012
Present: Larry Miller, Laura Kratz, Cara Perkins, Marissa Richardson, Jordan Brown, Crystal Leu, Sherryl Rhinesmith, Ted Wensink, Joyce Weber; Extension Educators Emerson, Engleking and Fremion.
Board President Crystal Leu called the meeting to order.
There were no additions to the agenda.
The June meeting minutes were approved without correction.
Old business
John reported that budget was approved with the county, and that Marissa did a great job when she presented it to the county council.
New business
Program Evaluation - Need to complete annual performance and program evaluations on the Extension staff.
The staff used a power point presentation to share information about program impact during the year.
ANR programs
Steve presented information on the ag census for LaGrange Co. which is ranked # 1 in the number of horses.
9,000 buggy plates are issued each year.
Poultry, ducks, and cattle and calves production is ranked # 2 in the state.
Around 35 youth and adults participated in an engaging venison workshop last month presented by Extension Educators from southern Indiana.
800 and 1,000 attended Northern Indiana Grazing Conference held at the MEC center.
A Food Safety Program was held at the Clearspring Auction. 180 people there completed GAPS training.
Auction grossing over a million dollars per year. He provides educational support for the produce farmers. Pesticide Programs to license local farmers for manure hauling, cafos and cfos, need applicator's license.
Master Gardener program education symposium in the spring.
Involved with webinars for training at sites around the state.
Small farm and sustainable ag program Get small and large farmers to work together. Need to dbl food production in next few years to feed everyone. Working on a two day conference for small farms in Indiana.
Health & Human Sciences
Ann shared info about the first books, school readiness, and nutrition programming including federal Head Start, She mentioned the county school population is now about 50% free and reduced lunch eligibility in elementary grades.
High School Financial Planning Program, 202 youth, use volunteers, NEFE free materials.
Personal finance: she teaches habitat for humanity clients who need to take course on budgeting, savings, setting goals, and credit repayment.
Family nutrition program, identifying healthy snacks.
Youth Development
John reported that 48 kids graduated from 4-H in 2012. 35 were tenure (ten year) members.
He also discussed Captain Cash, a 4 lesson financial literacy program for 4th graders. Lima Brighton and Topeka Elementary schools were reached this year.
About 4 out of 5 of the fastest growing job sectors require STEM skills (Science Technology, Engineering and Math) He and Joyce Weber have been working with middle school youth in after school programs at Lakeland and Prairie Heights Middle Schools.
Geospatial technology introduced to kids in after school and traditional 4-H programs.
Programs partnering with other organizations such: county wildlife habitat contest is the only one of its kind in Indiana.
Showed a slide of 4-H Junior Leaders giving back to the community. Painted barn quilts for county tourism. Donate to many organizations and causes.
On Local Government program—many speakers from Purdue to assist local officials.
Purdue Extension web page—Hot Topics. John complimented youth board members for their contributions to the county.
Following their presentations, the staff left to allow the board the opportunity to weigh what has been achieved during the year. The board discussed ideas for improving programs and collected thoughts for Crystal to share when completing employee reviews.
John subsequently returned and was briefed by the board about the staff’s efforts and what might be considered for improvement or modification in delivery.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30. 