in this issue · match them to anybody when welding pipe. these guys walk in, and i’ll ask them...
TRANSCRIPT
D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 6 U n i v e r s i t y o f W y o m i n g C o o p e r a t i v e E x t e n s i o n S e r v i c e
In this issueCampbell County 4-H welding club
Cooperative range monitoring
Wind River Indian Reservation educator comes full circle
Money Talk sessions via videoconferencing
Including youths with impairments in 4-H
CES team wins national award
From the director…
IwillsoonstepintotheroleofchairmanoftheExtensionCommitteeonOrganization
andPolicy(ECOP). Ithaskindofanacademicsoundingnamebut,inessence,ECOPisthenational
organizationofstateextensiondirectors.ThechairmanistheleaderofECOP.Themissionof
ECOPistoinitiateplanningandidentifynationwideissuesthatleadtoprogramandbudgetprioritiesfortheextensionsystem. Muchofmysparetimethenextcoupleofyearswillbespentservingmyextensioncolleaguesandthenationalextensionsysteminthisleadershiprole. ThismightbeagoodopportunitytotalkaboutUWCooperativeExtensionServiceanditsplaceintheuniverse.Thecooperativeextensionsystemconsistsofstatecooperativeextensionservicesassociatedwiththeland-grantuniversityineachofthe50statesandmostoftheterritories.Guam,forexample,hasanexcellentextensionorganization. CooperativeextensionnationallyandatthestatelevelisapartnershipoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA),thestatethroughitsland-grantuniversity,andlocalgovernments. InWyoming,countygovernmentisanimportantpartnerincooperativeextension.Ourfundingisprovidedcooperativelybythethreepartners.Thefederalgovernmentprovidesnearlyathirdofourfunding,includingCent$ibleNutritionProgramfunds.Countygovernmentsprovideaboutafourth,andUWprovidesmorethan40percentoftheextensionbudget. So,theextensionorganizationexistsateachoftheselevels–countyextension,stateextension,andnationalextension.Weareaccountableandactivelyorganizedateachlevel. Thisnextyearwillbemyopportunitytoshapetheextensionorganizationatthenationallevel. Itshouldbeinteresting. ThisissueofExtension Connectionhighlightsavarietyofunusualextensionactivities.EachisfocusedclearlyonservingWyoming’speople.FromtheIronWorkers4-HClubtotheMedicareprescriptioneducationefforttovoluntarycooperativerangemonitoringtoMoneyTalk–theyclearlytargettheneedsofWyomingpeople. Oneoftherealstrengthsoftheextensionsystemisitslocalorganization.Theagendaisdrivenfromthegroundupbytheneedsofpeopleandcommunities.Weareproudofwhatwecandoandgratefulforsupportofourfundingpartnersenablingourservice. Ihopeyouwillenjoyreadingabouttheworkoftheseexceptionalextensioneducators.IfyouhavethoughtsaboutthemagazineorotheraspectsofUWCES,[email protected](307)766-5124.
Regards
GlenWhipple
Glen Whipple
Aweldingclubseemstohaveforgedcityandbusinesssupportintoaprograminwhichcountryandcity4-Hersarelearningatrade.
TheIronWorkers4-HClubinGillettestartedin2004withabouteightmembersandnowhasabout21ages8to18. Theweldingclubsparkedaninterestwithyouthsinacountydrivenbyenergyindustriesandaneedtofilljobswithemployeeswiththeneededskills. “Weldingissomethingthat,oncetheylearn,isveryempowering,”saysRindyWest,UWCooperativeExtensionService4-H/youtheducatorservingCampbellCounty. Westsaysseveral4-Hersin2004hadbeensigningupforself-determinedweldingprojectswhentalkbeganinthecityaboutaneedforanotherschooltotraincollege-ageyouthsfortheworkforce. “Ithought,‘gosh,thisiscoincidental,’”saysWest.“Italkedtoacoupleleaders,andtheyhadthesameideatostartaweldingclub.The4-Herswouldbepickinguplifeskillsthrough4-Hbutalsolearningtechnicalskillsandsafety.” That’swhenJakeRuffsteppedup.Aco-ownerofHettingerWeldingInc.in
Gillette,Ruffstartedtheclubwiththehelpofhiswife,Luana,andJanetJohnson,andofferedbusinessresources.HettingerWeldingemploysmorethan400.
“Ihavesomeofthebestweldersintheworld,”heproudlysays.“I’llmatchthemtoanybodywhenweldingpipe.Theseguyswalkin,andI’llaskthemtoshowthekidssomething.Theyenjoytheheckoutofit.Theseguysarewillingtopasstheirtradeon.Theyloveworkingwiththosekids.”
Campbell County welding club melds 4-Hers with community interests
JakeRuffofHettingerWeldingofGillette,whostartedtheIronWorkers4-HClub,explainssafetyanduseoftheoxygen/acety-lenewelder.
By Steven L. Miller, Senior EditorOffice of Communications and Technology
1
A 4-Her welds lines that will be checked for quality by club leader Jake Ruff.
Ruffsaysthevocationalagsysteminpublicschoolsdoesn’thavetimetoteachkidsthebasicsoffarmmechanics,anditsdirectionhaschangedtomoreagriculturescience. “Thequalityofagproductsgoingoutisprettyrough,”hesays.“Ithoughtwhattheheck.I’lltrywithlower-agekidstogetmoreinterestinagmechanicsandlessinagscience.”
“SometimesIhavetwoorthree,andsometimesIhave21kids,”Ruffnotes.“Irunitprettyloose.Theyarenotrequiredtocometothe4-Hmeetings.Whenitstopsbeingfun,itbecomesajob,andIdon’twantthemhere.” SteveandBillieJoYounghavethreesonsintheclub–Ethan,17,Tyler,14,andBailey,12.They’vebeenclubmemberssinceitsbeginning. “Theytookaninterestinwelding,andwedidn’thaveaccesstoawelder,”saysSteveYoung.“Thiswasanopportunitytoteachthemaskill.Theyarelearningsomeofthemoredifficultaspects.It’snotaseasyasitlooks.Thethingabout4-HIthinkisbeneficialisitteachesresponsibility.” Westdoesn’tthinktheclubleadersthoughtaboutformingtheclubforcareerpreparation,butthecommunityisdiscussingwhethertoputinarecreationcenterorbuildafacilitytoteachweldingandotherskillsrelatedtominingandenergy. Teachinglifeskillsisprovidingaspin-off.Civicleadershavenoticedtheeffect4-Hhasonyouths.Thecityhasprovidedmore
than$40,000tohelppayforCloverCorrals,afacilityinwhichnon-ruralyouthscanhave4-Hprojects.During4-Hfund-raisingefforts,thecitydonatedmorethan$6,000. “They’dratherfund4-Htokeepyouthsoutoftroublethanputtingmoneyintodetentionprograms,”saysWest.“They’dmuchratherhaveforethinking–havingkidsstartwithpositivevaluesandlifeskills,gettingthemdowntherighttracktobeginwith.” GilletteMayorDuaneEvensonsays4-Hteachescharacter,integrity,commitment,andcivicresponsibility. “Itteachesthemtobegoodcitizensandabouttheimportanceofvolunteerismandhowtobepartofacommunity,”saysEvenson.“Thataddsanawfullotofvaluetoacommunitythathasgoodleaders.” EvensoncreditsWestfortheprogram’sstrengthandofferstheCloverCorralsprojectasanexample.The4-Hersapproachedthecouncilwithanentirebusinessprogramandplanandhowtheyweregoingtoraisemoneytobuilditandfunditsoperation,andhowtopayoffthedebt.
“Itwasimpressive,”hesays.“I’vewatched4-Hersfromthetimetheywere8or9andgrowupandseethat4-Hmakesadifference.Ithinkit’satremendousprogramtohelpkids.” ANorthDakotanative,Evensonwasneverin4-H.“IwanttostressIseethevalueitbringstothosechildrenandtheconfidenceitgivestheminpersonalskillsandthecommunityskillssoimportanttopeopletodayforsuccessinthebusinessworld.”
Hisoldestson,Trevor,wastheclub’sfirstpresident,andhissecondson,Nolan,isamember.Ruffhasopeneduphisbusinesstwiceamonthtothe4-Hersforuseofequipmentandmetalavailableatalowerpricebecauseofadiscountthebusinessreceives.
Rindy West
“4-H teaches character, integrity, commitment, and civic responsibility.”
2
WesternWyomingrancherswhohold
permitstograzelivestockonfederallandssaytheirrela-tionshipwiththeU.S.ForestService(USFS)andBureauofLandManagement(BLM)hasgonefromcontentioustocooperative. Theysaythisnewsenseofgoodwillstemsfromamonitoringpro-gramspearheadedbytheUniversityofWyomingCooperativeExtensionService(UWCES).Livestockproducersandpersonnelfromthetwofederalagen-ciesvoluntarilyparticipate. “Itallcameaboutasa
resultoffrictionbetweenthegrazingpermitteesandtheUSFS,”saysEricPeterson,anareaextensioneducatorforSublette,Teton,andLincolncounties. PetersonhelpedproduceanewbulletinandDVDtohelppermitteesandmanagersofpubliclandsimplementcoopera-tiverangelandmonitoringprograms.Morethan1,500copiesofthebulletin,Implementing a Cooperative Permittee Monitoring Program,and600DVDshavebeendistributedthroughoutthewesternUnitedStates.
Ranchersarelearn-ingmoreabouttherangeresourceandhowtocareforit.Subsequently,somepermitholdershavefoundtheyareabletokeeptheirlivestockonthefederalallotmentslonger,andtheircattleandsheepareinbet-tershapewhentheyreturntowinterpastures,accord-ingtoranchers. “WegetalongbetterwiththeUSFSsincewestartedthecooperativeper-mitteemonitoring.Wealsohavealotmoreknowledgeabouttherangeresourceandhowtocareforit,”saysWayneJensen,who
Cooperative range monitoring fosters trustBy Robert Waggener, EditorOffice of Communications and Technology
Ranchers who hold
permits to graze live-
stock on public lands
in western Wyoming
learn how to perform a
line transect to deter-
mine the densities of
groundcovers including
plants, rocks, and other
materials. Bureau of Land
Management Range
Specialist Steve Laster,
left, with clipboard,
ensures the process is
properly carried out.
33
raisescattlenearBoulder,Wyoming.“That’sallowingustokeepourcattleuptherelonger,andtheyareinbettershapewhentheycomeout.” AnotherBoulder-arearancher,JoelBousman,says,“Sincewestartedthejointmonitoringprograms,ourworkingrelationshipwiththeForestServiceandBLMimproveddramatically.” Bousman,presidentoftheSilverCreekGrazingAssociation,adds,“WiththehelpofUWCES,wegotoutonthegrazingallotmentsandstartedmonitoringbasedonsoundscienceusingquantitative,long-termtrenddata,notsomeone’sopinion.” Beforejointmonitoringstartedin1996,federallandmanagersdictatedthestandards,andtherewaslittlecommunicationwiththeranchers.Agencyfolksagreethisledtoaconten-tiousrelationship,butthatchangedwhenthetwosidesacceptedanofferfromUWCEStositdownatonetable.
“Beforewegotinvolvedinthisprogram,theUSFSandBLMrangespecialistswerethe‘experts’onthegrassandtheresources.Therewasnotalotofcoop-erationwiththeranchers,”saysBarbFranklin,arangespecialistwiththeUSFSinPinedale,Wyoming. “Atthetime,wehadsomeveryintelligent,well-educatedpeoplewhoknewaboutrangelands.Theprob-lemistheyweren’tcommu-nicating.Fortunately,we’veallgottenalotsmarterinrecentyears.Werecognizeeveryonehasexpertiseandknowledgeweneedtoshare,”Franklinsays.“It’samatterofeveryonelookingatthesamepieceofreales-tatetogetheranddiscussingresourceconcernsandwaystoimprovethatresourcetogether.” ConcerningpriorfrictionbetweengrazingpermitteesandtheUSFS,Petersonsays,“Atthetime,findingsbytheagencyconcerningthelevelofgrazingweremadewithouttheinvolvementofthepermittees,andafederalreportexpressingconcernaboutstreamsedimentationanderosionplacedblameonlivestockgrazing.” Whenthepermitteessawthereport,itupsetthembecausetheydidn’tthinkthefindingswereaccurate,saysPeterson,whonotesfol-low-upstudiesdeterminedtheproblemsoutlinedintheinitialreportwerebasedon
issuesbeyondthecontrolofthegrazingpermitholders. Thetwosidesagreedtolaunchalong-termvolunteerprogram,andthesuccesshasencouragedothergrazingassociationsinWyomingandtheWesttofollowsuit,Petersonsays.InSubletteCounty,Wyoming,thereisnowjointmonitor-ingof300,000-plusacresoffederallandsinvolvingnearly15,000cattleand3,800sheep. “WiththeassistanceofCES,”Petersonsays,“thegrazingassociationsandagencieshavegottento-gethertodevelopprogramstomonitorsuchthingsascattleuseandthetrendsinrangeandstreambankcon-ditions.After10years,theyhavedevelopedobjectivesfortherangeland,andtheyhaveevaluatedthegrazingstrategies.Ithasresultedindocumentedstewardshipoftherangelands.” Justasimportant,Petersonadds,“We’vegonefromasituationofconten-tiousnessandanimositytoonewherewehaveagreatworkingrelationshipbetweentheparties.Theyaretiedtogetherbythisvolunteerprogram.Theyareworkingtogethertoenhancethestewardshipofthepubliclands.” Bousmansays,“It’scriti-calthattheentireprocessbedonejointlyandvoluntarily.Thatwayeveryoneisonthesamepage,andtheyareall
“This is a win-win situation for the agencies, the permittees, and
Filming takes place for
a range-monitoring
DVD produced by the
University of Wyoming
Cooperative Extension
Service. Being filmed
are Joel Bousman, left, a
grazing permittee who
ranches near Boulder,
Wyoming, and Steve
Laster, a range specialist
with the Bureau of Land
Management.
4
seeingthesamethingatthesametime.Thisbuildstrust,andtrustgoesalongwaytowardhavingagood,work-ingrelationshipbetweenfederalagenciesandthestakeholdersoftheland.” PinedalecattlerancherAlbertSommersagrees. “CooperativerangemonitoringwiththeUSFSisagoodwaytoresolveconflictsandlookatproblemstogether,”Sommerssays.“Theagencyfolkspreviouslydictatedacertainstandard,andyouneverwentouttogethertodothingslikemeasuregrass.Thisvolunteerprogramfostersmoretrust.” Somemightarguesuchaprogramleadstoasitua-tionofthefox(inthiscasethegrazingpermitholders)guardingthehenhouse(thefederallands). “Allthemonitoringisbasedonsounddataprovidedbytheranchers,hydrologists,rangeandsoilspecialists,botanists,fisher-iesandwildlifebiologists,andothers,”Franklinsays.“Youcanarguepolitics,butyoucan’targuewithscien-tificdata.” Petersonsaysrangespecialistsarestretchedtoothintomonitorallofthepubliclandsthewaytheywouldlike. “Theyhaveotherpress-ingdemandsinadditiontorangemonitoringwork.Whenaranchervolunteerstobeapartnerinmanag-ingtherangeland,the
membersofthepartnershipdefineobjectivesforthatrangeland,”Petersonsays.“Permitteesreceivetrainingfromtheiragencyspecialistsandothersonrangelandmonitoringmethods,whichmeasurethecompletionofthoseobjectives.” Whenobjectivesaren’tbeingmet,thepartiescansitdowntoaddressthesitu-ation,hesays. SincethelivelihoodsofmanyranchersintheWestdependonpubliclands,Petersonstresses,“Iwouldarguethepermitholderswanttobegoodstewardsoftherangelands,andtherangespecialists,inessence,nowhavevolunteerrangetechni-ciansworkingwiththem.Thisisawin-winsituationfortheagencies,thepermittees,andtheownersoftheland–inthiscasethepublic.” Petersonsaysmembersofthepublic,includingenvironmentalgroups,arewelcometojointhepartieswhentheytaketothefieldformonitoringsessionsandworkshops.
HeaddsoneofthemostimportantthingsthebulletinandDVDstressesiskeepingmanagementplanssimple. Forexample,Petersonsays,“Ifyouhaveanobjec-tivecallingforlessbareground,thenmonitorforbareground.Resistchoosingagrandmethodologythatprovidesthefrequencyofaparticularspeciesofgrassinyourdatacollection.” Thebulletinisavailableathttp://www.uwyo.edu/CES/PUBS/B1169.pdf. CopiesofB-1169and/ortheDVDcanalsobeorderedfreeofchargefromPetersonat(307)[email protected].
Area Extension Educator Eric Peterson
Professor Mike Smith, a range management specialist with the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service, provides instruction on rangeland monitoring to grazing permittees, federal range specialists, and other CES personnel during a monitoring ride in western Wyoming’s Wind River Mountains.
5
the owners of the land – in this case the public.”
WalkingintwoworldshasledLisaPerrytothe
placeshemostwantstobe. ThetrekofPerry,whograduatedfromtheCollegeofAgriculturelastspringwitharangelandecologyandwatershedmanage-mentdegree,wentfullcircletoendattheCooperativeExtensionService(CES)officeatEtheteontheWindRiverIndianReservation. “Ialwaysthoughtitwasimportanttogetyoureduca-tion–educationcamefirstinmyfamily,”shesays.“Ifeltitwouldberighttogetadegree,comeback,andhelpmypeople.” Perrylearnedhowtobridgethe“white”and“AmericanIndian”worldsandsaysshewantedtobea
By Steven L. Miller, Senior EditorOffice of Communications and Technology
recalls.“IalwaysknewIwantedtohaveacareerdo-ingsomethingwithnaturalresources.” SheresearchedthemajorontheUWWebsite.“Iknewthat’swhatIwantedtodo.Ineverchangedmajorsonce.Ineverthoughtaboutit.” Nowputtingherexper-tisetowork,shesaysafocusistohavepeopleknowtheCEShasanofficeontheres-ervation.Thathasn’talwaysbeenknown.TheofficewasmovedfromFortWashakietoEthetein2004. “Alotofpeopledon’tknowit’shere,”shesays.“Thentherearesomepeoplewhodobutdon’tknowwhereitis.OnceitwasmovedtoEthete,manylostcontact.Re-establishmentwithagriculturalproducershasbeendifficultbutnotimpossible,”saysPerry. SageagreeswithPerry. “Idon’treallythinktoomanypeopleknowwhatUWCEShastooffer,andIdon’tthinkithasdoneaverygoodjobofgettingtheinformationouttothegeneralpubliconthereservation,”hesays. Anopportunitycamelastyearduringa4-Hpro-graminternshipontheres-ervation.Perryworkedwith
rolemodelfortheyoungertribalmembers. Gettinganeducationandreturningtothereserva-tiontoassisttheirtribalcommunitiesandpeopleisveryimportant,saysAllisonSage,NorthernArapahotriballiaisonwithGovernorDaveFreudenthal’soffice. “Justthefactapersonhasleftthereservationandsucceededinobtaininganeducationisamajorac-complishment,”hesays.“Itisamonumentalac-complishmentforstudentstodothisandtoserveasapositiverolemodelforotherstudentstofollow.” Thenearly2millionacresoflandonthereserva-tioncaptivatedPerryasayouth.“I’vespentalotoftimeintheWindRiverRange.I’vealwaysfoundtheoutdoorsamazingandamusing(interesting)tome,”shesays. Inhighschool,PerryfoundherselflookingataRussianknapweedinfesta-tionlisteningtoNaturalResourcesConservationServiceworkersexplainhowtocontroltheweed.ThetripwaspartofacareerdayatLanderValleyHighSchool. “Ifounditinteresting,andoneofthemmentionedrangemanagement,”she
Educator’s path leads
6
Lisa Perry by the statue of Sacajawea on the Wind River Indian Reservation.
CESEducatorMiltGreen,whohadbeentheeduca-toronthereservationbutmovedtoNatronaCounty,toproduceanagriculturesummitonthereservation. HavingPerryasanin-ternwasagift,saysGreen. “Shewasenthusiastic,shehadknowledgeofthetribalculturesandtraditions,shehadagoodsubjectmat-terbackground,andshehadapersonalitythatjustmadeeveryonearoundherseemcomfortable,”hesays. GreenwassupervisingPerryfromCasper,morethan150milesaway,whichmeantPerryhadtobeself-starting.“Shewas,andtheprojectwasanenormoussuccess,”saysGreen. GreennotesPerrycon-tactedproducersindividu-allyandwasabletogatheragroupofagriculturepeoplewillingtohelpdevelopaprogramneededformanyyears. “EventhoughhewasinCasper,Miltgavemealistofthingstodoandexpectedmetogetthemdone,”saysPerry.“Iwasfortunate.Thingswentwellthatsummer.” Whenthefull-timeCESeducatorpositioncameopen,Perryapplied,wasof-feredthejob,“andIhappily
acceptedit,”notesPerry. Shehopestoshowproducersthereareoppor-tunitiesforprofitandwaystobettercarefortheland.“Theonlyreasontheydon’ttakeadvantageofprogramsavailabletothemisbecausetheydon’tknowtheyarethere,”saysPerry. A1999graduateofLanderValleyHighSchool,PerryalsowashiredasasummerassistantwiththeBureauofIndianAffairsinthelandresourcedepart-mentandwasabletogainadditionalrangeexperienceonthereservation. SheattendedUWherfreshmanyearbutfoundthefinanceschallenging.SheattendedCentralWyomingCollegeinRivertonandfinishedherlasttwoyearsatUW. Perry’sbackgroundgivesinsightintohelpingothersonthereservation.“Yougrowuphere,andyouunderstandtheways.Youunderstandwhypeopledothingsthewaytheydo.Thereisalotofdifferencebetweenthetwoworlds.Wecallitwalkingintwoworlds,”shesays. “Iwasinthe‘whiteman’worldatUW.WhenIcamehome,Iwasinthe‘native’world.Thereisabigdiffer-
encebetweenthetwo,andthepeoplewhosucceedaretheindividualswhomanagethetwoworld’sthebest.” ThatlearningwasinadditiontotheeducationatUW.“Ourlanguageisdiffer-ent.Weusedifferentwords.WhenIwouldgobacktoUW,itwaslikeIhadtouseawholedifferentvocabulary.Onthereservationpeopleuse‘slang’words,wordspeopleofthewhiteculturewouldnotunderstand.SoformeIhadtwosetsofvocabulary–oneforwhenIwasawayatschool,andoneforwhenIcamehome.” Shealsowatchedhowshecarriedherself.“Forme,Irepresentedsomethingbiggerthanjustme.PeopleseemeandfindouthowIamandmaythinkall
Indiansarelikemeiftheydon’tknowIndians,”shesays.“Idon’twantpeopletojudgemypeoplejustonmyactions,”shesays. Uponreturninghome,shewantedtobeapositiverolemodelforothers,likehertwoolderbrotherswhoare,shesays. “Theyareworkinghard,havegoodjobs,andshowthatworkingharddoespayoff,”Perrysays.“Weallcarrythatsameresponsibil-ity.Wetrytoshowyoungpeopleonthereservationthat,insteadofgettingintotrouble,anotherwaytosatisfywhatyouwantistodogoodbygoingtoschoolandworkinghard.Youcannevergowrongaslongasyouworkhardandstayfocused,”Perryexplains.
7
full circle to Wind River Indian Reservation
Money Talk sessions reached 16 Big Horn
Moneygotintouchwithitsfeminine
sideduringRhondaShipp’sfirstvideoconferencingexperience. “MoneyTalk”wasbroadcastfromsixBigHornBasinhighschoolstoreach16communitiesJanuary30throughMarch6.Theseries,developedbyCooperativeStateResearch,Education,andExtensionService,targetedwomenbecausewomenonaveragelivelongerthanmen,earnless,andoftenhavegapsintheiremploymenthistory,saysShipp. “ThiswasanideaIbroughtupatoneofmyad-visorycouncilmeetings,thenotionofaseriesofclasses,”notesShipp.“IshowedthemtheMoneyTalkbookandhowitisfocusedtowardafemaleaudience.Theyfoundtheinformationverytimely,andabankerwhoisonthecouncilsaid‘absolutely.’” Morethan80signedupfortheclassesinthefourcounties,withabout40percentsayingthey
increasedtheirsavingsfrom$10amonthto$10,000savedorinvestedsincetheyhadtakenMoneyTalk. Supportwassoenthusi-asticfromfinancialinstitu-tionsaThermopolisbankprovidedenoughfundsforfivepeoplefromitscommu-nitytotakethecourse. Reaching16communi-tieswasaloftyconcept.Shippfirsthadtogetitofftheground.HeranswercamewhentheParkCountyLeadershipInstituteat-tendedaNorthwestCollegedemonstrationinPowellontheWyomingEducationNetwork(WEN)video-conferencingsystemthatconnectedallhighschoolsthroughWyoming. “Ithoughtitwouldbeeasy,butittooktime,”Shippreflects,andaddstheexperiencewouldmaketheprocessmucheasierifdoneagain. “Ithoughtitwouldsavemefromgoingtosixdiffer-entcommunitiestoteach,butitturnedouttobejustasmuchwork,”shesays.
“Itisthatwaywithanynewidea.” TheWENsystemwouldreachthefourBigHornBasincounties—BigHorn,HotSprings,Park,andWashakie—buthighschoolstudentstakingcourseshadfirstpriority,whichmeantMoneyTalkcouldbebumped.WithguidancefromtheWENcoordinator,Shippexplainedtheprogramtoprincipalsandsuperinten-dentsatthesixhighschools. Shethenneededmoney.Eachschoolchargedasmallfeefortheuseofitsfacility,andeachschoolprovidedatechniciantoruntheequip-ment.ShippapproachedtheSoroptimistsInternationalofCodytoaskiftheorganiza-tionwouldhelpfundtheseries.Theorganizationpro-vided$2,000,andafeeof$20waschargedperpersontopayfortheworkbook. Sixsiteswerechosen:Thermopolis,Worland,Greybull,Lovell,Powell,andCody.InstructorstaughtfromCodyexceptforColeEhmke,extension
By Steven L. Miller, Senior EditorOffice of Communications and Technology
Money Talk sessions originated in Cody. There were 24 participants.
Area Extension Educator Rhonda Shipp
8
specialist,whotaughtfromLaramie. SiteswerelostinLovellandWorlandbeforethefirstclass.RTCommunicationsInc.ofWorlandworkedwithWENtoprovideanalterativeWorlandsite.ShippsaysfivefinancialinstitutionspaidRTCommunicationsfortheuseofthetechnologyandtechnicians.NoalternativesitewasfoundforLovell. Contactsmadeincom-munitiesresultedinsixvol-unteerstobesitefacilitators.Shippsaysthefacilitatorrolewastheabsolutekeytothesuccessofthedistanceeducationidea. “Thiswasanex-perimentjusttoseehowitwouldwork,”notesShipp.“IdidnothaveanyexperiencewithdistanceprogramminginwhatIoffered.Iwantedtoseethevalueandsuccessofusingthistechnology.” Everyonelearnedduringthefirstprogram. “Wewereamazedatwhatwelearnedthefirstnight,”shesays.“Wethoughtwewerereadyto
go,butabsolutelytherewasasteeplearningcurvethefirstnight.” Theinstructor’slonghairmuffledthesoundofhervoicewhenshelookeddown,thesizeoftheprintshownonthevisualswastoosmall,andshelearnedindividualsiteswouldhavetobemutedduringbreaks. Handoutswerepreparedbyinstructorsandmailedtositefacilitatorsinadvanceofsessions.Questionswereaskedduringtheliveclasses,butstudentswerealsopro-videdcardstheycouldwrite
questionsonandsubmit.Eachinstructoransweredtheirquestionsande-mailedtoeachstudentbeforethenextclass. “Ithinkthishashugepotentialbecauseofthedistances,”saysShipp.“OneofthethingsIwascuriousaboutwashowtheCodypeoplefeltonsitewithaliveinstructortherecomparedtothoseinothersiteswhodidn’tseetheinstructorexceptonscreen.Iwaspleasedthereweren’thugedifferences.Peopleattheoutstandingsiteswerecom-
fortablewiththenotionofreceivinginformationviaascreenwithalivepresenter.” Oneclassmembersaidtheclasswasagoodconversationstarterwithherhusband.Anothersaid,“ThisgivesmeagoodideaofwhatIneedtobelook-ingat.Ialwaysjustthoughtabout‘nextmonthornextyear’stuff.Iamprovidinginformationtomyco-work-ersaroundthestatequar-terlythroughanewsletterformatandgivingthemplanningtoolsIreceivedfromthiscourse.” Helpingpeoplefinan-ciallywasShipp’shope.“Fundamentallythatmakestheirhomestructure,theirhomeenvironment,aplacewheretheycanenjoythefruitsoftheirlabors,”notesShipp. ShippsaysWebEx,whichprovidesWebconfer-encing,onlinemeeting,andWebeventservices,alsohaspotentialforlong-distanceprogramming.“Iamanxioustolearnthetoolandanxioustogivethatatry,”shesays.
Eleven participated in the Money Talk sessions at Thermopolis. A Thermopolis bank official was so enthused about the session the bank offered scholarships for five Thermopolis residents to attend.
9
Basin communities via videoconferencing
Including4-HerswithimpairmentsinCarbon
Countyprogramshavecausedvolunteerstoputheads,hearts,hands,andhealthintoaction. ThetraditionofthefourH’sandinclusionhasalwaysbeenapartofCarbonCounty4-H,saysJanetDerrico,aleaderof11years.“Youdon’thavetobeanythingspecialtobein4-H,”shesays.“4-Hmakesyouspecialbecauseitteachesyouthings.” LisaTrujillo,whosedaughter,Lisa,isblind,learnedthis. “Ihadparentsaskme‘aren’tyouscaredtohaveyourdaughterwalka1,000-
poundsteer?’”shesays.“Isaid‘No.Itscaresmemoreforhernottohavethatexperience.’” Includingyouthswithdisabilitiesrequiresnospecialeffortinthecounty,saysSusanParker,CESeducatorforAlbanyandCarboncounties,whostartedin2005. “Itwasamazingtomeitwasingrainedinthepeople,”shenotes.“Itcanbealotofworkforsomepeople,butnoonecared.Noproblem.Theydidn’tmakeabigdealoutofiteitherway.Theymadethekidsandtheirparentsfeelcomfortable.” Inclusionteacheskids
toacceptdifferences,acceptothers,andcooperateingroups,saysParker–allskillsneededlaterintheworkworld.“Iwasastoundedhoweasyitwasfortheyouthswithimpairmentstoacceptthingsandhowwelltheydidit,”shesays. The1,000-poundsteerwasLisa’sfirstproject.Hernextwasapig.Lisaisnow19andinvolvedwithhorses.“4-Hreallyhelpedherself-esteem,”sayshermother.“Whenshestarted4-H,itwas‘willyoudothisfor
By Steven L. Miller, Senior EditorOffice of Communications and Technology
me?’Nowit’s‘Icandothis.’IamoneofthoseparentswhobelieveIwantmykidstogetasmuchexposureastheycan.JustbecauseLisahasadisabilitydoesn’tslowthatprocessdown.” HannahWeatherd,13,isachampionrabbitandpoultryshowman.Shealsocooks—andlastyearcompetedinWesternPleasure. She’salsoblind. ThedaughterofJillandBradWeatherdofSaratoga,Hannahhaspartialvisioninherrighteyeandcandetectlightanddarkinherlefteye.A4-Hersinceshewasoldenoughtobein4-H,shecompletedallher
Lisa Trujillo, right, with her
sister, Agnes, at the Carbon County
junior livestock sale in 2005.
Including youths with impairments —
“4-H has given her
10
workbooksinBraillebeforeshelearnedtotype.Now,technologyprovidesadevicesimilartoaPDA(personaldigitalassistant)butwithrefreshableBraille–pinsrisetoformletters.Shecanconnectthedevicetoatelephonelineorprinter. JillWeatherdsayspeoplein4-HhavebeensupportiveofHannahandallowsomeprovisions,suchasusinganactualsaddletopointoutpartsinsteadofaphotograph.Bradusedatwo-wayradioinhorsecompetitiontoletherknow
shecancompeteatanddowell,andsheenjoysit,”notesJill.“Iknowshe’slearnedalotofpoise.Earlyon,shehadtoperformdemonstrationsandspeechesinfrontofgroups.Sometimesshegetsdownonherselfaboutotherthings,butsheknowssheisgoodatthingsin4-H.” Derrico’sdaughters,AntenniellandKylah,servedasjuniorleadersandhelpeda4-Herwithblindnessandalearningdisabilitycompleteahogproject. Including4-Hers
toslowdownorspeedup.Thejudgesknewinadvance. Otherwise,she’sexpectedtocompleteprojectsjustlikeanyoneelse. “Onethingweappreciateiswealwaysaskpeoplenottogiveherabreakforanything.Shedoesn’tneedthat.Wehavehighexpectations,”sayshermother. AmiddleschoolstudentatSaratoga,Hannahhasplayedvolleyball,butshewilllikelyneverbeonvarsitysportsteams. Jillsays4-Hisherdaughter’ssport. “Ithasgivenherconfidenceandissomething
withimpairmentstakesdedicationofvolunteersandleaders,notesParker.“Volunteerleadersandjuniorleadershavetoplanandimplementwhattheyneedtodotohelpincorporatesomeonewithvisualimpairmentsorlearningdisabilities,”shesays.“Ittakesalotofplanningandprepwork.Theydothat.” Junior4-Hleadersmakeincludingyouthswithimpairmentsinto4-Hveryeasy,agreesDerrico.“Iwantjuniorleaderstoexperienceit,”shesays.“Ithelpsthemgrowinotherways.” Thejuniorleaderswentwiththe4-Herhavingthe
learningdisabilitytofeedthepigseverydayandshowhowtohandleherpig.Theyspenthoursworkingandbeganshowringpracticingoneweekbeforefairstarted.Thedayoftheshow,thejuniorleaderwentintheringwithher.Whenthejudgeaskedquestions,thejuniorleaderansweredfromwhatsheobservedofthe4-Her. Atage15,the4-Herhaddonesomethingonherownwithouthelpfromfamilyorteachers–justsomeonewhocaredabouther,says
Hannah Weatherd making
a flower box at the
Saratoga Make It and Take
It activity. She also planted
a flower in the box.
11
Four H’s in Carbon County don’t include ‘how?’
confidence and is something she can do well.” –Jill Weatherd
Derrico.“Shejustlitup,”shesays.“Itwasawesomewatchinghergrow.Shecan’texpresswhatshelearned,butyoucanobservewhatshelearned.” Lisa’saffectionforanimalsmeldedwith4-H.Hersteerweighed400poundswhenshebegantheproject.Shehadtofeedhimandunderstandthebondthatcomesfromtakingcareofananimaleveryday,hermothersays. LisaandDavidTrujillotaughttheirdaughterhowmuchtofeed. “Asthesteergrew,wehadtoaddtothat.Shelikedfeedinghimgrainoutofabucket.That’swherealotofthebondingcame,”saysLisa.“Mostpeoplegotoagateandcrawlover,andit’saneasything.Forher,it’sdifficult.She’ssmallandhadtoovercomethatsizedifference.Animalsunderstand,andtheydofine.”
Lisa’shogprojectbeganwhenherpigwas6or7weeksold.“Thepigandherbonded,”hermothersays.“Atfair,afterhehadhisbathandhispenwascleaned,Lisawouldsitwithhimeverynightandscratchhisbelly.Theanimalsseemtounderstandthatsomethingisalittledifferent.” Heroldersister,Agnes,wentintotheshowringwithLisatogiveverbaldirections.Lisadidn’tneedhelpknowingwhichoneherhogwas.“Peoplewithvisualimpairmentshavehearingyoucan’tbelieve,”sayshermother.
4-Herswithimpair-mentsarenotjudgedanydifferently,saysParker.ParkerallowedLisa’ssistertoreadthehorsetesttoherandwouldallowLisatoputafingeronapieceofequip-mentshewasrequiredtoname. “Isatthereandproctoredthetesttomakesurenothingwasdonetogiveheranunfairadvantagebutstillallowhertotakethewrittentesteventhoughshewasblindandalsonottogivehertheexpectationspeoplewillbekindtoherbecausesheisblind.” The4-Hexperience
Area Extension Educator Susan Parker
Hannah makes a tied blanket at the Make It and Take It in Saratoga.
provideslessons4-Hersneedinlife.“Theylearnhowtomanagedifficulties,howtogetalongwithotherpeoplewhoarenotlikethem,toparticipateandhelpoutinthecommunity,”saysParker.“Theyneedtolearnnotonlyhowtoacceptothersbutcontributewheretheycan.” The4-HprojectschangedtheoutlookoftheTrujillos. “Ifkidshavehandicaps,letthemhavetheseexperi-ences,”saysLisa.“Theymaynothaveanotherop-portunity.Nothingbadwillcomefromit.”
12
AUniversityofWyomingCooperativeExtensionServiceteamcanbecreditedforsavingsomeWyomingresidentsthousandsofdollarsinprescriptioncosts.
Campbell,Crook,andWestoncountiesextensioneducatorVickiHaymanandherteamprovidedtheMedicare-approvedPrescriptionDrugDiscountCardenrollmentandeducation. Haymanwasteamleader,andBigHorn,HotSprings,Park,andWashakiecoun-tieseducatorPhyllisLewis,formereducatorVirginiaNina-Caron,andCESAssociateDirectorRuthWilsonwereprojectdirectors. Oneparticipant,JoAnneKnobelofRivertonwhowaspayingabout$150forasingleprescription,nowpaysabout$10asamemberofthisprogram. Sheexplainsmostofherprescriptionscostaround$3or$5,and$10isthemostshepaysnowwhichsavesheranestimated$300to$400permonth. “Itiswellworthit,andIamverypleasedwithit,”saysKnobel. Morethan65extensioneducatorsfromWyoming,Idaho,Nebraska,Nevada,andSouthDakotapartneredtoprovideMedicare-approvedPrescriptionDrugDiscountCardeducationandenrollmentin2005. Thepartnershiphashelpedapproximately1,849membersenrollintheprogram.BetweenNovember1,2004,andJuly28,2005,atleast46,571MedicarerecipientsinthefivestatesenrolledforMedicare-approveddrugcards,resultinginapotentialsavingsofatleast$1.5millionforenrollees.
CES team wins national award, benefits Wyoming residents
By Tiffany Ann Schaffner Agricultural Communications Intern
Receiving the partnership
award at the National Extension
Association of Family and
Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) national meeting,
with Sandy McLean, NEAFCS president,
far left, are, from left, Phyllis Lewis, Stella McKinstry, Denise
Smith, Ruth Wilson, Vicki Hayman, Patti
Griffith, and Chris Pasley.
13
UniversityofWyomingCooperativeExtensionServiceDept.33541000E.UniversityAve.Laramie,WY82071
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December2006
U n i v e rs i t yo f Wyom i n g
“Thiswasanexception-alopportunityforWyomingtopartnerwiththeseotheragenciestoprovidetoolsandtrainingtoextensionprofessionalstoeducateruralcommunitiesandun-derservedaudiencesabouttheMedicarePrescriptionDrug,Improvement,andModernizationActthroughthecooperativeextensionsystem,”saysHayman.SheexplainsthestateswerechosenonthebasisofCentersforMedicareandMedicaid Services demo-graphicandbeneficiarydata.Medicarebeneficiariesandfamilycaregiverswhoareruralorunderserved,havelimitedresources,and/orarefromminoritypopula-tiongroupsweretargetedtoreceiveinformation.Socialserviceprofessionalswork-ingwiththeseaudienceswerealsotargeted. Toimplementthepro-graminWyoming,trainingwasconductedforthenutri-tionandfoodsafetyexten-
sioneducators.“Wealsoheldconference-callmeet-ingsandcommunicatedbye-mail,”saysHayman. Morethan283civicgroupsandorganizationspartneredineducationalprogramsrelatedtotheMedicareDrugDiscountCardOutreachCampaign. InWyoming,55,501peopleareeligiblefortheMedicareprescriptiondrugplan.AsofJuly,35,777peopleenrolled–64percentofthoseeligible. “WyomingstrategiesleadingtooursuccessincludedaCESnutritionandfoodsafetyinitiativeteamapproach,credibilityofCES,agency/organizationpartner-ships,communityeducationoutreach,marketing,andworkingwithvolunteers,”saysHayman. TheteamreceivedtheNationalExtensionAssociationofFamilyandConsumerSciencesCommunityPartnershipAwardandtheU.S.
DepartmentofAgriculture’sPriesterAward.Theawardhonorsextensionprogramsthatpositivelyaffectthehealthofpeopleandprovideleadershiptoexpandexten-sion’scapacitytoeffectivelyimplementhealthprograms. Haymancontributestheproject’ssuccesstoherteamofPlatte,Goshen,andLaramiecountieseducatorChristinePasley,FremontCountyandWindRivereducatorPattiGriffith,Converse,Natrona,andNiobraracountiesnutritionandfoodsafetyeducatorDeniseSmith,andemeritaseniorextensioneducatorStellaMcKinstry. TheCentersforMedicareandMedicaidServicesreportedextensionMedicaredrugcardeducationresultedinsignificantenrollmentincreasesinseveralstates. “Thisgrantprojectstrengthenedpartnershipswithotherstateagenciesandorganizationsandshowedthevalueofastate-widere-sponseteam,”saysHayman.