MONTHLY NARRATIVES
(Program Highlights)

RICHLAND COUNTY

December 2002

CROPPING SYSTEMS
Dale L. Siebert

FARM PROGRAM

The 2002 Farm Program was again a major emphasis during December. I participated in a round of informational meetings with the local FSA office the week of December 9-13. Meetings were held in Colfax, December 9; Lidgerwood and Wahpeton, December 11 and Mooreton and Hankinson, December 12. In addition, a help session was held at the computer lab at NDSCS on December 13 to assist producers with using the NDSU spreadsheet program in determining there best option for farm program participation. At the informational meetings I demonstrated the NDSU Program software and explained the results shown on the spreadsheet. I also assisted several producers one to one in the Extension Office with analyzing their farm numbers to determine the best option for program participation. The local FSA Office has also referred many farmers to the software and also to my office for assistance. Producers have commented that the results given them by the program are very helpful in assisting them to choose the best participation option. The local FSA director commented that those who have utilized the NDSU program are much better prepared when they come in to sign up and it makes sign-up a "breeze" for them. I anticipate that demand for this program will be high throughout the winter until the final sign up date of April 1.

AG PROGRAMS

I participated in a variety of programs during the month as the season of farm meetings got underway. Among them an Income Tax Management for farmers meeting over IVN was hosted at the Allied Health Center on December 3. I also attended the annual meeting of the North Dakota Corn Growers and the ND AG Association trade show on Dec. 3. Along with the County Crop Improvement Association president, I attended the S.E. District Crop Improvement Meeting in Fargo December 9. On December 10 I participated in the Minn-Dak Cooperative meeting held in Fargo and on December 4 and 18 I attended and participated in meetings of the local market club in Mooreton. Participation in these sessions help broaden my knowledge of these organizations, as well as network with many of the county farmers who are actively involved in these different groups.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT/4-H
Colleen M. Svingen

"Feed Your Mind and Body" series was developed to showcase our own Richland County Extension Agents in their role as community educators and leaders, as well as providing an avenue to share state specialists' expertise with Richland County residents. The specialists are able to present in person or via

videoconferencing. Our initial target audience was to Richland County employees giving them an updated glance at today's Extension programming, as well as providing the opportunity to enjoy a casual, nutritious lunch with co-workers.

We have conducted our first set of programming and are in the process of announcing and marketing the second series. We are now marketing this to a wide audience, encouraging individuals to continue to develop their brain potential at any age. This concept is supported by Richard Restak, who has written extensively on the brain. He suggests that we think of the brain as a "work in progress that continues from birth till the day you die." The "use it or lose it" formula applies to each of us. Essentially his research underscores Extension's purpose of providing lifelong learning opportunities to wide community audiences.

All classes are held in the community room of the Law Enforcement Center over the noon hour, with the lunch prepared and served by the Extension staff. Preregistration and a two dollar donation is requested to help with the planning and covering the cost of lunch.

We will be developing a follow-up tool to evaluate the impact of the efforts of this programming. Already the office is receiving requests to duplicate these programs in other parts of the community.

FNP (FAMILY NUTRITION PROGRAM)
Pamela Leino-Mills

MET NEW COMMISSIONERS AND LEGISLATORS

This month I had the opportunity to meet the new commissioners and legislators of Richland County to describe what FNP provides to Richland County residents. I supplemented what I told them with some pertinent written information and answered questions they had of me. I enjoyed meeting them and welcomed and appreciated their interest.

At Circle of Nations School (CNS), I continued with the Pathways program to teach prevention and/or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. I work with six 7^th and 8^th grade health classes, usually two days per month.

The children in the Transitional Dorm (CNS) spent three 90 minute classes with me. We made individual pizzas using low fat ingredients, did a refresher food safety lesson and made bread. We also made additional low fat, low sugar Christmas treats that they would be able to make at home.

I had a lot of fun presenting for the Feed Your Mind and Body series, held monthly at the Law Enforcement Center. The topic I spoke on and demonstrated was "Making Holiday Foods with Kids".

21^st CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS
Adrian Biewer

ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES

Adult education classes are in full swing. Classes in quilting and Norwegian are in progress with glass etching and computer classes to start soon. Planning for ceramics and parenting classes is nearly complete and we hope to offer them in March and April.

INSERVICE

21^st Century Afterschool staff participated in an inservice presented by Pat Groven of South Valley Special Education Services. She presented information on student disabilities, what to expect in the afterschool setting, and how to structure the program to meet their needs.

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF AMERICA

We are preparing to apply for a General Mills grant that would partially fund next year's fitness and nutritional programming in the afterschool program. Junior Achievement of America has also expressed interest in working with our sites to implement their economic education programming into our afterschool curriculum. I will be meeting with a representative in the next month.

WEBSITE WORK

We are still working to improve our 21^st Century Learning Center website. Currently we have learning resources for secondary and elementary students. Parenting resources, "Ask An Expert", and articles by guest editors are also available. The "Ask An Expert" and guest editorials are developed by area education specialists.