MONTHLY NARRATIVES
(Program Highlights)

RICHLAND COUNTY

CROPPING SYSTEMS
Dale L. Siebert

INCOME TAX MANAGEMENT
Farmers and tax preparers had an opportunity to be updated on tax law changes at an Income Tax Management session on December 3. The session was over the interactive video network and featured tax experts from a variety of locations across North Dakota. A full house of 20+ attended and were updated on the major changes in tax law for the coming year.

NDSCS PRIVATE APPLICATORS
On December 8 I co-operated with Frank Schander, Instructor in the Farm Management Program at NDSCS in providing Private Applicator Certification for his students. This is always a good opportunity to co-operate with his program and to provide an opportunity for his students to connect with the Extension Service.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
During December and January contacts were also made for the Richland County Advisory Committee. Arrangements were made to meet with small groups of potential members at these community meetings. At this session we answered questions about what our expectations were for advisory committee members, and I provided an overview of the Extension service, our connection to NDSU and how we are currently funded. Following these meetings a committee meeting is scheduled for early February.

AG DAY
On January 9 the annual AG Day program was held at Mantador. This meeting is the annual meetings for the Richland County Corn Grower and Crop Improvement Associations. The educational program featured an emphasis on soybeans this year since we had both soybean aphid and cyst nematode problems in 2003 and anticipate similar problems in 2004. Brett Johnson of Mooreton was also elected Richland County�s representative to the ND Soybean Council at this meeting. The meeting was well attended this year with 70 farmers in attendance.

EDUCATION CREDITS
During January I also attended workshops to earn continuing education credits for my Certified Crop Advisor certification. The Wide World of Weeds on January 13 and the Soil and Water Workshop January 14 were attended for credit. Both were excellent workshops with many crop consultants from the county in attendance.

PRIVATE CERTIFICATION
On January 30 a Private Applicator Fumigation Certification workshop was held in Wahpeton. Although we have only a small number certified in this category, it has been difficult for them to get recertified as all of the training sessions have been held some distance away. This year, via the interactive television technology, I was able to bring the training to them. The farmers in attendance appreciated having the program available locally and were complimentary of the technology. Being able to utilize technology to offer this program was a positive experience for those needing the recertification.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE/4-H
Colleen M. Svingen

HONORING SHARON ANDERSON
In December we attended a reception honoring Sharon Anderson for her 331/2 years service as our director. We all appreciate the leadership she demonstrated and sacrifices she made for our organization. We will miss her upbeat and pleasing presence at our annual conferences, but wish her well in future endeavors.

NELD CONFERENCE
In January, I was privileged to attend my first 2004 NELD North Central seminar in Tucson, Arizona. NELD North Central provides opportunities for participants to: understand their abilities as leaders; deepen their sensitivity to differences and learn how to provide leadership that meets the challenges of a changing population and workforce; gain new understanding and develop skills to become effective leaders of work teams; and understand how to provide visionary leadership in changing political, governmental and technological environments. Probably more simply stated NELD�s objective is to increase the quality and supply of leaders to extension and communities.

4-H ACTIVITIES
The pictures included in this newsletter of the Twyla Gast Memorial NDSU Ag Trip II and Family Fun & Fitness Day are examples of 4-H volunteer leadership at its best. These two youth and family focused events were planned by veteran leaders Joan Beyer, Gale Link and Karen Weber. United Way helped sponsor the events with our office supporting publicity and registration. Please enjoy the pictures that attest to the fun of the educational and fitness activities. Both groups of participants were surveyed to help us share documented results with grant funders. I am happy to report the evaluations were outstanding. If you would like a copy of the evaluations, please free to contact us or stop in to receive your copy.

VIDEO TRAINING
Every January, we have a video conference update targeting Nutrition, Youth & Family Sciences. It is quite a challenge to keep up with such changing sciences. Although, the training offered by campus staff focusing on the newest research and trends is one of the best benefits of working for extension. And I do appreciate that we can save a little time and money by receiving the updates via video conferences.

SAFE KIDS
Sheriff Kim Murphy stopped in office looking for information on kids and snow safety. We did not have developed publications for kids on that subject matter but we were able to develop kid friendly publications and share other resources. As result we are planning to put together a couple of safe kids day camps in the northern and southern parts of the county this summer. I am happy to be seen as a resource for supporting materials and even as a place to get presentation ideas. We look forward to continue to develop quality programs with partnering agencies rather than competing for the same audiences with similar programming efforts.

FNP
Pamela Leino-Mills

NUTRITION CLASSES
During December, 2003, and January, 2004, I conducted 52 nutrition classes in the five Richland County schools participating in the Afterschool Program. The kids are tasting some new foods and liking them. I have been pleased to see that kids DO LIKE VEGETABLES, even when many of them say they do not eat vegetables. My most recent classes have addressed the health benefits of eating a colorful variety of several vegetables every day. I brought a vegetable tray with me to each class. Every tray has been totally emptied within minutes. One would have thought they were being served candy.

FOOD BUDGET COUNSELING
Job Service has referred several customers to me for food budget counseling. I have gotten some good feedback from the three people I worked with.

WIC AND HEADSTART
In December I spent a day doing individual nutrition education with 21 WIC customers. I also held a class for Headstart parents. I always feel proud of these people, who are so conscientious about taking good care of their families.

NDSCS
During this time period I conducted five classes for students with children, living on campus, at NDSCS.

21^st CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS
Adrian Biewer

SUSTAINABILITY
The work has begun in preparation for developing sustainability for our afterschool program. We are meeting with area school boards and the County Commissioners reporting the status and needs of the program. Our goal is to fund the program without sacrificing the quality.

EVALUATION
Our program evaluation is back from the staff at the North Dakota State University Family Science Department. The results from the teacher surveys report that 75% of program students improved in turning in their homework on time, 71% improved in completing homework to teachers� satisfaction, 63% improved in participating in class, 63% improved in volunteerism, 68% improved in attending class regularly, 60% improved in being attentive in class, 67% improved in behaving in class, 79% has satisfactory academic performance or better, 67% improved in coming to school ready to learn, and 67% improved in getting along well with other students.

ADULT EDUCATION
Our adult education program resumed in January with Lori Loff teaching quilting classes at Colfax. The NDSU Parenting Resource Center is conducting a class in Lidgerwood entitled: Young Children & Emotional Intelligence. The class runs from 6:30 - 8:00 pm in the school library. Richland 44 will host that same class on March 15. Cost is free and the class qualifies for childcare/foster care certification.