MONTHLY NARRATIVES
(Program Highlights)

RICHLAND COUNTY

JULY 2002

CROPPING SYSTEMS

Dale L. Siebert

The Richland County Crop Tour was held at the Larry Johnson Farm near Christine, ND on July 8. Weed control topics on the tour included sugarbeet weed control by Dr. Allen Dexter, NDSU sugarbeet specialist and soybean weed control by Dr. Richard Zollinger. I discussed the characteristics of the small grain varieties that are represented in the plots. Research conducted in these plots is used for weed control recommendations and small grain variety comparisons done by NDSU and provides local information for county growers. 80 farmers attended the tour and supper at the Johnson farm that evening. The plots are sponsored by the Richland County Crop Improvement Association and the Richland County Extension Service.

Youth activities and the 4-H program are a major component of our extension programs.

During July as listed:

• �Assisted at the 4-H Showcase July 1
• �Conference judged exhibits for the Wilkin County Fair
• �Assisted with a youth Tech Day July 12 in Wahpeton using computers and GPS Equipment
• �Assisted with the Richland/ Wilkin Project Day on July 25 and taught a session that day on terrarium construction
• �Contacted judges and made plans for Richland County Achievement Days August 8-9
• �4-H Horse Show on August 2

Transition and change in office staff continued during July. Interviews were conducted for office secretary on July 18 with Janel Nordick of Wahpeton hired to fill the secretary II position vacated by the promotion of Deb Evenson. On July 30 interviews were conducted to fill the 21^st Century Grant coordinator position vacated by Bobbi Jo Neiber and Adrian Biewer of Lidgerwood was selected for this position. Currently we are back to full staff in the county office.

Several years ago the ND Legislature created the State Board of Agriculture Research and Education. Recently Edd Goerger of Wyndmere was appointed to serve on this advisory board for Research and Education of which the NDSU Extension Service is a part. On July 15 I arranged a meeting with Edd, Margaret Tweten, Extension District Director, and Duane Hauck, Extension Agricultural Program Leader to talk about the NDSU Extension Service, structure, funding, programs etc. to give Edd some background information about the Extension Service as he begins his term on this important advisory board.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT/4-H
Colleen M. Svingen

This month and next I am going to share my narratives in a pictorial documentary of our office and youth events. This is the best way to show how much kids enjoy these events.

We would like to wish Bobbi Jo Neiber, 21^st Century After-school Coordinator, a fond farewell as she pursues her career as a guidance counselor for the Wahpeton Vo-Tech Center.

A 4-H Tech Day was held in July at the Hughes Shelter in Chahinkapa Park. 17 participants had the opportunity to experience both Computer Mysteries and the GPS Scavenger Hunt. Computer Mysteries is presented on a bank of computers. Chad is experiencing global positioning systems through a hands-on scavenger hunt!

RICHLAND/WILKIN 4-H ACTIVITY DAY

The Richland/Wilkin 4-H Activity Day was held July 25, at Chahinkapa Park in Wahpeton. Over 90 kids were given the opportunity to participate in three sessions of 25 different project areas.

The charge for the participants was a minimal fee due to collaborative efforts of the Richland and Wilkin County Extension Offices, Richland-Wilkin United Way and Chahinkapa Park. The participant fee of $3.00 covered supplies for the sessions, rootbeer floats and evening swimming.

Registration was handled by Richland/Wilkin staff. Deb Evenson, Richland's Administrative Assistant was a big part of the day's success with her organizational/people skills and good record keeping.	4-H leader Mary Mauch setting up to teach Nature t-shirt project.
Live animals are always a hit! Richland County 4-H member, Jaclyn Weber, shares her love for rabbits!	Oh the pleasure of ice cream floats!!
Minnesota Extension shared their sewing machines!	"Old Bones on the Prairie" was taught by Prairie Wetlands of Fergus Falls, MN.
Hands on activities were enjoyed by the participants!	Kite flying demonstrations were given by community volunteers.
Turning rope into horse halters!	The grand finales of the day was evening swimming in the exceptional park pool.
Participants and family members enjoyed the Chahinkapa Park setting.

FNP (Family Nutrition Program)
Pamela Leino-Mills

The month of July was similar to June. The Migrant school ended July 18. During July we made bread, "ice cream in a bag" and fruit "pizza". I was again able to work one-on-one with WIC (Women, Infants and Children) clients, doing nutrition education. It pleases me to see how conscientious these women are regarding their own health and the health of their children.

The nutrition portion of our new WEB site also continues to coalesce. Jane Edwards and I are working together over the internet.

Summer is a great time for education seminars. The last week of July, I was privileged to attend the Society for Nutrition Education Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. At that conference I got reinforcement for approaches I use to teach nutrition and food safety to my audiences. I became familiar with new up-to-date information and techniques. And I met individuals who have developed wonderful, culturally relevant material I will be able to incorporate into my teaching this fall at both the Circle of Nations School and North Dakota State College of Science.