MONTHLY NARRATIVES
(Program Highlights)

RICHLAND COUNTY

May 2002

CROPPING SYSTEMS Dale L. Siebert

On May 6, I assisted researchers from NDSU in planting the soybean and sugarbeet weed control plots and the small grain variety yield trials on the Larry Johnson farm at Christine, ND. The trials will be evaluated throughout the summer to evaluate different weed control options. Yield data is taken on the small grain trials. The plots are sponsored annually by the Richland County Crop Improvement Association.

On May 7, Mary Mauch, local 4-H leader and myself presented the 4-H Council Annual Proposal for Funding to the United Way Board of Directors. The 4-H Council has enjoyed good support from this organization in past years. Our proposal included funding for project days, a health and fitness program, as well as a request for money to help offset expenses for youth attending various statewide camps and events.

The GPS Technology continues to receive attention as we try to learn how to best utilize the new equipment here in the office. A workshop for area Extension staff was hosted at AgCountry Farm Credit Services here in Wahpeton May 23.

During May I worked with Eugene Elhard, Dickey County agent on planning a tour to Iowa for Extension Agents interested in Identity Preserved and Specialty Crop production. The tour is planned for the week of June 17 with stops throughout eastern and central Iowa to learn what that state is doing in this program area. We plan to bring back program ideas to share with producers in North Dakota.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT/4-H Colleen M. Svingen

I had the pleasure of attending the 2002 Priester Conference in Orlando, Florida. The theme for this year's conference was "Health Across the Life Span". In keeping with this theme, various health issues relevant to children, youth, middle aged adults and older adults were addressed. This conference subject matter is especially valuable to many of the programs we are implementing in Richland County. The funds for this trip came from NDSU's professional development fund.

Food Safety is an integral educational element of the extension service. Traditionally the extension service has provided farm to table educational information. I attended training and became certified in the ServSafe program with funds provided by NDSU. The ServSafe program provides accurate, up-to-date information on all aspects of handling food, from receiving and storing to preparing and serving.

According to a study by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a high percentage of children are encountering offensive experiences on the Internet, which include Internet solicitations, unwanted exposure to sexual material, and harassment. Rep. Earl Pomeroy and Kathleen Turner; a representative from I-SAFE America, met with students and community leaders in Fargo to reinforce the message that predators are on the Web and kids need to be cyber street smart. Extension was in attendance at this forum, recognizing that all sectors of the community must work together to educate our youth and adults on safe-surfing.

Also in the Month of May, the Extension Office gears up for the busy 4-H season. The County Communication Arts Contest was held in Wyndmere with many of our 4-Her's advancing to the District Communication Arts Contest in Fargo. This event includes youth giving presentations in the following categories: General Demonstrations, Food Preparations, Illustrated Talk, Public Speaking, Interpretive Reading, Dramatic Presentation, Short Takes, Broadcast, and Commercial. This 4-H event allows young to build self-confidence, poise and good communication skills. In conjunction with our local contest, the 19 county raffle winners were announced. This raffle provides funds for many projects throughout the 4-H year.

Special congratulations is extended to Pam Leino-Mills who has successfully secured in-kind matches for her next year's funding with unusually challenging guidelines.

I am extremely happy that Deb Evenson has moved into the Administrative Assistant position. We all appreciate her calm competence!

Spring/Summer 2002
June 2002
14-23 RRVF
20 RRVF - 4-H Day
17-20 Extension Youth Conference
18-21 Range Camp

July 2002
1 County Showcase
12 Tech Day - Hughes Shelter
19-27 ND State Fair
22 State Showcase
23 State Consumer Choice
25 Richland/Wilkin Project Day

August 2002
4-7 Natural Resources Camp
8-9 Achievement Days
19 Clover Classic

FNP (Family Nutrition Program)
Pamela Leino-Mills

Two important focus areas in the Family Nutrition Program are dietary quality and food safety. In May, I had two valuable educational opportunities which centered on both significant areas. The 2002 Priester Health Conference, sponsored by Healthy People, Healthy Communities - The National Extension Health Initiative, was held May 7-10, in Orlando Florida. I took away invaluable, up-to-date, practical information that I have already integrated into my teaching plan for the coming year. Much of the material addresses the value of delaying or possibly preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.

May 15 and 22, I participated in the food safety certification course (held at NDSU) known as SafeServ. The detailed information about, and review of factors contributing to foodborne illness and how to prevent it, has made me a more confident and well-versed purveyor of food safety information.

21^st CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS
Bobbi Jo Neiber

Summer is finally here and the

21^st Century Community Learning Center has begun their summer programming! The Lake Tewaukon Field Day, encompassing wildlife lessons by the staff of the refuge, a GPS scavenger hunt led by NDSU 4-H Youth Agent, Angie Milakovic, and fishing and casting contest served approximately 60 youth during the month of June.

Other activities taking place during the month are a visit to the Minnesota State University Moorhead Planetarium and Yunker Farm. Thirty-five youth within the Richland County Consortium schools in grades 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th are attending a two-week session of the Richland County Vo-Tech Center's Math and Science Academy.

21^st CCLC summer activities seem to be catching on with the higher level of student participation and interest compared to last year!