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A SUCCESS STORY FOR PPA 14
EXTENSION SUPPORTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY
HELPING SMALL FARMERS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY
by Tim Reed, Franklin County Extension Coordinator
Situation/Background: Franklin County has a number of small farmers who generally farm to supplement their regular job or retirement income. Many of these small farmers also have limited resources and they frequently rely on the Extension System for assistance with production and marketing concerns. More than 50 small acreage vegetable and fruit growers obtained a growers permit from the Extension office in 2005 which allowed them to sell their produce at the local farmers market in Russellville. The local Farmers Market is important to the economy of the county because it provides farmers a place to sell about $25,000 worth of produce annually for cash. During 2005 the State Farmers Market Authority also provided an additional $35,000 in Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vouchers to 1000 elderly county residents and 767 WIC participants which could be exchanged for produce only at the Farmers Market.
Franklin County Extension Coordinator Tim Reed, has worked for several years to help the Franklin County/Russellville City Farmers Market to operate in a satisfactory manner.
The Northwest Alabama Small Farmers Improvement Association is a group of 40 limited -resource farmers who meet at least once a month. This group includes beef, goat, vegetable, small fruit and pecan producers. The Franklin County Extension office hosts their monthly meetings. Small farmers are important to the local economy of Franklin County and program objectives intended to assist small farmers in 2005 were:
(1). Provide technical assistance to help solve production problems and (2) work with the City of Russellville and farmers to develop rules for the local farmers market that would enable the market to operate in an efficient and orderly manner.
Program Activities: All the farmers who obtained growers permits were invited to attend a planning meeting in March at the Extension office. Tim Reed reviewed all the market rules for the previous year and allowed the 10 farmers at the meeting to vote on which rules they wanted to keep for 2005. Some new rules were also approved. Two Russellville city employees, the farmers market manager and the director of the city parks and recreation department (who have supervisory responsibilities for the market) participated in the meeting. Vegetable and fruit growers were provided technical assistance by Tim Reed and three Regional Extension Agents (REA's) to help them choose optimum management strategies for insect, weed and disease problems. Tim Reed provided one program for small farmers on how they could use broiler litter as a fertilizer. Three REA's provided programs on vegetable, fruit and beef production. Farmers received help in determining cost-effective feed rations for beef and goats.
Results: Farmers worked together to develop rules that aided in the operation of the farmers market. County residents were able to obtain fresh produce for cash and vouchers. Growers were able to produce an adequate amount of fruit and vegetables for the market. Limited resource cattle producers maintained profitable operations. One commercial rabbit grower was assisted in solving a severe rabbit respiratory problem threatening his sixteen hundred rabbits. One farmer was advised on which pecan variety to plant.
Impact: Economic development in Franklin County was enhanced through Extension support of profitable small farm operations. The local farmers market generated over $60,000 in income for limited resource farmers. The value of produce sold at the farm and other locations plus the value of livestock sold by small farmers added several more thousand dollars to the local economy.
Evaluation: Local political leaders expressed appreciation for Extension assistance in supporting the farmers market. Discussions with small farmers revealed that they were very pleased with Extension efforts to help them.
2005 ETP11g SUCCESS STORY
EXTENSION ENHANCES FARM ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARSHIP IN FRANKLIN COUNTY
by Tim Reed, Franklin County Extension Coordinator
Educational Objectives: There are over 165 poultry farms, 2 dairies and one swine farm in Franklin County. Farmers who operate animal feeding operations (AFOs) are required by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) to comply with a recommended list of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that help insure animal manure and animal mortalities do not degrade water quality. AFOs must maintain records to show that all BMPs were utilized. Large concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) must register their plans with ADEM. Failure to comply with BMPs can result in fines, operations can be halted and small farms can be designated as CAFOs. There are more than 20 CAFOs in Franklin County. ADEM now requires that all CAFOs have an annual inspection by a “Qualified Credentialed Professional” (QCP) to document that all BMPs are being followed. One program objective of the Franklin County Extension office is to insure that all animal producers receive correct information about ADEM regulations and farmers are aware of specific practices they must follow to obtain successful QCP inspections.
Program Activities: The Extension office responded to numerous requests by farmers seeking information about specific ADEM requirements. Information was provided regarding the specific records that had to be maintained and forms that could be used to show how manure and mortalities were managed. Strong technical support was provided by Extension Specialist Ted Tyson. A concerted effort was made to make ADEM personnel aware of the serious problem created by the “Farmers’ Map” which shows farmers when weather conditions permit land application of manure and lagoon liquids. Currently if a half inch or more of precipitation is predicted for an area within the next 72 hours farmers cannot apply animal waste during any of these three days. CAFOs were provided with names of approved QCPs to assist them with inspections. Visits were made to 7 CAFO operations to provide environmental stewardship training and to assist in solving unique compliance concerns. Franklin County Extension Coordinator Tim Reed conducted the QCP inspection on 5 of these farms to insure that concerns were properly addressed. Significant assistance was provided to one CAFO operation which had been fined for non-compliance and was facing imminent closure. Extension assistance allowed this farmer to work out a favorable payment schedule for his ADEM fine and to continue to grow chickens.
Results: Extension assistance provided two farmers enabled them to document that they had corrected previous non-compliance issues and their farms were removed from the ADEM CAFO list. These two farms were no longer required to have annual QCP inspections. Seven CAFO farmers who were provided on-farm educational training earned a total of 21 continuing education units which helped them comply with another ADEM requirement. Franklin County CAFO operators were able to contact several QCPs and obtain their inspection for a reasonable price. Extension assistance helped one farmer to avoid closure and to continue to make loan payments to his banker. Efforts to make University personnel and government agencies aware of the problems created by the current guidelines for the “Farmers Map” have generated interest in conducting additional research to ascertain actual rainfall requirements to cause nutrient runoff from litter-treated pastures.
Impact: Environmental stewardship was enhanced on many Franklin county farms and water quality was protected. Farmers gained the knowledge they needed to follow BMP guidelines and comply with environmental regulations through phone calls to the Extension office and Extension agent farm visits. Farmers were able to avoid ADEM fines.
Evaluation: Conversations with farmers indicated they were very grateful to the Extension office for helping them to comply with ADEM regulations. The management team of the largest poultry integrator in the county expressed appreciation for Extension efforts to help their farmers become better environmental stewards.
Headstart-Parenting 101
By KAREN M. THOMPSON from FAMILY PROGRAMS - FIELD for PPA21 on 2005-12-16
Parenting 101: A Headstart for Every Child
The Family and Consumer Science (FCS) REA’s in Region 1 are asked annually to present educational programs to Headstart parents at each local sight. All Region 1 REA’s traveled to these locations to present programs in the 2004-2005 school year only to have between 0 – 6 participants at each sight. It was determined that this was a very expensive delivery method.
To decrease expense and increase effectiveness the Region 1 REA’s met with the two Headstart programs that cover the Regions 1 counties. A multi-county program was proposed in which the Headstart programs would transport their parents to a single location where four – five educational programs would be presented. The Headstart programs would also provide funds for the participants break and lunch.
This delivery method was very well received and the first “Parenting 101: A Headstart for Every Child” was conducted on November 3, 2005. The program was presented on the University of North Alabama Campus and more than seventy parents from six counties attended.
The program subject matters taught were among those that the Headstart program is required to give to their parents. The programs presented were:
Taking Control of Family Finances
Family Meals – Connecting Food & Families
Meal Time/Family Time – Menu Planning Made Easy
Holiday Family Time
In addition during the lunch a program entitled “Time Sharing” was presented by Dianne Pace a childcare educator at Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC). There were also educational exhibits – Safeplace, Health Department – Tobacco Free & All Kids Insurance, NWSCC Adult Education Program, Alabama Cooperative Extension System – Asthma & the Expanded Food & Nutrition Program (representing three counties).
The results of this programming effort were very positive:
70 parents attended, both fathers & mothers
57 parents completed evaluations
100% of respondents were satisfied with the overall program
89.4% strongly agreed the ideas and material presented were valuable and useful
68.4% strongly agreed that the information presented would meet their personal needs
80.7% - 89.4% strongly agreed that the four presentations were effectively presented
92.9% strongly agreed that the “Time Sharing” presentation was effective
(there is an all inclusive evaluation available for review)
Time and money were saved by conducting this multi-county program.
Approximate total mileage used to plan and implement this program was 1104 miles x .485 = $535, potential mileage when agents travel to each county over 3000 miles x .485 = $1455. A savings of $920. Travel time to planning meetings, etc 25 hours, potential travel time going to each county 110 or more hours. A savings of 85 travel hours. Potential meals claimed as part of travel 10 x $7.50 = $75, potential meals claimed traveling to each county 60 x $7.50 = $450. A savings of $375.
It is estimated that $610 were expended to conduct this programming effort. Reaching more than seventy Headstart parents with 5 educational programs, 350 reached. In addition the parents were exposed to educational exhibits, Headstart volunteers and teachers were also educated through this program.
Conducted in the traditional delivery method more than $1900 and 110 hours would have been used to reach a total of less than 100 parents, with no exhibits, additional speakers or training opportunities for volunteers and teachers.
A second program is currently being planned for February 2006.
Submitted by: Region 1 FCS REA’s
Lelia Wissert
Karen Thompson
Lisa Murphy
Susan Hill
Diabetic Education Series in Franklin County
By KAREN M. THOMPSON from FAMILY PROGRAMS - FIELD for ETP21D on 2005-12-16
Diabetic Education Series
The incidence of diabetes in the nation is near epidemic proportions and Alabama is in the lead. In Franklin County many people are routinely diagnosed with this chronic condition but are given by their physicians little more than a couple information sheets to help them cope with this condition.
In March 2004, a grant was received from the Appalachian Regional Commission for $10,000 to do an intensive Diabetic Education Series in Franklin County. Grant participants received approximately eight hours of intensive education by certified diabetic educators (a registered nurse and a dietitian) from the Diabetes and Lipid Center of North Alabama in Russellville and Red Bay in Franklin County.
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Diabetic Classes at Russellville Hospital |
Each session was done in two 4-hour parts that included information on the disease itself, blood testing, diet, exercise, and stress management. Over the course of a year a total of eight different sessions were conducted that reached approximately 83 participants. One of the sessions specifically targeted the Hispanic population in this county. Classes also included follow-up sessions at 3, 6 and 12 month intervals to monitor participant progress. The grant also included several awareness presentations to the general public
as well as in depth in-service training for health professionals.
Partners in this effort included: Extension, Diabetes and Lipid Center of North Alabama, Russellville and Red Bay Hospitals. Extension’s role in this grant was to serve as a local liaison for the Diabetes Center and their staff to both promote and facilitate this series.
At the sixth month session participants reported an overall decrease in their A1C levels of 1 percent. The 12 month follow-up was completed in March 2005, but attendance was meager.
Numerous series participants commented that for the first time they actually understood the mechanics of diabetes and how they could make changes in their lifestyles to maintain better health. They also commented that these classes were superior to other similar classes they had attended in nearby counties. They stated that the instructors made the information easier to understand. They also enjoyed the repeated contact with diabetic educators as it gave them a chance to establish a comfort level in order to get their personal questions answered.
FRANKLIN COUNTY 4-H’ERS HELP IN DISASTER RELIEF
By KATHY TAYLOR BORDEN from FRANKLIN COUNTY for DRE70A on 2006-01-31
Situation/Background: In Franklin County there are 776 4-H Club members in eight different schools: Phil Campbell, Red Bay, Vina and Belgreen High Schools, Russellville Middle and Elementary and East Franklin and Tharptown Junior High Schools. These 4-H clubs had approximately 400 members that participated in an effort to help with Disaster Relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
Program Activities: At the October 4-H clubs the members were recognized as part of the “Lets Make A Difference Day”. They collected approximately 300 cases of water, consisting of 24 bottles of water per case, 600 jars of Peanut Butter and 465 boxes of Crackers.
These items were then distributed in Columbia, Mississippi which was one of the small towns in the path of Hurricane Katrina.
Results: There were 125 boxes of food, consisting of a variety of non-perishable items, blankets, and a Bible with enough food in each box to feed a family of 4 (500 People) for one week. The Peanut Butter, Water and Crackers that were with each box all came from the Franklin County 4-H Clubs and Schools. The boxes of food, water, crackers and peanut butter were transported by a tractor trailer truck with a 53’ box van and hand delivered by a group of people including myself, some 4-H volunteers and two 4-H’ers in conjunction with another organization.
Impact: The impact of the hand delivering process to the victims of Katrina can not be measured in statistics. The impact was measured by the expression on each family’s face as they were handed these valuable supplies. To see that someone cared for them and took the time to ease some of the pain of this horrible disaster was profound. The 4-H’ers who collected these goods benefited by showing that even small deeds can collectively have a big impact on people’s lives.
Evaluation: The victims expressed great appreciation for the assistance and support of everyone involved in the disaster relief effort.
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