The Alabama Cooperative Extension System engages a broad range of Alabamians in a conversation about the significant issues facing the state at this point in our history and the opportunities for positive change. From these conversations, six Strategic Program Initiatives have been identified to guide Extension’s issue-based educational programs that acknowledge and address the current changes in the way citizens think, live, and function in their daily lives, families, communities, and businesses.

Also available is a print-friendly version of the 2011 ACES Stakeholder Report.

Health and Wellness

Obesity is Alabama’s number one health problem and is directly related to a number of chronic conditions. Reversing the trend of childhood obesity involves creating a health-conscious environment.

Goals

• Improve the health of Alabamians, with special emphasis on combating obesity
  and encouraging physical activity, nutrition education, and health literacy
• Empower families to improve health and well-being
• Increase access to and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables

Benefits
Healthier lifestyles and a reversal of the obesity trend, increased health advocacy; improved health behaviors that affect state health expenditures; decreased disparities in the population; advancement of policies that affect health and wellness; development of a statewide coalition for health and wellness.

Highlights

• 3,300 youth educated in reducing drug, tobacco, and alcohol use through Healthy Choices Rock program.
• 2,000 third graders received nutrition education through Body Quest: Food of the Warrior iPad apps.
• 995 youth and 97 families improved parenting skills and reduced substance abuse in the Prosper Program; $9.60 return in reduced public expenses per dollar spent.
• Sexual abstinence education offered to 65,000 6th through 9th grade youth since 1995 resulted in 40 percent less sexual activity among 9th graders.
• 2,000 homes tested for radon; 4,600 new homes built radon resistant; and 90,000 youth educated about the risk of elevated home radon levels.

For more information about our Health and Wellness effort click here.

Workforce Development

Technological advances and global competition require a knowledgeable, skilled, and adaptable workforce. Economic survival depends on continuous training, lifelong learning, technology skills, and transferable skills

Goals

• Improve workforce awareness, knowledge, and skills with emphasis on
  entrepreneurship and broadband adoption
• Build stakeholder connections and networks
• Foster citizen engagement in education, workforce development, and entrepreneurship

Benefits
Elevated workforce knowledge and skills; increased number of entrepreneurs; expanded use of broadband technology; reduced high school dropout rates and increased number of students in technical career tracks and dual enrollment programs; engaged stakeholder participation in workforce development.

Highlights

• Inland shrimp producers experienced a 500-pound per acre increase; $175,000 annual impact.
• 11,500 residents across Alabama trained on applications and broadband connectivity.
• 1,500 local leaders trained per year in Community Leadership Network.
• 100 consultation sessions with tourism-related entrepreneurs.

For more information about our Workforce Development effort click here.

Safe and Secure Food Supply

Communities need adequate food supplies that are safe from foodborne illness. Food insecurity is not just an issue of money to buy food but a lack of availability. Large processors and budding entrepreneurs need food sanitation and processing standards.

Goals

• Educate consumers in all aspects of food safety
• Educate food processors in food safety principles and practices
• Provide a Good Agricultural Practices course and HACCP training
• Help communities provide citizens with an adequate, affordable, food supply
• Help citizens effectively manage food dollars

Benefits
Increased vigilance by consumers, processors, and producers to reduce foodborne illness; increased consumer awareness of how food is produced; improved animal welfare; greater consumer confidence in a safe, secure food supply; more locally produced food; increased access to affordable food in communities with food deserts.

Highlights

• 1,113 food service workers trained through ServSafe program.
• 80 food products tested and 60 nutrition labels developed by Food Testing and Assistance Program.
• 159 bulls sold from 95 producers with impact of $198,200 via increased weaning weights through the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association.

For more information about our Safe and Secure Food Supply effort click here.

Financial Literacy

The decline of the overall median income, high unemployment, community disasters, the mortgage foreclosure crisis, and other financial challenges have caused Alabamians to take a closer look at their financial resources and their need to better understand financial matters.

Goals

• Increase the financial literacy of youth and adults
• Improve Alabamians’ ability to handle opportunities and manage resources
• Promote competent protection of assets and personal identity
• Improve the financial well-being of all Alabamians, with a focus on limited-resource
  families and individuals

Benefits
Reduced debt; increased number of individuals, families, and communities prepared to respond to financial challenges at all stages of life; increased wealth and improved economic conditions; expanded and improved business enterprises; decreased stress; improved financial health for Alabamians.

Highlights

• 8,475 youth and 2,041 adults received financial training.
• 112 new businesses joined MinorityMall.com.

For more information about our Financial Literacy effort click here.

Sustainable Agricultural and Forestry Systems

Global food production is expected to fall short of population growth over the next 25 years. As national and global food demand increases, improvements in technology and the adaptation of production systems will be essential to sustain Alabama’s economy, communities and environment. The need to meet the nation’s demand for forest products and fuel as well as for clean water, recreation, and wildlife habitat will require profitable, sustainable production systems.

Goals

• Increase adoption of sustainable production practices for food, feed, fiber, and biofuel
• Promote safe, quality products and animal welfare
• Expand marketing options and increase consumer understanding of practices
  needed to provide food, feed, fiber, and fuel
• Encourage beginning and small-farm enterprises to develop new and niche products

Benefits
Improved economic and environmental conditions for new-land-use enterprises; expanded markets for producers; improved production of food, feed, fiber, and fuel that benefits the environment and preserves natural resources; enlightened consumer understanding of food production practices; improved animal welfare.

Highlights

• Poultry producers realized $10 million a year in energy savings, an additional $10 million per year in improved bird performance, and $9.6 million per year through decreased insurance and structural damage. (Total $29.6 million)
• Beef cattle producers increased gross sales by $3.7 million by retaining calves with superior genetics.
• Field crop producers realized a $30 million impact from agronomic and marketing education and a $4.5 million impact from treatment of herbicideresistant weeds.
• Commercial horticulture producers realized a $10 million impact from improved pest management ($4.4 million) and production management education ($5.6 million).
• $800,000 impact in hayfields and pastures from fall armyworm management protocols.
• Forestry programs on invasive plants, tornado damage, and wildlife management generated $1.2 million in additional income.

For more information about our Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry effort click here.

Environmental Stewardship

The State of Alabama has some of the most diverse landscapes in the United States that provide habitat for the nation’s highest number of aquatic species and among the highest number of land species. Forest and agricultural products; outdoor tourism and recreation; and access to ample, clean water drive a significant sector of the state’s economy. For the future, Alabama has the potential to become a leader in growing biomass for biofuels and other biorenewables.

Goals

• Expand knowledge of sustainability concepts and increase awareness
  of how local actions affect the environment
• Increase citizen empowerment to lead local sustainability efforts
• Advance solutions for complex environmental problems and increase citizen advocacy
• Encourage personal responsibility for the environment

Benefits
Expanded citizen environmental stewardship; added innovative solutions for environmental problems; improved environmental advocacy; more career opportunities related to environmental stewardship; added revenue attributed to environmental sustainability; increased use of alternative, renewable sources of energy.

Highlights

• Stewardship training provided to 27,821 youth; 3,727 landowners; 24,800 homeowners; and 111,188 coastal residents (167,536 total people trained).
• 17,500 oysters grown by Master Oyster Gardeners.
• 24,000 patches of cogongrass reported by trained technical advisors; 11,800 treated.
• $3.6 million in community outreach activities by Master Gardener volunteers.
• 341 people saved 230,000 gallons of water and $2,500 in home water usage from rain barrel construction workshops.

For more information about our Environmental Stewardship effort click here.

Disaster Response

Highlights

• Created tree landscaping guide for tornado victims; more than 250,000 copies distributed.
• Provided 100,000 residents with phone charging and Internet access via ACES Internet trailer after tornadoes.
• Oil spill workshops for 807 individuals had a $1.9 million impact in Baldwin and Mobile Counties.
• 290 shrimpers developed business plans resulting in a direct economic impact of $19,000/shrimper and total regional impact of $5.5 million.

For more information about our Disaster Response effort click here.

4-H and Youth Development

Highlights

• 92,841 youth (9–19 years = 84,626; 5–8 years = 8,215) enrolled in school and volunteer-led 4-H programs/clubs (9.5 percent of all Alabama youth).
• 84,292 hours valued at $1.8 million contributed to youth leadership development by adult volunteers in 1,674 4-H Clubs.
• 2,841 children of Alabama’s military families served in 85 special 4-H programs.

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