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2007 Program Highlights
We are pleased to share with you some of the highlights of our 2007 educational programs and activities conducted by the Ashtabula County Extension faculty and staff.
New Staff Hired
Three new staff members joined the Ashtabula County Extension Office Staff in 2007. Abbey Averill, 4-H and Agriculture Program Assistant (April, 2007), Ashlee Rzyczycki, Family & Consumer Sciences Educator (August, 2007) and Becky Holmes, 4-H Youth Development (September, 2007) were hired to fill vacancies. The Ashtabula County community is excited to have Abbey, Ashlee and Becky working for OSU Extension!
Economic Impacts of Ohio Grape and Wine Industry
The Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator served as the lead investigator for two economic impact surveys of the Ohio Grape and Wine Industry. The first study analyzed the economic impact that visitors have on local communities while visiting Ohio’s 100 wineries. Personal interviews of 1,200 visitors were conducted by volunteers trained by the research team. The second study conducted was a mail survey to Ohio vineyard and winery owners examining the economic direct and indirect impact of the grape and wine industry. This research was conducted in partnership with the Ohio Wine Producers, Ohio Grape Industries Program and the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District. The research findings will be published in early 2008.
Farm Succession Planning
The Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Educator lead an effort for OSU Extension in the area of farm transition (succession) planning. This nine-member team received a North Central Region Risk Management Grant to develop teaching farm transition curriculum and conduct four two-day workshops in Ohio. One hundred-five individuals participated in these workshops with an additional 22 Extension Educators participating as “train the trainers.” The team also developed a resource notebook, ten OSU Extension fact sheets, and revised OSU Extension’s “Transferring Your Farm to the Next Generation” Bulletin.
Farmer College
The Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator along with Extension Educators in Lake and Geauga Counties designed, developed, and taught three small farmer colleges in 2007. One hundred small farmers participated and learned about agricultural business planning, enterprise selection, marketing and available agricultural resources.
Ten Youth Benefit from Scholarships
OSU Extension and the Ashtabula County Agricultural Scholarship Fund Committee presented a total of $10,000 in scholarship money to ten outstanding young people to pursue careers in agriculture, environmental sciences or family and consumer sciences.
Master Gardener Volunteers
Forty-two Ashtabula County Master Gardeners volunteered 2,546 hours (value of $42,111) during 2007. The Master Gardeners conducted the horticultural hot-line, coordinated the Ashtabula County Fair Floral Show, conducted a phenology research study at the OARDC Ashtabula Research Station, gave 20 community speeches, assisted 350 residents through the horticultural hotline, and taught 210 residents during the eight Community Horticultural Education Classes.
Austinburg Wage Study
The Ashtabula County Extension office conducted a Wage Survey for the Community of Austinburg in the fall of 2007. The results of the survey are helping the Ashtabula County Commissioners and the Austinburg Township Trustees apply for grant monies to help defray the estimated costs of the 2.2 million dollar EPA mandated sewer project.
Dining With Diabetes
Ohio State University Extension, in collaboration with Geneva Medical Center, The Centers for Dialysis Care, Conneaut Medical Center, and Ashtabula County Health Department, offered a three week Dining with Diabetes series in Ashtabula County in 2007. Thirty individuals participated and learned how to cut fat, sugar, and sodium in their cooking. The participants also received recipes, watched cooking demonstrations, and tasted food made with less sugar, fat, and salt. A reunion was held three months following the initial class. Eighteen people attended the follow-up session and most of the individuals indicated that they felt confident they could keep their diabetes under control.
Family-A-Fair
A coalition of local agencies joined forces to conduct the 23rd annual Family-A-Fair event. Ohio State University Extension in Ashtabula County has played a leadership role in conducting this community wide program. Since the first event in 1985, Family-A-Fair has grown to incorporate 25 local organizations, agencies, and businesses on the planning committee. The Family-A-Fair Committee incorporated in 1999 and received its 501(c) 3 tax exempt status in 2001. This non-profit coalition’s major goal is to support and strengthen families in Ashtabula County through exhibits showcasing local agencies and organizations that support families and provide activities for families to participate in together. The annual event features a one mile fun run and walk for family members of all ages, a family life photo contest, safety demonstrations and entertainment. Over 2,000 Ashtabula County residents of all ages participated in the 2007 event held at the Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School in Jefferson, Ohio.
4-H Youth Development
In 2007 the Ashtabula County 4-H Youth Development program had 1,058 members who participated in a wide variety of program topics. Along with these members, OSU Extension worked with 140 volunteers to manage and conduct the 4-H youth development program.
Each year 4-H clubs are encouraged to raise one “International” market animal and sell it at the Ashtabula County Fair. The proceeds from the sale of the international project animals are used for an international project. In 2007 $1,500 was raised and sent to Pinetown, South Africa for use in a 4-H community gardening project.
School Leadership Enrichment Program
Ashtabula County OSU Extension’s School Leadership Enrichment Program received a major loss this past year with the passing of Tom Cole. In April 2007 Abbey Averill was hired to continue our county’s school enrichment work. Two-hundred and twenty-six students participated in school based leadership programs and 98 completed the Buckeye Summer School Program.
Real Money, Real World
OSU Extension, in cooperation with the eight public school systems in Ashtabula County, conducted the “Reality Day- Real Money, Real World Program” in which 1,482 students participated. The students learned how their performance in school could affect the amount of money they make in the future. One student commented as he completed the program that he “had better study hard because he didn’t want to live all his life on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.” Teachers involved in this program indicate they have seen a difference in study habits in many of their students after completing this project. This program is in its fourth year.
Ashtabula 4-H Foundation
The 4-H Foundation for Ashtabula County had another successful year in 2007. The tenth annual Ashtabula County 4-H Foundation Pig Roast & Auction raised record funds by auctioning such items as a welder, jewelry and Ohio State clothing. The 4-H Foundation presented five $750 college scholarships and sponsored over $5,000 for 4-H related activities and events.
Junior Fair Board
The Ashtabula County Junior Fair Board has again proven themselves as a vehicle for leadership development through the 4-H program. The year was filled with trips, like the Fair Managers Conference in Columbus, to increase leadership education and community service opportunities. The 2007 Junior Fair Board did a wonderful job. Our 2008 applicants exceeded the number of applications allowed. As a result the Board decided to make an amendment to the constitution to allow 35 members instead of 30. The group is looking forward to a great year in 2008.
Camp Whitewood
Northeastern Ohio 4-H Camps, Inc. (also known as 4-H Camp Whitewood) celebrated its 67th year of operation serving nine northeastern Ohio counties. This is the third consecutive summer with over one thousand campers participating during the summer 4-H camping season. An additional 3,000 students attended the spring and fall school-based outdoor educational programs. The new wastewater treatment plant was completed in late spring and a major repair was made to the overflow of the 9 acre camp lake. Several improvements were also made to the kitchen and water system. The camp also successfully renewed its American Camping Association accreditation and was able to install handicapped accessible doors in the camp dining hall using Terry Lee Fuller and 4-H Foundation grants.
The Ashtabula County 4-H camping program at 4-H Camp Whitewood reached 100% capacity. Thirty-four exceptional counselors learned leadership and camping skills and then counseled 163 4-H and non-4-H campers. The week was filled with entertainment, educational experiences and the learning of social and life skills.
Economic Impact of Geneva Lodge and Conference Center
Frank Lichtkoppler, OSU Extension Sea Grant Specialist, led a socio–economic study survey to determine the economic impact of the Geneva Lodge and Conference Center located in Geneva on the Lake. Almost 51% of those surveyed (803 of 1,576) have responded with useful information on the Lodge and Conference Center at Geneva State Park Guest Survey. The survey results will be released to the public in early 2008.
Economic Impact of Ashtabula Harbor
Frank Lichtkoppler OSU Extension Sea Grant Specialist, also received a $15,000 grant from the USEPA Great Lakes National Program Office to conduct baseline economic research on the Ashtabula Harbor boating community prior to the environmental clean up dredging of the Ashtabula Harbor. Over 300 Ashtabula River boaters have responded to the boater questionnaire.
For More Information, Contact:
David Marrison
Ashtabula County Extension Director
39 Wall Street
Jefferson, Ohio 44047
440-576-9008
