University of Idaho Extension Trends

Extension TRENDS 2022

Practical education you can trust.

EXTENSION TRENDS: ADA COUNTY

2022 Impact

Educator Ariel Agenbroad provides leadership for the Harvest Heroes program that provides training and experiential education to U.S. military veterans and their families interested in home and community food production and small farm entrepreneurship. In 2022, nine veterans and their families from Ada, Canyon and Gem counties participated. Harvest Heroes grew and harvested 1,662 pounds of produce at an approximate value of $3,311. The produce was distributed in the neighborhood surrounding the garden and to veteran serving organizations in the Treasure Valley. 632 pounds was donated to the Nampa women’s and children’s shelter and 162 pounds to WICAP in Caldwell. Participants packaged and distributed over 250 pounds of fresh produce to the Traveling Table mobile food pantry, serving 35-65 families each month. Harvest Heroes also established a vegetable garden with residents at Valor Pointe Veteran’s Housing in Boise.

2022 By the Numbers

• 11,277 direct contacts

• 5,624 youth participants

• 125 volunteers

• 9,751 volunteer hours

• $2,971,081 extramural funding

UI Extension Educators

Ariel Agenbroad ariel@uidaho.edu

Community Food Systems & Small Farms

Susan Bell sbell@uidaho.edu

Horticulture

Andrew Bingham abingham@uidaho.edu

Family & Consumer Sciences and Financial Management

Sendy Martinez smartinez@uidaho.edu

4-H Youth Development

Bridget Morrisroe-Aman bridgeta@uidaho.edu

Family & Consumer Sciences

Kristiana Pierce kristianap@uidaho.edu

4-H Youth Development

Educator Bridget Morrisroe-Aman is the Idaho lead for the National Diabetes Prevention Program. From 2017-22, the program was delivered in 11 counties, reaching over 260 participants at an estimated health care savings of $278 per participant per year. The program was the first provider in Idaho, and one of the first in Extension nationally, to be delivered virtually.

Morrisroe-Aman also leads a multi-county first year and Advanced Master Food Safety Advisor program. In 2022 she taught the seven-week, first-year program in a hybrid format. She also organized and facilitated eight trainings for the Advanced Master Food Safety group and trained and supervised 10 first year advisors while supporting 25 advanced advisors. Volunteers made 1,178 contacts in 2022.

4-H in Ada County

A youth-adult partnership with Project Filter resulted in a statewide peer-to-peer antivaping education campaign.

Youth in the Treasure Valley explored STEM circuitry through a new hands-on activity with positive learning outcomes and attitudes toward STEM. The six-session program was attended by 80 youth. The majority of participants were female (54%) and 38% were Hispanic/Latinx. Youth indicated that they learned new things about STEM (80%); are interested in learning about STEM (83%); would like a job that uses STEM (67%); and would like to study STEM after high school (76%).

Morrisroe-Aman worked with colleagues to deliver the Outreach to Military Youth program, delivering 11 weekend day camps for children of Idaho National Guard members. Morrisroe-Aman also provides statewide leadership for the 4-H Yoga program. The program was held at 15 sites in Ada and Canyon Counties from 20182022, reaching over 400 youth.

Nearly 350 youth attended 4-H Adventure Camp where they engaged in activities including archery, air rifle, water sports, crafts, cooking and various other activities. The cost of the camp had previously been a barrier to many campers who were able to attend for the first time due to scholarships provided by ARPA grants. The Ada County 4-H Outdoor Education team has reached over 1,000 youth through experiences centered around environmental and outdoor education. Youth have learned to ride and maintain mountain bikes, navigate using a compass, identify local birds and tracks, cook in a Dutch oven, create sustainable community change and more.

On the Horizon

The Harvest Heroes program will expand to sites in Boise in 2023, allowing for the program to reach additional participants.

A new program, Creating a Spark, is being developed to reach underserved and diverse youth in Ada and Canyon counties. This program will address educational learning loss due to the pandemic, provide behavioral health support and expand access to services.

EXTENSION TRENDS: ADAMS COUNTY

2022 Impact

The Ranchers Feeding Youth program offered by UI Extension, Adams County continues to provide programs to schools in Adams, Valley and Washington counties. This event features a half day of youth instruction about the beef cattle industry, including information about the byproduct uses of cattle, day-to-day ranch life and how the industry protects natural resources. Volunteers attend 3-4 schools a year and also provide a local beef lunch prepared by local ranchers. Impacts show an increase in knowledge and more awareness of the beef industry and the different aspects of the rural lifestyle so closely tied to the industry.

2022 By the Numbers

• 1,322 direct contacts

• 500 youth participants

• 30 volunteers

• 200 volunteer hours

• $38,145 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Adams County: Dean Dryden, Sandy Dryden, Dave Veselka, Shirley Florence, Sara Swain, Phil Davis, Sara Warner, Rafaela and Brian Goodwin, Trista Robbins, Katie Tharp, Casey Anderson, Les Nunn, OX Ranch, Adams County Fair Board, Council FFA teachers, Weiser River Cattle Association directors and members, Adams/Valley Farm Bureau directors and members, Meadows Valley and Council school teachers, staff, and leadership, and Adams County Commissioners Mike Paradis, Joe Iveson and Vicki Purdy.

UI Extension Educator

Tyanne Roland

208-253-4279

tyanne@uidaho.edu

UI Extension, Adams County also offers cattle industry learning opportunities including beef quality assurance classes for local producers and other topics that will help to strengthen their businesses. Online programming offerings continue to be successful for youth to complete their annual requirements for fair projects and for adults to continue ongoing learning especially during the winter months.

4-H in Adams County

The UI Extension, Adams County 4-H program continues to show growth in participation and new club offerings. Youth also continue to attend district events like the 4-H Adventure Camp and state events like the Know Your Government Conference, State Teen Association Convention and district 4-H camps. Additionally, UI Extension, Adams County continues to collaborate to offer the Idaho 4-H Rangeland Skillathon. 4-H programming is offered in local schools with a variety of events and monthly activities and youth activities are offered throughout the summer with the help of seasonal employees with a passion for youth development and enrichment.

Youth are also actively participating in shooting sports clubs with the help of certified and specially trained volunteers and through grants from the Friends of NRA. The local gun club has also been especially accommodating.

On the Horizon

Calving schools for local cattle producers are coming to Adams and Washington counties just before calving season begins. 4-H programming will continue to expand for shooting sports, school enrichment programs and younger youth events and activities. More landowner topic sessions will be presented to local audiences and rangeland and grazing classes will also be offered. Fire related classes for acreage and homeowners that provide tools to create a more manageable fire barrier on properties will also be offered.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BANNOCK COUNTY

2022 Impact

Educator Reed Findlay has continued studying the thrips insect pest in alfalfa crops. He extended his research by studying the effects thrips feeding has on alfalfa quality in a greenhouse setting. This will enable him to study this insect in a more controlled environment. Findlay is also assisting U of I Agronomist Jared Spackman in studying the effects of various fertilizer regimes on cereal crops. The cereals team has also initiated a study to determine the effects of previous crop rotations on soil moisture retention in dryland farming areas. Findlay has also partnered to determine how teff grass responds to herbicides. Findlay has also completed the second year of an apple grafting research project to study the effect of bud placement on graft viability.

2022 By the Numbers

• 9,011 direct contacts

• 2,351 youth participants

• 46 volunteers

• 1,380 volunteer hours

• $53,998 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Bannock County: Curtis Austin, Evelyn Hitchcock, Kevin Koester and Cody Miller.

UI Extension Educators

Reed Findlay 208-236-7310

rfindlay@uidaho.edu

Nikola Betts 208-236-7312

nbetts@uidaho.edu

Kathryn Hickok 208-236-7310

khickok@uidaho.edu

FCS Educator and Eat Smart Idaho administrator Kathryn Hickok joined UI Extension, Bannock County in 2022 and is settling into this dynamic role. She has established numerous partnerships in Pocatello, and is collaborating with neighboring counties. A new gleaning project resulted in over 200 pounds of fruit donated before the end of the summer. Hickok is eager to streamline this project in 2023 with volunteers and resources to make picking and transporting fruit easier.

Eat Smart Idaho's Smarter Lunchroom, a movement to promote healthy school cafeterias, will begin in Pocatello schools in 2023. A colorful mural was installed in the cafeteria at J.R. Simplot Elementary in American Falls and the school also adopted other interventions, from renaming menu items to a seasoning station and colorful posters. Healthy Pantries has been introduced to multiple food pantry locations. The team reached 909 youth and 200 adults through classes and outreach opportunities.

4-H in Bannock County

The 4-H Camp has grown to over 100 youth attending from Bannock, Butte and Teton counties. A camp teen counselor training was held with almost 20 youth attendees from the Eastern District. This effort allows teens to network, plan and gain leadership skills useful at camp and in their future. The 21st Century After School program in School District 25 is continuing. 4-H professionals are providing robotics programming to eight elementary schools. Schools are reached via in-school enrichment with STEM programs like stomp rockets, dissection labs and robotics. Other projects in FCS are being taught as well.

On the Horizon

Hickok is a member of the Early Learning Coalition with United Ways and is contributing nutrition information to local daycare settings. She plans to collaborate with IdahoSTARS to provide food-handling instruction to daycare instructors. She intends to offer a variety of nutrition and food preservation classes in 2023 including a food preservation series in Rigby. She plans to team up with Idaho State University Continuing Education to offer food preservation courses at a reduced cost.

The small grains team will initiate research into the use of annual alfalfa cultivars as a source of nitrogen fertilizer for subsequent cereal crops. This research will help growers manage the increasing costs of fertilizer inputs in a sustainable manner.

An AmeriCorps volunteer is being pursued for 2023 to expand 4-H outreach. A grant has allowed for the hiring of a full-time employee who currently provides in-school programming to schools.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BEAR LAKE COUNTY

2022 Impact

To support Bear Lake County’s strong livestock industry, UI Extension has been holding local Beef Schools and Pasture Management seminars. These programs give producers access to research-based information and introduces them to specialists working in their field.

In 2022, 51 War on Weeds articles were published in the local newspaper. The weekly War on Weeds articles are designed to educate the public about important weeds of concern. Some articles focus on weeds already found in Bear Lake County and others warn about weeds that we are trying to keep out of the county and surrounding areas.

4-H in Bear Lake County

2022 By the Numbers

• 6,906 direct contacts

• 780 youth participants

• 39 volunteers

• 772 volunteer hours

• $83,403 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Bear Lake County: Ariel Weston, Blake Wells, Elaine Peterson, Eric Cochran, Jamison McPherson, J.C. Price, Kevin Wells, Kolby Romrell, Mary Jensen, Scott Wells and Wayne Cochran.

UI Extension Educator

Justin Hatch

208-547-3205

jlhatch@uidaho.edu

Bear Lake County 4-H remains strong with excellent participation in the 4-H day camps, market livestock projects, an increase in the 4-H horse and market livestock programs, and the addition of the Working Ranch Horse Program. A total of 259 4-H members completed 1,150 projects during the 4-H year. With volunteers and grants from the NRA, the shooting sports area has grown from just rifle to rifle, archery, pistol and shotgun disciplines. The STEM coordinator has great support from teachers as the Lego Robotics project is brought into classes. The coordinator is also introducing arthropods to elementary and middle school students. A big boost to the 4-H curriculum has been the assistance of an AmeriCorps volunteer. The Cloverbud program has had volunteer’s step-up and start building a good foundation for 5–8-year-old members. The 4-H program finished the year in fine fashion with a highly successful 4-H fair sponsored by the Bear Lake County Fair Board.

On the Horizon

UI Extension strives to meet the needs of the community by offering relevant programs and conducting local research. Plans are underway to continue assisting with the UI Extension grazing studies. There is great excitement about the future of Extension and 4-H in Bear Lake County.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BENEWAH COUNTY

2022 Impact

The greatest impact for UI Extension, Benewah County in 2022 was in Youth Development through the Ignite Your Spark programs. The grant funding that funded this opportunity provided staffing and program materials for new venues, activities and experiences that allowed the program to show the community what youth can do in 4-H.

A Master Food Safety volunteer was added to the volunteer programs this year and that program has been well received, reaching those in need of food safety and preservation information. The Idaho Master Gardeners partnered with the local library this year to provide a horticulture education series that was well attended each week. The annual Sixth Grade Natural Resource Tour, small farms and forestry education workshops also continued throughout the year.

4-H in Benewah County

2022 By the Numbers

• 5,354 direct contacts

• 3,951 youth participants

• 72 volunteers

• 4,464 volunteer hours

• $603,702 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Benewah County: Erin Reid, Jennifer Steele, Amber King, Sally Grant, Kristy Tucker and Steve Cuvala.

UI Extension Educators

Gail Silkwood

208-245-2422

gsilkwood@uidaho.edu

Chris Schnepf

208-292-2525

cschnepf@uidaho.edu

The UI Extension, Benewah County 4-H program was greatly enhanced by new volunteers and grant funding to include additional STEAM programming such as sewing, engineering and natural sciences. Through grant funding, project day camps were held for youth to experience 4-H STEAM project areas that did not currently have 4-H volunteers leading education. Opportunities for youth to experience these project areas opened a new connection with them and a more robust understanding of the depth of 4-H opportunities to community members and families. 4-H project program participation increased this year through these opportunities, allowing students to explore new opportunities and experiences through 4-H resources.

On the Horizon

In 2022, UI Extension, Benewah County was awarded an American Recovery Protection Act grant to start a middle school entrepreneurial and STEM club. This will be a large endeavor that will provide quality programming to not only elementary school students, but now to middle school students. This funding has also been used to expand programming to include weekly 4-H STEM activities to Calder School District and to Kootenai Middle School students via busing to the STEM lab in St. Maries. Delivery of programs for small farms, horticulture and food safety will also continue.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BINGHAM COUNTY

2022 Impact

Educator Reed Findlay has continued studying the thrips insect pest in alfalfa crops. In 2022 he extended his research by studying the effects thrips feeding has on alfalfa quality in a greenhouse setting. This will enable him to study this insect in a more controlled environment. Findlay is also assisting U of I Agronomist Jared Spackman in studying the effects of various fertilizer regimes on cereal crops. The cereals team has initiated a study to determine the effects of previous crop rotations on soil moisture retention in dryland farming areas. Findlay has also partnered to determine how teff grass responds to herbicides. Findlay has completed the second year of an apple grafting research to study the effect of bud placement on graft viability.

2022 By the Numbers

• 9,325 direct contacts

• 1,665 youth participants

• 65 volunteers

• 630 volunteer hours

• $60,998 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Bingham County: Eileen Huestis, Elena Holbrook, Marnie Spencer, Lloyd Tolman, Jessica Lewis and Nola Cates.

UI Extension Educators

Educator Carmen Willmore’s focus areas were livestock production and best management practices. She assisted in the planning and implementation of the Young Cattle Producers Conference hosted in the Pocatello/Blackfoot area. This conference provides in-person education and networking opportunities for Idaho's young cattle producers. Willmore continued to support the Sheep and Goat monthly webinar series, an online webinar hosted once a month for sheep and goat producers in Idaho and the West.

Educator Julie Buck partnered with Bingham Healthcare employees Randy Powell and Katie McDonald on an Idaho Project Filter grant. The $15,000 grant led to a 25-minute lesson plan to be taught in Bingham County elementary schools third and fourth grade classrooms. The project reached four school districts and one charter school in nine schools, a total of 700 youth. A folder with a workbook, crayons and bracelet were given to each youth. This program had a positive impact by teaching prevention of using tobacco or vaping products and discussing possible scenarios they may find themselves in.

4-H in Bingham County

Buck taught Electric Pressure Cooking to 110 youth in Bingham County schools. 100% of students who completed the survey expressed an increase in knowledge about functions on the electric pressure cooker, the safest way to open the pressure cooker lid, confidence in how to properly operate an electric pressure cooker, how to follow a recipe, are comfortable cooking a meal for family, and are likely to use an electric pressure cooker.

On the Horizon

The small grains team will initiate research into the use of annual alfalfa cultivars as a source of nitrogen fertilizer for subsequent cereal crops. This research will help growers manage the increasing costs of fertilizer inputs in a sustainable manner.

Willmore hopes to expand opportunities for livestock education for local community members.

Buck will continue outreach in Bingham County to teach School

Pantry Cook-off, Cooking Under Pressure and Welcome to the Real World financial awareness programs to youth. Programming to adults will included Dining with Diabetes, Food Preservation and various meal preparation classes. In 2023 a UI Extension Candy School youth curriculum will be published.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BLAINE COUNTY

2022 Impact

The board game Pest Friends is a simulation of the decisions and consequences affecting agricultural pest managers. The educator takes on the role of a facilitator, teaching the rules and keeping track of what is happening in the field and the final score. Players take on the role of a pest management team who are given the task of producing the healthiest crop possible while using their limited resources efficiently. Each choice the players make may affect the crop, organisms living in the field, and their final score. Initial evaluation data has shown 100% of participants reported that this training was more engaging than traditional training.

2022 By the Numbers

• 2,311 direct contacts

• 871 youth participants

• 18 volunteers

• 214 volunteer hours

• $322,442 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Blaine County: Dick Fosbury, Pat Purdy, Amy Mattias, Lynea Petty, Tracy Green, Susan Kranz and Pamela Donoso.

UI Extension Educators

Grant Loomis 208-788-5585 gloomis@uidaho.edu

Chandra Vaughan 208-788-5585 cvaughan@uidaho.edu

Educator Grant Loomis worked on a regional Magic Valley soil health survey and cotton-based underwear was buried in three sites in Blaine County as part of the study. As a measurement of the health of the soil, the underwear would be consumed by the microbial community in the soil.

4-H in Blaine County

The United States Forest Service partnered UI Extension, Blaine County 4-H to offer, for the fifth year in a row, Adventure Quest summer day camp at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Adventure Quest provides fun recreational pursuits combined with learning about the natural environment. Past activities include field trips to look at macro-invertebrates in a creek, mountain biking, building beaver dams, wilderness survival scenarios and a trip to Redfish Lake. In 2022, short hikes, bike rides, wilderness survival skills, fire ecology and a trip to the 4-H camp to learn about wildlife, plants, and fish was conducted. These activities were designed to inspire youth to explore and learn about the ecology of mountains, rivers, and forests, while being immersed in the beautiful landscape of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. On the last day of camp, there was an optional trip to Redfish Lake or rafting. An average of 22 youth participate each year, with assistance from three USDA Forest Service Sawtooth Nation Forest grants totaling $10,910.08. There was also great community support in traditional animal projects with 175 projects and 14 adult volunteers.

On the Horizon

Upcoming afterschool 4-H programming and day camps include Magic of Electricity; Outside the Box – Art; Outside the Box – Gardening; Nature Adventures; Spike Prime Robotics; Rocketry; Archery; Embryology; Wildlife Day Camp; Drone Camp and Livestock Education Day.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BONNER COUNTY

2022 Impact

One of the main horticulture programs offered in 2022 was the Idaho Master Gardener program. The program covers a variety of gardening topics through the 20-class session. Classes were offered both in-person and on Zoom for those not comfortable attending in person. This method of delivery continues to work best for stakeholders. Plant Clinic support was offered in-person during the growing season.

2022 By the Numbers

• 834 direct contacts

• 413 youth participants

• 104 volunteers

• 133 volunteer hours

• $571,075 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Bonner County: Diane Green, Breigh Peterson, Harry Menser, Connie Trotter, Chris Elliot and Sarah Garcia.

UI Extension Educators

Jennifer Jensen

208-263-8511

jenjensen@uidaho.edu

Chris Schnepf

208-292-2525

cschnepf@uidaho.edu

A Lunch and Learn gardening series was held throughout the year, reaching clients who hadn’t participated in Extension programs, which led to invitations to present to other local gardening groups like the Ladies Homestead Gathering. Educator Jennifer Jensen worked with Boundary County Educator Amy Robertson to offer online classes that touched on garden planning or harvest and included related food preservation topics.

Cultivating Success advanced trainings included Digging Deeper: Developing Your Idaho Market Garden and Scratching the Surface: poultry production hands-on workshop. Jensen focused primarily on the development of the Digging Deeper curriculum and delivery and helped coordinate the Scratching the Surface workshop. As part of the Digging Deeper course, hands-on workshops were held in late summer at teaching farms around the state.

Area Educator Chris Schnepf offered the Forestry Shortcourse, Idaho Native Tree Identification and Landscaping for Fire Prevention classes in Bonner County.

4-H in Bonner County

Bonner County 4-H offered three summer camps for youth ages 5-10. An AmeriCorps member helped make these camps possible and Master Gardeners and Master Food Safety Advisors helped prepare and deliver specific activities during the camps. At the Red, White and Bloom camp, youth participated in red, white and blue themed science and art projects, some of which were then used as fair decorations in the 4-H section of the exhibit hall. Youth who had participated were eager to show off the tiedye shirts they had made. Five of the participants from this first workshop signed up for the second camp. Farm camp was held at the U of I Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center. Participants toured the facility and learned about the orchard and animals at the center. They also picked raspberries, created freezer jam and made butter. One parent indicated that their child had continued to make butter on a regular basis at home for several weeks after this camp. A total of 20 youth participated. At Nature Camp, participants learned about the flora and fauna of northern Idaho. Fifteen youth participated in the camp.

On the Horizon

Additional afterschool youth activities will be offered in 2023, including youth gardening programs.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BONNEVILLE COUNTY

2022 Impact

The QuickBooks for Farming and Ranching class debuted online in 2022. Farmers and ranchers got assistance with setting up their financial records from the comfort of their own home. The weekly Eastern Idaho Pest Alert Newsletter (April-Oct.) expanded its reach and information to area gardeners. Educator Ron Patterson continued the Idaho Home Garden tips class as a source of real-time, emerging issues assistance to local gardeners with semi-monthly (Feb.-Oct.) online classes. The Idaho Master Gardener classes in Bonneville County were all offered online with hands-on labs during the growing season. Thirty Master Gardeners completed their training.

2022 By the Numbers

• 14,106 direct contacts

• 5,315 youth participants

• 103 volunteers

• 4,103 volunteer hours

• $110,725 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Bonneville County: Kathy Duplessis, Danae Schoenborn, Diane Skoy, Marnie Spencer, Donna Whitham, Mark Whitham, Wendy Radford, Catherine Dudley, Karen Foster, Brian Andersen, Matt Jones, Dayna Jones, Bryon Reed, Stan Boyle, Mark Wilson, Steven Boyle, Wendy Horman, Joy Boyle, Heather Rutledge, Emily Fitzpatrick, Cassie Adams, Cassie Humrickhouse, Molly Brinkerhoff, Jan Prudent, Sherry Glick, Aliece Rasmussen, Vikki Gerdes and Linda Beckstead.

UI Extension Educators

Leslee Blanch

208-529-1390

lblanch@uidaho.edu

Ron Patterson

208-529-1390

rpatterson@uidaho.edu

Paige Wray

208-529-1390

pwray@uidaho.edu

Health and wellness was a focus of family and consumer sciences programming in Bonneville County. Participation in regularly scheduled virtual fitness programs increased. Educator Leslee Blanch provided new wellness topics to the community, including gluten-free/plant-based cooking demonstrations, American Red Cross Healthy for Life series, Dealing with Difficult People, and Carbohydrate Control: A Healthy Eating Pattern. New community partnerships were formed with the Department of Corrections, GEO Reentry Services Connection and Intervention Station, Club Inc. transitional housing, and YMCA. Wellness classes were provided to the Department of Labor, Idaho State University Friends for Learning, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center outpatients, and youth and special-needs programs.

4-H in Bonneville County

The 4-H program in Bonneville County has a strong volunteer base that is growing every year. This makes it possible to include and involve more youth and project areas throughout the county. Educator Paige Wray provides opportunities for volunteers to learn how to get started and best practices for working with youth and running a 4-H club in quarterly volunteer trainings. Teen leadership and STEM, including animal science, have been a big focus for the 4-H program this year. With the help of three AmeriCorps volunteers and three community grant program coordinators, Bonneville County 4-H expanded its day camp, in school, afterschool, and outreach offerings to reach new audiences. 4-H youth were given hands-on experiences such as learning about and practicing artificial insemination, coding a Lego robot and using science in the kitchen.

On the Horizon

Wray will continue to meet the needs of Bonneville County and its youth through quality programming in STEM, teen leadership and healthy living throughout the coming year.

Patterson will work with Extension specialists to develop a farm business management program for online delivery. This program will grant access to local producers at times when a strictly local class will not be large enough to justify.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BOUNDARY COUNTY

2022 Impact

Due to the absence of a county agriculture educator, FCS/4-H Educator Amy Robertson created the Advanced Master Gardener program to help fill the educational needs of Boundary County. This program consisted of 12 volunteer participants. There were several continuing education trainings offered throughout the year as well as many volunteer opportunities. These volunteers helped teach classes to the general public, manned booths at public events such as the farmer’s market and the county fair and helped with other needs in the county.

2022 By the Numbers

• 3,893 direct contacts

• 2,396 youth participants

• 91 volunteers

• 1,995 volunteer hours

• $80,657 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Boundary County: Joan Poppino, Andrea Fuentes, Shirley Anderson, Lauren Kuczka, Wally Cossairt, Kimberly Cushman, Laci Click and Tiffani Beggerly.

UI Extension Educators

Amy Robertson 208-267-3235

amrobertson@uidaho.edu

Chris Schnepf 208-292-2525

cschnepf@uidaho.edu

Another successful program was the continuation of virtual food safety and food preservation classes that had been implemented in 2021. Boundary County partnered with Owhyee County to offer monthly classes on a variety of food topics. These classes had statewide attendance as well as some participants from other states as well as a few other countries.

4-H in Boundary County

There were 227 youth participating in the traditional 4-H program in Boundary County who exhibited their projects at the 2022 county fair. For the 2021-22 school year, UI Extension partnered with BCSD 101 to host a full-time AmeriCorps member. This person focused on providing STEAM education to students at three elementary schools and 4-H Friday Friends during the school year.

A $60,000 grant was received from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to implement programming to help fill in the gaps with learning loss due to COVID-19. Two part-time robotics instructors were hired, and robotics curriculum and materials were purchased. Five-week robotics sessions were provided to every K-5th grade class in Boundary County, and several out of school programs and summer programs that also included many homeschool youth.

4-H Friday Friends celebrated its' 15th year of all-day programming for elementary-age children on Fridays during the school year. This program saw participation from many community visitors including the library, sheriff’s office, and others. This program received $10,000 in grants in 2022, allowing enrollment rates to stay affordable for Boundary County families who had children participating in the program.

On the Horizon

Boundary County, along with two other rural counties in Idaho, are part of a three-year Idaho Children's Trust Fund grant. Funds will be used to implement a free 10-week parenting education program for families with youth ages 5-11. As part of this grant, a parenting education curriculum will be created, designed to meet the needs of rural families in Idaho.

UI Extension, Boundary County was also successful in receiving a second year of grant funding from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and will be using those funds to continue robotics programming for youth ages 5-13. They will be utilizing a variety of programs including LEGO robotics, KIBO, Sphero BOLT, Robot Mouse and drones.

Boundary County 4-H received a Think Make Create Trailer in the fall of 2021. This trailer has been used quite a bit by 4-H Friday Friends and spent a week at the Boundary County Fair. The goal in 2023 is to partner with the schools and other organizations such as scouts and the Boundary County Library to expose more youth to the STEAM curriculum and materials housed in the trailer.

EXTENSION TRENDS: BUTTE COUNTY

2022 Impact

Classes and workshops were held in the areas of forage production, small grains, pasture, pest management and stress management allowing farmers the opportunity to improve their skills and maintain their licenses.

2022 By the Numbers

• 1,435 direct contacts

• 69 youth participants

• 10 volunteers

• 200 volunteer hours

• $204,693 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Butte County: Randy Purser, Michelle Purser, Romero Pancheri, Lacey Pacheri, Melinda Shodin, Collen Madarieta, Nickolas Hawley, Hadley MacConnell, Monte MacConnell, Anne MacConnell, Brian Harrell, Joni Pitcher, Wayne Ouellette, and Joe Steele. UI

Callister 208-527-8587

A tillage demonstration trial continues in Howe in conjunction with the Butte/South Custer Soil and Water Conservation District. Community development work is continued with participation in Butte County Economic Development board meetings. Educator David Callister continued to teach youth about the importance of training after high school, how to pay for college and the acquisition of job skills.

The advisory committee met and offered an array of topics for classes in 2023. Water management ranked as the highest priority agriculture topic. Self-reliance was the highest priority for community development.

4-H in Butte County

The 4-H program in Butte County had active beef, cat, chicken, dairy, rabbit, sheep, swine and robotics clubs in 2022. Most youth participated in the Butte County Fair in August. The 4-H market animal sale exceeded previous years' prices and several youth competed in the Eastern Idaho State Fair and Junior Dairy Show. Callister taught classes on animal nutrition at day camps in Butte with Clark County also attending. Several high school seniors attended coaching sessions on applying for scholarships held at the Extension office.

AmeriCorps members serving in Butte County reached new audiences by conducting weekly day camps in two locations. Over 40 youth participated in the day camps with the majority of participants experiencing 4-H for the first time.

On the Horizon

Work continues on the tillage demonstration trial in Howe. Plans are in place to host an AmeriCorps intern to help with 4-H positive youth development for summer 2023. Callister is a member of the UI Extension Farm Stress Management team, which is teaching around the state of Idaho. The goal of the team is to reduce the number of farmer suicides.

Recent reorganization of office personnel has created a stronger team. More 4-H day camps are planned for the school year and beyond. A 4-H horse club leader was recently recruited, and two shooting sports leaders are now certified. UI Extension, Butte County is looking forward to engaging even more youth this coming year.

EXTENSION TRENDS: CAMAS COUNTY

2022 Impact

2022 By the Numbers

• 2,307 direct contacts

• 1,320 youth participants

• 14 volunteers

• 552 volunteer hours

• $96,900 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Camas County: Kristie Olsen, Jeni Brown, Ed Reagan, Randy Jewett, Janet Williamson, Roxanne Bell, Amy Botz, Angela Thompson, Cornelia Williamson, Donna Koch, Glenn Koch, Harold Lefler, Travis Martin, Clare Olsen and Steve Miller.

UI Extension Educator

Cindy Kinder 208-764-2230

ckinder@uidaho.edu

An Idaho Community Program grant for in-school and afterschool efforts allowed for the establishment of three new partnerships with the Camas County Library, Camas County Homeschool group, and the Camas County Schools, and continued a renewed partnership with Camas County 4-H volunteers. A total of 919 youth contacts were made through in-school and afterschool efforts during the 2021-2022 program year. During the winter, 287 youth contacts were impacted via the five-week in-school program plus a 12-week afterschool program focusing on stopmotion film. Students created their own stories, built sets and designed characters and props. They were introduced to color theory, principles of lighting and frames per second filming. They also worked collaboratively on their stop-motion picture and completed 10 stop-motion movies. In the spring, a robotics and science exploration project impacted 145 youth contacts during the four-week in-school program. Additionally, a sixweek, afterschool program was conducted using experiential learning activities. Twelve lessons and activities were conducted to help youth improve reading skills, work collaboratively, follow design instructions and code projects by using tablets and Lego Spike Essentials. During the summer, volunteers and 487 youth contacts focused on safety with local, county and statewide activities.

4-H in Camas County

Camas County has a well-established traditional 4-H club program with 51 youth and 14 adult volunteers in 10 clubs completing 45 general projects and 44 livestock projects. Three livestock education days were conducted at weigh-ins. The 2nd annual endowed intern was able to conduct new programs in the county, which were safety education days with community partners talking about farm livestock safety, road safety, firearm safety, farm harvest safety and tractor safety.

On the Horizon

The 4-H shooting sports program will be expanding to include shotgun and rifle along with an established archery program. A new intern will help to develop new programming as well.

EXTENSION TRENDS: CANYON COUNTY

2022 Impact

Canyon County has seen unprecedented population growth and UI Extension has worked to meet that need by expanding existing programs and implementing new programs.

The Senior Produce Program created impact in a variety of ways. Most notably was the impact in physical and financial health, community togetherness, and support for local vendors. In 2022, 1,658 households were reached by providing $6 in vouchers for seniors over the age of 60 to use at the Caldwell Farmers’ Market. Participants noted the impact on their budgets, with one saying, "That's $6 I didn't have to spend on gas." Another noted that the market, "Wanted you well." which encouraged their healthy habits. The seniors also noted that they expanded their circle of friends by coming to the market and enjoyed knowing where their food was coming from, and that the money they were spending was benefitting the vendors.

2022 By the Numbers

• 13,748 direct contacts

• 8,680 youth participants

• 221 volunteers

• 6,657 volunteer hours

• $777,997 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

In 2022, 18 new Master Gardeners completed the program. The Plant Clinic was very busy answering gardening questions. Gardening instruction continues to be provided in-person and online. The Jr. Master Gardener program grew with more exciting classes planned for next year. The social media team continues to post gardening information several times a week.

4-H in Canyon County

UI Extension Educators

Tasha Howard 208-459-6003

thoward@uidaho.edu

Carrie Clarich 208-459-6003

carriej@uidaho.edu

Chyanne Myers 208-459-6003

cheyannem@uidaho.edu

Brad Stokes 208-459-6003

bstokes@uidaho.edu

With over 668 youth members in 54 clubs, Canyon County 4-H continues to be one of the largest 4-H community club programs in Idaho. Youth participate in projects like livestock, pets, foods and nutrition, leadership, art, shooting sports, and more. Current and newly joining members can complete a project in six-to-eight weeks through the STEP program. Spring and summer day camps are held at a variety of sites on a variety of topics. In 2022, day camps provided opportunities for 115 youth to learn about STEM, art, foods and shooting sports. Many other day camps were held around the county at schools and community centers, focused on STEAM projects and reaching underserved youth.

In 2022, Canyon County 4-H received over $737,997.95 in grant funds from Idaho Health and Welfare. With these funds, programming has been expanded to more afterschool programs, libraries and community centers. Topics that youth can explore include STEM, art, mindfulness, gardening, and many more topics through 4-H enrichment activities, events, and programs. Over 5,590 youth were reached in 2022.

On the Horizon

Focus for the next year will include supporting diverse audiences, implementing new programming and learning about the needs of the county. Livestock and small farm programs will include a two-day calf management class teaching farmers and ranchers how to properly feed cattle before and after pregnancy. A 7-week farm succession program will teach farm owners how to properly pass their property to the next generation and plans are under way for the Living on the Land program. FCS programming will focus on expanding the Diabetes Prevention Program to Latinx families by offering it in Spanish. Additional program efforts will focus on youth mental health, stress management and more. Horticulture programs will focus on arboriculture, reaching diverse audiences and expanding traditional program reach.

The Juntos 4-H program in Canyon County will continue to grow. Plans are being made to expand partnerships and focus on training volunteers to not only reach more youth, but have quality impact in their lives.

EXTENSION TRENDS: CARIBOU COUNTY

2022 Impact

Cereal Schools have been held across southeast Idaho for many years, but during the pandemic in-person seminars were not possible. To meet the needs of producers, a hybrid attendance approach was adopted and continued this year. Those who felt comfortable attending in-person were able to participate at the Extension office and those who wanted to attend virtually had that opportunity as well. While producers accepted this model, they have expressed that the face-to-face interaction is important, not only for educational purposes but also for mental health. While producers mostly enjoy having face-toface programs, they prefer virtual Pesticide Applicator trainings. Participants estimate that UI Extension saved them $8,594 this year by holding these events online.

2022 By the Numbers

• 2,493 direct contacts

• 211 youth participants

• 16 volunteers

• 652 volunteer hours

• $39,100 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Caribou County: Brett Torgeson, Cameron Williams, Scott Brown, Kyle Wangeman, Eric Simonson, Blair Rindlibaker, Jake Osbourn, Steve Samowitz, Glen Wight, Steve Wight and Reed Crandall.

In 2022, 51 War on Weeds articles were published in the local newspaper. The weekly War on Weeds articles are designed to educate the public about important weeds of concern. Some articles focus on weeds already found in Caribou County and others warn about weeds are trying to be kept out of the county and surrounding areas.

4-H in Caribou County

4-H programs are growing in Caribou County. Additional staff members for the summer allowed more programs and activities to be held. An array of programs for youth to develop life skills were offered including, working ranch horse, horse, market animal, sewing, wildlife, fishing, 4-H camp, and many other craft/ STEAM day camps.

On the Horizon

UI Extension strives to meet the needs of the community by offering relevant programs and conducting local research. Plans are underway to continue assisting with the UI Extension cereal variety trials, the Aphid monitoring network and with grazing studies.

EXTENSION TRENDS: CASSIA COUNTY

2022 Impact

A high number of food preservers in central Idaho requires trained volunteers to teach food safety and food preservation practices. There are 10 Master Food Safety Advisors in the Central District teaching classes, testing canning equipment and answering critical food safety/food preservation questions.

Healthy Meals for Busy Families was developed to encourage more Idahoans to prepare meals at home. The class covered nutrition and food safety for slow cooker meals, freezer meals and 20–30-minute meals. Smoking and Grilling classes are held to help community members utilize different cuts of meat by teaching elements of meat science, including picking and preparing the right cut and learning innovative cooking methods.

2022 By the Numbers

• 10,085 direct contacts

• 7,102 youth participants

• 72 volunteers

• 1,200 volunteer hours

• $19,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Cassia County: Sharon Hardy, Rebbi Burdett, Heather Mortensen, Amy Christopherson, Jeannie Allen, Ryan Taylor, Nancy Kunau, Beverly Searle, Penne Main, Judge Hodges, Al Barrus and Brandy Taylor.

UI Extension Educators

Joel Packham

208-878-9461

jpackham@uidaho.edu

Grace Wittman

208-878-9461

gwittman@uidaho.edu

A statewide farm management team has established a three-stage farm management curriculum on Quickbooks, farm and ranch financial management and succession planning. Participants in these classes will have help from the basics of record keeping to the start of a full-blown succession/transition plan. Cover crop research promotes the value of cover crops for soil health and measures the value of several different cover crop species for use in the area. Other cover crop research looks at termination strategies for cover crops to not allow the cover crops to become weed problems in the future.

An ARPA grant allowed for the purchase of STEM supplies for the 4-H program. An Americorps volunteer supported several large community events and gave youth and parents an opportunity to experience a 4-H STEM take-away project. The 4-H program supports the Cassia County School District through the SPARK afterschool programming and involvement in the 4th grade history day. The Food, Fun and Fitness program is offered in the summer, reaching many underserved youth, and the 4-H program is now working with the library on weekly summer STEM activities.

4-H in Cassia County

The Cassia County 4-H program is centered on traditional 4-H club programming but partnerships in the community have allowed the 4-H program to reach new audiences.

Livestock participation continues to increase with 344 completed projects in seven species. The sale of these livestock totaled $1,273,070. On average, each youth received over $2,661 above the cost of the animal for use in saving for college and the next stage of life.

4-H teen leadership is a major focus in Idaho. In 2020, a committee of educators and volunteers developed Leadership NOW! Advanced Leadership Development to provide intentional leadership development and education for 4-H teens. A Zoom-based program was created that teens from across Idaho participate in, with each session focusing on a different aspect of leadership. Participants also complete a service-learning project to address a need in their community.

On the Horizon

STEAM and SPARK programming with the Cassia County School District will continue and plans are underway to expand into additional classrooms. Day camps will continue in rural communities, with hopes to expand into Declo, Elba and Oakley. An Americorps volunteer will help with the expansion of STEM outreach activities to build on last summers’ success. Kits in FCS project areas will continue to be developed so club volunteers and families can check them out to participate in 4H. These are extremely helpful in the rural communities.

EXTENSION TRENDS: SCHITSU'UMSH RESERVATION

2022 Impact

The UI Extension, Schitsu’umsh (Coeur d’Alene) Reservation program focuses on positive youth development, Native community development, and food systems and natural resources. Instruction is offered in STEM, art, healthy living and leadership. Partnerships with the CDA Tribe, Juntos and Lakeside Jr/Sr High School have increased academic, social emotional health and family engagement to support the Tribe’s wishes to provide a safe place where youth and families can thrive.

2022 By the Numbers

• 3,743 direct contacts

• 550 youth participants

• 25 volunteers

• 250 volunteer hours

• $615,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension, Schitsu'umsh

Reservation: Caj Matheson, Abel “A.C.”

Sanchez, Jennifer Hall, Jenalee Morris and Chris Meyer, Ph.D.

UI Extension Educator

Shaina Nomee 208-686-1716 snomee@uidaho.edu

A partnership with the Idaho Native Women’s Business Alliance has provided the development of workshops/trainings for Native women. The One Sky One Earth Farmers Market has a large impact on the community, bringing local farmers, artisans and community members together to purchase local foods and handmade items. To further support the CDA Tribe’s initiative of food sovereignty and economic development, U of I, UI Extension, Schitsu'umsh Reservation, UI Extension, Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) Reservation, and the Nimiipuu Tribe have partnered on Advancing Tribal Food System-Based Economic Development in Northern Idaho.

Schitsu'umsh Reservation 4-H

A partnership with the UI Extension, Niimipuu Reservation led to an Idaho Health and Welfare award to develop programs for youth, including Basketball STEAM, Culture is Prevention, Outdoor Survival Skills and Lego Robotics. The Basketball STEAM partnership with the Rise Above Foundation focuses on social emotional wellness, anti-bullying and empowerment. Culture is Prevention and Basketball STEAM were combined for the Shi’wshi’wtm he hndesn (Young Women’s Camp). This camp was developed in 2019 to encourage girls to explore life's possibilities and prepare for a future where they are empowered and given access to opportunities. Youth participated in activities focused on healthy living through art, social emotional wellness, physical activity and team building to promote sisterhood. Culture is Prevention expanded into literacy and art, teaching youth about horses and the history and significance of horses to Native Americans. Artists that taught workshops observed that youth had increased confidence as projects progressed. Youth shared that completing projects gave them a sense of purpose and helped them be creative. An Outdoor Survival Skills Trailer and 24 youth bikes were purchased to deliver basic first aid, bike trail safety, and bike repair and maintenance during the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Rockin’ The Rez Summer youth camp. Over 75,000 Lego pieces were made into kits for each classroom at Lakeside Elementary and Extension staff co-taught Lego Robotics. The Juntos program began in 2022 at Lakeside Jr/Sr High School, focusing on STEAM, success coaching and mentoring and 4-H. Smi’yemi’lsh (Becoming a Woman Society) activities are conducted monthly and include Native traditional and contemporary art, guided art therapy sessions, mindfulness and yoga, culminating in the Shi’wshi’wtm he hndesn.

On the Horizon

Due to the success of Smi'yemi'lsh Society and the Shi'wshi'wtm he hndesn, a young men society is being developed that will culminate in a summer camp. The reservation and Extension team are new to Juntos and there is enthusiasm to grow this incredible program. The Idaho Teen Focus Group and Pollinator Habitat Ambassador training will be hosted on the reservation at the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel. Four 4-H teens will attend the National 4-H Ignite Summit and provide financial literacy for their peers on the reservation. Partnerships with the UI Extension, Niimipuu Reservation and Rise Above to expand Basketball STEAM will continue.

EXTENSION TRENDS: CLARK COUNTY

2022 Impact

University of Idaho Extension has been a huge influence in the community of Clark County. There is a strong need to have additional resources the community can rely on in agricultural outreach and youth development. Agricultural producers came out in large numbers to listen to Benton Glaze, UI Extension beef specialist, who taught a group of approximately 70 people about improving genetics in their production. Clark County producers also came to learn more about forage production from the East Idaho Forage Schools offered in Terreton. 4-H has been a huge boon to the community, offering workshops both in and out of the classroom where kids can learn and grow.

4-H in Clark County

2022 By the Numbers

• 792 direct contacts

• 38 youth participants

• 7 volunteers

• 300 volunteer hours

• $4,213 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Clark County: Jill Grover, Brenda Laird, Lorrie Clark, Amy Mickelsen, Bailey Downs, Danette Frederiksen and Valeri Steigerwald.

The 4-H program in Clark County offers opportunities to youth that would otherwise not get a chance to have hands-on experiences. County funds continue to decrease, causing elective courses to be cut from the schools. The 4-H program has filled a niche by going into schools and teaching additional classes outside of school which have focused on art, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), and agricultural education.

On the Horizon

The 4-H program is growing in Clark County, with more youth doing projects each year. New staff will facilitate the growth of Clark County in 2023. Extension Educator Joseph Sagers will continue to conduct workshops and research that will help farmers improve their production.

Joseph Sagers

208-374-5405

jsagers@uidaho.edu

UI Extension Educator

EXTENSION TRENDS: CUSTER COUNTY

2022 Impact

2022 By the Numbers

• 3,014 direct contacts

• 80 youth participants

• 33 volunteers

• $6,100 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Custer County.

UI Extension Educator

Sarah Baker 208-879-2344

sdbaker@uidaho.edu

Staffing and funding shortages continued to be a challenge, but with the help of volunteers and partnerships, the needs of residents in the county and state continue to be served. Important highlights in 2022 included empowering young beef producers to become profitable and successful through the Idaho Young Cattle Producers Conference; improving consumer perceptions and increasing marketing opportunities for beef producers with the Beef Quality Assurance certification and training program; conducting agriculture education in every classroom in Custer County (over 300 students) through Ag Week programming; teaching adults about cost saving ways to fuel their families with healthy, nutritious and affordable beef cutting demonstration workshops; providing support for beginning butchers at local meat processing facilities; conducting 4-H and FFA carcass contests to teach youth and adults about the importance of end product quality; partnering with the soil conservation district and other natural resource groups to educate youth about water, range, soils, and public and private lands during the annual Natural Resource Day, 5th Grade Conservation Tour and Pioneer Day; and partnering with local and state wildlife groups and agencies to educate local producers about wild and domestic livestock interactions. Numerous calls were addressed, and office and field visits conducted on beef related issues, including soil and hay testing consultations, fertilizer recommendations, nitrate testing of annual forages, and pest and weed management. Educational programs were held on natural resources, range management, and forage management, including field calls on pasture management, fertilizer, damaging grasshopper infestations, ground squirrel, vole, and gopher control, and other pests.

4-H in Custer County

Four new volunteer leaders brought enthusiasm and new 4-H members to a robust livestock and teen leadership dominated 4-H program. These new volunteers joined a group of veteran leaders to provide hands-on learning opportunities and empowered youth to become responsible, productive citizens. The District Teen Leadership program began and flourished under the direction of a Custer County volunteer leader.

Livestock numbers continued to grow and 2022 saw the largest market animal sale ever recorded in the county. In just 10 years, sales have increased over $190,000 thanks to outstanding youth projects and tremendously supportive businesses and individuals. Market lambs averaged $17.26/lb compared $5.60/lb in 2012. Market steers averaged $5.03/lb compared to $1.68 in 2012, and market hogs averaged $13.67/lb compared to $3.79/lb in 2012. Add-on contributions were over $70,000 compared to just over $50,000 at last year’s sale.

On the Horizon

Serving the third largest Idaho county (in land mass) has its challenges traveling large distances to reach clientele in rural communities in Challis, Mackay, Stanley, Clayton and all acres in between. However, partnerships with local businesses, agriculture groups, volunteers and county leaders enables UI Extension to stretch limited funds and staff to offer educational programming and resources to community members. The UI Extension, Custer County office is excited to continue to offer research-based education and bring the University of Idaho to local citizens in 2023.

EXTENSION TRENDS: FORT HALL RESERVATION

2022 Impact

The Fort Hall Reservation observed COVID regulations which prohibited face-to-face programming until mid-March of 2022. Once COVID restrictions were lifted, the UI Extension, Fort Hall Reservation program was able to resume programming. In the area of horticulture, a gardening program was developed that reached over 90 participants. Participants learned how to plant gardens to provide healthy foods for their families and learned about other horticultural topics. A community favorite from this program was floral design.

2022 By the Numbers

• 2,376 direct contacts

• 1,011 youth participants

• 13 volunteers

• 730 volunteer hours

• $183,616 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help develop programming and disseminate the work we do for UI Extension, Fort Hall Reservation through our five advisory boards in beef, range, general agriculture, horticulture and 4-H/youth development.

A bull grading team evaluated 143 beef bulls. No bulls were rejected, which demonstrated significant achievement and improvement in bull quality selection. This is the second year out of a 23-year program that producers have achieved a 0% rejection rate. A beef marketing program that was developed in response to COVID marketing disruptions continued meeting producer needs. Producers gained knowledge and skills regarding online beef marketing tools. Producers implemented these skills to sell their calves for competitive prices. In 2021, an out-ofstate producer brought five trichomoniasis positive bulls to a grazing allotment that bordered the Fort Hall Reservation. Trichomoniasis is a serious sexually transmitted disease that causes abortions in cattle. Once the problem was identified in 2022, an educational program was immediately implemented and tribal officials and affected producers learned how to mitigate the problem. One producer had a positive bull, but fortunately had followed the protocol for trichomoniasis prevention. As a result, the problem was quickly resolved with minimal damages.

Fort Hall Reservation 4-H

Educator Danielle Gunn collaborated with Tribal 4-H Program Director Nola Cates to provide tribal 4-H programming this year. The innovative 4-H program now entails traveling to three tribal afterschool programs to provide 4-H youth education. This is different from past programming when youth were transported to the UI Extension, Fort Hall Reservation office before the pandemic. This new model allows for expanded programming to reach more youth. The popular Tribal Youth in Ag Program is also offered at these facilities. Programming efforts reached 1,011 youth; 99 fall and spring classes and 18 summer classes were offered; and 288 projects were submitted to the Bingham County Fair. There were nine livestock and one poultry project. For the first in two years, 24 youth, six teen volunteers, and four adult volunteers attended 4-H camp. As a result, 100% of these youth stated they gained invaluable skills in responsibility, leadership, and project management.

On the Horizon

New programming for 2023-24 involves pursuing education and training for a Rangeland Fire Protection Association (RFPA) on the Fort Hall Reservation. Education, training and the development of an RFPA will give producers the training and tools necessary to help control range fires when they first begin. Having trained producers in the field can help mitigate the catastrophic range fires frequently faced. Another new program will be community pet care classes. Pet care classes were requested via a needs assessment and will be used to improve pet health and reduce abandoned pet numbers.

UI Extension Educator

EXTENSION TRENDS: FRANKLIN COUNTY

2022 Impact

Educator Laura Sant taught three six-week sessions of Preserve@ Home with Extension educators from Idaho, Oregon, Colorado and Wyoming. Of the 56 students who completed the class, 49 (88%) had a grade of 70% or higher. A post survey was given after the end of the class with 43 surveys completed. An average of 58% of respondents indicated learning and 96% indicated planning to do research-based food preservation skills/behaviors.

2022 By the Numbers

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Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Franklin County: Dirk Bowles, Boyd Burbank, Robert Swainston, Spencer Barzee, Sheena Jones and Brady Garner.

UI Extension Educators

Bracken Henderson

208-852-1097

brackenh@uidaho.edu

Laura Sant

208-852-1097

lsant@uidaho.edu

Thirty-two of 68 county employees (47%) participated in the Franklin County Wellness Program by making a lifestyle goal to maintain or improve some aspect of their health at the beginning of 2021. They received a $50 incentive. Twenty (63%) of the 32 who made goals reached and maintained their goal and attended two educational classes. They received the additional $50 incentive at the end of the year.

Sant co-taught the American Heart Association: Healthy for Life program with other Idaho Extension educators. Approximately eight individuals participated in the class. A retrospective pre/post survey was given at the end of two of the classes with an average of five surveys returned. Participants indicated an increase in knowledge about and confidence in doing healthy skills after taking the class.

4-H in Franklin County

There were 48 volunteers and 364 4-H members enrolled in 764 projects in Franklin County. They completed 672 (88%) projects. Sant helped begin and oversaw a Cloverbud program in Franklin County. Between Jan.-Aug. 2022, seven different Cloverbud projects were taught (55 classes). Sant actively co-taught three of those projects. Sant taught/cotaught seven other clubs/day camps and assisted in teaching two school enrichment programs, including Bread in the Bag and Recruitment.

Sant also helped to plan and conduct the Alpine 4-H Camp for Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin and Power counties. She assisted with planning and presenting 4-H projects, contests and activities at the Franklin County Fair and Eastern Idaho State Fair. She also served as the EISF 4-H Building Chair.

On the Horizon

Sant will continue to offer in-person and online health, nutrition, food safety and preservation instruction, including stress management and mental health education.

EXTENSION TRENDS: FREMONT COUNTY

2022 Impact

STEM classes were taught in first, third, fourth and fifth grades in five different elementary schools. In addition, 308 youth enrolled in 4-H clubs with one member traveling to Norway as part of the foreign exchange program. A total of 63 youth attended the Alpine 4-H Camp, 12 teens completed teen training, three youth qualified for National Shooting Sports, 143 youth sold animals at the Fremont County Youth Market Sale and 18 youth participated in various activities at the Eastern Idaho State Fair.

4-H in Fremont County

2022 By the Numbers

• 7,762 direct contacts

• 5,304 youth participants

• 23 volunteers

• 460 volunteer hours

• $9,500 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Fremont County: Jordan Stoddard, Blair Dance, Scott Kamachi, Brody Harshbarger, Brian Miller, Kim Crane, Len Humphries, Heath Anderson, Weston Crapo, Nathan Cardon, Leah Larsen, Greg Larsen, Randy Hillman, Taelyn Nelson, Stacie Reid, Dallin Brower, Denton Perkins, Krysten Davis, Cassidy Dutton and Rye Hyer.

UI Extension Educator

The 4-H program in Fremont County is alive and thriving. Enrollment reached 308 members this year with 23 volunteers serving as leaders. Programs included shooting sports, livestock, horse, dog and teen leadership. STEM activities were taught to all first, third, fourth and fifth graders in the county.

On the Horizon

In 2023, UI Extension, Fremont County will host the Idaho State Shooting Sports competition. There is a full slate of day camps planned for 2023, and reach has expanded to the three high schools in the county to provide youth development for older teens. A dual credit course through the University of Idaho for students at North Fremont, South Fremont and Sugar-Salem High Schools in agricultural communications and leadership will be offered. In addition, cereal and forage schools will be held in Fremont County. In cooperation with researchers at the U of I Aberdeen Research and Extension Center, and farmers in the Ashton area, studies in soil health through the application of sugar beet lime will continue.

EXTENSION TRENDS: GOODING COUNTY

2022 Impact

The Idaho Sustainable Initiative for Dairy (ISAID) project generated data on dual crops with corn silage and two field days showcased research to producers. The Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE) program engaged 1,547 Idahoans across 14 counties with vaccination clinics and educational presentations on immunization, work health and safety. Six agricultural environmental management applied research and demonstration trials were conducted.

2022 By the Numbers

• 32,558 direct contacts

• 13,082 youth participants

• 61 volunteers

• 2,353 volunteer hours

• $206,240 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Gooding County: Cindy Bigler, Mark Bolduc, Cooper Brossy, Ricky Fritz, Kay Hults, Donna Jensen, Carol Johnson, Daniel Knapp, Rebecca Larsen, Judi Lethlean, Marsha Neibling, Jamie Price, Chris Pruett, Priscilla Ruiz, Arlene Shaw, Jaren Wadsworth, Larry Walton, Karen Wisniewski, John Wright and 3-Gooding County 4-H members.

UI Extension Educators

Mario de Haro Martí 208-934-4417 mdeharo@uidaho.edu

Youth STEAM programs expanded to in-and-afterschool throughout the county, including the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind, summer camps and monthly family events. Science Fair evaluations reported increased knowledge of STEM careers, food science, biology and environmental systems. A total of 223 students participated at the county Science Fair. Students advanced to state and national levels with three FFA National Bronze Awards, two Gold Level projects, two Best in Category projects and four special awards at the Eastern Idaho Science and Engineering Fair. One project went on to the International Science and Engineering Fair and another participated in the International Plant the Moon Challenge.

4-H in Gooding County

Gooding County’s 4-H program involved 33 volunteers managing 14 clubs with 170 youth members. The 2022 Gooding County Fair served as the platform for the presentation of 206 projects in a variety of areas. Classes were held for projects in leathercraft, cake decorating, dog performance and showmanship, and quilling. Animal science events included education days for dairy and small animals.

Gooding County 4-Her’s hard work earned some the opportunity to represent the county and state at national events. One member attended National 4-H Congress, a five-day event in Atlanta, Georgia that engages 4-H members in leadership, civic engagement, global awareness and inclusion. Four members competed in the Livestock Skill-A-Thon, a team event where participants solve problems and identify breeds, meats, equipment, and feeds related to beef, sheep, swine, and goat production. Four members participated in the Livestock Quiz Bowl, answering questions related to beef, sheep, swine and meat goat topics. Four members participated in Livestock Judging, a process of evaluating, selecting, placing and learning various livestock species.

On the Horizon

Research and Extension programs related to the ISAID grant continue to generate data to develop solutions for Idaho dairy and crop producers. The EXCITE project entered phase two, with immunization, health and farm safety clinics to be delivered in the upcoming months. Educator Cindy Kinder continues to work with and evaluate three applied Extension research studies, which include outreach to local science classes, evaluation of the youth livestock program and survey of volunteer leaders in the district.

In addition to spring break activities, a beginning quilting series of classes will be available to 4-H members to assist them in completing the Quilt Quest project for fair. The temporarily funded STEAM coordinator has developed relationships and successful programs with schools countywide, working with underserved and new audiences not reached by other youth programming. The search for funding to make the coordinator position permanent is an ongoing priority. This is necessary to meet the needs of the county and fulfill a goal identified during the last two Gooding County Extension Advisory meetings.

2022 By the Numbers

• 4,521 direct contacts

• 761 youth participants

• 144 volunteers

• 6,640 volunteer hours

• $3,200 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Idaho County: Helen Rowland, Gary Crea, Tia Schumacher, James Boggan, Mary Charley, Heather Kestner, Leslie McIntire, Tammy Nail, Sarah Walters, Healthy Lifestyle Advisory Board, Katrena Hauger, Andrea Solberg, Dustin Elliot, Eve McColloch, Lance McColloch, Kristi Brooks and Teri Wassmuth.

2022 Impact

Educator Meranda Small is working with the Idaho Beef Council to update Beef Quality Assurance programming efforts for cattle producers in Idaho. Five trainings have been provided, four are scheduled and another three are being planned. The Idaho Young Cattle Producer Conference completed its sixth year, with participants learning from and engaging with representatives from all segments of the Idaho cattle industry. The conference is in conjunction with the Idaho Cattle Association summer meeting, a partnership that continues to grow as planning begins for 2023.

Educator Kirstin Jensen collaborated with Partnership for Community Health to offer a community walking program offered virtually through Facebook. She presented educational videos for the challenge and provided weekly feedback. Jensen offered four Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses, certifying 76 participants. She also worked with colleagues to publish the Five for Five – 5 Minutes to Better Health physical activity add-on curriculum. The curriculum is designed to be offered in just five minutes with an overall goal of increasing the rate of physical activity for all ages. She also planned and conducted nine events for PICH Extreme Adventure Club, reaching 332 participants.

The Idaho Master Gardner program was offered with classes held each week on different topics including landscaping, soils, fruit trees, plant disease and insect management.

4-H in Idaho County

Idaho County has 18 4-H clubs and at least one club in each of the county’s seven communities. Over 400 youth participated in 4-H clubs in 2022 with over 100 adult volunteers leading the way. The Idaho County 4-H program has two teen leadership development groups. The Ambassador Program is a group for teens in 9-12 grades. Ten teens are selected each fall to participate in monthly meetings to develop leadership, public speaking and organizational skills. The M.O.D. Squad (Members of Distinction) is for teens in 7-8 grades. This group meets three times during the 4-H year and is designed for those who are ready to expand their leadership skills outside of club activities. Members of this group have a leadership role in county activities held throughout the year. Fifteen teens participated in 2022.

In addition to overnight camp, three day camps are offered. Food Science Day, Creative Sewing Day and Day Camp are all free of charge with all materials provided. 4-H’ers are encouraged to explore new project areas and meet other 4-H members.

On the Horizon

Distribution and presentation of the Five for Five curriculum is taking place. Beef Schools are being planned, with a focus on herd health and BQA Certification. YCC planning is beginning, and a survey is being developed for alumni to gain data on impact of participating in the program. Small is also in the process of team program planning with Nez Perce and Lewis counties.

EXTENSION TRENDS: JEFFERSON COUNTY

2022 Impact

2022 By the Numbers

• 13,107 direct contacts

• 1,317 youth participants

• 70 volunteers

• 1,400 volunteer hours

• $135,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Jefferson County.

UI Extension Educators

Lorie Dye 208-745-6685

ldye@uidaho.edu

FCS Educator Lorie Dye taught classes on pressure cooker meals, a five-week food preservation course and nutrition classes in local elementary schools. She also presented a demonstration and hosted Mealtime Inspirations, an Eastern District FCS evening cooking event where FCS educators give a cooking, nutrition or food safety presentation. Dye contributes to a monthly newsletter on a nutrition or food safety issue. Many phone call questions were answered concerning food safety. Dye was awarded a $135,000 Idaho Community Program Grant (ARPA) addressing learning loss. Five interns were hired to teach 4-H curriculum-based programs at Harwood and Roberts Elementary Schools. These programs have been very successful reaching youth we have not been involved before.

For Educator Joseph Sagers, agricultural education was the main focus for University of Idaho Extension in Jefferson County. Inperson classes were held for agricultural producers to learn more about forages, cereals, pest management, weed control, beef production and gardening. Jefferson County experienced several significant issues, such as drought and pest pressures. Sagers helped farmers navigate these issues through various research projects, consultation and letters of support to necessary entities. UI Extension is committed to helping agricultural producers in Jefferson County.

4-H in Jefferson County

UI Extension, Jefferson County has a strong 4-H program. The horse project has always been popular and is the largest horse program in the state. It is also the largest traditional 4-H project in the county, due to 4-H Assistant Sue Walker's passion for youth to have a positive experience.

The shooting sports program continues to grow. 4-H Assistant Amanda Hickman coordinates the program in Jefferson County and is involved in the district program. She supports leaders in their training and helps establish clubs with needed equipment.

On the Horizon

Dye will continue teaching classes in food preservation, nutrition and cooking trends. She will continue to test pressure canning gauges and provide food preservation information to the county. Sagers will continue providing educational opportunities to farmers in Jefferson County and respond to local needs as they arise.

The 4-H program will continue to grow and expand through the strong leadership and vision of 4-H assistants Walker and Hickman.

EXTENSION TRENDS: JEROME COUNTY

University of Idaho Extension, Jerome County • www.uidaho.edu/jerome

2022 Impact

Regenerative agriculture is a term used to describe practices which help producers reduce chemical inputs and improve the soil by adopting practices focused on reducing tillage and increasing the use of cover cropping and livestock integration. Educator Steven Hines’ programming focuses specifically on practical cover cropping methods that producers can adopt. He has also been growing a cover crop species demonstration garden to increase knowledge of individual species to make informed recommendations to growers as they work to adopt cover crops. The food production industry is increasingly requiring producers to grow their crops in a sustainable manner and Hines’ work is helping them understand ways they can grow sustainably and profitably.

2022 By the Numbers

• 2,201 direct contacts

• 696 youth participants

• 34 volunteers

• 434 volunteer hours

• $277,283 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Jerome County: Debbie Hartley, Laurie Lickley, Michelle Emerson, Charles Howell, Ben Crouch, John Crozier, Gary Warr, Becky Warr, Jack Nelson, Brady Fife, Tianna Fife, Jim Patrick, Clark Kauffman, Roger Wells, Kim Lickley, Mike Knutz, Kyli Gough, Amy Worthington, Doug Huettig, Dara Carpenter, Andrea Wiesenmeyer and Eddee Gallegos.

UI Extension Educators

Steven Hines 208-324-7578

shines@uidaho.edu

Gretchen Manker 208-324-7578

gretchenm@uidaho.edu

The number of food pantry guests is increasing in Jerome County, and the interest in home food preservation is growing. Educator Gretchen Manker collaborated with fellow Central District Family and Consumer Sciences educators and local food pantry managers and community partners to further food preservation education for underserved and low-income audiences through Preserve the Abundance with Purpose. Thanks to generous donations of community partners, each participant received a boiling water canner and canning starter kit. A total of thirty-eight community members attended the class with a community volunteer interpreting for 24 Spanish speakers. Participants learned to reduce food waste, improve food storage practices and improve variety in their diet with home preserved foods.

4-H in Jerome County

The Jerome County 4-H Program had 268 youth participating in financial planning, sewing, STEAM, leadership and animal projects, with 34 leaders from 15 clubs. With a generous donation from the County Commissioners, one youth attended the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia. Community assessments in Jerome County show that Latinx families want support for their children in the areas of academic success with a focus on college and career readiness. To increase high school graduation rates and support Latinx graduates in attending postsecondary education, the Juntos program was implemented in the Jerome School District in 2018 as a for-credit elective class offered during the regular school day with bi-weekly 4-H club meetings. In the spring semester of 2022, Juntos Jerome County served 71 Jerome High School students from 9-12 grades and celebrated the graduation of 39 students from the first cohort with an 85% graduation rate.

On the Horizon

Hines is a co-lead on the UI Extension portion of the $55 million Climate Smart Agriculture grant received in fall 2022. He is looking forward to working with the many agency partners on the grant to help producers adopt climate smart practices, track their progress and report the results at meetings and through publication. He is also working with a statewide team of UI Extension educators who have developed a Farm and Ranch Succession program which will be delivered statewide for the first time. Additional funding from AgWest Farm Credit will support sustainability of the Juntos 4-H program into the future.

EXTENSION TRENDS: LATAH COUNTY

2022 Impact

Our Financial Conference brought 37 sponsors and speakers to teach over 180 community members. County junior and high schools participated in the That’s Life simulation, and elementary kids were taught financial literacy classes such as Spend, Save, & Share, Making Piggy Pretty and Creative Chore Charts. Also offered was an Everything Retirement full-day workshop and Taste of the Palouse cooking demonstration.

2022 By the Numbers

• 5,205 direct contacts

• 1,551 youth participants

• 222 volunteers

• 2,712 volunteer hours

• $250,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who inform the work we do for UI Extension in Latah County: Jodi McClory, Jenny Parker, Paul Brandenstein, Amanda Argona, Jen Elliott, Robin Ohlgren, Lovina Englund, Tina Bass, Michelle Reynolds, Stephanie Fletcher, Kim Monk, Jennifer Ashmead, Jennifer Wallace, BJ Swanson, Kim Vogel, Marlys Wilson, Erika Odenborg, Jenny Ford, Rusty Schatz and Barb Morris.

UI Extension Educators

Iris Mayes 208-883-2267

imayes@uidaho.edu

Karen Richel 208-883-2241

krichel@uidaho.edu

Jessie Van Buren

208-883-2289

jvanburen@uidaho.edu

Over 200 stakeholders attended the Pollinator Summit. The Harvest Heroes program continued to provide vegetable production education to veteran farmers. Hands-on workshops included Mulching, Hanging Flower Baskets, Garden & Landscaping Design, Winterizing Your Garden and Soil Testing. A new week-long beginning farmer intensive education program was implemented. Grant funding supplied irrigation supplies to over 30 stakeholders who attended educational programs. A $250,000 USDA grant was awarded to support future markets and farmer vendors for 2024-26.

Weekly visits to local food banks brought nutritional information and recipe cards, as well as healthy dishes for visitors to sample. In collaboration with the Idaho Food Bank, the Cooking Matters series was taught at Paradise Regional Creek High School. By the end of the series, students were equipped with basic cooking skills to prepare balanced meals and snacks. Participation at the Moscow Farmers Market and Summer Meals Program at Lena Whitmore Elementary reached an average of 55 people per event.

4-H in Latah County

Latah County 4-H reached over 285 youth and 50 volunteers with 292 completed projects. Youth attended the state Horse Contest, Shooting Sports competition and Know Your Government Conference. Various field days and clinics were held to educate about caring for large and small animals. At the Latah County Fair, 225 animals were shown, and 67 general projects were displayed, such as citizenship, sewing, baking, LEGOS and woodworking. Work continues with the Moscow Middle School Earth Club on a school garden and the 4-H Healthy Habits curriculum to encourage healthy eating and exercise.

On the Horizon

New financial programs for 2-6 grades are being added, including Money Bags, That’s Life Jr, How to Sell a Rock, Dream Vacation and Kids Kredit Card Plus. The fourth annual Our Financial Conference will bring relevant and timely information to the community with new topics based on evaluation data from past events.

A new marketing program for the Tuesday Community Market will be implemented and the fourth annual Pollinator Summit will be held. Farm and garden classes will continue, and the Idaho Master Gardener program will start with hopes of new certified volunteers to maintain local gardens and assist the community with plant problems through the weekly Plant Clinic. An increase in 4-H adult volunteers will help expand capacity. A Super Saturday Training for leaders to learn about different 4-H project opportunities will be held. Programs to connect students to local agriculture as well as nutritional information are being planned in cooperation with U of I personnel, producers and local school districts.

Eat Smart Idaho Nutrition Instructor Natalia Valentia is working to provide recipe card stands at food banks throughout Latah County that would be updated monthly and/or seasonally.

EXTENSION TRENDS: LEMHI COUNTY

2022 Impact

Educator Katie McFarland worked with the Salmon Drug Free youth to offer two alternative activities to drinking attracting 85 youth. She also taught two youth leadership classes with the group and helped open a Teen Center in the community. A total of $4,000 in sponsorship money and $3,700 from a DFY grant was raised to host Family Fun Night with 750 in attendance.

2022 By the Numbers

• 2,540 direct contacts

• 1,468 youth participants

• 112 volunteers

• 2,398 volunteer hours

• $24,808 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who inform the work we do for UI Extension in Lemhi County: Lynn Bowerman, Mark Brown, Jeff Burch, Sara Chaplin, Katie & Tristan & Keelan Cooper, Sherry Elrod, Amy Fealko, Barb Fisher, April Heath, Melody Kauer, Kim Kesl, Shane Matson, Kim Murphy, Rene Meyer, Tori O'Neal, Amalia Phillips, Beth Rackham, Rosana Reith, Kate Yeater, Trey & Whitney Sapp, Maggie Seaberg, Marnie Spencer, Jeff & Marii Stratter, Brett Barsalou, Merrill Beyeler, Kim Brown, Ed Palmer, Jill Patton, Bobbi Eby, Susy Avery, Shawna Troughton, Ruth Young, Amber Pace, Mallori Wing, Sherri Miller, Leah Madsen, Jake Zollinger, Tom & Carrie Whitson, Caleb & Brittany Wallace, Rick Snyder, Jen Smith, Katie Slavin, Kevin Ramsey, Bruce Mulkey, Frances Mueller, Myriam Mualem, Mike Kossler, Erin Barrett and Paul Fisher.

UI Extension Educators

Shannon Williams 208-742-1696

shannonw@uidaho.edu

Katie McFarland 208-742-1698

khoffman@uidaho.edu

In fall 2021, Educator Shannon Williams was contacted by young producers expressing an interest in fall calving. Winter School was planned, so she decided to take another approach to delivering the information needed. She contacted two well-respected ranchers in the county who were already fall calving and asked them if they would share what they had learned with those interested. The format would be a discussion around the conference room table, no technology, no PowerPoint, just sitting and chatting. The goal for the evening was to have a minimum of five people attend but a total of 14 were in attendance. Three of the producers are transitioning to fall calving.

4-H in Lemhi County

Lemhi County 4-H made use of a Think, Make, Create (TMC) Trailer in 2022. This trailer made it possible to bring STEM to varied places throughout the county. In the two months the trailer was in the county, it was utilized in Leadore School District, the Salmon School Garden, 4-H Shooting Sports Camp, 4-H Camp in Alpine, Wyoming, and various other programs throughout the county. The trailer is now being housed in Lemhi County and will be used in conjunction with many different partners including Computer Zen, Salmon Public Library, Salmon School District, and other varied partners. This trailer makes it possible for youth in our rural community to receive fun and involved STEM education where they are.

On the Horizon

At the Extension Advisory meeting, it was suggested that family programming, where the entire family could learn together, be offered. While in the very beginning stages of planning, the idea is being worked on to host a field to fork workshop in April or May. Topics would include meal planning, learning to grow what is in the meal plan and then ways to cook and preserve those items. Workshops would be formatted for both youth and adults to have fun and learn together.

Lemhi County is excited to join UI Extension programs across the state to strengthen the digital economy for county residents with the new Digital Economy Program (DEP). DEP’s mission is to reduce the digital divide, allowing the benefits of digitalization to extend to all Idahoans, so no one is left behind, nor left offline, in the growing digital economy. The program provides learning opportunities for Idahoans focused on basic digital skills, retraining for remote work, and helping entrepreneurs and business owners access new markets and expand their sales using online venues.

EXTENSION TRENDS: LEWIS COUNTY

2022 Impact

Crop programs provided by UI Extension, Lewis County help farmers receive annual information on variety trials and other crop research through cereal schools, crop tours and educational certification for pesticide applicator's licensing. Nearly 40 local farmers participated in the 2022 Prairie Area Crop and Conservation Tour at Nezperce. University of Idaho and industry partners led participants on a tour of local crop trials, giving them real-time information on variety performances and best management practices. Tour topics included winter canola, winter wheat varieties, and pea and lentil varieties on the Camas Prairie. Thanks to a strong partnership with the Lewis County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Services, the 2022 tour also featured a stop at a recently completed collaborative conservation project. This project highlighted strategic livestock fencing that aided in riparian area rehabilitation.

2022 By the Numbers

• 2,725 direct contacts

• 239 youth participants

• 48 volunteers

• 1,922 volunteer hours

• $88,870 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Lewis County: Justin McLeod, Sarah Mosman, Cole Riggers, Tara Cloninger, Shandrie Stigum, Greg Johnson and Eric Hasselstrom.

UI Extension Educator

4-H in Lewis County

4-H participation is a long-standing tradition for many generations of Lewis County residents. Nearly half of all eligible youth participate in 4-H, with 239 members enrolling in 2022. The 4-H program also serves as a good precursor for youth to join one of the county’s FFA chapters when they meet age eligibility. Lewis County staff and leaders hosted multiple opportunities for members to engage in new curriculum and learn new skills. Topics included an introduction to parliamentary procedures, learning about beef carcass quality, learning how to effectively complete a record book, youth leadership development, and more. In addition, 128 youth participated in the CL2N 4-H Camp at Camp Sanders, and 190 youth attend the North Central Idaho Farm and Forest Fair.

Lewis County is actively working to rebuild the livestock facilities that collapsed under heavy snow load in January 2022. Many companies and community supporters have given generous donations to help make this possible. There is hope that the new barn will be completed by late summer 2023, to host the 2023 Lewis County Fair.

On the Horizon

UI Extension, Lewis County has a variety of offerings planned for the upcoming year that include both new and existing events covering topics such as utilizing goats in cover crop rotations, farm business management and succession, regenerative agriculture, forestry, exploring new curriculum in 4-H youth development, and more. In addition to the long-standing Prairie Area Crop and Conservation Tour and Cereal School, Lewis County is looking forward to a new series called Crop Topics. This series will highlight individuals from the industry and give them the opportunity to discuss the latest technology/current news within the industry.

Another new offering Lewis County is excited to offer is a partnership with Cornerstone Teen Center in Nezperce. A monthly session in topic areas the teens have chosen will be offered. Some of these topics include money management, personal skills such as baking, bill paying, applying for colleges and financial aid, and more.

UI Extension, Lewis County is also excited to partner with the Idaho Department of Lands and offer a program that celebrates the women and families behind family forests.

EXTENSION TRENDS: MADISON COUNTY

2022 Impact

2022 By the Numbers

• 5,961 direct contacts

• 3,455 youth participants

• 45 volunteers

• 850 volunteer hours

• $224,618 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Madison County: Cheryl Empey, Catherine Stanton, Kellie Kigonya, Richard Larsen, Greg Blazer, Noelle Taylor, Gale Harding, Brent Mendenhall, Doug Smith.

UI Extension Educator

Lance Hansen

208-359-6297

lancehansen@uidaho.edu

Jared Gibbons

208-359-6215

jaredg@uidaho.edu

The University of Idaho Extension, Madison County office continued efforts to expand 4-H throughout the county, teaching programs to improve financial literacy, providing educational credits to farmers and ranchers, and increasing awareness of mental health concerns. Youth in Madison County were taught skills to help them find and maintain employment and essential personal finance skills to help them reach their financial goals. The UI Extension, Madison County newsletter shared several financial topics to improve the home's financial stability. Pesticide credits were offered during the local Cereal School, and other virtual classes were shared with Madison County residents. Stress awareness and Mental Health First Aid classes were taught to residents to bring awareness to the rising concern of suicide related to stress and mental health issues. The stress awareness program focuses on prevention and early intervention to help individuals recognize the effects of stress in their lives and the lives of their family and friends.

4-H in Madison County

The 4-H program has become more visible in the community by increasing the number of classroom enrichment activities at local elementary schools. There has been an increased demand for 4-H programs and day camps, resulting in fun and engaging opportunities for youth in the county. Day camps cover STEM education, cooking, sewing, crafts, and cake decorating, and several holiday craft day camps. The county fair hit a new record with increased attendance and was well received and supported by Madison County residents. The livestock shows were very competitive, and youth participants did an admirable job with their animals. The livestock sale had record highs in 2022 due to the generosity and support from the great residents of Madison County. Youth demonstrations were thought out and well presented. The 4-H projects on display covered several topics: sewing, photography, hiking, drones, cooking and Lego Robotics. All the hard work these young people put into their projects is evident and appreciated. The 4-H program is always looking to include and expand programs to reach a diverse audience in the county.

On the Horizon

UI Extension, Madison County has added Jared Gibbons as an Extension educator in agronomy. He brings expertise in biopesticides and soil microbiology to the county's large-scale and small-scale production operations. He is eager to work with farmers and ranchers on topics they indicate are of concern in the areas of crop production, farm management and safety. In the upcoming year, water efficiency methods, winter wheat trials and creative ways to increase agricultural literacy in a growing county will be investigated. Programs that will help and impact the lives of our 4-H youth and all community members will continue to be offered. Research-based information will be provided on the UI Extension Personal Finance Facebook page. Several afterschool day camps, such as donut-making, table manners and holiday crafts will be offered. Financial tune-up counseling will be available to help residents facing financial trials. The Extension office will continue working with the local advisory committee to offer relevant programs to help improve the lives and welfare of Madison County citizens.

EXTENSION TRENDS: MINIDOKA COUNTY

2022 Impact

2022 By the Numbers

• 13,854 direct contacts

• 8,444 youth participants

• 104 volunteers

• 3,190 volunteer hours

• $100,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Minidoka County: Kathleen Whitlock, Dixie Tate, Kris Faux, Susi McCall, Jessie Williams, Heather Hepworth, Staci Joyce, Nikki Kent, Wendy Beedle, Jeff Miller, Brian Kossman, Salvador Moreno, Jessica Stapleman, Doug Hansen, Diana Wheeler, Troy Draper, Justin Studer, Tawnya Tracy, Adrian Vergara, Camryn Clark, Lexie Evans and Shalynn Garner.

UI Extension Educators

Becky Hutchings

208-436-7184

bhutchings@uidaho.edu

Jason Thomas

208-436-7184

jasont@uidaho.edu

FCS Educator Becky Hutchings and UI Extension Central District team members developed Healthy Meals for Busy Families. This class covers nutrition and food safety for slow cooker, electric pressure cooker, one skillet and freezer meals. The class was well received with participants from as far as Oregon. Hutchings has also developed many electric pressure cooker classes, including freezer meals; Cook Once, Eat Twice; Bread Baking; and Jam Making. She maintains the Cooking Under Pressure Facebook that currently has 525 members, 40 more than last year, 505 videos and over 300 posts containing recipes, tips and tricks. Ag Educator Jason Thomas is wrapping up his barn owl box program which focuses on using barn owls to reduce vole populations. Over the last five years, Thomas and his team have taught 2,891 individuals about the topic. As a result, farmers with over 77,736 acres have begun adopting ways to use barn owls in their pest management regimen. Thomas also completed the creation of the Pest Friends board game, a curriculum focused on teaching farmers about the importance of pest management. Thomas received a $100,000 grant to support this work.

4-H in Minidoka County

Thomas led a team who reached over 10,000 individuals with bug handling classes. This effort was meant to help youth learn that not all insects are harmful. A total of 439 youth were surveyed and 86% indicated they felt more comfortable being around bugs than before. The Highway to a Healthy Harvest program was delivered, with 27 youth participating in a field trip to learn about agriculture and a healthy diet. Youth toured Poteet Farms, Whitesides Dairy, Great Harvest Bread, Vicky’s Country Gardens and Maier’s Meats to learn about a healthy diet and the importance of agriculture. Most youth surveyed were not consuming a healthy diet according to MyPlate recommendations. By the end of the program, 85% understood what they should be consuming.

4-H Program Coordinator Jeni Bywater coached a varsity 4-H LifeSmarts team who qualified for the national competition in Washington, D.C. LifeSmarts teaches teens about technology, the environment, personal finance, consumer rights and responsibilities, and health and safety. The team placed third nationally. Each member received a $750 college scholarship and a $50 Target gift card.

On the Horizon

Hutchings has received an in-kind donation from the Blackstone Corporation for a Blackstone Griddle Cooking Station. Summer classes will take place with the goal of helping Idaho families make healthy meals at home while saving money.

Thomas continues to work on enhancing Pest Friends, which he will be promoting across the western United States thanks to a Western SARE grant. He is also developing additional scenarios for the game and an app-based version. He is currently working on multiple videos focused on improving water use and measure in collaboration with the Idaho Water Users Association and pest management videos.

Bywater will continue to coach teens in the LifeSmarts program to gain confidence in this ever-changing world. They will develop teamwork skills, communication skills, build their self-esteem and leadership skills, and have fun in the process.

EXTENSION TRENDS: NEZ PERCE COUNTY

2022 Impact

Educator Kathee Tifft organized the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program for the Lewis Clark Early Childhood Program’s 80 family advocates, teachers and staff. Eight Extension educators co-taught the eight-hour class at four sites in Lewiston. She also partnered with Lewiston Library Youth Services to teach two 4-H Out of the Box learning labs for homeschool youth. Both classes were successful and will be taught again with plans for teaching additional topics in the spring and summer. Tifft partnered with WSU Extension, Asotin County on the beginning Master Gardener training and worked with the new horticulture associate, eight Advanced Master Gardeners and two Master Gardener Interns to provide 21 Plant Diagnostic Clinics reaching 182 clients. The 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock Field Days continue to grow, reaching 95 adults and 155 youth in 2022. Tifft and 4-H Coordinator Judy Floch serve on the planning committee with WSU Extension in Asotin and Whitman counties.

2022 By the Numbers

• 1,793 direct contacts

• 679 youth participants

• 74 volunteers

• 4,926 volunteer hours

• $64,915 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Nez Perce County: Tom Conklin, Clint Zenner, Steve Riggers, Maria Garvey, Barb Matteson, Shawn Smith, Carol Thompson, Janis Forsmann, Betty Peters, Colleen Olive, Tim Barker and Lisa Stoddard.

Finkelnburg co-authored three publications, gave 12 presentations and facilitated eight activities reaching 910 contacts. He participated in the creation of the Pacific Northwest Herbicide Resistance Initiative to address herbicide resistant weeds. He has taken a leading role in the Extension component of the $55 million dollar Climate-Smart Commodities grant and obtained $2,843,054 of external funding retaining $54,475 spending authority.

Administrative Associate Shawna Hobson held classes on fermenting, dehydrating, food preservation and making sauerkraut. More than 60 pressure canners were tested for safe use and 85 call-in clients were helped with preservation questions.

4-H in Nez Perce County

Nez Perce County 4-H continues to grow with 426 members enrolled in over 500 projects. Sixty-five volunteer leaders oversaw 18 4-H clubs whose members completed more than 480 projects at the county fair. There is now an online auction presence for the market animal sale that also allows for the recognition of buyers through a digital display at the sale. Cameras at three show rings operated by Idaho Forest Group volunteers allow for a livestream of the livestock show. This makes it possible for family members from across the country watch youth show and sell their animals. A grandmother from Texas thanked the Extension office for providing the opportunity for her to watch her granddaughter show a steer.

On the Horizon

Tifft will continue teaching the MHFA course and complete additional training tailored to specific audiences including older adults and public safety employees. She is also completing the requirements for certification in home modification from USC’s School of Gerontology and will teach community workshops to help individuals and families remain in their homes safely for as long as possible. She was invited to join the Farm Succession Team to provide a class on families and inheritance and transferring non-titled assets. Tifft will complete training through the Department of Health and Welfare to provide the Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias program as part of an Extension team piloting the program throughout the state.

Finkelnburg will continue to emphasize crop rotation and diversification strategies to minimize risks and maximize cash crop production potential. He will collaborate with local soil and water conservation districts to evaluate postharvest weed seed control strategies. He will also continue hosting continuing education events for crop producers and agricultural professionals as well as supporting Master Gardener education efforts and ISDA pesticide license recertification events.

EXTENSION TRENDS: NEZ PERCE RESERVATION

University of Idaho Extension, Nez Perce Reservation • www.uidaho.edu/nezpercereservation

2022 Impact

In 2022, UI Extension had an impressive impact on youth and families living on or near the Nez Perce Reservation. This impact was due in large part to the America Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) regional grant. Funding from this grant, in partnership with UI Extension, Coeur d'Alene Reservation, was used to expand programs on both reservations with four new projects, including Youth Outdoor Survival Skills, Basketball STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), Culture is Prevention and Robotics. Youth were brought together to interact and make new friendships. Funding from this grant also provided opportunities for youth from both reservations to travel together to Moscow, Spokane and Seattle for a deeper dive in learning.

2022 By the Numbers

• 177 direct contacts

• 1,074 youth participants

• 42 volunteers

• 1,048 volunteer hours

• $396,355 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension, Nez Perce Reservation: Ryan Oatman, Ann, McCormack, Kim Cannon, Kathee Tift and Abraham Broncheau.

UI Extension Educator

Danielle Scott 208-621-3514 or 208-791-4087

dnscott@uidaho.edu

To encourage adult participation, more opportunities were provided for adults to learn alongside youth through intergenerational learning opportunities. Youth were accompanied by an adult for the Culture is Prevention workshops so they could learn together. These opportunities helped to strengthen the bonds of families and create lasting memories.

Nez Perce Reservation 4-H

The 4-H program is unique with a strong focus on incorporating the culture, traditions and language of the Nez Perce Tribe in all aspects of projects, workshops and classes. UI Extension strives to indigenize the scientifically researched curriculum to better meet the needs of participants and be more culturally relevant. This is accomplished by incorporating the nimiipuu’ timt (Nez Perce) language, stories, art and history in the 4-H in Indian country program.

The uniqueness of indigenized programming is most noticeable in the Culture is Prevention project. Cultural arts are used to bring youth and adults together to learn arts and crafts. This year participants were provided opportunities to learn sewing, beading, weaving, drum making, drumming/singing, cooking and more. Adults and youth learning together provided a platform for youth to take a leadership role as they occasionally became a teacher to remind their adult partner how to perform some of the tasks they had learned. The adults were pleased to see the knowledge being passed down to the next generation and pleased that this need was recognized and filled by UI Extension.

On the Horizon

The UI Extension office is excited to further develop Kaya Club. Kaya is the American Girl doll modeled after a Nez Perce girl living on the traditional lands of the Nimiipuu in 1764. The traditional grounds of the Nez Perce Tribe expanded over what is now Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana. Kaya has been an amazing vehicle for learning about the language, history, geographical location and history of the Nez Perce. Work on the curriculum has been ongoing for a few years and learning opportunities were expanded in 2022, including trips to culturally significant tribal areas including the hot springs in central Idaho and up the Snake River to view the Buffalo Eddie petroglyphs. In 2023, trips will be held to the Heart of the Monster Site, Ant and the Yellow Jacket Rock Formation and other significant historical markers of the Nez Perce. Learning opportunities will also be available for foraging, traditional root digging and fishing in the usual and accustom areas of the Nimiipuu.

EXTENSION TRENDS: ONEIDA COUNTY

2022 Impact

2022 By the Numbers

• 905 direct contacts

• 366 youth participants

• 32 volunteers

• 300 volunteer hours

• $10,500 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Oneida County: Bill Lewis, Phillip Firth, John Williams, Jon Abrams, Josh Pasket, Lexie Evans and Luke Waldron.

UI Extension Educator

Sawyer Fonnesbeck

208-766-2243

sfonnesbeck@uidaho.edu

With Oneida County being such a strong agricultural community, multiple events and schools were held to support local producers. Some of these included a beef school, pasture management school, and a farm and ranch summer finance series. Efforts were also made to assist producers in obtaining soil samples to maximize knowledge of what fertilizers were needed as well as forage and hay samples to maximize efficiency in feeding livestock. With grasshoppers and Mormon crickets being a problem, UI Extension partnered with ISDA to provide an informational session about the ISDA Grasshopper/Mormon Cricket control program where producers with agricultural use land can get bait at no cost from ISDA to assist in mitigating this problem. Overall, there was great success with all of these events and there are great plans for the upcoming years to assist community members in Oneida County.

4-H in Oneida County

The 4-H youth program in Oneida County is strong and growing. In 2022, $10,500 in grant funding was received, which was used for strengthening current programs and clubs. Some of the items purchased included new livestock learning lab kits for market hog and beef clubs, new sewing machines for sewing and quilting club, and new sanders, hammers, and other supplies for the wood working club. Updated curriculum books were purchased for numerous clubs to replace the outdated ones that were being used. The horse 4-H program benefitted from this grant with the purchase of materials to build a gate, bridge, and trot over poles for the trail class. The baking and cake decorating clubs received numerous supplies to allow for more youth to be involved during their activities. This grant funding and the resulting supplies were desperately needed. Volunteers, parents and the youth have all commented on how they have enjoyed these new supplies and the opportunities that have opened because of it. The Cloverbud program was also started this year and has been a great introductory opportunity for younger youth in the county.

On the Horizon

UI Extension, Oneida County is looking forward to some great Extension programs including a farm succession planning educational series, beef schools, an agriculture field day, and pasture and range management sessions. The 4-H program plans to continue supporting current clubs along with adding a few new ones such as a chicken club, livestock judging and small-bore rifle. More livestock and equine day camps will be held throughout the summer and some of the current clubs will be held during the winter months which will open more time for the youth to be involved. Plans are also being put in place to plan and participate in a multi-county horse show during the summer months.

EXTENSION TRENDS: OWYHEE COUNTY

2022 Impact

Educator Surine Greenway taught a virtual food safety series covering food safety and food preservation to more than 347 participants. She also developed and taught the five-session Just Grill It! program focused on nutrition and food safety to nearly 300 youth. Successful implementation of the U and I Together virtual learning series continued in 2022. As of November 2022, six separate series have been implemented since the program’s inception. Three series were implemented in 2022, with a total of 21 different professionals across all four Extension districts leading educational lessons. In 2022, this program series reached more than 901 participants attending live, with 613 youth participants and 218 adults.

2022 By the Numbers

• 8,841 direct contacts

• 2,926 youth participants

• 77 volunteers

• 925 volunteer hours

• $104,000 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Owyhee County: Kelly Aberasturi, Megan Astorquia, Scott Bunderson, Amy Carson, David Carson, Deidre Erwin, Oscar Evans, Melanie Harper, Jerry Hoagland, Rex Hoagland, Mary Huff, Sharla Jensen, Ginger Loucks, Joe Merrick, Janet Miller, Heather Packer, Ken Price, Doug Rutan, Norm Stewart, Hailee Tilton, Hannah Mamer and Shane Wetzel.

UI Extension Educators

K. Scott Jensen

208-896-4104

scottj@uidaho.edu

Surine Greenway

208-896-4104

surineg@uidaho.edu

Agriculture, livestock and range programming focused on improving pasture management for producers, which leads to reduced input costs and increased productivity. Programs resulted in 36 individuals trained/ certified in artificial insemination. Twenty-five individuals completed the Lost Rivers Grazing Academy. Historical survey data has indicated a 20% increase in grazing days through improved grazing management by program participants.

One Smoking and Grilling program was offered collaboratively by Educators Greenway and Scott Jensen. Participants receive a lecture, demonstration and hands-on education to trim, season and cook their own beef and pork meat cuts. This program structure contributes to knowledge, skill and confidence in participants.

4-H in Owyhee County

Swine and sheep projects continued to be the top two enrolled projects in Owyhee County. Cloverbuds surpassed market beef cattle and market goats in enrollment numbers in 2021-22. Of the 326 4-H and FFA members who exhibited at the Owyhee County Fair, 239 sold a market animal in the Owyhee County Junior Livestock Sale, which grossed $984,751, over $360,000 more than in 2021. Youth also participated in horse, shooting sports, leathercraft, dairy cattle, dairy goats, small animal, breeding livestock, baking, sewing, quilting, cake decorating, photography, leadership, and gardening projects.

Shooting sports and communication and expressive arts project area enrollments and exhibit numbers are on the rise and prove to be a draw to Owyhee County’s 4-H program. Youth involved in 4-H programming are more far more likely to give back to their communities, be civically active, make healthier lifestyle choices, participate in STEM programs during out-of-school time, and pursue entrepreneurship than their peers who are not involved in the program.

On the Horizon

Agriculture research efforts include two range projects: dormant season grazing to reduce fine fuels and a range cow grazing efficiency study. FCS efforts are underway to secure funding to continue the highly successful Just Grill It! program. A parenting series highlighting techniques for caregivers of youth ages 5-11 will be piloted in Owyhee County. Implementation of new 4-H programs, including after-school programming, day-camps, and workshops, are in the works for Owyhee County youth. Additionally, continued grant funding has been secured to grow, expand, and make shooting sports more accessible to Owyhee County 4-H youth.

EXTENSION TRENDS: PAYETTE COUNTY

2022 Impact

Well Connected Communities is a grant funded initiative with the goal of ensuring that lifelong health and well-being are within everyone's reach. The Payette Community Health Action Team is tackling issues on affordable housing, walkability, nutrition security and mental health.

2022 By the Numbers

• 2,697 direct contacts

• 425 youth participants

• 55 volunteers

• 1,335 volunteer hours

• $657,046 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Payette County: Barbara Brody, Jane Llanas-Talbot, Danny Gabiola, Gayle Van Weirdhuizen, Ariel Serrano and Mike Partin.

UI Extension Educator

Joey Peutz 208-642-6022

joeyp@uidaho.edu

Eat Smart Idaho provided classes in Payette County, in the Southern District and throughout the state to teach low-income adults and youth about healthy eating and cooking for less, saving money at the grocery store, keeping food safe, being active, and planning meals. UI Extension worked with community partners to implement environmental changes to help make the healthy choice the easy choice. 91% of adult participants showed improvement in one or more food resource management practices and 95% showed improvement in one or more diet quality indicators following participation in an Eat Smart Idaho class series, compared to practices before the series.

The Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement project integrated the confidence, complacency, convenience model of vaccine hesitancy to deliver an innovative project that prioritized education using a mobile clinic model to serve rural communities with limited access to healthcare, and Hispanic agricultural employees and their families in southern Idaho. The project delivered immunization clinics using an innovative three-step approach: identifying worksite leadership and/or community influencers and coordinating a mobile vaccination clinic; providing personalized Q&A prior to opening the clinic with emphasis on family education; and providing follow-up for clinics.

The Fruitland Preparatory Academy school garden began in 2017 through a Grow Healthy Kids and Communities grant and continues to provide an opportunity for youth to learn about gardening, the science behind soil, and healthy eating. UI Extension Educator Joey Peutz offers food preservation and cooking classes to participants in the garden project.

4-H in Payette County

Youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports programs learn the safe, appropriate and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment while gaining marksmanship skills. The shooting sports program helps youth learn life skills, build self-worth, strengthen conservation ethics and become more effective environmental stewards. The UI Extension, Payette County 4-H Youth Development program has quadrupled the number of youth involved in shooting sports by offering trained certified instructors to lead each shooting sports discipline on a county level. Youth involved in 4-H programming are far likelier to give back to their communities, be civically active, make healthier lifestyle choices, participate in STEAM programs during out-of-school time and pursue entrepreneurship than their peers who are not involved in the program.

On the Horizon

UI Extension will have an updated and refreshed publications website in 2023. This is a great place to find evidence-based information from safely making jerky to managing Boxelder bugs around your home.

A new 4-H coordinator will start in February 2023, bringing fresh ideas, enthusiasm and passion to the UI Extension 4-H Youth Development program in Payette County.

EXTENSION TRENDS: POWER COUNTY

2022 Impact

Science Day was held at JR Simplot Elementary School again in 2022, with four UI Extension educators teaching fifth graders about barn owls, rodents, bugs and the life cycle of several animals. JRSE was able to become a STEM accredited school through these kinds of activities.

2022 By the Numbers

• 3,062 direct contacts

• 1,200 youth participants

• 40 volunteers

• 550 volunteer hours

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Power County: Ken Koompin, David Zimmerman, Jerome Clinger,

Farm management classes were offered virtually, as well as several pesticide recertifications classes, including some aquatic weed classes. Educator Terrell Sorensen and Extension Pesticide Specialist Ronda Hirnyck taught two virtual aquatic pesticide classes. Sorensen developed and taught two spring development classes at Fort Hall and also helped organize and put on the field trials for small grains in American Falls.

4-H in Power County

The UI Extension, Power County 4-H program was very busy in 2022 with 20 clubs doing everything from sewing to livestock. Fantastic 4-H Fridays were a success again in 2022 with members learning life skills like baking, card making, cookie decorating and other miscellaneous crafts. For the past 25 years, Power County 4-H has participated with William Thomas Middle School in the Life Skills program. Power County 4-H taught 20 students the life skill of archery in 2022.

Five years ago, a new sheep barn was built at the Power County Fairgrounds. In 2022 the barn was completely filled with sheep for the first time, having over 80 head of sheep and goats. The 4-H year ended with a record-breaking livestock sale, which will provide education opportunities for many 4-H members.

On the Horizon

Sorensen will continue to work with two other UI Extension educators to make short videos about various water issues. Topics will include well depth measurements, installing water meters, snotel sites, cloud seeding, measuring stream flows, types of measurement devices for irrigation purposes, water sampling and several other ideas. Along with these ideas, Sorensen will be developing and putting on irrigation management classes.

Kim West and Shawn Tishendorf.

EXTENSION TRENDS: TETON COUNTY

2022 Impact

UI Extension, Teton County hosted five in-depth hands-on small farm courses in conjunction with local farm partners as part of the Cultivating Success Idaho program, reaching over 30 new clients. As a positive output of the educational learning events, over 850 pounds of fresh produce were grown by Extension staff and donated to the Teton Valley Food Pantry. Working with the Idaho statewide team, local faculty delivered five live crop production Zoom workshops, reaching 23 statewide beginning farmers and ranchers. Faculty delivered five live Zoom horticulture classes as part of a Friday Garden Chat series, with over 100 people registering for the classes. An online Teton Valley Idaho Master Gardener course was held for 12 weeks, with 18 local participants.

2022 By the Numbers

• 3,706 direct contacts

• 1,304 youth participants

• 53 volunteers

• 2,000 volunteer hours

• $61,455 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Teton County: Cindy Riegel, Bob Heneage, Doug Self, Rebeca Nolan, Hallie Poirier, Kim Kolner, and Wyatt Penfold

UI Extension Educator

Jennifer Werlin 208-354-2961

jwerlin@uidaho.edu

Extension faculty helped the Teton Food and Farm Coalition highlight agritourism activities in the Teton foodshed region. The project included online surveys that gauged local food purchasing behaviors of consumers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and consumer interest in leveraging agritourism activities, and the development of an online agritourism directory at tetonfoodfarmcoalition.org. This work was presented at the International Workshop on Agritourism in Burlington, Vermont, reaching over 300 conference attendees.

4-H in Teton County

The Teton County 4-H youth development program continues to adapt and grow, reaching a broader audience annually, with over 183 youth participants. There are now over 40 4-H clubs led by community volunteers, with a large emphasis on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). In 2022, a $56,000 Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Community Project Grant was received to expand STEAM offerings to underserved youth. Teton County 4-H executed eight 4-H Friday STEAM Day Camps, reaching over 40 youth. STEAM programming was also taught weekly and across the county to over 200 youth in afterschool programs (with 70% of youth considered at-risk and 50% underserved demographics). New volunteer trainings and continued partnerships with community organizations such as the Above and Beyond the Classroom program and One Stone Foundation were cultivated. These partnerships are helping 4-H reach more at-risk minority students in the community and reduce potential barriers to participation. UI Extension, Teton County hired the first ever full-time 4-H coordinator and a summer 4-H AmeriCorps youth instructor to help expand county services, especially for underserved clientele.

On the Horizon

In 2023, UI Extension, Teton County will offer a six-class High-Altitude Victory Garden course in-person and via Zoom. A short course on beginning beekeeping is also planned with a nonprofit partner during the spring. Extension faculty will continue to facilitate Teton Food and Farm Coalition meetings, helping with their mission to strengthen the Teton area food system. Faculty will also assist with on-farm and school educational days for the Driggs Elementary School’s new farm and garden program. The 4-H youth program also continues to grow rapidly with the addition of 10 new clubs and increased emphasis on program expansion for Cloverbud members (ages 5-7). Teton County 4-H Leader Council meetings are held monthly at the Extension office, cultivating new leadership opportunities for adult volunteers.

EXTENSION TRENDS: TWIN FALLS COUNTY

2022 Impact

Educators Siew Guan Lee and Andy West collaborated to expand the community garden project which piloted in 2021. As a result of the success of the program as well as media publicity, another $2,800 from SNAP-Ed carry-in funds, a $7,500 donation from Chobani and $3,000 worth of plant starts from Moss Greenhouses was received. In 2022, it is estimated that over 900 pounds of fresh produce worth about $2,500 was harvested from the garden sites. The produce has been utilized by refugees, Eat Smart Idaho program participants and community members.

2022 By the Numbers

• 9,485 direct contacts

• 5,513 youth participants

• 40 volunteers

• 1,536 volunteer hours

• $1,409,452 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Twin Falls County: Abby Greenfield, Buddy Gharring, Cammie Jayo, Erin Richardson, Kyli Gough, Liz Mandelkow, Sarah Brown, Shelley Pursell, Susie Beem, Chance Munns, Tom Schwartz, LaMar Orton, James Reed, Kali Sherril, Kurk Tubbs, Robin Rausch, Rick Novacek, Tonya Corle, Sherry OlsenFrank, Don Hall, Jack Johnson and Brent Reinke.

The project expanded into school classrooms in spring 2022. A total of 60 garden pots in five elementary schools were established with the help of the students to grow cool season crops such as lettuce, spinach and mixed greens. The Eat Smart Idaho team also facilitated taste testing activities with green smoothies to encourage students to try, reaching over 800 youth. In fall 2022, herb gardens were established in 19 classrooms with the plan on implementing nutrition education and taste testing activities in November and December.

4-H in Twin Falls County

Lee continues to collaborate with FCS Extension educators from University of Georgia Extension to plan and conduct the Kids in the Kitchen Virtual Cooking Club. The program uses interactive, virtual cooking classes via Zoom to teach youth and families about nutrition, food safet, and cooking skills from the comfort of their home. The program has reached over 1,000 youth and adults since 2020 from 30 counties and six states. Participants reported increased food safety and nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy for cooking and cooking skills.

On the Horizon

Lee will continue the Kids in the Kitchen Virtual Cooking Club, school container gardens and Healthy Meals for Busy Families programming.

The partnership between West and Lee for the community gardens had led to another collaborative project taking gardens into elementary school classrooms. This program is becoming very popular and an Extension bulletin publication is being revised to help others duplicate this work in their areas of the state and across the nation.

EXTENSION TRENDS: VALLEY COUNTY

2022 Impact

2022 By the Numbers

• 2,987 direct contacts

• 1,987 youth participants

• 34 volunteers

• 1,884 volunteers hours

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Valley County: Pat Duncan, Sandy Dingman, Steve Anderson, Shauna Arnold, Delta James, Sherry Maupin, Karla Eitel, Lindsey Harris, and Patsy Kelly.

UI Extension Educator

Melissa Hamilton 208-382-7190

mbhamilton@uidaho.edu

Community development efforts included the formation of a Cascade Placemaking Committee to implement the Cascade Arts Walk funded by UI Extension. This project received an award from the Idaho chapter of the American Planning Association for Public Outreach. Educator Melissa Hamilton has continued involvement with the Peer Learning Network (PLN). The PLN gathers virtually each month, allowing participants more rapid solution finding to community issues. The PLN is part of the WeCAN network organized by UI Extension Specialist Lorie Higgins. In 2022, the PLN and a virtual community boot camp program were offered in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. In 2022, Hamilton was an invited panelist for the Western Governors Association and a webinar with the Rural Development Institute. Twelve participants took the Idaho Master Gardener class in 2022. Master Gardeners volunteered in the community through plant clinics, community garden steering committee leadership and the implementation of a drip irrigation system at the McCall High School Garden. Two farm tours were offered, one focused on poultry and the other on yak and cattle production.

4-H in Valley County

4-H Coordinator Alysson Statz hired and supervised two part-time staff and two seasonal 4-H AmeriCorps volunteers and generated learning materials, managed program promotion and coordinated logistics and delivery methods for ARPA grant implementation. Valley County 4-H offered a wide variety of club projects in addition to programs delivered at day camps, summer camps and afterschool programs for youth ages 5-18. In addition to the livestock 4-H program, sewing and cooking, healthy living, and STEM activities such as 3D printing and small drone programs were offered. In 2022, a total of 352 students were impacted by the delivery of 4-H programs. Community partners helped implement programming and the ARPA grant has expanded the reach and exposure to 4-H youth development programs with increased enrollment in 4-H clubs and Short-Term Enrollment (STEP) programs. Broadening its offerings has shown significant results as the total program enrollment grew 33% from 2019-20 and 32% from 2020-21. The 4-H Ambassador program, Know Your Government and district youth opportunities continue to be shared with local youth. Three virtual programs were developed for the U and I Together family learning series. AmeriCorps afterschool youth programs continued to be offered in partnership with the Donnelly Library.

On the Horizon

In 2023, Hamilton will continue to implement the second year of the Cascade Arts Walk placemaking project with Horizons’ and the City of Cascade. She will convene people interested in community gardens in McCall to discover opportunities and will conduct a virtual listening session to gather stakeholder feedback on Extension programs in Valley and Adams counties. Hamilton will conduct a ripple mapping assessment in partnership with the Valley County Opioid Response Project to help evaluate their progress toward grant implementation. She will wrap up the bike and pedestrian counts project in partnership with the Cascade Mobility Team and the City of Cascade. Horticulture workshops and presentations will be held, including fire-wise gardening, native bees, Victory Garden Series and mushroom cultivation with the Advanced Idaho Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners will also provide monthly plant clinics to help residents answer questions about their gardens and properties.

PANHANDLE AREA FORESTRY

www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry/panhandle

2022 Impact

A total of 664 owners of 46,286 family forest acres attended UI Extension Panhandle Forestry programs. Outcomes include 435 forest owners monitoring for insect, disease or animal damage issues; 320 favoring tree species that resist insects and disease; 99 thinning forest trees; 62 planting forest tree seedlings; 46 pruning forest trees; and 40 reducing fuels in home ignition zone. Since 1994, 1,184 loggers have attended the 48 three-day LEAP sessions offered annually in the Idaho Panhandle. Outcomes for the 2022 annual Leap Update sessions include 135 panhandle loggers communicating forest practice rule changes; 128 treating forests with bark beetle issues; 123 identifying noxious weeds and reducing their spread; and 82 reducing diesel exhaust fluids.

2022 By the Numbers

• 2,877 direct contacts

• 21 youth participants

• 34 volunteers

• 656 volunteer hours

• $18,800 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to Idaho Master Forest Stewards who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension.

A total of 283 foresters and natural resource professionals attended UI Extension Panhandle Forestry programs. Family Forester’s workshop participants indicated percentage knowledge increases ranging from 26% to 69% on reducing forestry carbon dioxide impacts, assisted migration, elk habitat, and reducing prescribed fire risk and smoke.

The improved management practices family forest owners, loggers and foresters implement with knowledge and skills gained in UI Extension programs will improve forest growth and health, support Idaho’s economy, maintain water quality, and reduce catastrophic fire risk.

On the Horizon

Chris Schnepf 208-292-2525

cschnepf@uidaho.edu

Idaho Master Forest Stewards are continuing to help reach more family forest owners. They will also inform the forestry community about family forest owners' needs and help guide UI Extension and research programs and technical assistance efforts of public and privately employed foresters. The Idaho Master Forest Stewards continue to grow both as a group of forestry education volunteers and as a peer-to-peer learning community. There are currently 20 people signed up for Idaho Master Forest Stewards training, so an additional cohort of volunteers will be trained in 2023. In addition to the UI Extension Forestry programs offered every year, in 2023 a field day on creating and using biochar in forest environments will be offered.

NORTHERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEMS

www.uidaho.edu/extension/small-farms

2022 Impact

2022 By the Numbers

• 5,493 direct contacts

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension: Diane Green, Luke Black, Susan Jacobson, George Skandalos, Melinda Schab and Chris St. Germaine.

Colette DePhelps

208-885-4003

cdephelps@uidaho.edu

The Northern District Community Food Systems program supports the development and expansion of markets for locally produced food and agricultural products including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, artisan grains and value-added products produced by small and mid-sized farmers and ranchers across north Idaho and the Inland Northwest. Annually, Area Educator Colette DePhelps offers a variety of community food systems and small farms education programs through the Idaho Food Works, Cultivating Success, Idaho Women in Ag, and Inland Northwest Artisan Grains Extension programs. In 2022, DePhelps provided essential knowledge and skills to strengthen community food system and small farm businesses through in-person and online educational programs. Signature programs included two new skillsbased educational programs on small-scale poultry production and digital marketing, a regional food summit featuring research on sustainably scaling-up vegetable and fruit production on the Palouse in the contexts of water utilization, access to farmland and available direct and intermediated markets, and an Inland Northwest artisan grains field day and conference. In addition, her program offers digital outreach to small acreage producers, women farmers and ranchers and local food system practitioners through three monthly e-newsletters, the Idaho Cultivating Success and Palouse-Clearwater Food Coalition YouTube Channels and the Inland Northwest Artisan Grains podcast.

On the Horizon

Growing markets, developing local food supply chains, supporting the artisan grains sector and increasing the prosperity of Idaho’s women farmers and ranchers are ongoing priorities. DePhelps is working with growers, farmers markets, restaurants and retailers across Idaho to identify opportunities to increase markets for local food and farm products and to support culinary tourism events. DePhelps is also leading Extension activities on a USDA-funded project that address the unique education and resource needs of Idaho women farmers and ranchers. As the number of small farmers and ranchers in north Idaho increases and farmers age, transition of farmland to the next generation is critical for Idaho agriculture. As a certified farm succession coordinator, DePhelps is working with Extension faculty and the American Farmland Trust to develop new educational programs focused on farm transition and succession planning. Connecting with clientele and providing research-based education are ongoing priorities for DePhelps. Stay connected by signing up to receive Northern District Community Food Systems program e-newsletters: The Pulse with a focus on local food in North Idaho; Idaho Cultivating Success for small farms and ranches; and a monthly newsletter specific to Idaho Women in Agriculture.

UI EXTENSION WATER OUTREACH

www.uidaho.edu/idah2o

2022 Impact

2022 By the Numbers

• 4,086 direct contacts

• 2,520 youth participants

• 46 volunteers

• 92 volunteer hours

• $20,664 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension: Marie Pengilly, Kristin Lowell, Laura Laumatia, Jamie Brunner, Jamie Esler and Shelley Austin.

UI Extension Area Educator

Jim Ekins 208-292-1287

jekins@uidaho.edu

UI Extension Water Outreach provides youth and adults with critical science-based education programs related to water quality throughout the 10 northern counties of Idaho and beyond. Educational events for wide-ranging audiences include learning how to protect drinking water, how to avoid polluting our solesource Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, understanding how to protect streams and lakes with best management practices, to learning how to scientifically assess the water quality of streams and lakes. Partnerships with multiple organizations and agencies engaged 300 north Idaho high school students to learn about watershed science. The entirely hands-on education field trips engage the students in real world data collection, then guide their development of researchbased solutions to local water issues for The Confluence Project's Youth Water Summit. A total of 48 new Master Water Stewards and 81 newly Project WET certified teachers were added in 2022.

The 4-H Water and Wildlife Habitat curriculum was published and is available as a free download from UI Extension. Extension Water Outreach is available to teach workshops on using the curriculum for audiences of 12 or more adult learners in north Idaho, and 15 or more elsewhere. An adaptation of this curriculum is currently under review as a national 4-H publication.

On the Horizon

IDAH2O youth citizen scientists at Lewiston High School, having been trained to do water quality and biological assessments by their IDAH2O-certified teacher, found invasive red swamp crayfish in the big stormwater ponds adjacent to the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, for the first time in Idaho history. Because of their training and vigilance, the land management agency quickly developed management plans to keep these destructive pests out of the rivers, which are critical habitat for listed/threatened anadromous fish like salmon. This knowledge will be shared in a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Bioinvasions Records. The Water Outreach program will be continuing as the Idaho coordinator for The River Mile's Crayfish Observation study

AQUACULTURE SPECIALIST JACOB BLEDSOE

2022 Impact

2022 By the Numbers

• 862 direct contacts

• 161 youth participants

• 8 volunteers

• 122 volunteer hours

• $193,064 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension: Mark Daily, David Brock, Linda Lemmon, Tom VanTassel, Jim Henderhan, Melissa Wagner and Leo Ray.

UI Extension Specialist

Jacob Bledsoe 208-837-9096 ext 1105 bledsoe@uidaho.edu

UI Extension Aquaculture Specialist Jacob Bledsoe was hired in February 2022. In the eight months he has been on board, his programs have had impacts in the areas of workforce development, secondary and youth education and farm management. He organized and co-taught a five-day, in-person Coldwater Fish Culture Workshop, where 30 participants were trained by industry leaders on all aspects of fish husbandry. Students greatly improved their knowledge in the workshop with an average increase of 34.1% from pre- to post-tests. Impacts in secondary and youth education include an increase in knowledge about the U.S. and Idaho aquaculture industry through multiple invited guest lectures and interactive tours that reached 217 students (undergraduate to middle-school). In the area of farm management, Bledsoe’s programs impact in 2022 includes increases in knowledge and changes in behavior at multiple Idaho aquaculture farms related to nutrition and disease management (vaccination, biosecurity, pathogen identification). His international work with the USDAFAS lead to an increase in knowledge and change in behavior for trout farmers in the Republic of Georgia to advance nutritional and disease management. His efforts have helped to begin standing-up in-country Extension programs through train-the-trainer activities, which will open new trade markets between U.S. and Georgian aquaculture.

Bledsoe supported 4-H efforts by participating as a judge at the Gooding County Science Fair, hosting and leading a tour for the Central District annual meeting and attending the 2022 UI Extension Natural Resources Camp.

On the Horizon

Bledsoe is excited about starting an Aquaponics in the Classroom program that is intended to help middle and high school teachers implement aquaponics – a synergistic culture of fish and plants in a closed system – in their science and agriculture classes. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown aquaponics as one of the most engaging learning tools for science, agriculture and natural resources and many Idaho teachers have shown great interest in implementing this tool. However, establishing and maintaining aquaponics systems requires a bit of a learning curve. Bledsoe intends to reduce that learning curve with easy to install system designs, maintenance guides and learning modules. Bledsoe also looks forward to many on-going research projects related to fish nutrition, physiology and management of water quality.

BEEF SPECIALIST JIM SPRINKLE

www.uidaho.edu/cals/nmcreec

2022 Impact

UI Extension Specialists Jim Sprinkle, John Hall and Melinda Ellison, UI Extension Educator Carmen Willmore, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Professor Ron Lewis, and Texas A&M Associate Professor Doug Tolleson have finalized data analysis on forage intake research at Rinker Rock Creek Ranch.

Key findings include:

• Forage intake did not differ in efficient vs inefficient cows in 2016, being 25-28 pounds over spring and summer.

• Digestibility of forage consumed was 59% in spring and 54% in summer.

• Residence time of the forage in the gastrointestinal tract was 39 hours in June and 44 hours in August.

2022 By the Numbers

• 648 direct contacts

• 1 youth participants

• $1,791,455 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council

Special thanks to volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do at the Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center.

UI Extension Specialist

Jim Sprinkle

208-756-2749

sprinkle@uidaho.edu

• Forage intake did not differ between efficient and inefficient cattle, but based on other studies, the energy expended to acquire that forage may have differed. Researchers found that inefficient cattle tend to walk more and do more search grazing.

The research team will work with South Dakota State University to use this dataset and the grazing behavior dataset to help model energy expenditure of different activities on rangeland.

On the Horizon

Ongoing research projects include:

• Maternal Influences Upon Calf Adaptability to Rangeland, 2021-22, Rinker Rock Creek Ranch. This Ph.D. project by Landon Sullivan and others is examining the influence of both genetics and learned behavior for calves grazing rugged rangeland pastures. Mothers are being exposed to an injectable trace mineral (ITM) or no ITM at strategic timepoints to evaluate physiological responses to heat stress.

• Grazing Behavior for Cattle Engaged in Targeted Grazing of Cheatgrass, 2020-24, U.S. Forest Service, Caribou-Targhee National Forest. This project examines how cattle access and graze areas with a preponderance of invasive annual grasses during the dormant season. Location is determined with GPS and 24-hour grazing behavior with accelerometers. The goal is to determine if cattle favor south and west facing slopes with an abundance of cheatgrass during forage dormancy and late fall climatic conditions.

Cooperators on these projects include Dan Lauritzen, Cole Kempton (BYU), Justin Hatch, Sawyer Fonnesbeck, Jameson Brennan (SDSU), Hans Bastian (USFS), Robert Mickelsen (USFS) Benton Glaze, Scott Jensen, Morgan Stegemiller, Brenda Murdoch, Jim England and April Hulet (BYU).

In 2024, new research will involve selecting replacements on DNA markers for using rugged terrain (those that have markers vs those that don’t) and seeing how they perform on rangeland for using rugged terrain.