EXTENSION TRENDS: GOODING COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Gooding County • www.uidaho.edu/gooding
2019 Impact The Gooding County Community Garden consists of a partnership between UI Extension, Gooding County, Gooding Soil Conservation District, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and volunteers. Community plots produced 4,000 pounds of fresh produce that was donated to six non-governmental organizations in two cities and the Gooding County jail, providing fresh vegetables to underserved audiences that have difficulty accessing food. Demonstrations were offered on cover crops, drought-tolerant grasses, pollinator habitat, fruit trees planting and care, and community gatherings.
2019 By the Numbers • 5,157 direct contacts • 2,683 youth participants • 84 volunteers • 3,400 volunteer hours • $91,998 extramural funding
Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Gooding County: Mark Bolduc, Susan Bolton, Cooper Brossy, Ron Buhler, Larry Bybee, Ricky Fritz, Kay Hults, Sue Johnson, Jessica Knapp, Barb Messick, Tanya Oldham, Leigh Patterson, Jamie Price, Chris Pruett, Derek Romer, Megan Satterwhite, Arlene Shaw, Jordan Stebbins, Isaac Tellez, Jaren Wadsworth and Larry Walton. .
UI Extension Educators Mario de Haro Martí 208-934-4417 mdeharo@uidaho.edu
Cindy Kinder 208-764-2230 ckinder@uidaho.edu
Idaho Master Gardener classes were held by web-based delivery. Four individuals attended the course, reinforcing the volunteer base in the community. Research projects conducted in 2019 included: scenarios for food, energy, and water in the Magic Valley (NIH funded); cover crop research and Extension activities; compost and vermicompost classes; silage corn study demo; and the Idaho Nutrient Management Conference. Research and Extension articles re published related to dairy production and economics. UI Extension, Gooding County offered a college and scholarship night help youth and families prepare for higher education with a jump start on scholarship research and application processes. Three summer camp counselor trainings were held for 40 camp counselors and teen leaders. These youth were able to build skills in leadership roles, communication in interviews, video and photography skills, and practicing teamwork. Livestock education events included the Magic Valley Livestock Education series where farm safety and calving were the topics for 24 producers from three counties. Beef quality grades included carcass evaluation and breeding livestock management. The hands-on protein foods and the meat we eat workshop engaged youth and adults from across the state to learn about wholesale and retail meats; quality differences; identification and processing; rumen nutrition and carcass quality; and healthy protein foods.
4-H in Gooding County Gooding County 4-H consist of more than 19 clubs with 170 members who completed a total of 447 projects displayed at the 2019 Gooding County Fair. Project participation increased by double/triple-digits in environmental education, shooting sports, health, and leadership. A new robotics club was established at North Valley Academy and Gooding County 4-H held its first Livestock Quiz Bowl. UI Extension, Gooding County partnered with Joint Hagerman School District, Idaho Fish and Game, 4-H volunteers, and Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation to establish a shooting sports program for families. The program included a 10-week education series; spring break hunt, shoot, and field day; 4-H summer camp; and curriculum for Cloverbuds.
On the Horizon Youth and adults participated in a 10-part Friday Fun Food Lab series learning about the science behind creating the food we eat. The program is funded by a Bayer Fund grant and is in partnership with the Hagerman School District. Instructors teach youth how a crop is grown, how it is made into raw food products, then used to create food. The science used to transform the raw product into creating foods we eat is also taught. NRA grants have been awarded to two Gooding County 4-H clubs. One grant is for an existing shooting sports club to purchase a trailer, allowing them to travel to district and state events with greater ease. The second grant award is a donation of equipment to start a new club. Research and Extension programs are being developed around generating a bioeconomy based on dairy manure and other byproducts to benefit rural America. This five-year project will potentially provide another revenue source for farmers. Pending funding, expansion of UI Extension programs to help improve the COVID-19 response and livelihood for Hispanic dairy workers and producers will be pursued. The Gooding Community Garden hopes to expand its ability in bringing fresh vegetables to underserved and at-risk members of the Gooding County community.