EXTENSION TRENDS: VALLEY COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Valley County • www.uidaho.edu/valley
2019 Impact
The Let's Get Cooking program was launched in 2019, utilizing partnerships to develop a workforce development program focused on the culinary arts in the West Central Mountains. Four participants expressed interest in developing a food-related business and 47% of participants expressed interest in the Idaho Department of Labor Apprenticeship program. This model will be replicated in Cascade and applied to the construction trades. The ripple mapping assessment tool was used to evaluate previous programs including the America's Best Communities and Cascade Idaho Community Review. UI Extension helped Cascade and New Meadows apply for Idaho Rural Partnership grants. Both communities were awarded money to implement projects focused on beautification or multi-modal access. Afterschool programs were offered at the McCall/Donnelly Elementary School in partnership with the Donnelly Public Library the PCEI Americorps regional placements. Twenty-nine students participated—roughly 20% of the elementary school population.
2019 By the Numbers • 615 direct contacts • 486 youth participants • 79 volunteers • 1,400 volunteers hours • $16,500 extramural funding
Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Valley County: Shauna Arnold, Cami Hedges, Delta James, Gary Thompson, Rebecca Hurd, Maralee Cross, Patsy Kelley, Liz Jones, Steve Anderson, Andrew Mentzer and Dawn Morton.
UI Extension Educator Melissa Hamilton 208-382-7190 mbhamilton@uidaho.edu
UI Extension Staff Alysson Statz, 4-H Coordinator Casie Carnes, Administration Megan Chandler, PCEI AmeriCorps Member
UI Extension purchased computer programming learning toys (Dot and Dash) through a sub award with the McCall Public Library Idaho STEM Center grant. The technology boxes were distributed to McCall, New Meadows, Donnelly, and Cascade libraries for public access.
4-H in Valley County
The Valley County 4-H program partners with many agencies to support youth development, including the Youth Advocacy Coalition (YAC) and Teen Advisory Council (TAC). TAC participants help in different areas of the community by volunteering and creating events that oppose destructive behaviors and strengthen healthy lifestyles. They also support YAC to engage youth to create a vibrant community and promote healthy lifestyle choices while cultivating supportive relationships between youth and adults. Valley County 4-H organizes the annual 4-H Ambassadors District Retreat in McCall, attracting teens from the UI Extension Southern District. This retreat focuses on leadership development and public speaking. Two Valley County youth participated in the Know Your Government Conference.
On the Horizon
During the COVID-19 pandemic, UI Extension partnered with the McCall Chamber and the Economic Development Council to highlight business and pandemic procedures for reopening. A story map was created to connect consumers, producers, and available food resources. Food roundtable discussions were held online to connect people, share resources, and identify challenges. Mask straps for essential workers were printed using the 4-H 3-D printers. The WCM Food Coalition will celebrate its third year in 2020 with a membership drive and dinner celebration in the fall. The harvest dinner will bring coalition members together and highlight efforts since its inception in 2017. The 2020 Idaho Master Gardener cohort will complete over 300 hours of community service in 2020-21. UI Extension will work with these volunteers to contribute to projects (community garden committees, farmers markets, plant clinic garden talks, beautification efforts) in the region.