EXTENSION TRENDS: WASHINGTON COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Washington County • www.uidaho.edu/washington
2019 Impact UI Extension, Washington County received a major program boost with the opening of a new location at 116 W. Idaho Street in Weiser. With over 1,300 square feet of classroom space, the staff is better prepared to deliver quality programming year-round. The 4-H collaborative programming with the Weiser School District BEST Afterschool programming reached over 800 under-served youth with agriculture and healthy living programming. The Idaho Master Gardener program experienced a record high sign-up for the 2020 Idaho Master Gardenerin-Training program.
4-H in Washington County 2019 By the Numbers • 3,461 direct contacts • 1,740 youth participants • 114 volunteers • 4,346 volunteer hours • $39,728 extramural funding
Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Washington County: Kirk Chandler, Lisa Collini, Nate Marvin, Donna Atwood, Wade Wilson, Pam Schwenkfelder, Royce Schwenkfelder, Arthur Church, Mike Partin, Marge Chipman, Vernon Lolley, Darlene Maxwell, Bonnie Davis, Andrew Butler and Harvey and Chris Braun.
UI Extension Educator Mary Ridout 208-414-0415 mridout@uidaho.edu
In 2019, a total of nine clubs and 39 leaders participated in 4-H programs with one new club formed to focus on family and consumer science projects. The Washington County 4-H program also developed a preparedness project for the Teen Leaders Club which has been very popular. A total of 194 youth brought their projects to the 2019 Washington County Fair. 4-H Enrichment programs reached a total of 858 under-served youth including 669 minority youth.
On the Horizon UI Extension Educator Mary Ridout is working on development of a new horticultural program that encompasses both Idaho Master Gardener training and general gardener education delivered effectively across the four counties served with Idaho Master Gardener programming. A new drone technology program for 4-H youth is being developed with hope to expand that to agricultural programming. Ridout is also working with seed and cereal producers on a project to identify and manage seedborne microbes that reduce seed quality.