D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 6 U n i v e r s i t y o f W y o m i n g C o o p e r a t i v e E x t e n s i o n S e r v i c e

In this issueCampbell County 4-H welding club

Cooperative range monitoring

Wind River Indian Reservation educator comes full circle

Money Talk sessions via videoconferencing

Including youths with impairments in 4-H

CES team wins national award

From the director…

IwillsoonstepintotheroleofchairmanoftheExtensionCommitteeonOrganization

andPolicy(ECOP). Ithaskindofanacademicsoundingnamebut,inessence,ECOPisthenational

organizationofstateextensiondirectors.ThechairmanistheleaderofECOP.Themissionof

ECOPistoinitiateplanningandidentifynationwideissuesthatleadtoprogramandbudgetprioritiesfortheextensionsystem. Muchofmysparetimethenextcoupleofyearswillbespentservingmyextensioncolleaguesandthenationalextensionsysteminthisleadershiprole. ThismightbeagoodopportunitytotalkaboutUWCooperativeExtensionServiceanditsplaceintheuniverse.Thecooperativeextensionsystemconsistsofstatecooperativeextensionservicesassociatedwiththeland-grantuniversityineachofthe50statesandmostoftheterritories.Guam,forexample,hasanexcellentextensionorganization. CooperativeextensionnationallyandatthestatelevelisapartnershipoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA),thestatethroughitsland-grantuniversity,andlocalgovernments. InWyoming,countygovernmentisanimportantpartnerincooperativeextension.Ourfundingisprovidedcooperativelybythethreepartners.Thefederalgovernmentprovidesnearlyathirdofourfunding,includingCent$ibleNutritionProgramfunds.Countygovernmentsprovideaboutafourth,andUWprovidesmorethan40percentoftheextensionbudget. So,theextensionorganizationexistsateachoftheselevels–countyextension,stateextension,andnationalextension.Weareaccountableandactivelyorganizedateachlevel. Thisnextyearwillbemyopportunitytoshapetheextensionorganizationatthenationallevel. Itshouldbeinteresting. ThisissueofExtension Connectionhighlightsavarietyofunusualextensionactivities.EachisfocusedclearlyonservingWyoming’speople.FromtheIronWorkers4-HClubtotheMedicareprescriptioneducationefforttovoluntarycooperativerangemonitoringtoMoneyTalk–theyclearlytargettheneedsofWyomingpeople. Oneoftherealstrengthsoftheextensionsystemisitslocalorganization.Theagendaisdrivenfromthegroundupbytheneedsofpeopleandcommunities.Weareproudofwhatwecandoandgratefulforsupportofourfundingpartnersenablingourservice. Ihopeyouwillenjoyreadingabouttheworkoftheseexceptionalextensioneducators.IfyouhavethoughtsaboutthemagazineorotheraspectsofUWCES,pleasee-mailmeatglen@uwyo.eduorcallat(307)766-5124.

Regards

GlenWhipple

Glen Whipple

Aweldingclubseemstohaveforgedcityandbusinesssupportintoaprograminwhichcountryandcity4-Hersarelearningatrade.

TheIronWorkers4-HClubinGillettestartedin2004withabouteightmembersandnowhasabout21ages8to18. Theweldingclubsparkedaninterestwithyouthsinacountydrivenbyenergyindustriesandaneedtofilljobswithemployeeswiththeneededskills. “Weldingissomethingthat,oncetheylearn,isveryempowering,”saysRindyWest,UWCooperativeExtensionService4-H/youtheducatorservingCampbellCounty. Westsaysseveral4-Hersin2004hadbeensigningupforself-determinedweldingprojectswhentalkbeganinthecityaboutaneedforanotherschooltotraincollege-ageyouthsfortheworkforce. “Ithought,‘gosh,thisiscoincidental,’”saysWest.“Italkedtoacoupleleaders,andtheyhadthesameideatostartaweldingclub.The4-Herswouldbepickinguplifeskillsthrough4-Hbutalsolearningtechnicalskillsandsafety.” That’swhenJakeRuffsteppedup.Aco-ownerofHettingerWeldingInc.in

Gillette,Ruffstartedtheclubwiththehelpofhiswife,Luana,andJanetJohnson,andofferedbusinessresources.HettingerWeldingemploysmorethan400.

“Ihavesomeofthebestweldersintheworld,”heproudlysays.“I’llmatchthemtoanybodywhenweldingpipe.Theseguyswalkin,andI’llaskthemtoshowthekidssomething.Theyenjoytheheckoutofit.Theseguysarewillingtopasstheirtradeon.Theyloveworkingwiththosekids.”

Campbell County welding club melds 4-Hers with community interests

JakeRuffofHettingerWeldingofGillette,whostartedtheIronWorkers4-HClub,explainssafetyanduseoftheoxygen/acety-lenewelder.

By Steven L. Miller, Senior EditorOffice of Communications and Technology

1

A 4-Her welds lines that will be checked for quality by club leader Jake Ruff.

Ruffsaysthevocationalagsysteminpublicschoolsdoesn’thavetimetoteachkidsthebasicsoffarmmechanics,anditsdirectionhaschangedtomoreagriculturescience. “Thequalityofagproductsgoingoutisprettyrough,”hesays.“Ithoughtwhattheheck.I’lltrywithlower-agekidstogetmoreinterestinagmechanicsandlessinagscience.”

“SometimesIhavetwoorthree,andsometimesIhave21kids,”Ruffnotes.“Irunitprettyloose.Theyarenotrequiredtocometothe4-Hmeetings.Whenitstopsbeingfun,itbecomesajob,andIdon’twantthemhere.” SteveandBillieJoYounghavethreesonsintheclub–Ethan,17,Tyler,14,andBailey,12.They’vebeenclubmemberssinceitsbeginning. “Theytookaninterestinwelding,andwedidn’thaveaccesstoawelder,”saysSteveYoung.“Thiswasanopportunitytoteachthemaskill.Theyarelearningsomeofthemoredifficultaspects.It’snotaseasyasitlooks.Thethingabout4-HIthinkisbeneficialisitteachesresponsibility.” Westdoesn’tthinktheclubleadersthoughtaboutformingtheclubforcareerpreparation,butthecommunityisdiscussingwhethertoputinarecreationcenterorbuildafacilitytoteachweldingandotherskillsrelatedtominingandenergy. Teachinglifeskillsisprovidingaspin-off.Civicleadershavenoticedtheeffect4-Hhasonyouths.Thecityhasprovidedmore

than$40,000tohelppayforCloverCorrals,afacilityinwhichnon-ruralyouthscanhave4-Hprojects.During4-Hfund-raisingefforts,thecitydonatedmorethan$6,000. “They’dratherfund4-Htokeepyouthsoutoftroublethanputtingmoneyintodetentionprograms,”saysWest.“They’dmuchratherhaveforethinking–havingkidsstartwithpositivevaluesandlifeskills,gettingthemdowntherighttracktobeginwith.” GilletteMayorDuaneEvensonsays4-Hteachescharacter,integrity,commitment,andcivicresponsibility. “Itteachesthemtobegoodcitizensandabouttheimportanceofvolunteerismandhowtobepartofacommunity,”saysEvenson.“Thataddsanawfullotofvaluetoacommunitythathasgoodleaders.” EvensoncreditsWestfortheprogram’sstrengthandofferstheCloverCorralsprojectasanexample.The4-Hersapproachedthecouncilwithanentirebusinessprogramandplanandhowtheyweregoingtoraisemoneytobuilditandfunditsoperation,andhowtopayoffthedebt.

“Itwasimpressive,”hesays.“I’vewatched4-Hersfromthetimetheywere8or9andgrowupandseethat4-Hmakesadifference.Ithinkit’satremendousprogramtohelpkids.” ANorthDakotanative,Evensonwasneverin4-H.“IwanttostressIseethevalueitbringstothosechildrenandtheconfidenceitgivestheminpersonalskillsandthecommunityskillssoimportanttopeopletodayforsuccessinthebusinessworld.”

Hisoldestson,Trevor,wastheclub’sfirstpresident,andhissecondson,Nolan,isamember.Ruffhasopeneduphisbusinesstwiceamonthtothe4-Hersforuseofequipmentandmetalavailableatalowerpricebecauseofadiscountthebusinessreceives.

Rindy West

“4-H teaches character, integrity, commitment, and civic responsibility.”

2

WesternWyomingrancherswhohold

permitstograzelivestockonfederallandssaytheirrela-tionshipwiththeU.S.ForestService(USFS)andBureauofLandManagement(BLM)hasgonefromcontentioustocooperative. Theysaythisnewsenseofgoodwillstemsfromamonitoringpro-gramspearheadedbytheUniversityofWyomingCooperativeExtensionService(UWCES).Livestockproducersandpersonnelfromthetwofederalagen-ciesvoluntarilyparticipate. “Itallcameaboutasa

resultoffrictionbetweenthegrazingpermitteesandtheUSFS,”saysEricPeterson,anareaextensioneducatorforSublette,Teton,andLincolncounties. PetersonhelpedproduceanewbulletinandDVDtohelppermitteesandmanagersofpubliclandsimplementcoopera-tiverangelandmonitoringprograms.Morethan1,500copiesofthebulletin,Implementing a Cooperative Permittee Monitoring Program,and600DVDshavebeendistributedthroughoutthewesternUnitedStates.

Ranchersarelearn-ingmoreabouttherangeresourceandhowtocareforit.Subsequently,somepermitholdershavefoundtheyareabletokeeptheirlivestockonthefederalallotmentslonger,andtheircattleandsheepareinbet-tershapewhentheyreturntowinterpastures,accord-ingtoranchers. “WegetalongbetterwiththeUSFSsincewestartedthecooperativeper-mitteemonitoring.Wealsohavealotmoreknowledgeabouttherangeresourceandhowtocareforit,”saysWayneJensen,who

Cooperative range monitoring fosters trustBy Robert Waggener, EditorOffice of Communications and Technology

Ranchers who hold

permits to graze live-

stock on public lands

in western Wyoming

learn how to perform a

line transect to deter-

mine the densities of

groundcovers including

plants, rocks, and other

materials. Bureau of Land

Management Range

Specialist Steve Laster,

left, with clipboard,

ensures the process is

properly carried out.

33

raisescattlenearBoulder,Wyoming.“That’sallowingustokeepourcattleuptherelonger,andtheyareinbettershapewhentheycomeout.” AnotherBoulder-arearancher,JoelBousman,says,“Sincewestartedthejointmonitoringprograms,ourworkingrelationshipwiththeForestServiceandBLMimproveddramatically.” Bousman,presidentoftheSilverCreekGrazingAssociation,adds,“WiththehelpofUWCES,wegotoutonthegrazingallotmentsandstartedmonitoringbasedonsoundscienceusingquantitative,long-termtrenddata,notsomeone’sopinion.” Beforejointmonitoringstartedin1996,federallandmanagersdictatedthestandards,andtherewaslittlecommunicationwiththeranchers.Agencyfolksagreethisledtoaconten-tiousrelationship,butthatchangedwhenthetwosidesacceptedanofferfromUWCEStositdownatonetable.

“Beforewegotinvolvedinthisprogram,theUSFSandBLMrangespecialistswerethe‘experts’onthegrassandtheresources.Therewasnotalotofcoop-erationwiththeranchers,”saysBarbFranklin,arangespecialistwiththeUSFSinPinedale,Wyoming. “Atthetime,wehadsomeveryintelligent,well-educatedpeoplewhoknewaboutrangelands.Theprob-lemistheyweren’tcommu-nicating.Fortunately,we’veallgottenalotsmarterinrecentyears.Werecognizeeveryonehasexpertiseandknowledgeweneedtoshare,”Franklinsays.“It’samatterofeveryonelookingatthesamepieceofreales-tatetogetheranddiscussingresourceconcernsandwaystoimprovethatresourcetogether.” ConcerningpriorfrictionbetweengrazingpermitteesandtheUSFS,Petersonsays,“Atthetime,findingsbytheagencyconcerningthelevelofgrazingweremadewithouttheinvolvementofthepermittees,andafederalreportexpressingconcernaboutstreamsedimentationanderosionplacedblameonlivestockgrazing.” Whenthepermitteessawthereport,itupsetthembecausetheydidn’tthinkthefindingswereaccurate,saysPeterson,whonotesfol-low-upstudiesdeterminedtheproblemsoutlinedintheinitialreportwerebasedon

issuesbeyondthecontrolofthegrazingpermitholders. Thetwosidesagreedtolaunchalong-termvolunteerprogram,andthesuccesshasencouragedothergrazingassociationsinWyomingandtheWesttofollowsuit,Petersonsays.InSubletteCounty,Wyoming,thereisnowjointmonitor-ingof300,000-plusacresoffederallandsinvolvingnearly15,000cattleand3,800sheep. “WiththeassistanceofCES,”Petersonsays,“thegrazingassociationsandagencieshavegottento-gethertodevelopprogramstomonitorsuchthingsascattleuseandthetrendsinrangeandstreambankcon-ditions.After10years,theyhavedevelopedobjectivesfortherangeland,andtheyhaveevaluatedthegrazingstrategies.Ithasresultedindocumentedstewardshipoftherangelands.” Justasimportant,Petersonadds,“We’vegonefromasituationofconten-tiousnessandanimositytoonewherewehaveagreatworkingrelationshipbetweentheparties.Theyaretiedtogetherbythisvolunteerprogram.Theyareworkingtogethertoenhancethestewardshipofthepubliclands.” Bousmansays,“It’scriti-calthattheentireprocessbedonejointlyandvoluntarily.Thatwayeveryoneisonthesamepage,andtheyareall

“This is a win-win situation for the agencies, the permittees, and

Filming takes place for

a range-monitoring

DVD produced by the

University of Wyoming

Cooperative Extension

Service. Being filmed

are Joel Bousman, left, a

grazing permittee who

ranches near Boulder,

Wyoming, and Steve

Laster, a range specialist

with the Bureau of Land

Management.

4

seeingthesamethingatthesametime.Thisbuildstrust,andtrustgoesalongwaytowardhavingagood,work-ingrelationshipbetweenfederalagenciesandthestakeholdersoftheland.” PinedalecattlerancherAlbertSommersagrees. “CooperativerangemonitoringwiththeUSFSisagoodwaytoresolveconflictsandlookatproblemstogether,”Sommerssays.“Theagencyfolkspreviouslydictatedacertainstandard,andyouneverwentouttogethertodothingslikemeasuregrass.Thisvolunteerprogramfostersmoretrust.” Somemightarguesuchaprogramleadstoasitua-tionofthefox(inthiscasethegrazingpermitholders)guardingthehenhouse(thefederallands). “Allthemonitoringisbasedonsounddataprovidedbytheranchers,hydrologists,rangeandsoilspecialists,botanists,fisher-iesandwildlifebiologists,andothers,”Franklinsays.“Youcanarguepolitics,butyoucan’targuewithscien-tificdata.” Petersonsaysrangespecialistsarestretchedtoothintomonitorallofthepubliclandsthewaytheywouldlike. “Theyhaveotherpress-ingdemandsinadditiontorangemonitoringwork.Whenaranchervolunteerstobeapartnerinmanag-ingtherangeland,the

membersofthepartnershipdefineobjectivesforthatrangeland,”Petersonsays.“Permitteesreceivetrainingfromtheiragencyspecialistsandothersonrangelandmonitoringmethods,whichmeasurethecompletionofthoseobjectives.” Whenobjectivesaren’tbeingmet,thepartiescansitdowntoaddressthesitu-ation,hesays. SincethelivelihoodsofmanyranchersintheWestdependonpubliclands,Petersonstresses,“Iwouldarguethepermitholderswanttobegoodstewardsoftherangelands,andtherangespecialists,inessence,nowhavevolunteerrangetechni-ciansworkingwiththem.Thisisawin-winsituationfortheagencies,thepermittees,andtheownersoftheland–inthiscasethepublic.” Petersonsaysmembersofthepublic,includingenvironmentalgroups,arewelcometojointhepartieswhentheytaketothefieldformonitoringsessionsandworkshops.

HeaddsoneofthemostimportantthingsthebulletinandDVDstressesiskeepingmanagementplanssimple. Forexample,Petersonsays,“Ifyouhaveanobjec-tivecallingforlessbareground,thenmonitorforbareground.Resistchoosingagrandmethodologythatprovidesthefrequencyofaparticularspeciesofgrassinyourdatacollection.” Thebulletinisavailableathttp://www.uwyo.edu/CES/PUBS/B1169.pdf. CopiesofB-1169and/ortheDVDcanalsobeorderedfreeofchargefromPetersonat(307)367-4380oreric@uwyo.edu.

Area Extension Educator Eric Peterson

Professor Mike Smith, a range management specialist with the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service, provides instruction on rangeland monitoring to grazing permittees, federal range specialists, and other CES personnel during a monitoring ride in western Wyoming’s Wind River Mountains.

5

the owners of the land – in this case the public.”

WalkingintwoworldshasledLisaPerrytothe

placeshemostwantstobe. ThetrekofPerry,whograduatedfromtheCollegeofAgriculturelastspringwitharangelandecologyandwatershedmanage-mentdegree,wentfullcircletoendattheCooperativeExtensionService(CES)officeatEtheteontheWindRiverIndianReservation. “Ialwaysthoughtitwasimportanttogetyoureduca-tion–educationcamefirstinmyfamily,”shesays.“Ifeltitwouldberighttogetadegree,comeback,andhelpmypeople.” Perrylearnedhowtobridgethe“white”and“AmericanIndian”worldsandsaysshewantedtobea

By Steven L. Miller, Senior EditorOffice of Communications and Technology

recalls.“IalwaysknewIwantedtohaveacareerdo-ingsomethingwithnaturalresources.” SheresearchedthemajorontheUWWebsite.“Iknewthat’swhatIwantedtodo.Ineverchangedmajorsonce.Ineverthoughtaboutit.” Nowputtingherexper-tisetowork,shesaysafocusistohavepeopleknowtheCEShasanofficeontheres-ervation.Thathasn’talwaysbeenknown.TheofficewasmovedfromFortWashakietoEthetein2004. “Alotofpeopledon’tknowit’shere,”shesays.“Thentherearesomepeoplewhodobutdon’tknowwhereitis.OnceitwasmovedtoEthete,manylostcontact.Re-establishmentwithagriculturalproducershasbeendifficultbutnotimpossible,”saysPerry. SageagreeswithPerry. “Idon’treallythinktoomanypeopleknowwhatUWCEShastooffer,andIdon’tthinkithasdoneaverygoodjobofgettingtheinformationouttothegeneralpubliconthereservation,”hesays. Anopportunitycamelastyearduringa4-Hpro-graminternshipontheres-ervation.Perryworkedwith

rolemodelfortheyoungertribalmembers. Gettinganeducationandreturningtothereserva-tiontoassisttheirtribalcommunitiesandpeopleisveryimportant,saysAllisonSage,NorthernArapahotriballiaisonwithGovernorDaveFreudenthal’soffice. “Justthefactapersonhasleftthereservationandsucceededinobtaininganeducationisamajorac-complishment,”hesays.“Itisamonumentalac-complishmentforstudentstodothisandtoserveasapositiverolemodelforotherstudentstofollow.” Thenearly2millionacresoflandonthereserva-tioncaptivatedPerryasayouth.“I’vespentalotoftimeintheWindRiverRange.I’vealwaysfoundtheoutdoorsamazingandamusing(interesting)tome,”shesays. Inhighschool,PerryfoundherselflookingataRussianknapweedinfesta-tionlisteningtoNaturalResourcesConservationServiceworkersexplainhowtocontroltheweed.ThetripwaspartofacareerdayatLanderValleyHighSchool. “Ifounditinteresting,andoneofthemmentionedrangemanagement,”she

Educator’s path leads

6

Lisa Perry by the statue of Sacajawea on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

CESEducatorMiltGreen,whohadbeentheeduca-toronthereservationbutmovedtoNatronaCounty,toproduceanagriculturesummitonthereservation. HavingPerryasanin-ternwasagift,saysGreen. “Shewasenthusiastic,shehadknowledgeofthetribalculturesandtraditions,shehadagoodsubjectmat-terbackground,andshehadapersonalitythatjustmadeeveryonearoundherseemcomfortable,”hesays. GreenwassupervisingPerryfromCasper,morethan150milesaway,whichmeantPerryhadtobeself-starting.“Shewas,andtheprojectwasanenormoussuccess,”saysGreen. GreennotesPerrycon-tactedproducersindividu-allyandwasabletogatheragroupofagriculturepeoplewillingtohelpdevelopaprogramneededformanyyears. “EventhoughhewasinCasper,Miltgavemealistofthingstodoandexpectedmetogetthemdone,”saysPerry.“Iwasfortunate.Thingswentwellthatsummer.” Whenthefull-timeCESeducatorpositioncameopen,Perryapplied,wasof-feredthejob,“andIhappily

acceptedit,”notesPerry. Shehopestoshowproducersthereareoppor-tunitiesforprofitandwaystobettercarefortheland.“Theonlyreasontheydon’ttakeadvantageofprogramsavailabletothemisbecausetheydon’tknowtheyarethere,”saysPerry. A1999graduateofLanderValleyHighSchool,PerryalsowashiredasasummerassistantwiththeBureauofIndianAffairsinthelandresourcedepart-mentandwasabletogainadditionalrangeexperienceonthereservation. SheattendedUWherfreshmanyearbutfoundthefinanceschallenging.SheattendedCentralWyomingCollegeinRivertonandfinishedherlasttwoyearsatUW. Perry’sbackgroundgivesinsightintohelpingothersonthereservation.“Yougrowuphere,andyouunderstandtheways.Youunderstandwhypeopledothingsthewaytheydo.Thereisalotofdifferencebetweenthetwoworlds.Wecallitwalkingintwoworlds,”shesays. “Iwasinthe‘whiteman’worldatUW.WhenIcamehome,Iwasinthe‘native’world.Thereisabigdiffer-

encebetweenthetwo,andthepeoplewhosucceedaretheindividualswhomanagethetwoworld’sthebest.” ThatlearningwasinadditiontotheeducationatUW.“Ourlanguageisdiffer-ent.Weusedifferentwords.WhenIwouldgobacktoUW,itwaslikeIhadtouseawholedifferentvocabulary.Onthereservationpeopleuse‘slang’words,wordspeopleofthewhiteculturewouldnotunderstand.SoformeIhadtwosetsofvocabulary–oneforwhenIwasawayatschool,andoneforwhenIcamehome.” Shealsowatchedhowshecarriedherself.“Forme,Irepresentedsomethingbiggerthanjustme.PeopleseemeandfindouthowIamandmaythinkall

Indiansarelikemeiftheydon’tknowIndians,”shesays.“Idon’twantpeopletojudgemypeoplejustonmyactions,”shesays. Uponreturninghome,shewantedtobeapositiverolemodelforothers,likehertwoolderbrotherswhoare,shesays. “Theyareworkinghard,havegoodjobs,andshowthatworkingharddoespayoff,”Perrysays.“Weallcarrythatsameresponsibil-ity.Wetrytoshowyoungpeopleonthereservationthat,insteadofgettingintotrouble,anotherwaytosatisfywhatyouwantistodogoodbygoingtoschoolandworkinghard.Youcannevergowrongaslongasyouworkhardandstayfocused,”Perryexplains.

7

full circle to Wind River Indian Reservation

Money Talk sessions reached 16 Big Horn

Moneygotintouchwithitsfeminine

sideduringRhondaShipp’sfirstvideoconferencingexperience. “MoneyTalk”wasbroadcastfromsixBigHornBasinhighschoolstoreach16communitiesJanuary30throughMarch6.Theseries,developedbyCooperativeStateResearch,Education,andExtensionService,targetedwomenbecausewomenonaveragelivelongerthanmen,earnless,andoftenhavegapsintheiremploymenthistory,saysShipp. “ThiswasanideaIbroughtupatoneofmyad-visorycouncilmeetings,thenotionofaseriesofclasses,”notesShipp.“IshowedthemtheMoneyTalkbookandhowitisfocusedtowardafemaleaudience.Theyfoundtheinformationverytimely,andabankerwhoisonthecouncilsaid‘absolutely.’” Morethan80signedupfortheclassesinthefourcounties,withabout40percentsayingthey

increasedtheirsavingsfrom$10amonthto$10,000savedorinvestedsincetheyhadtakenMoneyTalk. Supportwassoenthusi-asticfromfinancialinstitu-tionsaThermopolisbankprovidedenoughfundsforfivepeoplefromitscommu-nitytotakethecourse. Reaching16communi-tieswasaloftyconcept.Shippfirsthadtogetitofftheground.HeranswercamewhentheParkCountyLeadershipInstituteat-tendedaNorthwestCollegedemonstrationinPowellontheWyomingEducationNetwork(WEN)video-conferencingsystemthatconnectedallhighschoolsthroughWyoming. “Ithoughtitwouldbeeasy,butittooktime,”Shippreflects,andaddstheexperiencewouldmaketheprocessmucheasierifdoneagain. “Ithoughtitwouldsavemefromgoingtosixdiffer-entcommunitiestoteach,butitturnedouttobejustasmuchwork,”shesays.

“Itisthatwaywithanynewidea.” TheWENsystemwouldreachthefourBigHornBasincounties—BigHorn,HotSprings,Park,andWashakie—buthighschoolstudentstakingcourseshadfirstpriority,whichmeantMoneyTalkcouldbebumped.WithguidancefromtheWENcoordinator,Shippexplainedtheprogramtoprincipalsandsuperinten-dentsatthesixhighschools. Shethenneededmoney.Eachschoolchargedasmallfeefortheuseofitsfacility,andeachschoolprovidedatechniciantoruntheequip-ment.ShippapproachedtheSoroptimistsInternationalofCodytoaskiftheorganiza-tionwouldhelpfundtheseries.Theorganizationpro-vided$2,000,andafeeof$20waschargedperpersontopayfortheworkbook. Sixsiteswerechosen:Thermopolis,Worland,Greybull,Lovell,Powell,andCody.InstructorstaughtfromCodyexceptforColeEhmke,extension

By Steven L. Miller, Senior EditorOffice of Communications and Technology

Money Talk sessions originated in Cody. There were 24 participants.

Area Extension Educator Rhonda Shipp

8

specialist,whotaughtfromLaramie. SiteswerelostinLovellandWorlandbeforethefirstclass.RTCommunicationsInc.ofWorlandworkedwithWENtoprovideanalterativeWorlandsite.ShippsaysfivefinancialinstitutionspaidRTCommunicationsfortheuseofthetechnologyandtechnicians.NoalternativesitewasfoundforLovell. Contactsmadeincom-munitiesresultedinsixvol-unteerstobesitefacilitators.Shippsaysthefacilitatorrolewastheabsolutekeytothesuccessofthedistanceeducationidea. “Thiswasanex-perimentjusttoseehowitwouldwork,”notesShipp.“IdidnothaveanyexperiencewithdistanceprogramminginwhatIoffered.Iwantedtoseethevalueandsuccessofusingthistechnology.” Everyonelearnedduringthefirstprogram. “Wewereamazedatwhatwelearnedthefirstnight,”shesays.“Wethoughtwewerereadyto

go,butabsolutelytherewasasteeplearningcurvethefirstnight.” Theinstructor’slonghairmuffledthesoundofhervoicewhenshelookeddown,thesizeoftheprintshownonthevisualswastoosmall,andshelearnedindividualsiteswouldhavetobemutedduringbreaks. Handoutswerepreparedbyinstructorsandmailedtositefacilitatorsinadvanceofsessions.Questionswereaskedduringtheliveclasses,butstudentswerealsopro-videdcardstheycouldwrite

questionsonandsubmit.Eachinstructoransweredtheirquestionsande-mailedtoeachstudentbeforethenextclass. “Ithinkthishashugepotentialbecauseofthedistances,”saysShipp.“OneofthethingsIwascuriousaboutwashowtheCodypeoplefeltonsitewithaliveinstructortherecomparedtothoseinothersiteswhodidn’tseetheinstructorexceptonscreen.Iwaspleasedthereweren’thugedifferences.Peopleattheoutstandingsiteswerecom-

fortablewiththenotionofreceivinginformationviaascreenwithalivepresenter.” Oneclassmembersaidtheclasswasagoodconversationstarterwithherhusband.Anothersaid,“ThisgivesmeagoodideaofwhatIneedtobelook-ingat.Ialwaysjustthoughtabout‘nextmonthornextyear’stuff.Iamprovidinginformationtomyco-work-ersaroundthestatequar-terlythroughanewsletterformatandgivingthemplanningtoolsIreceivedfromthiscourse.” Helpingpeoplefinan-ciallywasShipp’shope.“Fundamentallythatmakestheirhomestructure,theirhomeenvironment,aplacewheretheycanenjoythefruitsoftheirlabors,”notesShipp. ShippsaysWebEx,whichprovidesWebconfer-encing,onlinemeeting,andWebeventservices,alsohaspotentialforlong-distanceprogramming.“Iamanxioustolearnthetoolandanxioustogivethatatry,”shesays.

Eleven participated in the Money Talk sessions at Thermopolis. A Thermopolis bank official was so enthused about the session the bank offered scholarships for five Thermopolis residents to attend.

9

Basin communities via videoconferencing

Including4-HerswithimpairmentsinCarbon

Countyprogramshavecausedvolunteerstoputheads,hearts,hands,andhealthintoaction. ThetraditionofthefourH’sandinclusionhasalwaysbeenapartofCarbonCounty4-H,saysJanetDerrico,aleaderof11years.“Youdon’thavetobeanythingspecialtobein4-H,”shesays.“4-Hmakesyouspecialbecauseitteachesyouthings.” LisaTrujillo,whosedaughter,Lisa,isblind,learnedthis. “Ihadparentsaskme‘aren’tyouscaredtohaveyourdaughterwalka1,000-

poundsteer?’”shesays.“Isaid‘No.Itscaresmemoreforhernottohavethatexperience.’” Includingyouthswithdisabilitiesrequiresnospecialeffortinthecounty,saysSusanParker,CESeducatorforAlbanyandCarboncounties,whostartedin2005. “Itwasamazingtomeitwasingrainedinthepeople,”shenotes.“Itcanbealotofworkforsomepeople,butnoonecared.Noproblem.Theydidn’tmakeabigdealoutofiteitherway.Theymadethekidsandtheirparentsfeelcomfortable.” Inclusionteacheskids

toacceptdifferences,acceptothers,andcooperateingroups,saysParker–allskillsneededlaterintheworkworld.“Iwasastoundedhoweasyitwasfortheyouthswithimpairmentstoacceptthingsandhowwelltheydidit,”shesays. The1,000-poundsteerwasLisa’sfirstproject.Hernextwasapig.Lisaisnow19andinvolvedwithhorses.“4-Hreallyhelpedherself-esteem,”sayshermother.“Whenshestarted4-H,itwas‘willyoudothisfor

By Steven L. Miller, Senior EditorOffice of Communications and Technology

me?’Nowit’s‘Icandothis.’IamoneofthoseparentswhobelieveIwantmykidstogetasmuchexposureastheycan.JustbecauseLisahasadisabilitydoesn’tslowthatprocessdown.” HannahWeatherd,13,isachampionrabbitandpoultryshowman.Shealsocooks—andlastyearcompetedinWesternPleasure. She’salsoblind. ThedaughterofJillandBradWeatherdofSaratoga,Hannahhaspartialvisioninherrighteyeandcandetectlightanddarkinherlefteye.A4-Hersinceshewasoldenoughtobein4-H,shecompletedallher

Lisa Trujillo, right, with her

sister, Agnes, at the Carbon County

junior livestock sale in 2005.

Including youths with impairments —

“4-H has given her

10

workbooksinBraillebeforeshelearnedtotype.Now,technologyprovidesadevicesimilartoaPDA(personaldigitalassistant)butwithrefreshableBraille–pinsrisetoformletters.Shecanconnectthedevicetoatelephonelineorprinter. JillWeatherdsayspeoplein4-HhavebeensupportiveofHannahandallowsomeprovisions,suchasusinganactualsaddletopointoutpartsinsteadofaphotograph.Bradusedatwo-wayradioinhorsecompetitiontoletherknow

shecancompeteatanddowell,andsheenjoysit,”notesJill.“Iknowshe’slearnedalotofpoise.Earlyon,shehadtoperformdemonstrationsandspeechesinfrontofgroups.Sometimesshegetsdownonherselfaboutotherthings,butsheknowssheisgoodatthingsin4-H.” Derrico’sdaughters,AntenniellandKylah,servedasjuniorleadersandhelpeda4-Herwithblindnessandalearningdisabilitycompleteahogproject. Including4-Hers

toslowdownorspeedup.Thejudgesknewinadvance. Otherwise,she’sexpectedtocompleteprojectsjustlikeanyoneelse. “Onethingweappreciateiswealwaysaskpeoplenottogiveherabreakforanything.Shedoesn’tneedthat.Wehavehighexpectations,”sayshermother. AmiddleschoolstudentatSaratoga,Hannahhasplayedvolleyball,butshewilllikelyneverbeonvarsitysportsteams. Jillsays4-Hisherdaughter’ssport. “Ithasgivenherconfidenceandissomething

withimpairmentstakesdedicationofvolunteersandleaders,notesParker.“Volunteerleadersandjuniorleadershavetoplanandimplementwhattheyneedtodotohelpincorporatesomeonewithvisualimpairmentsorlearningdisabilities,”shesays.“Ittakesalotofplanningandprepwork.Theydothat.” Junior4-Hleadersmakeincludingyouthswithimpairmentsinto4-Hveryeasy,agreesDerrico.“Iwantjuniorleaderstoexperienceit,”shesays.“Ithelpsthemgrowinotherways.” Thejuniorleaderswentwiththe4-Herhavingthe

learningdisabilitytofeedthepigseverydayandshowhowtohandleherpig.Theyspenthoursworkingandbeganshowringpracticingoneweekbeforefairstarted.Thedayoftheshow,thejuniorleaderwentintheringwithher.Whenthejudgeaskedquestions,thejuniorleaderansweredfromwhatsheobservedofthe4-Her. Atage15,the4-Herhaddonesomethingonherownwithouthelpfromfamilyorteachers–justsomeonewhocaredabouther,says

Hannah Weatherd making

a flower box at the

Saratoga Make It and Take

It activity. She also planted

a flower in the box.

11

Four H’s in Carbon County don’t include ‘how?’

confidence and is something she can do well.” –Jill Weatherd

Derrico.“Shejustlitup,”shesays.“Itwasawesomewatchinghergrow.Shecan’texpresswhatshelearned,butyoucanobservewhatshelearned.” Lisa’saffectionforanimalsmeldedwith4-H.Hersteerweighed400poundswhenshebegantheproject.Shehadtofeedhimandunderstandthebondthatcomesfromtakingcareofananimaleveryday,hermothersays. LisaandDavidTrujillotaughttheirdaughterhowmuchtofeed. “Asthesteergrew,wehadtoaddtothat.Shelikedfeedinghimgrainoutofabucket.That’swherealotofthebondingcame,”saysLisa.“Mostpeoplegotoagateandcrawlover,andit’saneasything.Forher,it’sdifficult.She’ssmallandhadtoovercomethatsizedifference.Animalsunderstand,andtheydofine.”

Lisa’shogprojectbeganwhenherpigwas6or7weeksold.“Thepigandherbonded,”hermothersays.“Atfair,afterhehadhisbathandhispenwascleaned,Lisawouldsitwithhimeverynightandscratchhisbelly.Theanimalsseemtounderstandthatsomethingisalittledifferent.” Heroldersister,Agnes,wentintotheshowringwithLisatogiveverbaldirections.Lisadidn’tneedhelpknowingwhichoneherhogwas.“Peoplewithvisualimpairmentshavehearingyoucan’tbelieve,”sayshermother.

4-Herswithimpair-mentsarenotjudgedanydifferently,saysParker.ParkerallowedLisa’ssistertoreadthehorsetesttoherandwouldallowLisatoputafingeronapieceofequip-mentshewasrequiredtoname. “Isatthereandproctoredthetesttomakesurenothingwasdonetogiveheranunfairadvantagebutstillallowhertotakethewrittentesteventhoughshewasblindandalsonottogivehertheexpectationspeoplewillbekindtoherbecausesheisblind.” The4-Hexperience

Area Extension Educator Susan Parker

Hannah makes a tied blanket at the Make It and Take It in Saratoga.

provideslessons4-Hersneedinlife.“Theylearnhowtomanagedifficulties,howtogetalongwithotherpeoplewhoarenotlikethem,toparticipateandhelpoutinthecommunity,”saysParker.“Theyneedtolearnnotonlyhowtoacceptothersbutcontributewheretheycan.” The4-HprojectschangedtheoutlookoftheTrujillos. “Ifkidshavehandicaps,letthemhavetheseexperi-ences,”saysLisa.“Theymaynothaveanotherop-portunity.Nothingbadwillcomefromit.”

12

AUniversityofWyomingCooperativeExtensionServiceteamcanbecreditedforsavingsomeWyomingresidentsthousandsofdollarsinprescriptioncosts.

Campbell,Crook,andWestoncountiesextensioneducatorVickiHaymanandherteamprovidedtheMedicare-approvedPrescriptionDrugDiscountCardenrollmentandeducation. Haymanwasteamleader,andBigHorn,HotSprings,Park,andWashakiecoun-tieseducatorPhyllisLewis,formereducatorVirginiaNina-Caron,andCESAssociateDirectorRuthWilsonwereprojectdirectors. Oneparticipant,JoAnneKnobelofRivertonwhowaspayingabout$150forasingleprescription,nowpaysabout$10asamemberofthisprogram. Sheexplainsmostofherprescriptionscostaround$3or$5,and$10isthemostshepaysnowwhichsavesheranestimated$300to$400permonth. “Itiswellworthit,andIamverypleasedwithit,”saysKnobel. Morethan65extensioneducatorsfromWyoming,Idaho,Nebraska,Nevada,andSouthDakotapartneredtoprovideMedicare-approvedPrescriptionDrugDiscountCardeducationandenrollmentin2005. Thepartnershiphashelpedapproximately1,849membersenrollintheprogram.BetweenNovember1,2004,andJuly28,2005,atleast46,571MedicarerecipientsinthefivestatesenrolledforMedicare-approveddrugcards,resultinginapotentialsavingsofatleast$1.5millionforenrollees.

CES team wins national award, benefits Wyoming residents

By Tiffany Ann Schaffner Agricultural Communications Intern

Receiving the partnership

award at the National Extension

Association of Family and

Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) national meeting,

with Sandy McLean, NEAFCS president,

far left, are, from left, Phyllis Lewis, Stella McKinstry, Denise

Smith, Ruth Wilson, Vicki Hayman, Patti

Griffith, and Chris Pasley.

13

UniversityofWyomingCooperativeExtensionServiceDept.33541000E.UniversityAve.Laramie,WY82071

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Sendcommentsorsuggestionsto:GlenWhippleDept.33541000E.UniversityAve.Laramie,WY82071(307)766-5124

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December2006

U n i v e rs i t yo f Wyom i n g

“Thiswasanexception-alopportunityforWyomingtopartnerwiththeseotheragenciestoprovidetoolsandtrainingtoextensionprofessionalstoeducateruralcommunitiesandun-derservedaudiencesabouttheMedicarePrescriptionDrug,Improvement,andModernizationActthroughthecooperativeextensionsystem,”saysHayman.SheexplainsthestateswerechosenonthebasisofCentersforMedicareandMedicaid Services demo-graphicandbeneficiarydata.Medicarebeneficiariesandfamilycaregiverswhoareruralorunderserved,havelimitedresources,and/orarefromminoritypopula-tiongroupsweretargetedtoreceiveinformation.Socialserviceprofessionalswork-ingwiththeseaudienceswerealsotargeted. Toimplementthepro-graminWyoming,trainingwasconductedforthenutri-tionandfoodsafetyexten-

sioneducators.“Wealsoheldconference-callmeet-ingsandcommunicatedbye-mail,”saysHayman. Morethan283civicgroupsandorganizationspartneredineducationalprogramsrelatedtotheMedicareDrugDiscountCardOutreachCampaign. InWyoming,55,501peopleareeligiblefortheMedicareprescriptiondrugplan.AsofJuly,35,777peopleenrolled–64percentofthoseeligible. “WyomingstrategiesleadingtooursuccessincludedaCESnutritionandfoodsafetyinitiativeteamapproach,credibilityofCES,agency/organizationpartner-ships,communityeducationoutreach,marketing,andworkingwithvolunteers,”saysHayman. TheteamreceivedtheNationalExtensionAssociationofFamilyandConsumerSciencesCommunityPartnershipAwardandtheU.S.

DepartmentofAgriculture’sPriesterAward.Theawardhonorsextensionprogramsthatpositivelyaffectthehealthofpeopleandprovideleadershiptoexpandexten-sion’scapacitytoeffectivelyimplementhealthprograms. Haymancontributestheproject’ssuccesstoherteamofPlatte,Goshen,andLaramiecountieseducatorChristinePasley,FremontCountyandWindRivereducatorPattiGriffith,Converse,Natrona,andNiobraracountiesnutritionandfoodsafetyeducatorDeniseSmith,andemeritaseniorextensioneducatorStellaMcKinstry. TheCentersforMedicareandMedicaidServicesreportedextensionMedicaredrugcardeducationresultedinsignificantenrollmentincreasesinseveralstates. “Thisgrantprojectstrengthenedpartnershipswithotherstateagenciesandorganizationsandshowedthevalueofastate-widere-sponseteam,”saysHayman.