SteppingUp to thePlate

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Trade and brand names in this publication are used for illustration purposes only. No guarantee, endorsement, or discrimination among comparable products is intendedor implied.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics,Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S.Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&MUniversity and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equalopportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. April 2002, EX-36

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A Word from the DirectorFor more than 90 years, Extension in Alabama has been stepping up to the plate—educating

citizens on topics as diverse as cotton variety selections and nutrition for infants. This pastyear, 2001, was a challenge for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. We had to confronta budget reduced by state proration while continuing to provide much-needed educationalservices to Alabamians.

I am proud of our Extension System’s more than 900-member team. We met the budgetchallenge with creativity, hard work, and dedication. Not only did we manage the fiscalresources wisely, we never allowed money concerns to strike out needed programs.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System takes seriously its mission of making the latestin university-based research available to the people. Our professionals are committed to thepeople of this state and to the effective and efficient use of our resources.

I believe one crucial element is linked to the success of Extension's efforts: our focus on theindividual. Even as we adapt new technologies to expand our program efforts, our organizationhas never lost sight of the importance of helping individuals make positive changes—on thefarm, in the workplace, at home, and in the community.

As you take a moment to read the stories that follow, you will see examples of just howprofound an impact Extension has on individuals. These stories are inspiring when consideredalone. When considered in the context of the thousands of lives that Extension touches eachyear, you can see that our impact is immense.

Finally, I want to pledge the continued commitment of the Alabama Cooperative ExtensionSystem to improving the lives of all Alabamians. We will continue stepping up to the plate—andwinning—for and with the people of Alabama. Extension confidently looks toward a future filledwith many more victories like the ones in this 2001 annual report.

Gaines Smith, Interim Director

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How to Reach UsFor information about programs, to volunteer, or just to ask a question, call or go by your county Extension office (see back cover).

To reach state headquarters, call 334-844-4444 (Auburn University) or 256-851-5710 (Alabama A&M University).

For information about charitable contributions, call Beth Atkins, Assistant to the Director, Development, at 334-844-2247.

To place orders for publications, call 334-844-1592; or for videos or other media, call 334-844-5689.

Extension On-Line: www.aces.eduExtension provides information and education to citizens electronicallythrough a database-driven web site, which includes publications, news stories, timely information, and much more. In 2001 special pages on the web site were devoted to post-9/11 tragedy relief, anthrax, West Nile virus,invasive exotic species, and foot-and-mouth disease. These keep the publicinformed about issues of concern. Streaming and downloadable digital video clips are available on the web in RealVideo and QuickTime formats.Some 850 Extension publications are available on the web, most in twoforms: one for printing and the other for on-line searching and viewing.

Several publications and a web page won international awards in 2001. A new home page was launched during the year, incorporating a new lookand an easy-to-navigate format. The total web site includes more than18,000 pages.

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AgricultureCommitment to Alabama’s farmers is

the hallmark of Extension’s Agriculture

program. We invite you to meet a few

of the many Alabamians who have

benefited from that commitment.

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A g r i c u l t u r e

affection. They’re justtaken aback when theydiscover we think somuch of them we givefreely of our time and money.”

Word of the project’ssuccess is spreading. The Alabama Legislaturerecently appropriated$30,000 to support theproject. In addition, theFranklins were selectedas National MasterGardeners of the Year in2001, the only recipientsto receive standing ova-tions for their efforts.

The next time you pass a beautified town square, nursing home, or tree-lined

park, you may have a MasterGardener to thank.

Master Gardeners serve as the righthand of the Extension System’s horticul-tural outreach throughout the state.

Alabama Extension agents estimatethat between 75 and 80 percent ofinquiries from the general public con-cern horticulture and related topics.

Susie Franklin could not haveimagined how much her lifeand the lives of troubled youth

would be touched by her involvementwith Master Gardeners.

In 1996, Extension Agent David Westwas developing a horticultural therapyproject for troubled youth at the CoosaValley Attention Center in Anniston.

After securing five acres of landand building a greenhouse and nurs-ery near the center, West turned theproject over to Susie, her husbandCurtis, and other local volunteers—atall order for a handful of newly mint-ed Master Gardeners. Fortunately forthem, Hayes Jackson, an Extensionurban environmental agent, spends 20hours a week helping with the project.

“We initially expected to put in 40 hours of volunteer work the firstyear,” Franklin recalls. “By the timewe finished, we had put in 258 hours.”

It’s been that way ever since, yearafter year, she adds.

Working in the greenhouse everyWednesday enables the youth to gainhands-on classroom experience inhorticulture, earning credit towardtheir high school diplomas. But asFranklin discovered, the learning goesmuch deeper that that.

“We’ve found we serve somethinglike a grandparent role,” she says.“We encourage them, hug them, patthem on the back.”

“Some of them are astonished,because they always thought you hadto do something to earn this kind of

Green Thumbs, Caring Hearts

Master Gardeners: 20 Years of Excellence

Since the program began in Alabamain 1981, more than 6,000 volunteersin 42 counties have been certified tohelp Extension meet the horticulturaleducation needs of the public. In fact,the primary aim of the MasterGardener program is to recruit a coregroup of volunteers to assistExtension agents in disseminatinghorticultural knowledge to a segmentof the population that previously hadlittle contact with Extension.

The Green Team—Calhoun County Master Gardener Susie Franklin neverimagined her involvement with the Master Gardener program would touch somany lives so deeply. Franklin (second from right) is pictured with other MasterGardeners Mary Francis Paddock (left) and Don Specter (second from left). Alsopictured are David West (center), Calhoun County Extension coordinator, andHayes Jackson (right), Calhoun County Extension urban environmental agent.

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Becoming a certified MasterGardener requires volunteers toinvest at least 40 hours of servicewithin their first year. They are alsoencouraged to commit at least 20hours every year thereafter. However,many of the most committed MasterGardeners throughout the state farexceed this total, offering their timeand talents freely to a vast array ofprojects—projects that have addedimmeasurably to the beauty ofAlabama landscapes and to the well-being of Alabama communities.

As Autauga County producer

Hank Gaines sees it, there are two ways to make a

living in the cattle business.“Either you do nothing for your

cattle and sell them for what you canget, or you do it right by putting morecosts into your operation and endingup with more to show for yourefforts,” he says. Gaines is a strongbeliever in the second approach.

“Like every other industry, themore you know, the better chance youhave of making a living,” says PerryMobley, Gaines’ Extension agent.

The Extension-sponsored MasterCattle Producers Training Programfunctions with just this philosophy: to teach Alabama producers everythingthey need to know in order to keep upwith one of the most competitive indus-tries in agriculture. Butch Blaylock, an

Extension animal scientist, supervisesthe program.

Becoming a Certified Master CattleProducer requires six days of inten-sive training, followed by a series ofexams covering the program’s entireinstructional manual.

“Everything was covered—nutrition,reproduction, genetics, animal vaccina-tion, and forages,” recalls Mike Blake,an Autauga County producer andMaster Cattle Producers alumnus. “Theprogram does a very good job explain-ing everything in detail and helpinggrowers assess their own operationsand what they can do to put out thesort of product consumers demand.”

Through 41 county and multi-countysessions, more than 1,450 producershave been certified through the program.

Used in tandem with otherapproaches, such as Beef Quality

AssuranceCertification andinnovative marketingmethods, the MasterCattle ProducersProgram is movingAlabama producers tothe forefront of theindustry.

Quality Assurance, Maximum Profits

A True Believer—Hank Gaines (right) is a strong believer in “doing it right” whenit comes to his cattle operation. This conviction led him to work with ExtensionAgent Perry Mobley (left) to become a Certified Master Cattle Producer.

Master Gardener—Madison County Master GardenerMary Lou McNabb played a key role in establishingAlabama Master Gardeners more than 20 years ago.She, like hundreds of other Master Gardeners acrossthe state, gives freely of her time and expertise tomake Alabama a better place to live.

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Nothing prepared PickensCounty cotton producer HughSummerville for the onslaught

of insecticide-resistant budworms that“literally destroyed the entire crop” ofcotton in 1995.

Desperate, he and other growerspinned their hopes on a new kind ofcotton: genetically altered to resisttobacco budworms and other commonpredators.

Summerville had first heard aboutthe new cotton from Ronald Smith,Extension’s cotton insect expert.

“I remember Ron commenting onceabout a day when we could farm cottonwithout insect control,” Summervillerecalls with a slight chuckle. “Ithought, ‘This can’t be true, becausewe’ll always have to spray for pests.’”

Still, after the budworm devasta-tion, he was willing to try anything.But there was one big risk: the new-fangled cotton hadn’t yet been testedunder Alabama growing conditions.

He turned to Smith for advice.While acknowledging the risks, Smithadvised Summerville to follow hisinstincts and plant the cotton.

Much to his surprise, Summervillehas not had to spray for any insectssince planting the cotton more thanfive years ago.

“It’s almost like a miracle,” hesays. “Everything Ron discussed hascome to pass.”

Genetically altered cotton has liter-ally saved the farm—a fact to whichSummerville and hundreds of othergrowers can attest.

The environment benefits, too.Research compiled by Smith and acolleague in Louisiana reveals thatthe use of genetically engineered cot-ton has resulted in about one millionfewer pounds of insecticides beingapplied, thereby reducing long-termrisks to soil, water, and air quality.

Genetically altered cotton has alsoled to savings of more than 2.4 milliongallons of fuel and more than 93 mil-lion gallons of water that otherwisewould have been used in the applica-tion of insecticides.

Lean,But Effective

How Transgenic CottonSaved the Farm

Lean, but effective would be an

accurate way to describe the Mobile-based Marine

Extension and Research Center.Comprised of only two full-time

Extension specialists, the center hasnevertheless benefited hundreds ofproducers throughout the Gulf regionand, through them, many thousands ofconsumers.

Case in point: Jim Stewart, who,along with his family, runs Captain Jim’sSeafood, a crab-processing facility inMobile. Stewart developed a method forsteaming crabs that he believed wouldbetter preserve both the flavor andshelf life of the crabmeat.

But there was one rub: Stewart had toprove the crabs were steamed at a highenough internal temperature to complywith state food-safety regulations.

He turned to Brian Perkins, thecenter’s seafood technologist, for help.After considerable research andnumerous trials, Perkins helpedStewart perfect a method for reachingthis temperature without compromis-ing the quality of the meat.

“If we didn’t have Brian helping us, wewouldn’t have anything,” Stewart says.“Brian can help us with things we needthat people can’t find anywhere else.”

Perkins has also trained Gulf-areaseafood processors in a highly effective

High Cotton—Pickens County cotton producer HughSummerville inspects a stand of cotton geneticallyaltered to resist tobacco budworms. “If I didn’t havethis cotton, I probably wouldn’t be in cotton farmingtoday,” he says. Extension Entomologist Ron Smithintroduced him to the technology.

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Propane costs are an unavoid-able and often grim fact of lifefor poultry producers: unavoid-

able because propane is a staple ofpoultry production used to heat poul-try houses; grim because the costs, ifnot properly managed, can devour aproducer’s profits.

Several years ago, prompted bylocal poultry growers, Tim Reed,Franklin County Extension coordina-tor, undertook a study to determinewhat could be done to relieve produc-ers of these high costs. The solution:Poultry producers needed some formof price protection.

Working with a large gas supplier,Reed helped establish a contractingsystem through which growers couldlock in their prices over a 12-monthperiod, saving them more than$300,000 within the past few years.

“We were paying 80 cents a gallonfor gas last year,” says ScottHamilton, a Franklin County producerwho serves on the local board of theContract Growers Association.“Growers who weren’t participatingpaid between $1.60 and $1.70. Someof these growers barely squeaked bylast year. I don’t know if I would evenbe in business without the program.”

Word of the program has spread.Working with a large propane supplierin their state, Georgia poultry growershave developed a similar program.From Georgia, the program spread toTennessee and the Florida panhandle.

Recently, the National Associationof County Agricultural Agents honoredReed for his pioneering efforts inhelping Southern poultry growersmake significant savings in operatingcosts, savings that have enabled manygrowers to stay in business.

Taking the Bite Out of Propane Costsfood-safety inspection program known

by its initials “HACCP” (HazardAnalysis and Critical Control Points).

“He worked with us to scheduletraining sessions during slow times ofthe year so we wouldn’t be shorthandedduring peak periods,” says Stan Wright,a local oyster processor who alsoserves as mayor of Bayou La Batre.

“Brian has really been an asset tothe seafood industry,” Wright adds.“He’s served the primary role in mak-ing all of this possible, and wheneverwe have a question, he’s right on it.”

Perkins has trained 10 percent ofall seafood HACCP certificate holdersin the United States, reaching roughly700 individuals in six states.

Brian PerkinsMay 3, 1952 - March 16, 2002

An exemplary Extension specialist, Brian will be sorelymissed by his family, friends,colleagues, and countless people in the seafood industry.

A Better Process—Stan Wright, Bayou La Batremayor and oyster processor, credits ExtensionSeafood Technologist Brian Perkins with helping himimplement a state-of-the-art food inspection system.

Cutting Them Down toSize—Franklin Countypoultry producer Scott Hamilton (left) and Tim Reed, FranklinCounty Extension coordinator, discusshow they have success-fully managed to cutpropane costs down tomanageable levels. “I don’t know if I wouldeven be in businesswithout the program,”says Hamilton.

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There is gold in chicken litter.One truckload of chicken litter,in fact, contains the equivalent

of about $150 worth of commercialfertilizer—small wonder why hay andcattle producers pay commercialwaste vendors to spread litter ontheir fields.

But there is one hitch: If too muchwaste is applied, it can wash intonearby lakes and streams, ultimatelythreatening the safety and quality ofour drinking water supply.

With this in mind, Extensionworked with other state and federalagencies to develop the nation’s firstCertified Animal Waste Vendor programto train waste vendors to becomemore adept at applying litter at environmentally safe levels.

Many vendors, of course, havealready adopted safe practices, purelyout of common sense.

“I was always conscious of pondsand streams and how important it wasnever to spread too close to them,”says Billy Fred Lipham, a RandolphCounty poultry grower and formerwaste vendor, who is now spreadinglitter only at his own operation.

Even so, growers and program spon-sors alike concede the training, especiallydealing with calibration and recordkeeping, has benefited them in waysbeyond environmental stewardship.

“I’ve begun thinking about it morefrom an economic standpoint,” saysRandolph County vendor RitchieTraylor, who has been certified since1999. “If I apply too much litter, I know I’ll be wasting money.”

It is a point emphasized by StanRoark, a Randolph County Extensionagent who assisted ExtensionSpecialists Charles Mitchell and TedTyson in training some of the more

than 600 vendorsreached by the program in 2000and 2001.

“I’ve personallyenjoyed workingwith the programbecause it’s helpedfarmers economicallyin addition to makingthem better environ-mental stewards,”Roark says.

Fostering EnvironmentalStewardship

On-the-Job Stewardship—Randolph County wastevendor Ritchie Traylor saysExtension-sponsoredCertified Animal WasteVendor training taught himabout the economic andenvironmental benefits ofapplying less poultry wasteon pasturelands.

With assistance from the Alabama Fire Ant Management Project,Extension agents succeeded in establishing phorid flies, a majorpredator of fire ants, in Talladega, Lowndes, and Houston counties.

An Extension livestock economist is helping cattle producers markettheir animals through board, satellite, and internet sales, oftenincreasing their sales by as much as $40 per head.

With funding provided by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health InspectionService, the Extension-sponsored Gypsy Moth Survey Program moni-tored for the presence of the pest in Alabama by establishing some3,700 pheromone-baited traps in 45 Alabama counties.

Extension helped the Coastal Clean Water Partnership identify12 watersheds for water quality improvement projects.

The Extension urban entomologist identified samples of structuralpests and damaged wood for clientele throughout Alabama and inother states.

Extension carried out a federal mandate to train private and commercial pesticide applicators in Alabama, reaching almost 2,700 private applicators and almost 1,600 commercial applicators.

Working with federal and state partners in several states, the Extensionseafood technologist helped train 59 private-sector seafood personnel,11 federal and state seafood inspectors, and 12 university studentsand employees—training that helps private-sector personnel complywith federal food safety regulations.

Extension participated in several international exchanges in 2001,including projects and tours in China, Russia, Moldova, Romania,Armenia, Brazil, and Argentina.

During the last three years, Extension experts have obtained 18 winter-hardy citrus varieties from China, which they hope will form the basis for a new citrus industry in Alabama. Experts are also evaluating 100 plants from China that they hope will eventually be available to Alabama’s rapidly expanding ornamentalhorticulture industry.

Agriculture

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The Forestry, Wildlife, and Natural Resources

program area focuses on helping Alabama

manage its natural riches. The next stories

illustrate some of the ways our state and

citizens benefit.

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Forestry,Wildlife, and NaturalResources

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F o r e s t r y , W i l d l i f e , a n d N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s

Until the 1950s, RuffnerMountain provided raw materials for Birmingham’s

early mining and timber industries.When development threatened thearea in the 70s, a group of individuals,corporations, foundations, and publicand private agencies raised $2 millionto purchase the land.

Today, the mountain, located neardowntown Birmingham, is the lastundeveloped portion of Birmingham’sRed Mountain Ridge. It is also the second largest urban nature preservein the nation. The 1,000+ acres providea critical habitat for many nativespecies of plants and animals andinclude a Nature Center and a 10-milenetwork of woodland trails.

“Extension, the USDA ForestService, Auburn University’s School ofForestry and Wildlife Sciences, andthe Ruffner Mountain Nature Centerare studying how pollution is affectingthe forest on Ruffner Mountain,” saysBrenda Allen, Extension urbanforester. “We’re also developing amanagement plan and a monitoringsystem for the urban forest.”

The effects of ozone pollution areevident on Ruffner Mountain trees andplants. Leaves that are usually brightgreen have chestnut brown mottlingdue to ozone harming the photosyn-thesis of the plants. Scientists say it’stoo early to know how much damagethe pollution is causing, but they willexamine tree growth, health, and

other factors and compare resultseach year. They also will compare theRuffner results to those of studies inother Southeastern forests.

“The study will have a long-termimpact,” says Cory Thomas, executive

director of the Ruffner MountainCoalition. “We welcome the chance tobe a part of this unique educationaland scientific pursuit and to collaboratewith the premier forestry program inthe South.”

Ruffner Mountain Ozone Study

Dog RiverClearwater Revival

Several years ago, the City ofMobile decided to use the lastvestiges of the Wragg Swamp

wetland as the site for a baseballpark. A group of local citizens wereoutraged, arguing that the wetlandhelped filter the Dog River. Without it,the river would be at best uncleanand at worst, downright dangerous.

A group known as the Dog RiverClearwater Revival (DRCR) was bornin the controversy. Though it lost thatbattle, it is still working to keep theriver clean. DRCR President MimiFearn says the group depends on helpfrom Extension to keep going.

Fearn and Jody Scanlan, an Extensionwatershed project coordinator with the

Looking for Clues—Dave Wergowske,U. S. Forest Service,and Lisa Harris, directorof public relations forRuffner Mountain,check for ozone injuryon Ruffner Mountain.

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Auburn Marine Extension and ResearchCenter in Mobile, recently created theClear Water Guardian Program, areward system for contractors who“do the job right.”

“In the beginning, the membershipwas emphatic that we go after the bad guys,” says Fearn. “But that justdoesn’t work. We decided to use areward system—we recognize con-tractors who do the job right.” Thegroup has given two awards so far.They have also posted a sign on theaward-winner’s construction site.

“It wouldn’t have happened withoutExtension,” Fearn says. “We’re all vol-unteers. I have a full-time job, andalthough I devote a lot of time to this, I can’t do it all day. Having JodyScanlan paid by a grant to work onthis at least part-time has really madeit possible. Extension has never turnedus down for anything we needed.”

Duane Godwin and his familydiscovered a problem with thewater soon after building their

new home in Houston County. Besideshaving a metallic taste, the water wascausing blue-green stains in sinks andtubs. Godwin, a Dothan firefighter and apart-time farmer, contacted the HoustonCounty Extension office for help.

Godwin began working withExtension Agents Ricky Hudson andPhillip Carter. After having the watertested, Godwin discovered the waterproblems were caused by highly acidicwell water running through copperpipes. “While the copper is not thatdangerous, lead from the pipe soldercan be,” says Carter.

The Extension agents told Godwinhe had several options: abandon thewell and connect to the county’s watersupply; buy expensive equipment to

connect to the well pump to fix theproblem; or build his own filteringsystem to neutralize the well water.

Being a man who “likes a challenge,”Godwin believed he could build andmaintain the system himself.

Extension Water Quality ScientistJim Hairston provided building plans,calling for pipes, limestone chips,stainless steel grids, and replaceablepaper filters. So far, it’s workinggreat. Godwin hopes soon to add athird pipe to his two-pipe system.

“This water quality project hasbeen a real education for me,” Godwinsays. “I really appreciate the help andguidance Extension has given andcontinues to give me. They could havetold me to connect to county waterand been done with me, but they stuckwith me even though I picked theoption requiring more work.”

All’sWellwith theWell

Cleaning up Coastal Waters—Jody Scanlan (front),coastal cleanup captain, and Mimi Fearn, Dog RiverClearwater Revival president (back), load up bags oftrash from Dog River.

Well Done—Duane Godwin(left) and Extension AgentPhillip Carter check outwater test samples fromGodwin’s home well.

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When Extension beganworking to increasepublic awareness of

radon in 15 high-risk counties in NorthAlabama, no one knew the programwould be such a huge success. LastNovember, Alabama’s radon programwas recognized nationally by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency forits creativity and productivity inreaching communities and promotingenvironmental stewardship.

One success of the program is thenewly dedicated Morgan CountyAgricultural Service Center, the firstpublic service building in Alabamaconstructed with radon-resistant features.

“Extension is the educationalbranch of the Agricultural ServiceCenter,” says Extension CoordinatorJulie Dutton, “and modeling behavioris one of the best teaching tools wehave. By constructing the building

with radon-resistant features, ourcommissioners helped us model someof the things we teach.”

“It took planning, cooperation, andguts to do some of the innovativethings incorporated into the building,”County Commission Chairman LarryBennich said at the building’s dedica-tion in September.

“Julie talked with me about what it would take to add radon-resistantfeatures into the construction of thebuilding,” says Commissioner DonStisher, who was assigned to overseethe construction. The features, thoughinnovative, cost less than $500.

“We are proud of our new AgricultureService Center and appreciate Extension’sand the other agencies’ input intomaking it a beautiful and useful facili-ty,” Stisher says. “We’re grateful forthe outstanding jobs they do as theyserve the people of Morgan County.”

Model Behavior

A Model Job—MorganCounty Commissioner Don Stisher speaks toguests at the grand open-ing of the new MorganCounty Agricultural ServiceCenter, built with radon-resistant features.

Forestry, Wildlife, and Natural Resources

LINE DRIVESExtension conducted a two-day strategic planning summit for theSoutheast Alabama Trails Association to develop a stable fundingbase and assisted the Alabama Scenic Byways Advisory Council.Scenic byways and trails help Alabamians preserve, showcase, andprofit from the natural beauty of the state.

Auburn University’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences (SFWS)Extension program has educated nearly 3,000 loggers in safety, silviculture, environmental impacts, finances, and personnel man-agement. Such training helps ensure that the state’s forests remainsafe and profitable.

SFWS Extension manages a regional cooperative in the area of forest tree seedling production. Co-op members produce approxi-mately 70 percent of all the tree seedlings in the United States.

Working with organizations such as the Alabama Urban ForestryAssociation and local and state officials, Extension helped establishTree Cities USA throughout Alabama.

SFWS Extension is one of the regional leaders in the SustainableForestry Partnership, a national coalition of public universities promoting the concepts of sustainable forestry management.

Hunting is a multi-billion dollar industry in Alabama. SFWS Extensionprovides landowner and hunter education on the sustainable man-agement of game populations.

Extension and the Auburn University School of Pharmacy formed a collaborative partnership to provide a community-based asthmaeducation and intervention program.

The Alabama Radon Program has initiated radon testing in 2,768homes since October 1997. Of those homes, 22 percent had elevatedradon levels, showing the need to mitigate for radon.

The Newborn Infant Program, which began in 2001 in ColbertCounty, offers free radon test kits to families with newborns. The program is planned to expand to all 15 Alabama Radon Zone 1 (high radon risk) counties.

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Urban Affairsand New

NontraditionalPrograms

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With two-thirds of Alabamians living in urban

areas, Extension’s Urban Affairs and New

Nontraditional Programs are dedicated to this

growing segment of our population. The people

you will meet next, like so many others, have

learned life-changing lessons from Extension

programs that target urban audiences.

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U r b a n A f f a i r s a n d N e w N o n t r a d i t i o n a l P r o g r a m s

Amother of five with grand-children and great-grandchildren,Adelle Jones was enjoying

her retirement. But 31 years as anLPN left Jones with a continuingdesire to help people. Although shealready was a volunteer with severalExtension programs, she still feltsomething was missing. Then sheattended an Extension leadershipworkshop and found her calling: shebecame an activist in her community.

Judy Edmond, Extension agent atthe Urban Family Center in Huntsville,says, “Ms. Jones really inspires thepeople in her community. She’s alwaystelling them about the benefits one cangain by volunteering with Extension.”

“Oh yes,” adds Jones, “I visit all my neighbors and encourage them tobecome more involved in the community.‘Tithe of your time, not just yourmoney!’ is what I tell them.”

Jones tells of the 77-year-oldwoman she helped register to vote.“This lady voted for the first time everin the last election!” Jones also sees anew neighborhood pride in the waythe residents look out for each otherand improve their surroundings.

Jones has added yet another activi-ty to her life. She is a college studentin a general education degree programthat will help her as she volunteers in schools.

“What Extension needs is more volunteers like Adelle,” says Judy.“We’ve seen a growth of interest inthis neighborhood like never beforesince she’s been on the ResidentCouncil. People who once sat in theirhomes are now coming forward toparticipate. I’ve never known anyonewho can inspire others to do theirbest like Adelle Jones can!”

Twelve students from HaydenHigh School participated in the on-line competition of

LifeSmarts, a national consumer education program that teaches teensto be responsible citizens and consumers.All three teams scored high enough tobe invited to the state competition atExtension’s Urban Affairs and NewNontraditional Programs unit on thecampus of Alabama A&M University.

State competitions were tough, butThe Hayden Shoppers (Colene Burns,Blake Cummings, Beth Gibbs, andAaron Bowen, captain) became thestate winners for Alabama. Their

Tithing Time

Smart andPrepared

Inspiration at Work—Adelle Jones studies before she goes out to work in her neighborhood.

San Diego Bound—The Hayden Shoppers and theirsponsors are (from left, standing) Carol Reid, RondaSullins, Aaron Bowen, Blake Cummings, Jillion Bishop,and (seated) Colene Burns and Beth Gibbs.

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correct response to the question “To what temperature do you need tocook chicken?” (180 degrees) cinchedfirst place.

Originally, the Attorney General’soffice was going to sponsor the winners’trip to the national competition in San Diego, but proration of the stateeducation budget intervened, and theyhad to raise their own money for thetrip. Their families and the communitypitched in to help. One local businessdonated the T-shirts to be worn in SanDiego. The slogan on the shirts read:“Some people have Book Smarts, Somepeople have Street Smarts, But wehave… LifeSmarts!”

They loved their experience in SanDiego, and the city will never be thesame! Although they didn’t win thenational competition, just gettingthere was a major accomplishment.And they are going to try again in2002. The Shoppers will stay togetheras a team, and will pass on what theyhave learned to the rest of the Haydenteams. “Be prepared” is their recom-mendation to other contestants. And“Look out—we’re coming back” istheir dream.

Bernice B. Wilson, LifeSmartscoordinator and Extension urban specialist in resource management, is pleased with the response through-out the state. “Last year was our firstyear with LifeSmarts, and interestcontinues to grow. I’m looking forwardto the turnout in 2002.”

Gwanda Wiggins, a young singlemother of two, participated inExtension’s Welfare to Work

program in 1997. In her programevaluation, she expressed a desire totake charge of her life and get a job.Unfortunately, Wiggins got sidetrackedfor the next several years.

Then last year Cynarra Moore, aprogram assistant with Extension’sFamily Life Center in Huntsville whoworks with more than 1,600 house-holds, saw a picture of Wiggins takenduring the Welfare to Work program.Moore contacted Wiggins and gave heran inspirational poem. The encourage-ment was just the boost Wiggins needed,and she decided to keep that promiseshe had made to herself. Soon afterward,

Wiggins called Moore and said, “Guesswhat—I have a job!”

This is the first job Wiggins has hadsince high school. She loves her joband looks forward to going to workeach day. And now, with something todo with herself, the days don’t seemas long. Her children are proud oftheir mom too.

Wanting to continue her goal totake charge of her life, Wiggins hasnow been approved for a home loanand is looking forward to moving outof public housing. Wiggins recentlytold Extension Agent Judy Edmond,who is in charge of the Family LifeCenter, “I have come a long way andI’m going to win. I’m on my way!”

On Her Way

Enjoying Work—Gwanda Wiggins is enjoying her new job, her first since high school.

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Your blood pressure is at188/102. Stroke level! Havethis prescription filled and take

your medicine. These were the last wordsDianne Webster Madyun, a tall blackwoman in her very young-looking early50s, expected to hear. Sure, she hadsome symptoms. But a stroke? No way.

Madyun decided to take control ofher own health. “I grew up in a homewhere Extension was a householdword. I knew from my parents thatwhenever I have a need for information,I should call my county Extensionagent,” says Madyun. And call she did.

Mary Andrews, Extension agent inthe Shoals Urban Center, has beenworking closely with Madyun for thepast several months, using informationdeveloped through the Urban Affairsand New Nontraditional Program unit’sHealth Initiative for UnderservedPopulations on the campus of Alabama

A&M University. Andrews has plenty ofexperience working with people with avariety of health problems, includingarthritis, diabetes, and Alzheimer’sdisease, as well as hypertension.

“Mary has given me the personalattention that no doctor ever could.She’s been there for me and offeredencouragement when I didn’t feel Icould go on,” says Madyun.

With Andrews’ guidance, Madyunhas lost 10 pounds and increased herenergy level beyond what it’s everbeen. She walks about three miles aday and works out at the gym for 45minutes to an hour, six days a week.Dianne has started limiting somefoods and has added more fruits, veg-etables, and water to her diet. With alot of hard work and these lifestylechanges, she has lowered her bloodpressure to 110/70—a success storyfor Madyun and Andrews both.

When she came toAlabama seven yearsago from St. Thomas,

Virgin Islands, Cerene Prince plannedon furthering her education. Shenever planned on being a single motherof two young children, living in publichousing, going nowhere.

In an effort to improve herself andget work experience, Prince beganvolunteering at the Oscar MasonCommunity Center Library and at the

HelpingHerself

Fit and Fine

In Control—DianneMadyun (left)credits Agent MaryAndrews andExtension withhelping her controlher blood pressurewithout medication.

On the Job—With a little help from Extension,Cerene Prince helped herself get a job she loves.

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Boys and Girls Club. But volunteeringdoesn’t pay the bills. When she heardabout the Workforce Preparationclasses being taught by Extension’sUrban Affairs and New NontraditionalPrograms, she decided to sign up.

Prince enrolled in a program thatguarantees employment for WorkforcePreparation participants. She workedthe 20 hours a week required by theprogram at the Community CenterLibrary. She also attended theWorkforce Preparation classes, whereshe learned how to prepare a resumeand apply for a job. This all came inhandy when her supervisor told herabout a full-time position at the mainpublic library. Prince applied for theposition, using the resume she preparedin class, and got the job.

She now promotes the classes to others who “really want to helpthemselves.” She is grateful that“Extension was there with the help I needed.”

Prince is one of more than 10,000people who received information andassistance in job preparation from theWorkforce Preparation program in2001. In addition, the programreached approximately 580,000 peo-ple during the year through mediaoutreach. Extension Specialist RosalieLane, the program’s coordinator, saysshe is “proud of our efforts to helppeople help themselves.”

Getting Down & Dirty in theCommunity allowed the MobileCounty Teen Leadership

Connection (TLC) members to cleanup at the 2001 Alabama YouthLeadership Expo. As winners of thecommunity service project displaycompetition, these teens not onlyserved their community through hoursspent cleaning up the AIDS MemorialGarden behind the Mobile AIDSSupport Services Office, they alsospent weekends handing out informa-tional brochures at local malls andserved at the AIDS Memorial Tea.

Amanda Outlaw, Extension agent atthe Mobile Urban Center, was pleasedwith the job done by the youth. “TheMemorial Garden looked like a junglewhen we started. I was afraid we’dnever get through,” she says. But thegroup persevered. John Gordon,

director of Mobile AIDS SupportServices, notes, “Even though we all gothot and messy, I truly enjoyed workingwith such determined young people.”

The Leadership Expo involved morethan 200 Alabama youth and volun-teer leaders from across the state andwas a collaborative effort of severalagencies including the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber ofCommerce and the Madison CountyDistrict 6 Commission.

“This event was very successful inproviding youth participants with abroad range of educational opportunitiesdesigned to build and enhance leadershipskills,” says Expo Coordinator EdnaColeman. “In order to meet the challengeof leading in the 21st century, youthleaders must be engaged in developmenttraining and be involved in communityservice activities.”

TLC Works Wonders

A Lot of TLC—Mobile TLCworkers John Gordon,Christopher Stone, WilliamWalker, Ashley Franklin,Joseph Lucas (in front),Brittany Smith, ErsulaBoykin, Treneashea Stone,Antonio Cook, and AmandaOutlaw (kneeling) enjoythe results of their work atthe AIDS Memorial Garden.

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Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs

LINE DRIVESThe Yes I Can! curriculum is being used in various court and detentionprograms and other youth development programs throughout thestate. More than 4,500 young people and 600 adult female inmateslearned ways to live happier, more productive lives.

The Workforce Education and Career Assistance Network for You(www.wecan4u.net) web site designed through a multi-state agree-ment between Alabama and West Virginia provides 24-hour accessto employment-related information in both states.

Urban Extension agents spearheaded grassroots efforts to provideeducational training on domestic violence issues to 1,000 citizens.Fayette County Extension helped provide support to 150 adult victimsand 25 children in violent homes since May 2001.

Interactive seminars, health fairs, lunch-and-learn sessions, and other events reached more than 13,000 urban citizens with health-related education in 2001. Coalitions created closer alliances withhealth agencies.

In the Students Promoting Action: Community Education (SPACE) program a total of 97 student volunteers were recruited and trained.The volunteers collaborated with 20 community agencies generatingmore than 1,200 volunteer hours and reaching some 3,400 customers.

A program on dogs as companions provided dog obedience trainingand a seminar on animal cruelty and dog care. The program expandedto reach hearing and physically impaired citizens, children andadults in hospitals, and seniors in nursing homes who could benefitfrom animal companionship.

The LegalEase program was initiated to provide practical legal edu-cation to Alabama citizens, with special attention to the elderly andyouth. A legal consultant provides in-service training to county agentsand partnering agencies.

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Family andIndividualWell-Being

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Extension’s Family and Individual

Well-Being programs help people

learn better ways to be healthy

and financially secure. The people

you will meet next are a few of the

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F a m i l y a n d I n d i v i d u a l W e l l - B e i n g

Watching the grin spreadacross Jerry Carter’sface as his daughter,

Jurnee, wraps her tiny hand arounddaddy’s finger, you would think this isan ordinary moment for the pair.

These days, it is. Earlier inJurnee’s life, it was not the case.Carter is a non-custodial father anddid not always recognize the impacthe could have on his daughter’s life.

Now, thanks to the BEEing Dadsprogram in Choctaw County, he’slearned how to take an active role.

“It just makes me happy being apart of her life,” says Carter. “I’mbeing the kind of dad she deserves.”

The BEEing Dads program, fundedby a grant from the Children’s TrustFund, is at work in Choctaw andWilcox counties. It’s an offshoot of theBegin Education Early program.

Non-custodial fathers improve their parenting skills by working withExtension program assistants usingresearch-based parenting curricula.

Fathers receive books and gamesthey can use to build a relationshipwith their children. They also go onfield trips, attend family workshops,and enjoy birthday parties for thechildren whose dads are enrolled inthe program.

Sarah Spear, the Choctaw Countyprogram assistant, says she has seenCarter and the other 26 dads involvedmake great strides in the program.

“They recognize how their childrenneed them and they have the skills nowto develop a close and loving relation-ship with their children,” says Spear.

Research shows that having aninvolved father helps children avoid avariety of destructive behaviors,including early sexual activity.

But you don’t need research to seethe benefits of the program as you watchJerry Carter scoop up his daughter in abear hug and hear her giggle as heplants a kiss on the top of her head.

Tracy Gissendanner, a singlemom with twins, wanted to buya home. But she was turned

down because of bad credit—just asshe was turned down for a car loan.

Gissendanner couldn’t understandhow she had bad credit. She alwayspaid her bills on time. In her mid-20sand without reading skills, Tracy didn’tknow where to turn. Then someonesuggested she talk with Dale CountyExtension Coordinator Teresa Williams.

Williams helped Gissendannerobtain a copy of her credit report.That report showed that someone hadstolen her identity to get credit cardswhen she was only 12. The personhad run up sizable bills and neverpaid them, ruining her credit.

“We talked to all three creditbureaus,” says Williams. “We workedafternoons after Tracy got off work. Shehad to be present to authorize the creditbureaus and creditors to talk with me.We had to dispute each charge.”

It was a daunting challenge forGissendanner, who could not read.

“Mrs. Williams would read everyletter to me and explain what weneeded to do. Then we would talkabout what we needed to say in ourletter. Mrs. Williams would write theletter and read it to me to be sure Iunderstood. Then I would sign it.”

BEEing Better Dads IdentityRegained

He Enjoys BEEing a Dad—Jerry Carter and hisdaughter, Jurnee, enjoy a book and a cuddle. Carteris one of the first participants in the BEEing Dadsprogram in Choctaw County.

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For more than two years, the pairworked together, often several times a week.

Finally, the last charges attributedto Gissendanner were cleared fromher credit report.

Thanks to a clean credit report,she was able to buy a home for her-self and her children. She’s workingfor the City of Ozark and improvingher reading skills.

Her advice to others—safeguardyour Social Security number andother important papers.

“Now I keep everything like that ina safe deposit box at the bank.”

Across Alabama, the momsand dads of more than34,000 children and teens

are hearing much less of “I don’t likethat” and “I don’t want to taste it,”thanks to the Nutrition EducationProgram (NEP) and its fun and friendlynutrition lessons.

NEP educators use a variety of tech-niques to reach young people with nutri-tion information. The key—make it fun.

In DeKalb County, a puppet, ChefCombo, took children on tastingadventures via his magic carpet, whilein Dallas County, students and JaneyJunkfood learned more about healthyfood choices. The Germ Inspector helpedSt. Clair County children spot glowinggerms on their hands and fingers.

While having fun, children learnnutrition lessons that carry over intotheir lives. A number of creative andinteractive assessment tools are usedto evaluate children’s knowledgebefore and after lessons. For younger

children, there are sticker activities,and for teens a game show format quiz.

The best indication of the program’seffectiveness comes from the words ofparticipants:

“I have been eating a good breakfastat home,” says a fourth grader in St. Clair County.

“My daughter only ate five or sixthings before the program and wouldn’ttry new foods before Chef Combo.Now she’s still trying new foods,” a parent in Lawrence County says.

“An excellent program that teachesconcepts about nutrition that studentswill use for a lifetime, since so manyof my students don’t get them athome. My students enjoyed all of the hands-on learning activities,”says a teacher in Conecuh County.

“I drank my milk yesterday.”boasts a student in Tuscaloosa County.

“Thank you for teaching us to havehealthy bodies,” says a third grader inTallapoosa County.

Eating Better

Setting the Record Straight—Tracy Gissendanner(right) discusses setting up a budget with DaleCounty Extension Coordinator Teresa Williams.

Eating Right—Tia Morton,9 (left), and her oldersister, Miquela, 10,prepare a healthy after-school snack.

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Leslie Copeland was about four

months pregnant when she learned about Today’s Mom,

which is part of the Expanded Food andNutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

“I enrolled in the classes after theMarshall County Health Departmenttold me about it,” says Copeland. “I never really thought about howwhat I ate could affect my baby.”

The program’s goal is to help mothershave healthy babies who weigh morethan 51⁄2 pounds at birth. Low birthweight babies are at a higher risk fordisease and other health concerns.

Sue Moman, Marshall CountyEFNEP program assistant, saysCopeland and other expectant motherslearn how to modify their diets toinclude more healthy foods such asfruits and vegetables.

Copeland had completed four of thesix Today’s Mom classes when shegave birth to Cameron, who weighedjust over 7 pounds at birth. Copelandwas dedicated enough to come in andtake her final class after Cameron’sbirth—earning her certificate.Attendance at five of the six classes isnecessary to receive a certificate.

“Leslie is a good example of howbeing committed to the program canhelp mothers ensure their own andtheir babies’ good health,” says Moman.“I’ve been involved in EFNEP for more than 28 years, and it just makesme happy to see how this programhelps women bring healthy babies intothis world.”

Today’s Mom in Marshall County is also reaching out to the growingHispanic population. Moman and an interpreter provide classes forHispanic women, and a number of materials have been translated into Spanish.

This year, Marshall County womenwho participated in Today’s Mom hadinfants whose average weight was 7 pounds 3 ounces, well above the 51⁄2-pound goal.

Today’s Mom

Baby and Mom—Cameron takes a midmorning napwhile his mother, Leslie Copeland, a graduate of theToday’s Mom program, looks on.

Family and Individual Well-Being

LINE DRIVESMore than 5,000 people in 27 counties participated in Walk!Alabama, an eight-week walking program. Participants lost morethan 1,400 pounds and walked more than 250,000 miles. They alsoreported increased energy levels and self-confidence along withdecreased stress levels and fewer hours watching television.

Alabama Extension reaches far beyond the state lines. For example,the joint project between Extension and four South Dakota TribalColleges continued this year with hands-on-training conducted in two locations.

Nutrition workshops have been conducted across the state forHeadstart workers as part of their annual in-service training. Theworkshops emphasized the importance of healthy meals and snacksto young children.

Extension specialists in nutrition, food safety, and child developmentappear weekly on a Georgia-Alabama television station, keepingthousands updated on the latest information.

More than 80 percent of the homemakers involved with theExpanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) showedimprovement in one or more nutrition practices, including suchthings as planning meals, making healthy food choices, and preparingfoods without added salt.

Test scores of 2,200 children from limited-resource homes showed a significant increase in nutrition knowledge after completing aNutrition Education Program (NEP) course. Scores rose from 76 to 93percent. Such increases in knowledge are a first step to healthier foodchoices, which lead to healthier children.

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Communityand EconomicDevelopment

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Teamwork is the key to success

in Extension’s Community and

Economic Development programs.

The winning team is filled with

people and programs like those

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C o m m u n i t y a n d E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t

probate judges, county commissioners,mayors, and city council members.

Everyone workingfor the communityshould take thatprogram.”

Alabama communities, like

thousands of towns and cities across America, are

trying to win in the game of economicglobalization.

Extension’s Intensive EconomicDevelopment Course, established in 1984,was developed at the request of severalcommunity development professionals.They were concerned that Alabamalacked a program for helping localcommunities develop a strategy forsustaining long-term economic growth.

The program quickly developed intoone of the Southeast’s premier economicdevelopment short courses, reachinghundreds of community developmentprofessionals throughout the state.Now co-sponsored with AuburnUniversity’s Economic DevelopmentInstitute, it was initially developedwith grants from the AlabamaDevelopment Office and the EconomicDevelopment Administration.

Generous support from four companies—Alabama Gas Company,Alabama Power Company, AlabamaRural Electric Cooperative Association,and BellSouth—enables course plannersto provide each class with a topflightfaculty comprised of university professorsand state and federal economic devel-opment experts at a reasonable cost.Alumni from previous classes alsoshare what they have learned.

The course has consistently earned rave reviews from alumni who have used what they havelearned to breathe hope and life back into their communities.

“It is a great program that everyonein government should participate inbecause economic development is thebottom line,” says Autauga CountyProbate Judge Alfred Booth.

“I wish everyone involved in localgovernment could go—legislators,

Improving theBottom Line

An Intense Experience—The 2001 Intensive Economic Development Course class picture, including instructors.The course is one of the premier economic development programs in the Southeast.

Judge Alfred Booth

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Retirees, in ever-increasingnumbers, are relocating inrural areas to benefit from

lower housing costs and propertytaxes and outdoor recreation.

Extension agents and communityleaders are eagerly rolling out the redcarpet to these groups. This warmwelcome has involved working acrosscity and county boundaries to developcoalitions and long-term strategies tocapitalize on this trend.

One of the most noteworthy examplesis SEATS (Southeast Alabama Trails),

developed by Extension agents andcommunity leaders in an eleven-countyregion in southeast Alabama.

SEATS is the outgrowth of theLower Alabama Tourism and RetireeAssociation (LATARA), a project begunin 1989 by Kathy Sauer, Coffee CountyExtension Coordinator Sandra Coffey,and Dan Presley, who was countycoordinator at the time.

With support from Extension andthe Southeast Alabama RegionalDevelopment Commission, SEATS isled by a full-time executive director,Lin Graham, who is headquartered atthe Coffee County Extension office.

Graham is developing an outreacheffort involving all sectors of the localeconomy—hotels, local tourist attrac-tions, restaurants, and retirement-related industries.

“Why is it important to attractretirees to our area?” asks Graham.

“They own 77 percent of the country’spersonal financial assets, and theytypically pay more in taxes than theycost in government services.”

The Alabama Sunrise Region, thebrainchild of Clay County ExtensionAgent Tom Farrow, is another regionalcoalition based on a similar approach.Organized by Extension agents andChamber of Commerce executives infour east central Alabama counties in1993, it now includes 15 counties. Asone of its first projects, the coalitiondeveloped a video and brochure usedas part of Alabama’s promotionaleffort at the Atlanta Olympics.

The coalition is currently develop-ing a comprehensive strategic plan toguide its outreach efforts during thenext decade.

Rolling Outthe RedCarpet

United They Stand—Extension has played avital part in organizingregional coalitions toattract retirees andtourists to Alabama. Oneof the most successfulcoalitions is SoutheastAlabama Trails, an out-reach effort comprising11 counties in SoutheastAlabama.

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Community and Economic Development

LINE DRIVESThrough its Community and Economic Development program,Extension works with communities, designs programs that build ahigh quality workforce, and helps local leaders, organizations, andschools to recruit and retain businesses and industries.

Extension helps individuals learn how to find jobs, stay employed, or start their own cottage industries or small businesses. Extensionalso supports the efforts of schools and businesses as they worktogether to provide career exploration opportunities for young people preparing to enter the work force.

A collaborative effort in agromedicine helps prepare physicians for practice in rural areas. The program pairs medical students with Extension agents to visit farms, get firsthand experience of thehealth and safety risks of farming, and learn about Extension’s role in helping rural communities.

Tourism benefits from Extension expertise. Extension was involved in the first annual Alabama-Mississippi Rural Tourism Conference,the Tuskegee and Macon County Tourism Plan, and numerous othertourism promotion efforts.

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4-H and YouthDevelopment

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Preparing young people to be leaders and

good citizens today and tomorrow is the

focus of the 4-H and Youth Development

program. The next people you’ll meet are

among the many thousands of success stories

in the almost 100-year history of 4-H.

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Alabama 4-H’ers are young

men and women of action. They see and respond to

needs in their communities. Afterlearning at the fall retreat about thecritical importance of organ and tissuedonation, the State 4-H Council adoptedthe organ donation card program forits 2001 community service project.

“As 4-H’ers we realize the impor-tance of getting the word out that we, as a state and a nation, needmore people to agree to donate theirorgans so if something unfortunatehappens to them and there is nochance of survival, someone else mayhave another chance at life,” saysVirginia Mathews, a member of theState 4-H Council.

“It’s important for people to realizethat after they choose to sign a donationcard, they need to talk to their familiesso they will know, understand, and agreewith their decision,” Mathews adds.

Kickoff for the project was duringthe 2001 Auburn homecoming week-end. Four-H State Council membersare now taking their message intoAlabama’s classrooms.

This project has attracted the attentionof the state’s highest leadership.

“We received a letter of supportfrom Governor Siegelman. He is com-mitted to presenting every 4-H’er whoregisters 250 or more new organdonors with a Governor’s Service Awardand will join each winner for a photoopportunity sometime next summer,”says Molly Gregg, Extension specialist,4-H and Youth Development.

The numbers tell the story of theimportance of the project the State 4-H Council has undertaken: more than 78,000 men, women, and childrennationwide currently await lifesavingtransplants. Every 13 minutes anothername is added to the list. In Alabama,1,850 people await organ transplants.

BestInnovativeProgram for Youth

Anew Extension program iscoming to the aid of at-riskstudents in Geneva County.

STEP-UP (Students, Tutors, Educators,and Parents—United Partners), whichbegan in January 2001, is an after-school tutoring and 4-H enrichmentprogram for students at risk of academic failure.

The Alabama Juvenile ProbationOfficers Association named the programBest Innovative Program for Youth.

“STEP-UP proved to be very success-ful during the last school year when62 of 67 students in the program passed.This year we are dealing with studentswho have already been retained. We arehoping to help them find some academicsuccess. This program offers them one-on-one assistance and encouragementin an out-of-school setting so theymay succeed in the classroom,” saysAlayna W. Beckham, Extension agentassistant.

Another component of the STEP-UPprogram is 4-H enrichment.

“This year our focus is on artenrichment. Art is another way forthese students to experience success.In addition to academics and sports,

Donation of Life

4-H Council at Work—Leonora Rutland of Auburnand Leonard Hall of Opelikareceive organ donation information from JessicaSimmons, Fayette County,and Alan Balch, LawrenceCounty, both members of the 4-H State Council.

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many people find a measure of suc-cess in the arts, yet many have noexposure to it. Art enrichment can beanother form of expression for thesestudents,” Beckham says.

STEP-UP is an alliance of communityagencies. This partnership includesthe Extension System’s Geneva CountyOffice, Geneva City Schools, GenevaCounty Schools, and the JuvenileCourt of Geneva County.

From Clubto Career

Seven years ago, Jessica Kelleymet the challenge of participat-ing in not one but two national

4-H judging competitions. Today, shetakes the skills she learned from thatexperience to her job as a forester forthe Florida Division of Forestry.

Like so many 4-H’ers, Kelley’schoice of a college major and eventualcareer is rooted in 4-H.

“Four-H had a big impact on mycareer choice. I enjoyed the forestryand wildlife judging so much that Iwanted to continue it through college

and in my career,” says Kelley, whoearned a degree in forestry fromAuburn University.

“We have kids in 4-H who startcompeting in the fourth grade. As theyget more involved, they build confidenceand often discover a career interest,”says Roger Vines, Coosa CountyExtension agent.

“One valuable lesson the kids havelearned is that things don’t alwayscome easy—most often you have towork for them,” Vines adds.

“Participating in the judging com-petitions taught me leadership skills.This was especially true as I got olderand the high schoolers began to helpthe younger kids,” Kelley says.

“Four-H took me to a lot of places.I got to travel and learn how big theworld is. I also made lasting friendships.”

Four-H and forestry run in theKelley family. Jessica’s younger sisterMeagan also participated in nationalforestry and wildlife judging competi-tions. Their father is a forester withthe Alabama Forestry Commission.

Stepping Up—Omini Williams and Jason Stanley,STEP-UP students, paint a mural in the HumanResources Development Corporation building inGeneva as Alayna Beckham, Extension agent assistant, watches. The mural depicts the variousaspects of the innovative program: the 4-H clover,the state of Alabama, and students stepping up the mountain to better grades, better relationships,fun, and success.

On the Job—Jessica Kelley, now a professionalforester, gained experience in 4-H that helped herchoose her career.

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Leading Lady

Virginia Mathews is a youngwoman on the move, and shegives 4-H a lot of the credit.

“Four-H showed me I have leadershipskills. Before I became active in 4-H, I thought I was shy, but 4-H helpedme open up and express feelings andbe assertive,” she says.

The daughter of Jake and DebbyMathews, Virginia is president of theCleburne County 4-H Club and a rep-resentative on the State 4-H Council.Her mother is the Cleburne CountyExtension Coordinator.

Making the Best Better—Times Two

When Wanda Pharrisstarted looking into 4-H for her daughter,

Extension agents in Madison Countyquickly convinced her to participateherself.

“When my daughter Tiphanie was11 years old, she wanted to get involvedin 4-H, and I knew nothing about it, “Pharris says. She talked to ExtensionAgent Sylvia Oakes, who encouragedher to become a volunteer leader.

After several Saturday mornings in4-H leadership training, I started acommunity-based 4-H club calledSTARS (Striving Toward AchievingResponsible Standards) for youngstersin the Huntsville schools,” says Pharris,a victim service officer with the MadisonCounty district attorney’s office.

“Our club has done voter registra-tion drives and distributed breast can-cer awareness information. We visitedthe Alabama State Legislature andtraveled to Washington, D.C., for theNational Stand for Children rally andfor Citizenship Washington Focus,”she explains.

Pharris also developed a career-based retreat held each year duringspring break and the Urban YouthFarm Day.

Pharris offers this advice to anyoneinterested in 4-H volunteering: “Speakwith your county Extension agents.Form a group and include the parentsand children in the decision making.Get the parents involved and the professionals will pitch in and workwith you.

“The Extension agents taught me whatI needed to know and gave me support.Four-H volunteering is very much acollaborative effort,” Pharris says.

Tiphanie and her mother havecome a long way through 4-H. Wandais 2001 Alabama Volunteer LeaderAssociation president, and Tiphanie, afreshman at Morris Brown College inAtlanta, has been named a GatesMillennium Scholar, an honor thatcarries a full, four-year scholarship.

“Making the best better” is a 4-Hslogan. This mother and daughter areboth living examples.

Mother-Daughter 4-H Pride—Wanda Pharris (right)and daughter Tiphanie hold a trophy, just one of themany rewards of their 4-H involvement.

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“I became active in 4-H in the sev-enth grade. Before that, I had been in aprivate school that didn’t have a 4-Hprogram, but since my mother was a4-H agent I knew about it and took partin some of the events,” Mathews says.

“Four-H helped me learn what itmeans to be a good leader and a goodcitizen. Basically, being a leadermeans making the best of what youhave and applying it to your everydaylife,” she explains.

Mathews has been involved in 4-Hpublic speaking programs, participatingon both the district and state levels.She has also been involved in theclothing judging competitions.

“The skills I have acquired in 4-H have also led to my interest injournalism,” says Mathews, who wasa delegate to Girls’ State last summer.“In college, I am interested in studyingjournalism as well as political science.I may even want a career in politicalscience and, after college, I think Imight run for political office.”

Alabama 4-H leaders have put

lesson plans for character education into the hands of

our state’s teachers. Alabama legislatorshave mandated that character educa-tion be taught in each school for 10minutes a day.

“Alabama 4-H is committed tohelping the state’s schools, businesses,civic organizations, and individualsencourage character development andsafeguard our future,” says MollyGregg, Extension specialist, 4-H andYouth Development.

Extension has 100 people statewideinvolved in a character education program that focuses on six “pillars of character”: trustworthiness,respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. In 2001, the program reached its goal of

having a trainer in every county.Cynthia Knowlton, Monroe County

Extension agent-in-training, uses theprogram in her 4-H school enrichment.A recent experience brought home toKnowlton the impact of her work.

“Before I deliver the program, Iapologize to the students and teacherbecause I tell them that I’ll be step-ping over the line and sharing exam-ples—real ones. I tell them that Idon’t mean to hurt feelings or accuse,but what I’m about to say is realityand it’s happening in our schools.

“At the end of a recent session, theteacher told me it was about time thatsomeone spoke up,” says Knowlton,“because she had just realized thatshe was guilty of many of the things Ihad shared, and no one had ever heldher accountable.”

Character Is WhatIt’s All About

Pillar Talk—Extensionspecialists Chuck Hill andMolly Gregg conduct atraining session for a character educationprogram that focuses on six “pillars of character.”

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On the Move—Virginia Mathews credits 4-H with bringing out her leadership skills.

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More Alabama youngsters hadan opportunity to compete inyouth livestock competitions

in 2001, thanks to the efforts of 4-Hand the Alabama National Fair inMontgomery. A new category, meatgoats, was added to the four existingSupreme Competitor awards.

At the 2001 fair, 4-H’ers took home$4,100 in savings bonds, with $600 ofthat total being awarded in the new MeatGoat Supreme Competitor category.The Supreme Competitor category wasstarted in 1998 with beef cattle, dairycattle, and sheep. Hogs were addedthe next year.

“It’s less expensive to get involvedin the showing of meat goats becauseit requires less cash outlay. Thismakes the competition available tomore youngsters,” says ExtensionAnimal Scientist Bob Ebert.

“Several years ago, we recognizedthat a shift had taken place in the 4-Hlivestock shows,” Ebert says. “Too muchemphasis was being placed on the winning animals and not enough on theskills of the youngsters showing theanimals. After all, the purpose of youthlivestock shows is to develop youngsters,not prize-winning animals.

“The show ring helps kids developlife skills including decision making,responsibility, dedication, animal careand well-being, and, in some cases,oral communication,” Ebert says.“That’s where we need to keep theemphasis.”

In the Supreme Competitor compe-tition, 70 percent of the points comefrom a youngster’s knowledge or abilityto work with animals (showmanship)as opposed to coming from the animalitself.

“Without a doubt, this new compe-tition has been successful,” says Ebert.“We are rewarding and recognizingwhat youngsters know and can dorather than the conformation andquality of the animal.”

Winning is one mark of success, butyouth development—making the bestbetter—is what 4-H is really all about.

It’s the Kids, Not the Goats

4-H and Youth Development

LINE DRIVESTwo university studies released in 2001 revealed that long-terminvolvement in 4-H and similar activities helps young people developassets considered essential for lifetime success. In 2001, more than140,000 Alabama young people ages 5-19 were involved in 4-H andother Extension youth programs.

Alabama 4-H’ers joined the National Conversation on YouthDevelopment in the 21st Century. This program, which will presentthe best ideas and programs for youth development in the 21st centuryto the President of the United States, his Cabinet, and Congress, is apart of the 4-H centennial celebration planned for the year 2002. The Power of Youth Campaign is one of the ways 4-H plans to engagethe nation in developing positive youth development programs,addressing youth problems, building youth skills, generating civicinvolvement, and creating better communities.

Alabama 4-H’ers won national competitions in meats judging, live-stock agri-knowledge, livestock judging, wildlife judging, automotivesafety, and compact tractor operation, and regional awards in horsecompetition.

The Coosa County 4-H team became the fifth Alabama team to taketop honors at the national wildlife judging competition.

The Alabama 4-H forestry team has won the national forestry compe-tition more than any other team. In 2001 the Talladega County forestryjudging team gave Alabama its tenth national championship. Alabama4-H’ers took three of the top ten individual scores, including a tie forfirst place in the nation.

A Shelby County 4-H’er placed first in the nation in automotive safety.

The third annual Teen Challenge Summit was held on the AuburnUniversity campus in February. The largest youth entrepreneurshipgathering in the country, it is a part of the African AmericanEntrepreneurial Summit, which is now in its eighth year.

Alabama 4-H’ers at the 2001 Midwinter Teen Leadership Retreat initiated a statewide service project to purchase and distribute 4-Hbears to critically ill children at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.

The 4-H Teens Getting Involved for the Future (TGIF) program continuesto show impressive results in addressing the problem of high teenpregnancy rates in nine Alabama counties. In 2001, a follow-upquestionnaire to ninth through twelfth graders in Choctaw and Sumtercounties showed a dramatic difference for TGIF ninth grade participantsand a significant difference for tenth grade participants.

New Opportunity—Brandon Boyd, Torsay Norris,Justin Echols, and Arthur Boyd Jr. learn aboutlife as well as livestock through 4-H.

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Development Helps Extension Score

The events of September 11, 2001,remain painfully fresh in ourhearts and minds and have

left us all shocked, stunned, and questioning how we can help.However, a tremendous outpouring of goodwill has been inspired. It is abasic human desire to want to helpand comfort those who are suffering,and those of us working in theAlabama Cooperative ExtensionSystem are no exception. Extensionhas been a source of such informationas how to help children and youthdeal with trauma and loss, and infor-mation on anthrax and bioterrorism.

But Extension always looks to thefuture with hope. For example,Alabama 4-H’ers have been engagedin local conversations in conjunctionwith the upcoming 4-H centennial celebration, focusing on one question:“Within the next three to five years,what are the most important actionswe can take to create a future wewant for youth in our community?”

As important as Extension was toour forebears a century ago, we whoexperienced the sorrow and uncer-tainty that swept the country duringthe last months of 2001 may find thatExtension is more relevant than atany other time in our history. In aworld where change comes faster andfaster, Extension has embraced con-sistent values: hard work, responsibility,leadership, and community involvement—giving people the educational toolsto help themselves.

In the preceding pages you haveread about just some of the manyways Extension is “stepping up to theplate” to help Alabama and her citizens.In order for Extension to continueduring this uncertain time, support isneeded. While Extension receivespublic funds, those funds have dwindled.Extension has been greatly affectedby state education budget reductionsand proration, as well as level fundingfrom our federal partner—when ourcosts continue to rise. In order forExtension to continue to meet ourmany challenges, the AlabamaCooperative Extension System needsprivate support.

So many needs cannot be filled withcurrent resources. Some counties needyouth, family, agriculture, or naturalresources agents. Specialists retire orresign for higher-paying jobs in otherstates and cannot be replaced. Youthprogramming needs more support, andour 4-H youth need to be recognized for thewonderful work they do. The 4-H Centerneeds help in expanding its natural resourcesand environmental education programs.

Our families, our communities, andour state depend on the well-being ofcitizens. Join us as we work to giveAlabama a bright and prosperous future.Help Extension help Alabama.

Support comes in many ways. Supportcan be designated to a specific programor county or can be designated to theExtension general fund to supportefforts to initiate new programs. Optionsinclude gifts of cash, gifts of securities,gifts of real estate, memorial or tributegifts, gifts in kind, and corporate matchinggifts. In addition, planned or deferred giftsincluding bequests by will or living trust,life income gifts, charitable lead trusts,gifts of life insurance, retirement plangifts, and retained life estate gifts arealso options.

The Alabama Cooperative ExtensionSystem is supported by a qualified chari-table organization that meets the standardsand requirements of the Internal RevenueCode Section 501 C 3. Under this provision,all contributions are deductible for federalincome tax purposes (subject to statutorylimitations) and for federal estate andgift tax purposes.

For more informationabout charitable opportunities, please contact Beth Atkins, Assistant to the Director, Development, at 334-844-2247.ARCHIVE

Alabama Cooperative Extension System County Offices

Autauga2226 Hwy. 14 W, Suite EAutaugaville 36003-2540334-361-7273

Baldwin302A Byrne StreetBay Minette 36507251-937-7176

BarbourCourthouse, Room 105P.O. Box 99Clayton 36016334-775-3284

Bibb175 Davidson Dr., SWCentreville 35042205-926-3117

BlountFrank J. Green Bldg.415 Fifth Ave. E, Suite AOneonta 35121205-274-2129

Bullock132 N. Prairie StreetUnion Springs 36089334-738-2580

Butler101 S. Conecuh StreetP.O. Box 338Greenville 36037334-382-5111

CalhounCounty Admin. Bldg.1702 Noble StreetSuite 108Anniston 36201256-237-1621

ChambersCo. Office Bldg., Rm. 20118 Alabama Ave. ELaFayette 36862-2092334-864-9373

Cherokee102 Main Street Room 303Centre 35960-1532256-927-3250

ChiltonCourthouse, Rm. 122500 2nd Ave. NP.O. Box 30Clanton 35045205-755-3240

Choctaw218 S. Hamburg Ave.Butler 36904205-459-2133

ClarkeCourthouse BasementP.O. Box 40Grove Hill 36451251-275-3121

Clay93 County Road 31P.O. Box 10Ashland 36251256-354-5976

Cleburne72 Brockford RoadSuite AHeflin 36264256-463-2620

CoffeeFarm Center ComplexU.S. 845 County ComplexNew Brockton 36351334-894-5596

ColbertCourthouse Basement201 N. Main StreetTuscumbia 35674256-386-8570

ConecuhDavid L. Burt Ag. Center102 Liberty StreetRoom 103Evergreen 36401251-578-2762

CoosaCounty Activities Bldg.P.O. Box 247Rockford 35136256-377-4713

Covington374 Southern BypassP.O. Box 519Andalusia 36420334-222-1125

CrenshawCourthouse, 2nd FloorRoom 201P.O. Box 71Luverne 36049334-335-6568, ext. 270

Cullman402 Arnold Street, NECounty Office Bldg.Suite G-1Cullman 35055256-737-9386

Dale1702 Hwy. 123 SSuite DOzark 36361334-774-2329

Dallas429 Lauderdale StreetP.O. Box 40Selma 36702-0040334-875-3200

DeKalb111 Grand Ave. SW Suite 105Ft. Payne 35967-1991256-845-8595

ElmoreCo. Ag. Center340 Queen Ann Rd.Wetumpka 36092334-567-6301

Escambia175 4-H Ag-Sci. Dr.Suite DBrewton 36426-8149251-867-7760

EtowahCo. Annex Bldg.3200A W. Meighan Blvd.Gadsden 35904256-547-7936

Fayette650 McConnell LoopFayette 35555205-932-8941

FranklinCourthouse, Room 1P.O. Box 820Russellville 35653256-332-8880

GenevaCourthouse200 N. CommerceP.O. Box 159Geneva 36340334-684-2484

Greene#1 Professional CourtSpringfield Ave.P.O. Box 228Eutaw 35462205-372-3401

HaleAgricultural Extension Ctr.701 Hall StreetGreensboro 36744334-624-8710

Henry101 N. Doswell StreetSuite FAbbeville 36310-2105334-585-6416

HoustonFarm Center Bldg.1699 Ross Clark Cir.Suite 4Dothan 36301334-794-4108

JacksonCounty Office Bldg.16003 Al. Hwy. 35P.O. Box 906Scottsboro 35768256-574-2143

JeffersonCounty Extension Office2121 Building8th Ave. N, Suite 1700Birmingham 35203-2387205-325-5342

Lamar281 Columbus Ave.P.O. Box 567Vernon 35592-0567205-695-7139

LauderdaleCourthouse BasementRoom 1200 South Court StreetP.O. Box 773Florence 35631256-760-5860

LawrenceCounty Ag. Center13075 ALA-157, Suite 6Moulton 35650256-974-2464

LeeCounty Ag. CenterSuite 4600 S. 7th StreetOpelika 36801334-749-3353

LimestoneMarket Street Bldg.1109 W. Market StreetSuite AAthens 35611256-232-5510

LowndesCourthouse Annex Bldg.125 Tuskeena StreetRoom 125P.O. Box 456Hayneville 36040334-548-2315

Macon207 N. Main StreetP.O. Box 830629Tuskegee 36083-0629334-727-0340

MadisonStone Ag. Center819 Cook Ave.Huntsville 35801256-532-1578

MarengoCo. Office Bldg.101 N. Shiloh, Suite 100Linden 36748334-295-5959

MarionCourthouse, Room 174Military St. & Bexar Ave.P.O. Box 400Hamilton 35570-0400205-921-3551

Marshall424 Blount Ave.Suite G21Guntersville 35976-1132256-582-2009

MobileArcher Ag. Center1070 Schillinger Rd. NMobile 36608-5298251-574-8445

MonroeUSDA Service Center334 Ag. Drive, Suite 104P.O. Box 686Monroeville 36461251-575-3477

MontgomeryCourthouse Annex II125 Washington Ave.Montgomery 36104-4247334-265-0233

Morgan3120 Hwy. 36 WSuite BHartselle 35640-2406256-773-2549

Perry208 W. Green StreetP.O. Drawer 540Marion 36756334-683-6888

PickensService Center Bldg.155 Reform StreetRoom 300P.O. Box 271Carrollton 35447205-367-8148

Pike306 S. Three Notch StreetTroy 36081334-566-0985

Randolph1 Main Street SouthCourthouse, 2nd FloorP.O. Box 227Wedowee 36278256-357-2841

RussellCourthouse Annex508 14th StreetP.O. Drawer 1128Phenix City 36868-1128334-298-6845

St. Clair1815 Cogswell Ave.#103Pell City 35125205-338-9416

ShelbyCo. Ag. Building54 Kelley LaneP.O. Box 1606Columbiana 35051205-669-6763

Sumter24 Washington Street2nd FloorP.O. Drawer HLivingston 35470205-652-9501

Talladega132 N. Court StreetTalladega 35160256-362-6187

TallapoosaCourthouse Basement125 N. Broadnax StreetRoom 23Dadeville 36853256-825-1050

Tuscaloosa2513 7th StreetCo. Courthouse AnnexTuscaloosa 35401205-349-4630

Walker1501 N. Airport RoadJasper 35504205-221-3392

WashingtonTurner Hall, Court Sq.P.O. Box 280Chatom 36518251-847-2295

WilcoxCourthouse AnnexSuite 11712 Water StreetCamden 36726334-682-4289

WinstonCourthouse AnnexCourthouse SquareP.O. Box 69Double Springs 35553205-489-5376

www.aces.edu Printed April 2002, EX-36

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