University of Georgia Cobb County Extension

Transcription

1 University of Georgia Cobb County Extension Departmental Overview

2 Mission Statement: The mission of UGA Cobb Extension is to extend lifelong learning to the citizens of Cobb County through unbiased, research-based education in urban agriculture/horticulture, the environment, communities, youth and families. Our vision is a community where adults and youth are empowered by educational opportunities to make informed decisions and develop lifelong skills which improve their quality of life. What does that mean? The Cobb County Extension Office provides trainings, programs, resources and services as the educational outreach of The University of Georgia.

3 How did it all start? Land-grant universities were created in 1862 with the Morrill Act signed by Abraham Lincoln Many people were not able to get to the universities so in 1914 the Smith Lever Act was signed and federal dollars were dedicated to taking the university knowledge to the people Consists of three departments: Agriculture & Natural Resources/Horticulture Family & Consumer Sciences 4-H Youth Program What was provided to rural areas (farmers) 100 years ago is now adapted to the urban/metro areas serving residential customers, the green industry, community gardens, urban farmers, civic groups, municipal governments, schools and others in the County.

4 Why Extension is important today! 4-H Youth Speech competitions Government structure and addressing legislators Learning about environmental issues and solutions Budgeting, consumer shopping and developing life skills Family & Consumer Sciences Teaching healthy lifestyles thru nutrition and exercise Cooking with alternative ingredients Food preservation and safe food handling to individuals & food service professionals Agriculture/Horticulture Container, raised bed and community gardens Sustainable landscaping, composting in your landscape Insect & plant disease control/prevention to individuals & professionals

5 Agriculture & Natural Resources/ Horticulture Best practices in maintaining landscape Composting Water Conservation Xeriscaping Integrated pest management Environmental Issues Vegetable/fruit gardening Testing for soil, water, plant ID, disease Insect identification Train for recertification credits to pesticide license holders & arborists for state mandated certifications. UGA Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County UGA trained thru credited courses by academic faculty Volunteer hours in office Community Outreach: Maintain 16 educational demonstration gardens Provide training/education in 58 school gardens Provide training to homeowners, HOA s, civic groups, urban farmers, churches, etc. In 2017, 300 MG s made 35,913 contacts giving 22,400 hours of volunteer time and driving more than 77,372 miles.

6 4-H Youth: To assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. This is done by teaching leadership development, public speaking, healthy lifestyle, and workforce development including financial literacy. County Council Homeschool Club Community Clubs Camp Fall Forum Junior Conference State Council Junior Rally Public Speaking Competitions

7 4-H Youth: Teach AgriScience Curriculum that meets the Georgia Standards of Excellence and supports the science portion of the Georgia Milestones as well as Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math (STEAM) in 21 schools in Cobb County and City of Marietta. In-school & after-school programming In 2017, Cobb 4-H reach 15,236 school children Family & Consumer Sciences ServSafe Manager and Safe Food Handling for food service professionals Provide training for Child Care professionals The Expanded Food and Nutrition Program for families with children (Grant) Food safety and preservation to include hands on classes Nutrition and wellness Financial planning Housing Healthy relationships Parenting and/or caregiving

8 Departmental Budget County Budget $ 566,368 State Funding $ 545,667 Cobb County Board of Education $ 28,000 Grants: EFNEP Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program AmeriCorps Turf Specialist/Community Garden Educator FUNDRAISING 4-H Plant Sale 4-H Gala

9 Administration Full-time positions 10 Part-time positions 4 Grant funded positions 3 How You Can Get Involved 4-H Youth Program: Participation for your child, Bringing 4-H to your school, Being a volunteer Brittani Kelley Lee, 4-H Youth Agent Master Gardener Program: Applications or information Renae Lemon, Master Gardener Coordinator FACS Program: Volunteer or participation Terri Carter, FACS Program Assistant

10 Questions? Hope Warren, Director 678 South Cobb Drive, Suite 200 Marietta, GA extension.uga.edu/cobb