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Parishes

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West Carroll

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Quarterly Reports

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April - June 2007 Quarterly Report Ag & Natural Resources Planted 26 varieties in soybean variety trail, ten in cotton variety trail and five in sweet potato seedling trial. Presented program to 190 4-H’ers on Agricultural Careers at 4-H Awards Day. Conducted Pesticide Handler Training for 13. Conducted a beef referendum, in collaboration with parish and state Cattlemen’s Association, with 24 local beef producers voting on the $.50 beef check-off money. Hosted a video conference for 16 beef cattle producers on Animal ID and Source Verification. The SU AgCenter served as a partner with Heifer International to educate small farmers about alternative farm enterprises. Information was presented on goat production, and also a goat showmanship clinic was conducted. Board members of two nonprofit organizations participated in a board training workshop and learned the ten basic responsibilities of nonprofit boards. Family & Consumer Sciences A six-week series of parenting classes, including Communicating Clearly, Disagreeing Respectfully, Managing Your Anger and Talking Positively was taught to parents of the Even Start Program, where 28 increased their parenting skills. Conducted parenting and financial management classes for the parents in the STEPS Program. Hosted a workshop conducted by the Louisiana Department of Highway and Safety in which ten volunteer leaders and 40 youth learned skills to help prevent underage drinking & bullying and to build selfesteem. The 10th Annual West Carroll Farm Safety Day Camp school enrichment program for all 152 parish 5th graders provided ten 20-minute safety sessions in animal, electricity, fire/weather, first aid, firearm, grain, seatbelt, small power tools, tractor and gas safety. A new station introduced was a specially equipped fire/weather trailer where youth could experience a mock tornado and fire drill. A total of 52 adults and 27 youth volunteered over 635 hours to hold the camp. Bone density screening, body fat and weight calculations and educational materials by FCS agents were among the 14 stations run at the West Carroll Health Fair sponsored by the Council on Aging, White Oaks Apartments and the LSU AgCenter. Some 76 adults received information on healthy living. The results of the bone density screening of 63 adults showed 53% Normal Bone Mass, 41% Low Bone Mass and 6% indicating Osteoporosis. At its yearly meeting, the FCS Advisory Leadership Council identified parish needs and ways to address them, including the need for increased education for diabetes/pre-diabetes through health fairs, workshops and trainings; workforce development/work ethics training for youth & adults; and increased collaborations with parish agencies to address youth issues. 4-H Youth Development Of the 342 Jr. 4-H members, 49% demonstrated project completion by either completing a record book or conducting a demonstration. All were recognized for their accomplishments at the 4-H Awards Day. Farm Bureau sponsored the awards program. Six 4-H members and 15 parent/adult volunteer leaders participated in the State Shooting Sports Contest in Alexandria. Eight Sr. 4-H’ers competed at 4-H University on the LSU campus in ATV, Consumer Decision Making, Career Preparation Interview and Nutrition Illustrated Talk contests. Winning Blue Ribbons were Whitney Anderson, Callie Bass, Ben Bennett, Renea Creech and Mackie Groom. Twenty-five 7th & 8th graders participated in the area TEAM Camp where they learned teamwork and communication skills. Activities included building and launching rockets and cardboard boats, team-building activities and etiquette practice at the banquet. Twenty-four 4-H Jr. Leaders attended Farm Safety Counselor Training where they learned strategies for supervising 5th graders at Farm Safety Day Camp. All youth completed the learning experience by participating as counselors at the safety camp.

Posted on: 9/7/2006 1:19:52 PM