   Cooperative Extension is Growing in Yavapai County - June 11, 2014 Jeff Schalau, Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County I’ve been the County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Yavapai County for 16 years. Usually, people shorten my title to “County Agent”. I am a faculty member and local administrator for the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension which is part of the UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. I develop and present locally relevant educational programs that teach people science-based information and practices that can increase efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. My primary audience is the citizens of Yavapai County. I lead a team of eight employees that reaches people through classes, workshops, demonstrations, and individual consultations. We also use electronic means to facilitate communication and extend education (e-mail, websites, digital photography, Facebook, and Twitter). Cooperative Extension responds to local issues through direct interaction with decision makers and citizens. Our mission is: To engage people through applied research and education to improve lives, families, economies, and the environment in Yavapai County and beyond. We are supported by the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, the State of Arizona, and the federal government. Each county has a seven member Advisory Board consisting of local stakeholders which assist Cooperative Extension in identifying needs, staying focused on important locally relevant issues, and acquiring resources. Yavapai County Cooperative Extension focuses on the following educational areas: 4-H Youth Development, animal science, small farms, gardening, landscaping, food safety, early childhood development, forest health, range management, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, and water resources. Many of our services are free and more involved courses have a minimal cost to cover printing and other expenses. We have offices in Prescott and Camp Verde (go to the website extension.arizona.edu/yavapai for contact information). Cooperative Extension reaches even more people through the use of trained volunteers. In Yavapai County, these include 4-H Leaders, Master Gardeners, Master Watershed Stewards, and “Wild Over Water” (WOW) classroom volunteers. 4-H Leaders teach life and leadership skills to youth. Master Gardeners answer gardening, landscaping, and pest management questions, provide assistance to community gardens, and teach horticulture through informal seminars. Master Watershed Stewards teach youth and adults about water and natural resources and assist with local water-related projects. WOW classroom volunteers bring lessons about water resources into school classrooms. Grants, gifts, and contracts are sought to enhance targeted program areas such as small farm development, water resources, outdoor education for youth, and wildfire defensible space. Seeking, securing, and managing grant funding is a considerable part of my work. As a faculty member of the UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, I also publish peer-reviewed information and assist with and conduct applied research. Local Extension Agents also collaborate with campus-based Extension specialists to develop and present new information to county residents. I also collaborate with Cooperative Extension faculty in other states to develop new approaches and information that address issues we have in common. Over the past several years, budget cuts diminished our funding and hence our capacity to offer the above mentioned services. However, earlier this year, University of Arizona President Ann Weaver Hart, the Arizona Board of Regents, Governor Jan Brewer, and the Arizona Legislature supported legislation that appropriated $3.5 million/year in additional funding to support statewide Cooperative Extension programs. These funds will allow Cooperative Extension to add three new faculty members in Yavapai County. One devoted to 4-H Youth Development, another to Family Consumer Health Sciences (nutrition, health, and families), and the third to commercial horticulture with an emphasis in fruit and nut crops. I thank our local and state elected officials and leaders for their support and I am already working to fill these positions. Many others advocated for this support – I thank them as well. This additional funding is great news for the residents of Yavapai County and Arizona. Cooperative Extension has always met new challenges through the application of science and innovation. These new faculty will increase our capacity to deliver locally relevant information and enrich the lives of Yavapai County residents. Follow the Backyard Gardener on Twitter – use the link on the BYG website. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener help line in the Camp Verde office at 928-554-8999 Ext. 3 or e-mail us at verdevalleymg@gmail.com and be sure to include your name, address and phone number. Find past Backyard Gardener columns or provide feedback at the Backyard Gardener web site: http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/.  |