Holmes County Northwest Extension District Shep Eubanks - CED July 1, 2003

Who We Are (Insert information about the office) Faculty members ● Shepard D. Eubanks County Extension Director (Agriculture) ● Suzanne H. Wilson 4-H Agent ● Judy Corbus Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Staff members ● Patricia Perry Secretary/Receptionist

Who We Are (Insert information about the office) Budget: $74,294 Facilities: 980 sq. ft. Office in Courthouse; 5500 sq. ft. Ag. Center for meetings Major equipment purchases this next 4 years: ● Replace existing office computers ● Acquire better printers for newsletters

Holmes County Profile 18,564 - total population 6,921 - number of households 3,257 - youth population

Holmes County Profile 309,120 – acres total in Holmes County 578 - number of farms 87,582 acres on these farms 41,243 acres total cropland 26,465 acres of woodland 30,335 acres of pastureland 210,700 natural resource acres total Major industry: Poultry – $20 Million Forestry – $ 7.5 Million Livestock - $6 Million Field Crops - $4 Million

Holmes County Profile Median household income - $27,923 Poverty level - 19.1 % (12.5 %) Child Poverty – 25.7% (17.0 %) Free or reduced lunch – 64.7% (52.3%) Major employers – Prison, School System, County Government

Listening Session Report What we heard in the listening session that was expected…… 1) Sense of Community/ value of the rural lifestyle. 2) Growth pains: Impacting quality of life . Lack of jobs is an issue. Our youth are at risk. 3) Agriculture is still important, citizens value Extension, local school system. What we heard in the listening session that was unexpected…….. 1) Citizens would like to see growth, but their perception is that local “powers that be” are opposed to growth. 2) Great concern about unfunded state mandates and their impact on services the county provides.

Listening Sessions How we incorporated what we heard….. 1) The faculty and their Extension Advisory Committees will develop the four year plan of work (2004-2007) that reflects the needs of currently targeted audiences and the emerging issues and priorities identified in the listening session. What we were unable to incorporate and why….. 1) Extension is not able to address problems related to lack of infrastructure, government mandates, etc. 2) Extension is unable to address specifically the lack of jobs and industry development in the county.

Holmes County Plan by Program Area Agriculture Natural Resources 4-H Youth Development Family and Consumer Sciences

Agricultural Program Summary Major Priority Areas : ● Sustainable Agronomic Crops ● Beef Cattle and Forage Management ● Alternative Agricultural Opportunities Target Audience(s) : ● Traditional crop and livestock producers ● New rural land owners ● Part time farmers and ranchers

Agricultural Continued Long Range Goals: ● Help farmers understand the profit impact of the new Farm Bill ● Develop and deliver educational programs emphasizing the benefits of precision agriculture and irrigation and the benefits of integrated crop and livestock systems of production. ● Increase awareness of opportunities for eco-tourism on the farm and increase opportunities to profit from natural resources on the farm.

Agricultural Continued Outcome Measures: ● Number of producers adopting BMP’s. ● Number of producers adopting precision farming methods. ● Number of citizens involved in eco-tourism activities. ● Measure growth of small farm/ranchette niche market development (wildflowers, wiregrass, etc.)

Natural Resources Program Summary Major Priority Areas : ● Forestry for non-industrial landowners ● Wildlife Management for non-industrial landowners Target Audience(s) : ● 924 Private Forest Landowners in Holmes County. ● Hunting lease holders on these lands

Natural Resources Continued Long Range Goals : ● Increase sustainability and profitability of forest landowners through improved marketing and management of timber production on private lands. ● Increase landowner awareness of BMP’s on forest lands. ● Improve stewardship of the natural resources on private forest lands including wildlife, water, and soil.

Natural Resources Continued Outcome Indicators: ● Number of landowners attending group learning experiences. ● Number of landowners adopting best management practices on their forest lands.

4H Program Summary Major Priority Areas ● 4-H Clubs located through out the county ● 4-H Clubs participate in a variety of activities ● 4-H School Enrichment programs provide a variety of project areas and reach different ages ● 4-H After School Programs expanding to reach more youth

4H Program Summary Target Audience(s): ● 2714 Holmes County youth ages 8-18 Long Range Goals: ● Increase volunteer and youth members - establish additional 4-H clubs in remote areas - increase involvement of 4-H youth with local government to increase 4-H visibility

4H Program Summary Long Range Goals: - improve communications with community organizations and churches - encourage involvement of local officials in 4-H activities

4H Program Summary Outcome Indicators: ● 4-H clubs to serve extreme North and Western areas of the county ● County officials will improve awareness of 4-H program needs (and build an extension office) ● Other youth organizations will coordinate activities to increase opportunities for youth to participate in meaningful activities

FCS Program Summary Major Priority Areas ● Improving Family Resource Management Target Audience(s) ● First-time homebuyers ● Working families ● Youth Long Range Goals ● Improve economic well-being of Washington and Holmes Counties families through resource management education Outcome Indicators ● Families will set up a spending plan; reduce debt ● Families will qualify for a home mortgage ● Individuals will develop a retirement plan

FCS Program Summary Major Priority Areas ● Nutrition and Health Target Audience(s) ● Adult population, 4-H and other youth Long Range Goals ● Washington and Holmes Counties citizens will improve their dietary intake to reduce the risk of chronic diseases Outcome Indicators ● Increased number of youth making healthful food choices ● Increased number of adults making healthful food choices

FCS Program Summary Major Priority Areas ● Developing Family and Community Education Leadership Target Audience(s) ● General Public Long Range Goals ● Develop leadership skills to positively impact family and community development Outcome Indicators ● Number of FCE members communicating with community leaders and elected officials regarding family and community issues ● Number of FCE members participating in community service projects

Multi State Program Summary Major Priority Areas ● 4-H Youth ● Family and Consumer Sciences ● Agriculture ● Natural Resources Target Audience(s) ● Youths ● Families ● Volunteers ● Farmers ● Homeowners

Multi State Program continued… Long Range Goals ● To coordinate Extension programming in 4-H youth, family & consumer sciences, agriculture, and natural resources to the mutual benefit of agents, specialists, and the clientele we serve in each state. Programming could include: organizational/leadership development, volunteer recruitment, shooting sports, consumer education, parenting & human development, food & nutrition, commercial agronomic crops, commercial livestock and forages, small farm alternative enterprises, wildlife plots, and water issues.

Multi State Programs continued… Outcome Indicators ● Adoption of management practices and/or behaviors ● Increase in knowledge and skills

Needs to Accomplish Plans County Positions: (County Funded) ● New 4-H Secretary ● New 4-H Program Assistant Professional development : ● Precision Agriculture Training ● Wildlife Management (rural) Training ● Human Resource Management (Grant Funded Employees ● Evaluation and Accountability for 4-H

Needs to Accomplish Plans Northwest District Positions : ● More Multi-County Horticulture Agents Professional development : ● Information Technology

Needs to Accomplish Plans State Positions : ● Weed Specialist stationed at Quincy ● Housing and Home Environment Specialist Professional development : ● Control Guides made available timely each year and free to agents. ● More dollars for Information Technology and Delivery Systems such as PolyCom, Master Wildlife, Master Tree Farmer, etc. ● In-Service that is driven by quick response to important changes and challenges. ● The need for updated factsheets on home purchasing and the increased concern about indoor air quality issues warrant a specialist in this area.

Summary slide In Summary: ● Holmes County is experiencing some growth, but remains a poverty stricken, economically depressed area. ● Holmes County needs improved information technology capabilities and equipment. ● We need adequate office facilities to meet our expanding role in the community.

Thank you Holmes County Northwest Extension District Shep Eubanks, CED July 1, 2003