monthly highlights - extension eau claire county · 8/8/2020 · lastly, please double, triple...
TRANSCRIPT
Monthly Highlights
August 2020
Area Extension Director
Catherine Emmanuelle
Area 6 Extension Direction [email protected]
Summers typically fly by, and in the strange time warp that Covid is, July has flown by at lightning speed!
Our educators and support staff colleagues remain adaptable to the joys and challenges of all the
transitions. There are some unintentional silver linings, such as increased collaboration, efficiencies of
decreased travel, and innovations that may have some staying power. There is nothing like building
in-person relationships though, and one day we will return to being with our community in-person.
Our UW-Madison campus and the Division of Extension continue our intentional conversations around the
impact of racism, and we acknowledge that we have a long journey to go to do our part in systems changes
and our contributions to ensure our programming is best aligned to reach all pockets of the counties we
serve in. We strive to live by our inclusive values which include, “We recognize, appreciate and honor the
differences, similarities and contributions of all people and communities. We are intentional in our efforts
to ensure equity, justice and fairness. We embrace new ideas and approaches in our work,” central to our
Purpose, Vision, and Values. This work aligns well with Eau Claire County’s recognition of racism as a public
health crisis and the commitment to taking steps to address racism as an organization. I have conveyed
Extension’s support to the county administrator. While we are learning, we are proud to be a partner with
the county and very willing to share informational resources and ideas as we mutually work toward this
important work.
You may have seen that the governor is calling for additional reductions in state agencies, which includes
the university system. I do not have guidance of what that may entail, and our dean is keeping us informed
along the way.
Lastly, please double, triple check that you have Tuesday, September 1, 2020 1pm - 2:30pm on your
calendar. We are having a tri-county meet and greet, of Extension staff, committee members, and invited
county board chairs and administrators. There is a Zoom link in your email. Our theme is Working Together
While We Are Apart. Our educators are engaged in putting the final touches on the agenda, and we
promise it will be interactive and not your average Zoom. :)
Please know you are welcome to connect with me [email protected] or 715-450-0823.
Community Development
Community Development
The Community Development Educator position is currently vacant. No additional updates at this time. Please contact Catherine Emmanuelle with any questions [email protected] 715-450-0823. For information on Extension’s Community Development efforts see here, and how Extension is responding to COVID-related work supported by Community Development Educators, see here.
Agriculture
Lyssa Seefeldt
Agriculture Educator
My work on the dairy worker training modules has continued while wrapping up work on dairy heat abatement factsheets that was part of a larger statewide effort as heat abatement management applies to farms across Wisconsin during times of heat stress, while still being a local issue as well. I have been continuing work on a livestock transport emergency response module with a team of about 10 other educators. This project is intended to serve local areas and will be available state-wide. The original intent was that this would be an in-person training this fall, but with the current pandemic concerns, we are now exploring taking this curriculum to the Canvas web learning platform. What will be happening is that educators from a local area will likely be leading a group of emergency responders through the training during a certain time-frame to try to capture that “in-person” feel as best we can through technology. Taking the training to more than just a series of Zooms will allow for participants to get through content on their schedule, with a few key live Zooms for questions, interaction, and planning. I have also been continuing plans with Greg Leonard for the Agriculture and Environment Day for Leadership Eau Claire, which is running, albeit in a modified fashion. Normally the month for Ag & Environment date is in September, but we have requested it be bumped back to May to allow for time to capture video for virtual tours as logistics are currently a bit tricky. Even if we end up being able to do in-person in May, having video from a different time of the year will be helpful.
Margaret Murphy
Horticulture Agent
We are in the middle of the gardening season and I am busy with yard and garden questions. Many
people who contact me mention that they were referred to me as someone who could help them
with their garden questions. This is a good indication of how Extension is viewed as a place the public
can come to for unbiased, science-based support.
Right now, I’m getting plenty of questions on tomatoes. Two issues showing up are Septoria leaf spot
and blossom end rot. Both are very common and seen every year. Powdery mildew is being found on
squash and cucumber plants. Squash bugs and squash vine borer damage is also being reported. And,
of course, Japanese beetles are out and actively enjoying the foliage of many of our ornamental
plants. The director of the UW Madison Insect Lab, PJ Liesch, recently gave a presentation on the
Japanese beetle with over 850 people attending via Zoom, including many of our Master Gardener
Volunteers and Extension staff. Earlier in July, I gave a presentation on common garden pests in the
garden at this time of year to the Eau Claire Master Gardeners. I also was invited by my Foodwise
colleagues to do a short presentation on tomatoes for their Strong Bodies class. We hope to have
more cross-programming opportunities like this in the future.
Despite the few disease and pest issues, gardens are doing well overall. We are seeing a bumper crop
of cucumbers, which are being harvested right now. Several gardeners at the Jeffers Community
Garden and myself have donated just over 100 pounds of fresh produce in the last two weeks to Feed
My People and Agnes’s Table. The donations included cucumbers, squash, garden beans, onions, and
tomatoes.
Health & Well-Being
Sandy Tarter FoodWIse Coordinator [email protected]
Joy Weisner
FoodWIse Educator [email protected]
Pamela Warren-Armstrong
FoodWIse Educator [email protected]
Though July 2020 looks so much different than it did in 2019, we continue to engage in our
community, participate in workgroups, and make time for professional development. We’ve
taken this opportunity to learn about and expand our lessons to an online platform.
FY21 update: Sandy is drafting the 45 area FoodWIse/agency agreements to be sent through
UW-Madison approval process before sending off to partners. We’ve offered adaptation of
lessons to virtual as requested. Educators will be contacting teachers in the upcoming weeks to
get an idea if FoodWIse will be able to join classrooms face-to-face, virtually, or only able to
send nutrition information to be shared with students and caregivers.
Virtual Lessons
● Strong Bodies: new statewide series July-Sept. All Area 6 FW staff participating in
leading exercises and the nutrition lessons following.
● Cooking Matters sponsored class with WIC families in Dunn and Chippewa Counties: 12
registered; helping parents and children to incorporate more fruits/veggies into
meals/snacks. Planning a virtual event with Augusta Elementary parents.
● New- Video Review and Video Creation workgroups: Area FW staff to join in to review
what videos are existing nationwide to add to virtual lessons and potential creation of
new videos for our state.
● Strong Bodies/Nutrition Curriculum Workgroup: all Area 6 FW staff leading or
participating with this statewide group to define our online SB curriculum.
● Growing Healthy Kids, Serving Up My Plate 3rd/4th grade; Show Me Nutrition 2nd
grade: All Area FW educators participating to bring curriculum to a virtual setting.
● Boys and Girls Clubs in the Chippewa Valley: Staff in communication to offer virtual
lessons if requested this summer.
● Collaboration with 4-H virtual: Offered Statewide-healthy snacks
Professional development: FoodWIse staff continue with professional development
opportunities as able including the following this past month:
● Motivational Interviewing
● Technology training-developing zoom and virtual lesson presentation skills
● Area 6 Dare to Lead workgroup on developing leadership skills
● Race equality: unpacking the role of whiteness as Extension continues to engage in
anti-racism work
Human Development & Relationships
Yia Lor Human Development & Relationships Educator [email protected]
August marks being in my role for six months. Can you believe that?! Where has the time gone?
July was a busy month preparing for Triple P accreditation. Community partners and I have been
discussing how to roll this out in the fall, most likely virtually. I serve on the Triple P Leadership
Team, and we will hold our first meeting later this month to continue these conversations and
how to support families, especially with the school year around the corner.
The Chippewa Valley Child Poverty Coalition has been meeting monthly to discuss the impact of
COVID-19 on families. We reviewed the COVID-19 survey from JONAH, which showed the
following as stressors: finances, internet access, transportation, mental health, and coping. The
Vulnerable Populations Group through the Eau Claire City-County Health Department will also be
using this survey to discuss our next steps and priorities.
I finished training in Extension’s “Taking Care of You” program, which focuses on recognizing
stress and building a self-care practice. Educators across the state are looking at ways to
facilitate this in a virtual setting. I’ve also been collaborating with educators from Extension’s
Health & Well-Being Institute on the self-care model and how to make this more inclusive and
accessible, especially to marginalized populations.
This July, the Disproportionality Technical Assistance Network and WI-DPI hosted a showing of
“Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity,” which is a film that dives into what causes
systemic racism and its consequences. I appreciated the discussion that followed and connecting
with others across the state to hear how they are tackling this challenge in their communities. I
look forward to continuing these conversations, both within Extension and the county, around
racial equity and dismantling systemic racism.
Positive Youth Development
Rachel Hart-Brinson
4-H Program Coordinator
July has flown by! The Record Book review committee finished revising and updating our record book forms. They were reviewed by Extension’s accessibility specialist and also by an education professor at UW-Eau Claire who specializes in special education. The goal was to have an accessible process and directions for completing a record book. I am pleased that there are comprehensive directions for completing either a word document, a powerpoint, or a video submission for a record book. The options increase accessibility while also building skills. And, it might make the record book more appealing to young people. (Having to do a record book is one of the main reasons people give for leaving 4-H.) The Awards Committee met and approved the Nomination Form that is now part of the Record Book forms. There is now one page for any nomination for an award whether it is self-nominated, club leader nominated, for a record book award, or for the Key Award. I am very pleased to have worked with such a fine group of leaders to come up with a much-improved process. Also, the Awards Committee has removed all requirements around meeting attendance and public exhibits for eligibility for county awards. I have been working with Monica Lobenstein to develop a weaving curriculum. That process is through the initial review. I will continue to work on writing the 6 separate lessons. I have also volunteered to help develop and pilot a “plarn mat” service project. Plarn is plastic yarn that you can make from grocery or garbage bags. It can be crocheted into sleeping mats for the homeless. I have a youth who is willing to help develop this project and I have asked a club to help collect plastic bags and make plarn. Look for this to be released as a state-wide service project later this year. I have been trying to provide online project meeting options. I have led some “cooking together” options in Eau Claire County and for the wider state community as well.
Support Staff
Kristi Peterson
Office Coordinator [email protected]
July has gone faster than any month so far! I am in disbelief that August is upon us.
We continue to work through the budget, preparing different scenarios to work with the short falls,
new expenses and differentiations that Covid-19 could bring. This is a bit challenging with all of the
unknowns for the future.
I continue to work from home for the majority of the time. I cover the office when needed. It is
strangely quiet there but great to see my space and an occasional co-worker. We have become pros
at using Teams, Zoom, and WebEx. Although I would guess weekly someone shares a new feature or
tip. It’s the new way of work!
Andy Heren
Administrative Specialist [email protected]
This year we had a much different experience than usual for a county fair. This year it was called the Showcase. It was open only to the families of those 4-H and FFA kids who were showing. Families were allowed admittance only for the days which they were actively showing. My involvement in the fair is much diminished from previous years as we move to the organization of a fair committee and fair coordinator. While it was much different than usual, I greatly enjoyed my involvement in planning and my time there. Now that that is behind us, I will be working with Lyssa on some databases that she has been wanting to put together. I will also be helping Rachel with the fall jobs of 4-H recognition, Record Books, and Charters. I also continue to help Margaret as diseased plants and insect samples are brought to us for identification. Just a reminder that our office is open (by appointment, please) to do our usual business. Our normal office hours are 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:30, but they can fluctuate, so please call first.
We’re a part of UW-Madison! Click here to read about Extension’s transition updates. Developments in the planning process can be found at https://universityrelations.wisc.edu/extension/