Clallam

Saving farmland is a major concern in this area. To accomplish this, a stronger connection needs to be established between the farms in the area and the food they produce. One event which focuses on strengthening this relationship is the third annual Harvest Celebration, which was held in Clallam County on October 2nd. The event included tours of eleven local farms with educational displays, music, food, and other activities. Over 3000 people participated. Following the celebration, a dinner was prepared by two local chefs and served by employees of a local real estate company. All food was donated by farmers in Clallam County. Proceeds from the tours and dinner went to a new local foundation called “Friends of the Fields,” whose purpose is to protect and promote a sustainable agricultural industry in Clallam County.

Clark

As part of the need for public awareness and action to improve the environment for struggling salmon stocks, WSU Cooperative Extension in a partnership with Clark County and Washington State Department of Ecology established a local Watershed Stewards Program. The effort is patterned after WSU’s internationally successful Master Gardener program. Twenty local volunteers received approximately 60 hours of classroom and field watershed education training. The program participants will work as catalysts in their communities to help carry the message of clean water and improved environment for endangered salmon stocks in southwest Washington. These Watershed Stewards will lead educational efforts in local schools and communities to raise awareness that we all impact the habitat of these fish.

Cowlitz

WSU Cowlitz County Cooperative Extension conducted the Lower Columbia Leadership Academy program which provided in-depth community leadership development training for 25 area residents. This program has been instrumental in preparing individuals for commitment to and productive involvement in local community development activities.

Grays Harbor

WSU Cooperative Extension Grays Harbor obtained a $135,000 grant from the Higher Education Coordinating Board to help up to 150 disadvantaged youth access higher education. The grant’s focus is to help mentor prospective students who have potential to obtain two- or four-year degrees.

WSU Learning Center implementation on the Grays Harbor College campus is proceeding, with approximately 15 students scheduled to graduate in May 2000 with elementary education degrees, the final two years through WSU via the Washington Higher Education Telecommunications System (WHETS).

Jefferson

Jefferson County has one of the highest per capita youth suicide rates in the state. Like many rural counties, Jefferson County is looking for an alternative way to address the youth problem.

Since l997, WSU Cooperative Extension has facilitated a new youth partnership called YIPPEE (Youth Initiative Pilot Project, Examples in Excellence). In 1999, an additional paid staff was added to Extension to help with this program; one of only four state Governor’s awards was received to continue and expand the program; and a grant will expand the program to include parenting support classes.

During the summer of l999, a full-day program was offered to about 40 students. The project galvanized local interest in youth problems. Bluegrass concerts, field trips, and community meetings were held to provide scholarships for a majority of participants. High school students were hired as camp counselors and provided important leadership training. A partnership with law and justice, youth intervention specialists, and county leadership continues to seek ways to work together. In 2000, Jefferson County will contract directly with Cooperative Extension to continue and expand the YIPPEE program.

Lewis

Small vegetable farmers in western Washington have new crop opportunities. Extension Agricultural Systems Agent Carol Miles has worked with farmers, marketers, and extension colleagues to develop production guidelines, consumer nutritional brochures, and recipe cards. Currently the program is developing a Farmer-Restaurant Directory to link farmers directly with restaurants and chefs throughout the state. The main focus of the program is to expand market opportunities and increase direct sales revenues for small farmers throughout the region while adding nutritional value and quality to consumers’ diets.

Mason

WSU-CE obtained a $20,000 “local capacity grant” from the Mason County Department of Health which allowed us to train and hire two educators on a part-time basis to teach ServSafe and other nutrition programs. The biggest impact was the partnership developed with the Mason County Health Department, which helped support relationships with county government. Efforts from the Family Living/Food Safety Agents helped make “Germ City” a hit with the public. “Germ City” teaches individuals, mainly youth, the importance of hand washing and over 30,000 people went through the Germ City program at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup.

Pacific

Conflicts between ocean going tugs and commercial crab gear caused severe problems along the Washington, Oregon, and California coasts in the late 1970’s. Crab pots were fouling tugs and barges as they moved between ports, and the loss of crab gear was a severe economic problem for commercial fishermen.

In 1997, Marine Resources Agent Steve Harbell accepted the leadership of this Crabber/Towboat Lane Negotiation Project, to assist the commercial crab and towboat industries in determining tug lanes to avoid gear conflicts. He held meetings with coastal crabbers and towboat company representatives to review current lane agreements, and discuss changes and problem areas.

The 1999 edition of the West Coast Towlane Charts provides for additional critical fishing areas in northern California, and reflects the many changes developed over the last two years. Modified charts are now in use by both commercial fishermen and barge operators from Cape Flattery in Washington, to San Francisco, California. The project is estimated to be saving nearly a million dollars for these industries each year.

Skamania

Based on woodland owner feedback from a five-county service area, Area Extension Forester Ole Helgerson planned and carried out a number of area programs. In the spring, he taught an eight-class forest stewardship planning in Skamania County. In Clark County, an Estate Tax Planning program was conducted in the spring and a Federal Income Tax Planning program in the fall. More than 70 participants came from eight counties in Oregon and Washington and rated the programs as providing information they would put to use. Direct and indirect program support was provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Underwood Conservation District, the Clark County Chapter of the Washington Farm Forestry Association, Skamania County, Washington State University, Oregon State University and the USDA Forest Service.

Thurston

In 1999, WSU Cooperative Extension Thurston County faculty and staff developed a three-year strategic plan to focus resources on local issues. Local clientele, program representatives and officials were consulted to help identify priorities. A half-day presentation was held with the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners to explain the strategic plan. As a result of this effort, county commissioners “invested” in Extension by approving a move to a new office location, a five-year lease (one to two years is the norm) with an option to renew, increased office space, substantial annual lease increase, one-time moving costs, and upgrading of telecommunication systems. Thurston County is excited about this partnership and anticipate program and service growth in the years ahead.

Wahkiakum

In 1999, the WSU Wahkikaum County Cooperative Extension office was moved next to a state-of-the-art educational meeting room which has the ability to use satellite TV, play back videotapes, project images from videotape players or computers, view overhead transparencies or slides and use electronic white boards. The Extension office now has three computers available for public use. Lower Columbia College (LCC) provided one and the county, the other two. The computers are also used for distance education opportunities that began in January 2000. Currently there are five WSU Extended Degree Program (EDP) students in Wahkiakum County who use the computers and the Extension office for exam proctoring. More community members will be able to take distance education courses from LCC and the WSU EDP program locally. LCC also plans to offer some computer classes and some basic GED and GER type courses. More room will likely mean more training conducted via technology. The county commissioners are very supportive of efforts like this to bring more distance education opportunities to Wahkiakum county.