2009 Meigs County Highlights

Ohio State University Extension, Meigs County

117 E. Memorial Drive, P.O. Box 32, Pomeroy, OH  45769                

Phone:   740-992-6696        Fax:   740-992-7931

www.meigs.osu.edu       

2009 County Impact Statements

Strengthening Families and Communities

            The Meigs County Family Nutrition Program made contact with 974 participants in 142 direct contact programs from October 2008 to September 2009. Participants received information related to the Family Nutrition Program objectives of dietary quality, food safety, thrifty food shopping and food security.  A series of classes were taught on the topic of food safety to 44 individuals.  When surveyed, scores showed an increase in the number of participants who used a thermometer to check if foods were fully cooked. The mean of those using the thermometer increased from 2.30 (out of a scale where 1 equals never and 5 equals always) to 3.64. Increases in other targeted messages were also noted.  Some of the comments from the participant questionnaire were: “I plan on using a thermometer to check the temperature of my foods from now on”. “I did not realize that you could no longer rely on the color of meat to check for doneness.”

             Twenty one programs related to food safety were taught to the youth in Meigs County with the partnership of the Sisters of St. Joseph Charitable Fund and the Meigs County Family Nutrition Program.  Eighty three children attended these programs with teachers and volunteers estimating that 75% of the youth improved their hand washing behavior after a presentation using the Glo-Germ materials to represent how germs remain on hands if they are not washed properly.

Educational displays were presented at the Meigs County Council on Aging, Mulberry Community Center, the Meigs County Cancer Initiative and the local Curves business to help promote healthy lifestyle choices, thrifty food shopping ideas, and ways to keep food safe. These displays were viewed by approximately 250 residents who also received fact sheets concerning these topics.

The OSU Master Gardener program has provided eight new and fourteen prior participants with the opportunity to improve their gardening skills and share this knowledge with others in the community. Over 225 hours (valued at $4,000) were donated to local village beautification projects; Senior Citizen plant exchanges; and demonstrations on herb use, plant propagation, and household plant use.

Preparing Youth for Success

The Teen Leaders program in Meigs County continues to grow.  Teen Leaders have served as Camp Counselors, Health Rocks Mentors, Community Ambassadors, event volunteers, and much more.  Together the Teen Leaders have contributed over 500 hours of community service to Meigs County.  One-hundred and fifty of these service hours were conducted by Health Rocks Teen Mentors in the afterschool programs.  The teens taught and mentored school age youth about making positive decisions about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco in a six week program.  In evaluations youth indicated increase understanding of making decisions and living with consequences. 

In 2009 2 youth from Meigs County earned State level Achievements.  The Environmental Sciences Achievement Award and a State level 4-H Scholarship was award to Meigs County Teen Leaders.  The Achievement Record program had a 45% increase in applicants this year. 

In 2009 1424 out of approximately 4500 available youth participated in some form of OSU Extension programming.  This is 32% of the youth population benefiting from Extension in Meigs County.  This includes community clubs, camping, day camps, quality assurance for livestock, afterschool, school enrichment, and special interest programming. 

Enhancing Agriculture and the Environment

Saved over $6,600 for 28 landowners in registering 66 parcels of farmland containing 2,199 acres under the property tax program, Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV). Provided soil test assistance to 37 agri-businesses and reviewed results involving 345 acres of grain crops, hay fields, pasture, vegetables, and sport’s turf.  Nutriment management was improved as only necessary nutrients were recommended to apply reducing the environmental impact of excess nutrients washing into our waterways.

Three pesticide recertification trainings were held for eighteen agribusinesses.  They operate 2,000 acres and four greenhouse ranges that earned nearly $3, 000,000 of farm income. Over 95 % of participants indicated that they had improved their personal safety, protected the local environment, and complied more easily with federal regulations after receiving pesticide training. One farmer commented that “he was better able to apply pesticides in a safe manner”.

Forty two horticultural firms were visited and advised as to how to improve their crop production, markets and pest control. Several hundred Ohio growers were exposed to ways to improve their growing, harvesting and marketing of food crops through a produce food safety class supported by an OSU Outreach and Engagement Grant.

Over 70 landowners, college students, land managers and conservationists from two states attended a day long program entitled,  “Be Wild, Go Native”. The program emphasized the use of native plants to replace invasive plant both in natural areas and landowner’s backyard. Landowners need to take the lead to influence future gardeners and public officials in the need to use native plants to reduce nutrient runoff, improve our fragile ecosystems, and reduce the need for unnecessary irrigation.  

Advancing Employment and Income Opportunities

            High School Seniors across the county have participated in the Real Money Real World course as part of their economics classes.  Youth completing the program reported increased knowledge and understanding of what they will be facing following graduation.

• 95% of youth indicated that participating in the Real Money Real World Program gave them a better idea of what’s involved in earning, spending and managing money.
• 94% indicated that participating in the program will help in the future.
• 69.1% indicated that they increased understanding of having a spending plan for both wants and needs.
• 61% made comments about increasing knowledge of child care cost or waiting until they are financially ready to have children.

            Real Money Real World is strongly supported by community volunteers.  Community supporters from the local banks, car dealership, insurance agencies, schools, and many more have donated their time and knowledge to the teens in the simulation portion of the program.  After volunteering one time, the adults ask to be on the list of volunteers for the next session and remark on the value of the program.

            Working with Pomeroy Merchants Association and Meigs County Tourism assisted in the development of Big Bend Farmers Market held on Friday evenings.  Up to nine vendors sold produce and crafts by the end of the summer.  Buyers came from throughout Ohio supplementing their weekly grocery purchases with fresh vegetables and local crafts as they visited local jazz concerts, Wild Horse Cafe and the Sternwheel Festival.