BEDFORD – Tuesday morning during the commissioners’ meeting, Grace Thompson, Health Human Science Educator, presented the Purdue Extension Lawrence County quarterly report for October – December 2022.
Some of the highlights included in the report were:
- 8,455 plus minutes of education were provided to youth and adults within the community
- 506 client consultations were made
- 35 community and coalition meetings were held
- 120 plus educational programming sessions were held
- 8,320 plus social media reaches were made
- 70 plus 4-H meetings were held
- There were 2,500 plus in-person and virtual education participants
Here are a few of the programs Purdue Extension Lawrence County presents:
Cattle & Canvas
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, 36 percent of all ag producers are female. For Lawrence County, this figure is 38 percent with 534 county farms having a female as the principal operator.
In order for local producers to continue their efforts successfully in beef production through a cow herd, where Lawrence County ranks number 1, education related to beef production is needed.
Ag and Natural Resources (ANR) and Health and Human Sciences (HHS) Educators from Lawrence and Washington Counties hosted a program that focused on beef programming opportunities and healthy meal options with beef while providing an opportunity for farm women to find fellowship. Registration for this program was filled in less than a week with 26 people participating. Ninety-two percent of attendees learned of Extension programming or opportunities they had no knowledge of prior to the event.
Vet 106
According to the USDA Ag Census, Lawrence County is the top county for beef cows in the state. However, the number of large animal veterinarians making farm calls is decreasing annually. The Vet 101 series started in 2017 in partnership with Spring Mill Veterinary Services, Dr. Jerry Rusch, and Dr. Ellen Burcham.
This program includes hands-on demonstrations utilizing live animals to teach skills in their home farms. Twenty-two people participated in the class.
This year’s program featured topics included:
- When to contact a vet
- Calving issues
- Calf fractures
- Respiratory issues
- Scours
- Handling facilities discussion and more
Ninety-one percent of individuals in attendance reported that having insight related to after-calving care was useful to their operation needs.
Community Wellness Programs
The Health and Human Sciences Educator completed Lawrence County Food as Medicine program classes at the Solutions Center in Mitchell. Each family that signed up for the program received one free meal kit per week, over a 20-week period, with the program ending in October 2022.
During the Food, Fun, and 4-H program families that completed the program received a cookbook and a 4-H membership for youth who participated. Planning for the future of these programs depends on funding to offer both again in 2023.
In the fall of 2022, Burris Elementary teacher Cassie Leonard invited the Community Wellness Coordinator accompanied by an Area Health Educator from IU, to help the class close their garden for the winter. Students harvested produce from the garden and prepared the garden beds to be planted again in the spring.
Nutrition Education
Catch
During this quarter, the Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) program was in full swing in the county’s local schools. Lessons were taught at Dollens, Lincoln, and Shaswick Elementary Schools. CATCH enables students to expand healthy habits while introducing healthy foods and simple, fun physical activity games into everyday life. With childhood obesity on the rise and health education in schools declining, it is important to offer CATCH programming to students.
Health & Human Sciences
Encouraging Self-Awareness through Social-Emotional Learning
The need for more social-emotional learning (SEL) opportunities in Lawrence County has been highly requested throughout 2022. Teachers, parents, and students are finding it difficult to manage their emotions and make connections with others around them. To help with this challenge, Health and Human Science Educator Grace Thompson and 4-H Youth Development Educator Lesley Lodmell have worked with Hoosier Uplands After School program to connect with 91 students on different SEL topics. Students who are self-aware better understand their own emotions and make better decisions. Future lessons will include programs on relationship skills and responsible decision-making.
Other programs offered:
- Nine sessions of afterschool lessons – Junior Master Gardner with 273 participants
- Three sessions of afterschool lessons – Apple Crunch with 91 participants
- Areas 2 IBCA winter meeting had 43 participants
- Everything You Wanted to Know About Fungicides Program had 27 participants
- Area 2 Applicator Program had 40 participants
- Three sessions of the Invasive Species Signature Program had 102 participants
- Land of Limestone Master Gardeners Meeting had 12 participants
- Bedford Parks Department Monthly Program had 23 participants
- Club Leader Meeting & Training had 5 participants
- Junior Leaders held 8 club meetings with 72 participants
- Junior Leaders Trick or Treat for Canned Goods had 19 participants
- There were three Volunteer Orientations with five participants
- Two Area 2 Junior Leader Retreats had 54 participants
- Crops Entomology Forestry CDE had 223 participants
- Workforce Soft Skills for ILJAS- North Lawrence Career Center had seven participants
- During four sessions at North Lawrence Career Center – Financial Basics, there were 65 participants
- During three sessions at Hope Resources Center Lessons – Stress Management, Safe Sleep had nine participants
- OPR Training – Health Coalition Event had 25 participants
- Six sessions of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County had 171 participants.
- Five Yoga & Mindfulness sessions held at Bedford Middle School had 58 participants
- During three sessions of Living Well in Lawrence County – Empowering me to be Clutter Free, Staying Scam Free had 53 participants.
