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Jackson County Extension Report of Long Range Program Priorities Marianna, Florida July 1, 2003

Jackson County Extension F aculty Charles Brasher, CEA III Vegetables/1890’s Programs & Master Gardeners M.S. U of Tennessee Jackson CES Joan Elmore, CEA IV Family & Consumer Science M.S., U of West Florida Jackson CES-1979 Ed Jowers, CEA IV CED, Agronomy M.S., U of Florida FCES-1971; JCES-1985 Heather Kent, CEA I 4-H Coordinator M.S. Auburn University Jackson CES-1999 Doug Mayo, CEA II Livestock, Forages, 4-H B.S. U of Florida FCES-1996; JCES Clyde Smith, CEA II Regional Specialized Ag/IPM M.S. Mississippi State JCES-July 1, 2003

Jackson County Extension Support Staff Barbara Pledger Administrative Support III Office Manager JCES-1974 Katrina Florence Administrative Support II (Brasher & Elmore) JCES-1982 Annette Hagans Administrative Support I Receptionist JCES-1998 Sharon McRoy Administrative Support II (Kent, Mayo & Smith) JCES-1998 Joy Miles 4-H Program Assistant JCES-2002

Jackson County Ag Office Complex Completed: November 1997 Square footage: 24, 183 Extension: 14,183 sq ftExtension: 14,183 sq ft Cost: $1.6 million+ New Auditorium (est. completion Jan 2004) 10,000 sq ft10,000 sq ft Seating Capacity: 300 banquet styleSeating Capacity: 300 banquet style Cost: $850,000Cost: $850,000 Occupants County ForesterCounty Forester Florida Peanut Producers Assoc.Florida Peanut Producers Assoc. USDA Farm Service AgencyUSDA Farm Service Agency UDSA NRCSUDSA NRCS USDA Rural Development (District & County OfficesUSDA Rural Development (District & County Offices

Jackson County Jackson County

Jackson County Profile Area sq miles >40% in farms>40% in farms 56% is forested56% is forested Population – 46,755 Density – 53 per sq mileDensity – 53 per sq mile 66% live in unincorporated areas66% live in unincorporated areas Towns with population > 1,000 o Graceville – 2,402 o Malone – 2,007 o Marianna – 6,230 o Sneads – 1,919 By Residence In Households - 40,561In Households - 40,561 In Group Quarters - 6,194In Group Quarters - 6,194 Racial Demographics o White – 71.3 % o African American – 27.1% o Hispanic – 2.9% o American Indian %

Jackson County Population Demographics Population Demographics –52.5% male AGE Groups –<5 years – 5.5% –5-19 years % –20–54 years % –54-64 years % –>than –Median age – 37.6 yrs

Jackson County Housing Total Housing Units - 19,490 CountyFlorida Home ownership rate (%) Multi-unit structures (%) Median value$66,700$105,500 Households16,620- Persons/household Median household income$29,744$38,819

Income & Employment Profile Income Source ($ million) Farm/Ag related Manufacturing Retail Trade Services Government Per capita$12,421$16,869 Mean Household$32,372$44,823

Estimated Farmgate Value, $96 million Jackson County Agriculture

Acres-Major Fld Crops

No. of farms $

Jackson County Vision Process County Wide Survey 16 Community Workshops 2 County-wide Forums Vision Concentrated on: –What we want to achieve –What we want Jackson County to be in 2020 –Sets out framework for accomplishment Identifies strategies Indicators of success

What We Heard “Cornerstones of Imagine Jackson” Livable Communities Goal: To take full advantage of planned growth by defining and preserving our rural character, and enhancing the services and facilities available to all citizens.Goal: To take full advantage of planned growth by defining and preserving our rural character, and enhancing the services and facilities available to all citizens. Healthy Economy Goal: To create an economy that allows all citizens the opportunity to carry out a productive life, fulfilling personal aspirations and adding value to the economy.Goal: To create an economy that allows all citizens the opportunity to carry out a productive life, fulfilling personal aspirations and adding value to the economy. High Quality Environment Goal:To identify and manage our natural assets in such a way as to preserve their value for present and future generations, while offering recreational and interpretive activities.Goal:To identify and manage our natural assets in such a way as to preserve their value for present and future generations, while offering recreational and interpretive activities.

Implementing the Vision

Listening Session Report Family and Youth –Citizen Apathy –Disorganization of the County –Health, Nutrition, Disease Prevention –Financial Management –Character development

Listening Session Report Agriculture and Natural Resources –Diversified agriculture/integrated resource management –Value added ag opportunities –Need for more emphasis on small farm/ranchettes –Alternative crops Finding the crops that best match our region (world competitive) –Maintain core ag programs –Assistance in developing alternative incomes Ecotourism, high value and low acreage crops, marketing –More efficient and cost effective irrigation systems –More cooperation between ag and rural interest groups

Long Range Program Priorities July 1, 2003 Jackson County Extension

4-H/Youth Development Long Range Goals Improving Organizational Development & Public Relations –Develop 4 new partnerships with grass-roots organizations that target youth –Develop and maintain 8 new community or special interest 4-H clubs in the communities of Graceville, Grand Ridge, and Malone. –Recruit, train, and utilize and 4-H and Expansion and Review Committee that reflects Jackson County’s demographics. –Develop a Jackson County 4-H Foundation

Developing Volunteer Leadership –Implement a standard procedure for screening, selecting, training, and evaluating volunteers –Identify, recruit, and train at least 4 minority volunteers Developing Life Skills –30% of 7,716 (2,315) youth will develop, improve, and enhance life skills such as public speaking, self- confidence, record-keeping, responsibility, and money management through a variety of subject-matter projects. These skills will be measured through 4-H member and parent surveys. 4-H/Youth Development Long Range Goals

Improving Organizational Development & Public Relations –Increase in number of clubs –Increase in communities’ knowledge of 4-H –Increase in minority involvement in 4-H –Increase in monetary support of the overall 4-H program Developing Volunteer Leadership –Increase in quality and quantity of full-time volunteers Developing Life Skills –Increase in life skills as reported through 4-H member and parent surveys 4-H/Youth Development Outcome Indicators

Family & Consumer Sciences Program Area: Financial Management Target Audience(s) –Individuals with poor budgeting or credit history –Federal prison inmates preparing to be released –Middle & high school age youth Long Range Goals –Help individuals become financially stable –Help individuals understand where they are spending their money –Reduce credit card abuse and debt Outcome Indicators –Program clients will make at least 2 lifestyle changes –Utilize ways to reduce debt –Engage in comparison shopping –Keep a spending record –Begin planning their spending

Family and Consumer Sciences Major Priority Area: Consumer Economics Target Audience(s) –Senior Citizens –First Time Home Buyers Long Range Goals –To provide Consumers with more resources for making informed decision as it relates to home buying frauds. Outcome Indicators –Reduced consumer fraud –No. of first time home owners –Individuals will make at least 2 lifestyle changes, Make a will Get important papers together Comparison shop for mortgages Preplan for funerals

Family & Consumer Sciences Major program area: Living healthier-Putting Prevention First Target Audience(s) –Youth ages 9 to 12 –50+ seniors & other Jackson County citizens Long Range Goals –To make healthier choices in lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, certain forms of cancers, diabetes, & strokes –To make healthier food choices in preventing obesity Outcome Indicators –Started an exercise program –Eating a healthier diet by reading labels, serving sizes, eating 3 to 5 serving of fruit/vegetables daily, less fat, oils & sugar; using alternative seasonings –Preventive choices –Lbs weight lost –Have control of diabetes, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure

Agriculture Programs Agronomic Crops Livestock & Forages Commercial Vegetable Production Limited Resource Farmers Horticulture Natural Resources

Agronomic Crops Major Program Areas –Peanuts –Cotton –Grain crops Target Audiences –Agronomic Crop farmers –Agribusiness –Crop consultants –Industry represent ivies

Agronomic Crops Long Range Goals –To provide educational programs that will: Enable adoption of sustainable, efficient & environmentally sound production technology. Provide a wider agricultural base through new & emerging crops. Enable more cost effective, efficient production & pest management systems that maximize natural resources protection. Introduce integrated production system that will capture the advantages of complimentary and compatible enterprises Outcome Indicators –Producers adopting new technology –Increase in production of alternative crops Other than corn, peanuts and cotton

Livestock Major Priority Areas –Beef Cattle –Forages –Goats –Ponds –Dairy Target Audience –532 Livestock Farms 449 Beef Cattle Ranches 240 Hay Operations 7 Dairies ? Goat and Horse Farms

Livestock Long Range Goals –Improve Efficiency, Profitability & Resource Management 500 livestock producers will receive BMP training in: –Reproduction management –Forage and pasture management –Nutrition –Herd health management –Record keeping and analysis –Pest management Outcome Indicators –Knowledge gained measured through exit surveys –BMP adoption measured through producer survey in 2010 compared to 2002 survey data

Commercial Vegetables Major Priority Areas –Melons/vegetables –Marketing assistance Target Audience –Commercial vegetable producers Long Range Goals –Maintain market share and profitability Outcome Measures –Level of production and profit

Horticulture Major Priority Areas –Farmers Market –Master Gardeners Target Audience –Home gardeners –Small vegetable growers Long Range Goals –Supplemental income –More participation in home owner training Outcome Measures –Success of farmers market –Master gardener contacts

Limited Resources Farmers Major Priority Areas –Production Management –Financial Management Target Audience –Small farms Long Range Goals –Increase knowledge and management –Alternative crops Outcome Measures –Level of production Operations and acreage

Natural Resources Major Priority Areas –Forestry –Wildlife management Target Audience(s) –Farmers –Landowners Long Range Goals –Nature based opportunities as an additional revenue source for the farmer or landowner Outcome Indicators –Master tree farmer and wildlifer program involvement

Needs to Accomplish Plans County –Adequate staffing.. Success in any business depends on knowing your customer. Quick response to needs is expected. County Extension unit is point of contact for our system. Cost advantage of county partner amplifies limited dollars. New CED for next 4 year plan –More support for Information Technology/Delivery Systems Polycom for interactive distance meetings(and in-service where feasible) Reliable field communications link among agents

Needs to Accomplish Plans State & Northwest District Positions –Specialists who have both their heart and minds into what they are doing –Regional 4-H Specialist –Weed specialist stationed in NFREC Marianna Professional development –Professional development opportunities that are driven by quick response to important changes and challenges Pest Control Handbook like Georgia’s –All crop pest control guides in one bound volume –Published annually ahead of growing season

Summary Struggling Economy Limited Growth Limited Job Opportunities Preserve & Protect Rural Lifestyle Need for Healthier Lifestyles Improve Family Financial Management Character Development in Youth Apathy and Citizen Participation Alternative sources of farm income needed Keep Ag Sustainable Growing Interest in Nature Based Income

Thank you Jackson County Northwest Extension District Ed Jowers, CED July 1, 2003

The sun is setting …. and harvest is soon to be over. There’s no need to be fretting…. yet. But after another harvest or two is over, if I were to bet. A new cotton picker, you will be getting!