Agriculture & Natural Resources

Extension programs strive to deliver research-based information which will aid our stakeholders in maximizing profitability while minimizing management practice impacts on the environment.

• Fifteen new volunteers successfully completed the 50 hours of training required to become a Warren County Master Gardener.  Working cooperatively with OSU Extension, master gardeners volunteer their time on educational programs and activities in Warren County.  Projects included educational gardens, elementary school programs, adult education and displays at local festivals & fairs.  All totaled, volunteers gave more than 1,700 hours to assist with Master Gardener projects in 2007, a value to the community of more than $30,000.
• The Southwestern Ohio Fruit & Vegetable School in Morrow taught more than 50 gardeners how to raise organic vegetables in their own backyards.  Gardeners were provided in-depth information on soil fertility, managing insects and controlling diseases without chemicals.  Ninety-six percent (96%) of the participants, that returned an evaluation, indicated that they planned to use something that they learned at the school in their home garden.
• By managing their landscapes better, Warren County residents can improve the aesthetic value of their properties while reducing the use of pesticides.  Extension used the mass media, newspapers and television, to inform homeowners about current horticultural issues and also provided on-site consultations to help clientele solve their own landscape problems.
• According to the recent Ohio Agriculture Statistics Survey, Warren County has the fourth largest number of horses in the state of Ohio.  Nearly 20 farms attended a horse pasture management seminar sponsored by Extension in Warren County.  Hands-on on education is also provided by offering personal instruction during on-site farm visits.
• Cattle farms need to better utilize their pastures to reduce feed costs and increase their profits.  Extension works with the local cattlemen’s association to provide a winter seminar to educate producers on important cattle management issues.  In 2007, the seminar focused on improving pasture performance through better management and increased soil fertility.  More than 20 cattle producers were in attendance.
• Safely applying pesticides is important for the environment, general public and the applicator.  Extension provided training to more than 30 public and private applicators on the safe use of pesticides.
• Honeybees are vital for the production of food.  Colony collapse disorder is just one of many issues threatening the livelihood of beekeepers.  In cooperation with numerous local beekeeper associations, OSU Extension coordinated the Southwestern Ohio Beekeeper School to inform apiarists about current management issues.  Almost 400 beekeepers from four different states attended the school.
• Warren County has more ponds than any other county in the state of Ohio. Aquatic weed control is the most challenging issue that most pond owners must learn to manage.  OSU Extension, in cooperation with Soil & Water Conservation, sponsored two pond clinics in 2007.  All totaled, more than 75 Warren County residents attended the clinics.

Community Development

Enhancing the well-being of communities with community leadership education, community economic development, environmental issues and education and local government services.

• Composting yard waste to decrease the use of landfills is not only environmentally important, but also makes practical sense for many homeowners. Extension had a demonstration bin set-up at the Waynesville Library to educate homeowners about the process of composting yard waste. 
• In partnership with the Warren County Family and Children First Council, Extension was a key leader in introducing the Real Money, Real World program to Franklin and Carlisle High Schools.  The program is an active, hands-on financial literacy experience that exposes young people to the realities of making lifestyle and budget choices similar to those they will make as adults.  Students participate in a series of educational lessons that help them understand career choices, the banking system, credit cards, and deductions.  These lessons are followed by an hour long hands-on simulation where students spend their “salaries” on items found in a typical monthly budget.  This project is a partnership with the Success for School Age Youth Committee planning team, the local schools, and the business community.  In 2007, over 350 high school students participated in the program.

Family & Consumer Sciences

The Extension Family and Consumer Sciences' program continues its tradition of outreach by providing research-based information on life skills, personal money managements and investing, safe food handling, nutrition, and caring for home and family possessions.

• Nineteen clients of the Warren Metropolitan Housing completed a four part series on financial literacy as part of their preparation toward becoming home owners.  Written evaluations indicate a strong increase in knowledge regarding skills needed to achieve financial goals.
• The FCS Educator was lead author of the 50 page booklet “2006 Report to the Community – an overview of the social and physical health of Warren County citizens’.  The project was a collaborative effort of over 20 county agencies and other non-profit member organizations of the Warren County Family and Children First Council.  The booklet provides county leadership with research-based information and data that resulted in a comprehensive status report on community health and well-being.
• Over two hundred Ohio Works First clients were provided focused educational sessions on employability skills, exploring personal values and establishing goals, nutrition, food safety, consumer skills, communication skills, and career clothing care and choices.
• Nearly three hundred clients of Warren County social service delivery systems were provided sessions on successful money management including how money impacts personal relationships, how technology is changing the way money can be managed successfully, basic investing, needs and wants, impulsive spending and money and attitudes. 
• Teens from the Midwestern Children’s Home were provided a lesson series totally 80 hours of training on money management. 
• The FCS Educator served as the Chair of the Warren County Housing Coalition.  Collaborative efforts include securing funding for needed shelter related services, collaborative efforts to expand limited resources, homeless count and gaps analysis, and sharing expertise and experience through group involvement.
• The FCS Educator serves on numerous teams throughout the county to improve decision making through collective sharing, decrease duplication of effort, and to identify priority areas to direct limited resources.

4-H Youth Development

The 4-H Youth Development programs exists to create positive environments for diverse youth and adults to reach their fullest potential as capable, competent, caring and contributing citizens.  Youth between the ages of 5 -18 are eligible to participate.

• The traditional 4-H program in Warren County is built on the premise of “learning by doing”.  In 2007: 1,179 youth from 66 clubs participated in 2,178 projects in 165 project areas and 58 newly trained volunteers joined 309 experienced leaders to guide and support club activities and county events promoting leadership, citizenship and character development.
• In cooperation with the Ohio Highway Patrol, and Warren County Juvenile Court, a team of ten 4-H teen educators provided peer-to-peer instruction to 657 first-time juvenile traffic offenders in Warren County through interactive sessions on seatbelt use, defensive driving, and the consequences of road rage, substance abuse and other irresponsible driving choices.  Based on survey results, 90% of participants believed the CARTEENS program would help them improve their driving skills.
• Two hundred thirty-seven young people from around Warren County participated in three local 4-H Camps.  Campers had the opportunity to engage in individual and group living skills, developmentally-appropriate recreational activities and healthy decision-making.  Forty-eight County teen counselors were involved in the 4-H camp counselor program, which involved over 30 hours in training in team building, leadership development, and program planning skills.  The training program also enhanced teens understanding of child behavior and development as well as camp risk management issues.
• Fifteen senior 4-H youth participated in a wide variety of statewide camps and one national trip opportunity.  Participants received full or partial scholarships to Sea Camp, Leadership Camp, Forestry Camp and Citizenship Washington Focus in the amount of $6,500 from the Warren County 4-H Committee and the Warren County Agricultural Society.  An application and formal interview were used in the selection process.
• Warren County’s 4-H Endowment fund continues to grow.  With principal funds of over $31,000, the endowment is now providing a return back to the county to support current programs and activities.
• More than 900 4-H youth and over 400 parents and volunteers participated in Warren County Junior Fair activities.  County Fair participation is designed to showcase project knowledge, leadership, citizenship and sportsmanship through exhibits, interviews and contests.  Experts evaluated 4,500 4-H projects offering feedback to participants through placings as well as verbal and written evaluations based on performance, knowledge, communication skills and positive attitude. 
• Thirty-five teens from throughout the county served on the Warren County Junior Fairboard.  Together, members completed over 2,500 hours of volunteer service as they committed to a year long program of training and meetings designed to prepare them to organize and conduct the Junior Fair events and shows.
• Fifty-nine youth, new to the 4-H horse program, developed and improved their knowledge and skills in horse safety and equine nutrition as part of a new program on safety, ethics and horse management.