So Much More711

							# 7 So Much More
          I just had a conversation with Himar Hernandez and learned a lot more about his job.
          He is one of the 14 Community and Economic Development program specialists for ISU
Extension and Outreach. This program area is organized differently from the others.
          For example, Mark Carlton is one of the program specialists for agronomy and for forage. He
has responsibility for seven counties for corn and soybeans and half the counties for forages.
          Himar, however, works in the area of communities and economic development and specializes
in leadership and minority businesses. He has those responsibilities for the entire state, although
another person also works with leadership. Himar is based in Ottumwa, but if ISUEO has a minority
business question or opportunity in Muscatine or Fort Dodge or Sheldon, Himar is the guy.
          The community and economic development specialists work mostly with smaller cities and rural
areas, and they have lots of ideas to assist Iowans with energizing their communities and helping them
to succeed.
          Himar got quite excited when he talked about the leadership program. They have one called
Developing Dynamic Leaders. There is a menu of topics available, and the group requesting the program
gets to choose the ones that are most relevant to them. Especially useful ones include how to get
involved in the community and how to resolve conflict.
          As with everything extension promotes, the leadership information and techniques are
research-based. There are plenty of activities to practice leadership skills to prepare to become more
involved in the community.
          Another specialist works with nonprofits. There’s an academy for municipal professionals to
help them understand the responsibilities of their office and perform their job effectively.
          One that could be pertinent for us now is the area of community planning. There’s also a
specialist for the establishment of housing trust funds.
          Did you know there’s a website called BuyIowaonline? It is managed by the e-commerce
specialist and is a place for Iowa entrepreneurs to get web-wide exposure for things they have to sell..
It’s also a place for anyone with web access to purchase things made in Iowa or that are Iowa-themed.
          This e-commerce site was tried in southwest Iowa but recently has gone statewide. There, of
course, is a process to go through to have items displayed on the website, but if you have something to
sell or want, it would be worth a look. Someone near or far may be looking for just what you have to
sell.
          If a group of five or so entrepreneurs are interested in BuyIowaonline, the specialist may visit
with them locally to provide assistance on getting started.
          A great resource that ISU Extension and Outreach has is the students at Iowa State. If a
community wanted ideas on how to design or revitalize a community, the community planning specialist
could enlist the skills and ideas of ISU students to come up with possible plans for the community to
consider.
          Wapello County has started a micro loan program to help with economic development. This
nonprofit group accepts requests for small loans for businesses, usually loans that are too small to be
interesting to a bank. The group raises money to be used for local folks who may not have established
credit or need to repair their credit.
           In addition to the loan, there is also technical assistance like bookkeeping or marketing
available for the entrepreneur. Mentors are available to provide guidance. They may be ready to
expand beyond Wapello County.
          One person is a tourism specialist. Perhaps she could help us capitalize on being the north shore
of Rathbun Lake. Himar and I talked briefly about a couple of ideas. Sounds like fun!
          I’m glad I got to talk with Himar and to learn part of the so much more that is ISU Extension and
Outreach.
        Switching the subject just a little, one of the summer activities that I get excited about is the
Open Class show at the County Fair. This is just my warning to anyone who might care, I’ve started
working on my list of exhibits for July 2012. Next I need to find a fiction book that has recipes so I can
work on that book review class.
        With so many categories and so many talented people in the county, I’d love to see that second
building overflowing with exhibits this summer. If you grow a garden, raise crops, create crafts, paint or
draw, work with wood or leather, make jewelry, bake or can, quilt, or take photos, there’s a display spot
just waiting for you.
        With the fair and with Extension, there’s so much more.


# 8 So Much More
         We could start a rumor that there are bodies buried in the courtyard, but the TATU students
would rather deal in truth than lies.
         Formerly known as JEL, the students in Teens Against Tobacco Use are working to share truthful
information and to discourage others, particularly younger people, from using tobacco products.
         The group is associated with the American Lung Association and is under the direction of
Autumn Denato, tobacco grant coordinator for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach-Monroe
County. Autumn is also the County Youth Coordinator for our county.
         The TATU group strives to tell the truth about the effects and addictive qualities of tobacco.
They are a youth group that wants to instruct, educate, and encourage their peers and others by
providing them with facts instead of lies.
         As part of their instruction each March the group participates in a nationwide Kick Butts Day
that is sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. There is a suggested activities manual, and
each local group chooses the activity they want to do to promote tobacco cessation and avoidance.
         This year’s event will be held on Wednesday, March 21. Our group will have tombstones and
body bags on the courthouse lawn to demonstrate how many people die because of tobacco use. They
want this to be a graphic demonstration of the toll of tobacco use. The tombstones will have inscriptions
that share facts about tobacco and the effects it has on people.
         The students will be at the courthouse from 3:30 to 4:30 and welcome people to stop and talk
with them. They’ll have lots of information to share with us. For example, do you know how many
Iowans die each month from tobacco use? Do you know how many Iowans die of secondhand smoke?
         The Monroe County group has done well with their Kick Butts Day activities in the three years
they have participated in the program. Perhaps you saw the paper cups in the Grant School fence
spelling out “Tobacco Kills” last year. In fact, the group had two pictures of their 2011 activities in this
year’s book of suggested activities and had another the year before.
         The TATU group has monthly meetings where they learn about tobacco, secondhand smoke,
and tobacco companies. They learn that there is another side to the tobacco companies’ claims that
tobacco is not addicting
         Besides Kick Butts Day, the group holds an assembly for the 4th through 6th grade students each
year. They also help Autumn with health fair presentations in the community.
         As I was researching, I found that the ACHS TATU group has a facebook page. Check it out to see
some of the pictures of their activities.

        In my latest ISUEO newsletter I see that there is a meeting scheduled for new 4-H members and
their families. What a great idea! 4-H has so many programs and opportunities for young people that
I’m sure it can all be confusing at times. This would be a great time to have help in narrowing down the
areas that the young 4-Her might want to start with and to help parents help their children.
        By the way, I found a mystery book (my favorite kind) with recipes in it, so I may be on my way
to determining my entry for the fair open class that has the food product and the short book review.
Now to decide which one and figure out whodunit.
        Remember to join the TATU group in the courtyard from 3:30 to 4:30 on March 21 to learn more
about their activities to educate others about the effects of tobacco. And, stay tuned because ISU
Extension and Outreach is so much more.


# 9 So Much More
         I planned to interview Julie Foreman for this week’s column but ran into a time problem—as so
often happens. Luckily Julie supplied most of this information already written, so I’m getting off easy.
         You may remember that Julie is the NEST coordinator for Monroe County’s ISU Extension and
Outreach. In addition to other duties she serves as a member of the Monroe County Child Abuse
Council . April is Prevent Child Abuse month, so the 24 members of that council are ready to activate
their plans for the month.
         Here are some of the things that Julie shared.
         Iowa’s future depends on the safety and well-being of our children. Working together to ensure
healthy environments for children today is essential for creating a prosperous society tomorrow.
          We know it is important to lay a strong foundation when building a house. Likewise, when
raising children, it is important to nurture a strong beginning upon which a child’s later development will
depend. Unfortunately, children may be exposed to toxic stress like child abuse in their environment.
That toxicity weakens this foundation and can negatively affect their future health and their behavioral
and cognitive development. The effects of child abuse can include increased crime, poor health, and
cognitive development, and substance and mental health issues that impact all of us.
         When you hear the words “child abuse and neglect” does your mind bring up images of a child
cowering in a corner and covered with bruises and tears? If so, you’re not alone. Media reports tend to
focus on the most extreme, high profile cases and lead to a skewed perception of the real issues. Such
reports often lead to a discussion focused on punishment for the perpetrators rather than the factors
that lead to the abuse or how it could have been prevented.
         It’s not surprising that many people feel helpless in preventing child abuse.
         As prevention advocates, the challenge that lies before us is educating our communities that the
true picture of child abuse and neglect is much different than what we see in the media. Child abuse
and neglect do not just happen to the poor and uneducated; it can happen to anyone and in any
socioeconomic class.
         Child abuse and neglect are not always intentional; sometimes good parents make bad choices
out of anger, frustration, and despair. Child abuse and neglect are completely preventable, but success
for any parent requires a combination of awareness, education, and support.
         Our 24-member Monroe County Child Abuse Council has been meeting to prepare for April and
planning on how to spread the word to the community. It is our belief that it is important to get the
word out on the facts and figures of child abuse for Monroe County and to let people know how to
prevent it.
         Monroe County Nest Program is a great way for parents to come and learn stress management
tips, use positive reinforcement, learn budgeting, learn the long term effect of Shaken Baby Syndrome
and try lots of other parenting techniques they could use in place of abuse.
         I want to add to Julie’s thoughts that child abuse is not new but is still a serious problem that
can be decreased by education and action. The Council has lots of information to share with us, and I
hope we’ll go out of our way to support their efforts.
       Julie didn’t mention it here yet, but I happen to know there is a Blue Out Day (wear blue to show
support of children who have been abused) and Open House at the Extension Office on April 18.
       I wish there were no such thing as child abuse, but because there is, prevention is a part of the
so much more that is Extension and Outreach. (Thanks, Julie, for writing most of the column for me.)


 #10 SO MUCH MORE
         First, remember that Thursday, April 18, is Blue Out Day. It’s a day to wear blue (or your new
blue t-shirt from the Extension Office) in support of children who have been abused. There’s a luncheon
from 11:30 to 1:30 at the Extension Office to raise funds to help support the curriculum for the NEST
program and preventing child abuse.
         There is also a silent auction with many varieties of baskets up for sale. The Junior 4-H Council
prepared a movie-themed basket, and there are many other kinds. Join us.
         Autumn Denato, County Youth Coordinator, told me about the latest meeting of the John
Schoolen Fishing Club (named in memory of John). There are 21 fourth- through sixth-graders who are
members of this club that meets monthly from September through May on school early out days.
         The 4-Hers and their helpers (Pat Sinnott, Jim Nelson, Joe Heffron, and Hjalmer Lindberg along
with Autumn) go to a fishin’ hole in the county and have much fun practicing their skills. They’ve been
to farm ponds, Lake Miami, and the reservoir. (If you know of someone who has a good fishing pond,
they’d like to get permission to fish there. )
         The adults help the kids learn casting, tackle use, fish types, tying knots, baiting hooks, and other
fishing skills. The adults sometimes are needed to take the fish off the hooks. They’ve caught blue gill,
large mouth bass, sunfish, and crappie.
         Ice fishing was planned for last winter, but without any ice, that was postponed to next winter.
They also are planning a trip to the Rathbun Fish Hatchery.
         There are ongoing contests throughout the year. The prizes for the most fish caught, the largest
fish caught, and the smallest fish caught will be awarded at the 4-H Awards Program in the fall.
         There might be a high total for that “most caught” category as one of the fishers caught nine fish
at the last outing.
         The young people can bring their own poles or have one provided. They are required to wear
safety glasses and hats for safety. They learn about mosquitoes and ticks in addition to their fishing.
         There are lots of stories about the adventures of the fishing club. Some of them involve
catching frogs and trying to use them as bait for the fish. There’s another story about a young man who
got bogged down in the mud and lost his boots when he escaped. The boots, however, had to be
rescued by a farmer, his tractor, and the chains that were fastened around the boots.
         I’m looking forward to the fishers presenting educational presentations for the fair and to their
making posters to exhibit in the communications department at the fair. There’s a lot I have to learn
about fishing—things that these young people know and can share.
         I caught up with Julie Foreman, Monroe County Extension’s NEST coordinator, who was also
coordinating the Early Childhood Screening event held at Trinity United Methodist Church (which got
high marks for help and cooperation for the event).
         Little 3- and 4-year-olds and their parents were invited to participate in the event where a great
amount of testing and evaluation happened in a short amount of time.
         Heights and weights were measured. Vision and hearing were tested. Teeth were looked at and
were given a fluoride treatment. Blood was tested for lead level. Fingerprints were taken.
         Parents filled out a questionnaire about developmental levels and could sign their children up
for Head Start or for preschool at King’s Kids or Kendall Preschool.
          It looked like a well-organized and efficient warren of activities with several community
organizations partnering to provide this screening of the 50-60 little ones who were pre-registered
          Some of those partners were Lions Club, I-Smile Dental, the Law Center, school nurses, AEA,
Parents as Teachers, Monroe County Hospital, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Monroe
County Public Health, and Head Start.
          There were also booths set up to provide information to parents including HOPES—Healthy
Families of America, ISU Extension and Outreach, Tobacco Cessation, and SEIDA. I tried to take the quiz
on which household products were most poisonous to kids, but I don’t think I did too well.
          Two comments, one good and one not so: A parent shared that the screening her son had here
was much more complete than the one her daughter received about four years ago, and she was happy
that it included so much.
          A little boy who didn’t appreciate having his finger pricked for the lead screening just let his
tears speak for him.
          It’s another week for Extension and Outreach. From fishing to early childhood screening and
preventing child abuse, Extension is so much more. Remember to wear blue for Blue Out Day.



         # 11 SO MUCH MORE
         I had the opportunity to talk with Joyce Nash who is Iowa State University Extension and
Outreach’s Family Finance Program Specialist for nine counties in our area. Joyce just began working
with this group of counties on April 1st but worked with a few of them before this reorganization of
duties.
         Joyce spent some time telling me about the programs that ISUEO has that especially benefit
residents of rural Iowa in the area of finances.
         Some of these programs are face-to-face with the instructor meeting with those doing the
learning. Some are on-line classes through the internet. Others are hybrids or combinations of face-to-
face sessions with some internet sessions.
         There’s a basic money management class called Your Money, Your Future that can be either on-
line or face-to-face. According to the website about this class,
www.extension.iastate.edu/families/your-money-your-future, it is three 90-minute sessions that help
people learn how to get more for their money and how to save for financial goals. They talk about
spending plans and goals, credit history, financial institutions, and credit cards. It sounds like a good
beginning class.
         On this website there are free downloadable publications to help assist with some of the
learning. They help to track spending, look at credit and debt, and help children learn about money.
There are also some publications that have fees.
         While I was perusing some of the information available, I found a blog called Spend Smart. Eat
Smart. It has “ideas, resources, and recipes to help you eat healthy for less.” This will be interesting to
return to when I have more time (and not a column to get done now).
         Annie’s Project is another of the programs Joyce does and has presented it with Bob Wells who
is our Farm and Ag Management Program Specialist. Annie grew up in Illinois with the goal of marrying
a farmer. She became a business partner with him on their farm. The Annie’s Project was started by her
daughter and seeks to share her experiences in order to educate and mentor other farm and ranch
women be successful business managers .
         The six sessions of this class include record keeping and analysis, communication and
management, insurance and legal issues, marketing, and production. A sample class syllabus is available
on-line and looks terribly interesting. This could be a class I’d like to take—even without a farm to go
with it.
         Money Talk is an on-line course for women that has exercises and also provides the opportunity
to interact with other participants and the instructor. Topics include financial basics, investing,
insurance, planning for life events, and retirement planning. A session of this course recently started,
but there’s another available in October.
         Joyce is available to help with teaching high school students about financial planning and with
helping their high school instructors up to date on information. The instructor course is being revised
and should be ready for next fall.
         There is a program calling Investing at Your Library where ISUEO is partnering with some rural
libraries in the state to present a curriculum that has been developed regarding investing.
         There’s also a new curriculum called Investing for Farm Families. This one was specifically
developed for those of us who don’t live in urban settings or work for large corporations.
         Joyce is also involved with the VITA(Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program in partnership
with the IRS and Iowa Social and Economic Development. VITA is a service that helps people file their
simple tax returns. The returns are filed electronically and for free. There are a few restrictions like
amount of income and how complicated the return is.
         The program needs volunteers to do the filing, and Joyce will train the volunteers and help them
get certified. Just let her know if you’d like to be a volunteer.
         Once again I learned about some things I didn’t know, and it’s all important and interesting. As I
say, with ISU Extension and Outreach there’s so much more.