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Director's Message
6
It is with pride and a deep sense enterprises and communities of Colorado.
of responsibility to Coloradans that we To that end,we are actively participating
prepared this 2004 annual report. The with Colorado State University under the
past twoyears have been very difficult leadership of President Larry Penley in the
for the agencies of Colorado State development of a university-wide strategic
University because of reduced state plan. We have developed"Framework for
_.
funding. Nonetheless we continue to the Future: A Strategic Plan for Cooperative
focus on relevant issues to Coloradans, Extension"which focuses on core competency
bringing the power of this land-grant areas where we have the capacity and
university's research and education to the expertise to address issues important to
E x to n s i o n people of the state. Colorado. We expect to serve as the"front
Cooperative Extension, along with the door" to Colorado State University through
Agricultural Experiment Station, are defining our presence in 59 of the 64 counties.We
serves as the units of this land-grant university. We are also are working with the national Extension
committed to conducting relevant research organization on e-Extension, a national web-
based on the issues of Colorado via the based information and education network.
front door- to Agricultural Experiment Station system and This technology, along with our own online
providing information and education across question and answer forum,AnswerLink,
the state through the Cooperative Extension will complement our ongoing programs
the University
network. that we deliver through direct contact with
This annual report was developed Coloradans.
in 59 of 64 partially in a joint effort with the Agricultural The programs highlighted in this report
Experiment Station. Because of the research represent a small sample of the programs
and education linkages fundamental to a delivered every day by Cooperative Extension.
Counties. land-grant university, we felt it important to As we deal with resource challenges in this
highlight that connection and collaborative time of uncertainty,we intend to continue
efforts. Lee Sommers, director of the with a strong local presence complemented
Agricultural Experiment Station, and I by expertise on a more regional basis. Efforts
encourageyour review of the reports of joint are currently underway to increase revenue
efforts of Cooperative Extension and the from contracts,grants and user fees in our
Agricultural Experiment Station, as well as educational programs. Said another way,
additional examples of Cooperative Extension Cooperative Extension is planning to grow
educational work. We, as always, inviteyour into an uncertain future and be a strong.
feedback and comments. viable part of Colorado State University's
ColoO As Cooperative Extension moves into future for Coloradans.
the future, we want to be true to our mission I hopeyou enjoy this report. I look
University of providing information and education and forward toyour feedback.
Cooperative encouraging the application of research-based —Milan A. Rewerts
Extenskin g g
knowledge in response to issues affecting Director, Cooperative Extension
Putting Koos;!cage to Work individuals,youth, families, agricultural Milan.Rewerts@colostate.edu
CO1O§alg
University
Cooperative
Extension
Putting Knowledge to Work
Cooperative Extension
Funding for Fiscal Year 2004-2005
2004-2005 Cooperative Extension is the off-campus educational arm of Colorado
`t. J State University. The Cooperative Extension system, a nationwide educational
Cooperative Extension Funding network, is a partnership of county, state and federal governments working
Other Grants cooperatively with the private sector. The Federal Smith-Lever Act
12.04% established state Extension Services as a third program branch, along with
resident instruction and research, of the land-grant universities in each
state. Cooperative Extension agents and specialists are faculty of Colorado
Federal State University. They work with local constituents throughout Colorado
15.71% in planning, developing and implementing the educational programs of
County Cooperative Extension. Volunteers also have an important role in the delivery
41.97%
of Extension programs. Cooperative Extension programs serve Coloradans
wherever they live.
Funding for Cooperative Extension is provided from multiple sources:
federal, state, county and non-tax monies. Federal funds are allocated to the
states on the basis of law and formula.Additionally, some federal funds are
earmarked to meet special national priority needs. Cooperative Extension
Stat receives state funds from Colorado State University's allocation through
30.28% the Colorado Commission on Higher Education as part of the state's higher
Total Funding= $24,925,950 education budget. County commissioners appropriate annual budget funds
to support the operation of the Cooperative Extension office in their county.
Appropriated Budget Some funds are received from non-tax sources such as program grants and
Campus Programs cost recovery fees.
44.64%
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
Priority Programs
Cooperative Extension develops and implements educational programs
in areas of high priority to Colorado citizens. For FY'04-'05, Cooperative
Extension has focused its resources on thirteen statewide priority programs:
• Community Development • Water Resource Management
• Livestock Systems • Small Acreage Management
• Family Resources Management • Crop Systems
• Ag Business Management • Human Development
• Horticulture • Pest Management
• Nutrition, Diet and Health • Range and Natural Resources
Field Programs • 4-WYouth Development
55.36%
Appropriated Budget = $11,465,576
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❑SU(F. 1 csUS "CAF:S P
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension County Offices
Adams County (303) 637-8100 Kit Carson County (719)346-5571
9755 Henderson Rd.. Brighton 80601-8114 251 16th St.,Suite 101, Burlington 80807-1674
Alamosa County (719)657-0213 La Plata County (970) 247-4355
See San Luis Valley Area Office 2500 Main Ave.. Durango 81301
Arapahoe County (303) 730-1920 Larimer County (970)498-6000
5804 S. Datura St., Littleton 80120-2112 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins 80524-2004
Archuleta County (970) 264-5931 Las Animas County (719) 846-6881
344 Highway 84, Pagosa Springs 81147-0370 200 E. 1st St., Room 101, Courthouse,Trinidad 81082-3000
Baca County (719)523-6971 Lincoln County (719) 743-2542
772 Colorado St..Springfield 81073-1456 326 8th St., Hugo 80821-0068
Bent County (719)456-0764 Logan County (970)522-3200. ext.0
1499 Ambassador Thompson Blvd.. Las Animas 81054-1736 5085. 10th Ave. Suite I, Sterling 80751-3408
Boulder County (303)678-6238 Mesa County (970) 244-1834
9595 Nelson Rd. Box B. Longmont 80501-6359 2775 Highway 50, Grand function 81502-5028
Broomfield County (720) 887-2269 Mineral County (719) 657-0213
6 Garden Center. Broomfield 80020-2495 Sec San Luis Valley Area Office
Chaffee County (719)539-6447 Moffat County (970) 824-9180
10165 CR 120. Salida 81201-9404 539 Barclay St., Craig 816252733
Cheyenne County (719) 767-5716 Montezuma County (970)565-3123
42S South 7th W.. Cheyenne Wells 80810-0395 109 W.Main St.. Km. 102, Cortez 81321-3155
Conelos County (719)274-5200 Montrose and Ouray County (970) 249-3935
17705 Hwy. 285. La lara 81140-9427 1001 N. 2nd St., Friendship Hall, Montrose 81401-3731
Costilla County (719)657-0213 Morgan County (970)542-3540
See San Luis Valley Area Office 914 East Railroad Ave., Fort Morgan 80701-0517
Crowley County (719)267-4741, ext. 7 Otero County (719)254-7608
601 North Main St.. Courthouse Annex, Ordway 81063 411 North 10th St.. Rocky Ford 81067-0190
Custer County (719)783-2514 Park County (719)836-4289
205 South 6th, Westcliffe 81252-0360 880 Rogue St., Fairplay 80440-0603
Delta County (970) 874-2195 Phillips County (970) 854-3616
525 Dodge St.. Delta 81416-1719 127 F.Denver. Holyoke 80734-0328
Denver County (720)913-5270 Prowers County (719)336-7734
201 W. Colfax, Dept. 107. Denver 80202 1001 S. Main St., Lamar 81052-3838
Dolores County (970)677-2283 Pueblo County (719)583-6566
409 North Main St.. Dove Creek 81324-0529 212 W. 12th St.,Suite 220. Pueblo 81003-2976
Douglas County (720) 733-6930 Rio Blanco County (970)878-4093
410 Fairgrounds Rd.. Castle Rock 80104-2699 779 Suffer Creek Rd.. Meeker.1641-0270
Eagle County (970)328-8630 Western Annex (970) 675-2417
551 Broadway, Eagle 81631-0239 17497 Hwy 64. Rangely 81648
Elbert County (719)541-2361 Rio Grande County (970) 657-0213
325 Pueblo. Simla 80835-0128 See San Luis Valley Area Office
El Paso County (719)636-8920 Routt County (970) 879-0825
305 S. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs 80910-3123 136 6th St., Courthouse Annex,
Fremont County (719) 276-7390
Steamboat Springs 80477-2830
615 Macon Ave., WO, Saguache County (970)657-0213
County Administration Building.Canon City 81212-3390 See San Luis Valley Area Office
Garheld County (970) 6,5-3969 San Luis Valley Research Center (719)754-3494
902 Taughenbaugh.Suite 303, Rifle 81650-1112 0249 E. Road 9N, Center 81125-9643
Gilpin County (303)582-9106 San Luis Valley Area Office (719)657-0213
230 Norton Dr., Golden 80403 865 Oak, Del Norte 81132
Grand County (970)724-3436 San Miguel-W. Montrose (970)327-4393
210 Ilh St . Extension Hall, Fairgrounds, 1120 Summitt, Norwood 81423-0130
Kremmling 80459-0475 Sedgwick County (970) 474-3479
Gunnison County (970) 641-1260 315 Cedar. County Courthouse. lulesburg 80737-1532
275 S. Spruce. Gunnison 81230-2719 Summit County (970) 668-3595
I luerlano County (719)738-2170 37 Peak One Dr. CR 1005, Frisco 80443-1270
928 Russell Ave.,Walsenburg 81089-2045 Teller County (719)689-2552
Jackson County (970) 723-4298 Ill North A St., Cripple Creek 80813-0368
312 5th St.. Walden 80480-1077 Washington County (970)345-2287
Icffcrson Count 181 Birch Ave.,Courthouse Annex,Akron 80720-1513
Y (303) 271-6620
15200 W. 6th Ave,Suite C. Golden 80401-5018 Weld County (970)304-6535
Kiowa County (719)438-5321 525 N. 15th Ave.. Greeley 80631-2049
County Courthouse. 1305 Goff, Fads 81036-0097 Yuma County (970)332-4151
310 Ash. Courthouse, Suite B. Wray 80758-1800
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Colorado State University Cooperative Extension provides information and education and encourages ti
application of research-based knowledge in response to local, state and national issues affecting individual
youth, families, agricultural enterprises and communities of Colorado. We meet that challenge by offerir
educational opportunities to all Coloradans through our network of county Extension offices.
it
CCil• rs •
At Ls
. , n5
Cooperative Extension
' L _ f - Colorado State University
Office of the Director
1 Administration Building
Fort Collins,Colorado 805234040
(970)491-6281
FAX:(970)491-6208
February 4, 2005
Greetings!
I am pleased to share with you a copy of the 2004 Colorado State University
Cooperative Extension annual report "Putting Knowledge to Work,"which
highlights our outreach goals in the local communities throughout Colorado.
Samples of the program impacts that Cooperative Extension is making around
the state are profiled in the report. A unique aspect of this report is the inclusion
of four programs that profile cooperative efforts of Cooperative Extension and
the Agricultural Experiment Station.
Cooperative Extension is a unique component of Colorado State University, the
state's land-grant university, with the mission to deliver educational programs
and information to help citizens address current needs and issues.
I hope you will take a few minutes to read this report and I welcome any
questions or comments you have regarding the Colorado State University
Cooperative Extension program in Colorado.
Sincerely,
an A. Rewerts
Director
MAR:sss
Enclosure
Colorado State University.U.S.Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating.
Cooperative Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.
IAHF7F5
Keeping Diabetes at Bay
..
� , ' i ( Jesse Ortega did just what the team Department of Public Health and Environment
)- .`i who developed Small Changes Make and Salud Family Health Centers, put the
a Big Difference hoped he would do. Small Changes package on a compact disc and
,ii �� r. " After attending the one-hour, lunchtime offered the CD (in both English and Spanish)
workshop on diabetes awareness in to agents and others working in public health
J, Arapahoe County he lost weight, in Colorado and Wyoming.
started exercising and he's kept diabetes The CD includes a PowerPoint
at bay. presentation, activities and handouts for
Ortega, a workforce specialist with participants, pre-. post and follow up surveys
Arapahoe/Douglas Works, is happy he's been and evaluations, risk statistics for diabetes for
The Small able to avoid taking medicine, even after his Colorado and the nation, print-ready posters
doctor diagnosed him as "on the edge of to promote the workshops and information on
having diabetes." additional community resources.
Changes Small Changes Make a Big Difference Gains reported that during the firstyear,
started in 2003 with Jane Frobose (pictured the program was delivered to more than 350
right in photo), Colorado State University people in Colorado and the CD distributed
program Cooperative Extension family and consumer to some 100 Extension agents and health
sciences agent in Denver, and Kay Zimka, educators in Colorado and Wyoming. Those
then agent in Jefferson County. Each agent did participating have shown a 20 percent average
encourages
needs assessments in their respective counties increase in knowledge of type 2 diabetes,
and decided to focus on diabetes for two inducing risk factors, signs and symptoms,
people to take reasons, said Frobose. and disease complications. Most important.
"First, type 2 diabetes is an epidemic in participants have learned actions they can
Colorado and across the country, and second, take to reduce their risk or delay the onset of
action to control there was compelling research showing that type 2 diabetes. Post surveys of participants
for many people, this kind of diabetes can showed that after taking the workshop, 89
be controlled, or even prevented, by small percent developed a personal plan of action
their own lifestyle changes," Frobose said. to change their behavior in at least one way to
Frobose and Zimka were joined by reduce their risk.
Sheila Gains (pictured at left in photo) and Gains said the one-hour session is
health. Jennifer Eich, also Colorado State Cooperative appealing for several reasons. "We often
Extension agents in Arapahoe and Adams present during a lunch hour, so it's easier to
counties, respectively, along with dietetic make time. Also, this information is broadly
interns from Colorado State. Their goal was to aimed at those who think they may be in a
COktant create a self-contained program that could be high risk group or those who are interested
easily offered throughout the state. The team, in gaining information for a family member
Uni 'ersity along with collaborators from the department who may be at risk, so there's no need
Oxicer tiro of food science and human nutrition at for participants to identify themselves as
Ettertskm
Colorado State, Colorado Diabetes Prevention diabetic," Gains said. And probably most
Putting Hnon/etl;e to Rork and Control Program at the Colorado important for those attending, there's good
news about the steps people can take to fight
this disease.
A 2002 research report from the
national Diabetes Prevention Program
at George Washington University
showed that while lifestyle changes and •
treatment with medicine both reduced
the incidence of diabetes in people at -
high risk, the lifestyle intervention was
more effective than the drugs. Frobose /9‘,
adds, "lust a 5 to 7 percent weight loss - • ,
and the addition of walking 30 minutes
a day, five times a week, was shown to be
effective in preventing diabetes in a high
risk person. This is good news for a lot of yF
people." s f i
Approximately 17 million people in May 2oae
the United States, or 6.2 percent of the
population, have diabetes, a 50 percent jump
from 1990 to 2000. About one-third of those 25 percent really made a difference. My blood
with type 2 diabetes don't know it, because pressure and cholesterol are down and I'm
the disease often shows no symptoms for doing more exercise. I'm even hoping I can get
seven to 10 years, Gains said. Early detection off my blood pressure medicine eventually."
is important because over the years high Ihanadu Garza,who works in risk
blood glucose damages nerves and blood management for Arapahoe County, said Small
vessels, leading to complications including Changes Make a Big Difference helped her
heart disease, stroke, blindness, nerve understand more about the diabetes that Annual Report, 2004
problems, kidney disease, gum infection and runs in her family and gave her the insight to Cooperative Extension
amputation. make some changes, including losing weight. Colorado State University
For Jesse Ortega the program was just "I was really encouraged to learn that even 01 Administration Building
what he needed. "This class enlightened me. a 10 percent weight loss could make a big 4040 Campus Delivery
I was already doing about 75 percent of the difference for me,"Garza said. Fort Collins. CO 80523-4040
things they recommend, but adding the other —Mary Pat Adams www.ext.colostate.edu
Phone:(970)491-6281
FAX: (970) 491-6208
More Strides to Prevention
the Small Changes team has now revised the original program into a 2004 version with improvements based on test results,
said Gloria Veil inga, community health coordinator with the Colorado Diabetes Prevention and Control Program and team
member.
"This is just a great prevention message, and with all the bad news about the increasing numbers of people with type 2
diabetes, it's important for us to talk about a program that really makes a difference in people's lives," Vellinga said.
i ' alb ? for �: . �� �` '
riiMMOMMOMIPMEW
f �.
-}4 Dub Couch (pictured at left) was We're not good savers in this country."
looking for ways to make his money Miller said. "but after this seminar. 98
if! �r iy r p.; -
work harder when he attended a series percent of the participants that responded
of seminars offered by Colorado State said they felt prepared to make decisions
University Cooperative Extension called about investments and would add at least two
rFinancial Security in Later Life. additional tasks to their financial planning
The 75-year-old Rocky Ford such as reducing expenses to reach investment
resident proudly proclaims he found goals and consulting with a financial planner."
what he was looking for. "In 10 months, Brenda and Dave Daniher drove 45
I've gotten a 7.94 percent return that beats minutes each way to attend the Financial
the heck out of 3.25 percent." Security in Later Life seminars in Rocky Ford.
Semi-retired. Couch buys and sells golf The Danihers live on a ranch 20 miles south
carts and he's looking ahead to full retirement. of La lunta where they raise Shire draft horses
-I feel that I want my money to make all the and cattle.
money it can for I0 moreyears. At that time I "The seminar from Cooperative Extension
want to run and play." that caught my eye was the one on how to
Couch learned about retirement planning, make a will." Brenda Daniher said. Today she
types of investment products. legal issues and is the process of creating this important legal
long-term care insurance in the five-session document.
program held the spring of 2004 at the Otero The seminars helped the Danihers better
County Cooperative Extension office in Rocky understand what their retirement future looks
Ford. like. It confirmed that they are on track in
The sessions represent a national their planning, Brenda Daniher said.
initiative of the Cooperative State Research, "We do have some small investments in
Education and Extension Service (CSREES) retirement programs and we realized that if we
aimed at meeting the retirement planning live frugally now and continue to live frugally.
needs of folks like Dub Couch. Strengthening our goldenyears will be modest ones. But we
the capacity of families and individuals to are modest people anyway. It was nice to find
establish and maintain economic security is at out that we're doing all right,"she said.
the heart of the initiative. The Danihers and Dub Couch were
"At a national level, resources were among 200 people around Colorado to
assembled to support each of the states in participate in Financial Security in Later Life
carrying out this initiative." said Jacque Miller, sessions held around the state lastyear.
Cooperative Extension family economic Statewide. the program is targeted at baby
specialist. boomers and older individuals, even people
Research from CSREES in 2001 showed who are already retired, Miller said. "At the
that retirement confidence had declined and community level, agents recruited audiences
fewer people were planning for retirement. A from either the general public or workplaces."
survey found that only 46 percent of the baby In Otero. Bent and Crowley counties,
boom generation was saving for retirement. lean Justice, area Extension agent. family and
consumer sciences, wanted to follow up on a created by Colorado Cooperative Extension to
series of women's financial education classes estimate retirement savings needs.
olfered in the early 1990s. The work doesn't stop after the seminar
"I thought this was a natural continuation sessions end. Attendees go away with "to-do"
of that, the next step. With everything going lists that might include crafting goal-oriented
on in the economy today and the number of investment plans, calculating the amount of
baby boomers we have out there, this was money needed to achieve their retirement
a natural time to do it. To make sure that goals and researching specific investments.
particularly the baby boom generation would Agents gathered evaluation summaries
he ready for retirement." after each session to help gauge the benefits
justice delivered the sessions on planning of offering the seminars. "We asked them
for retirement and making long-term care Questions about what they had already done
insurance to prepare
decisions. She ��` •
d �� ����� for retirement
recruited a ( 717 feat l Luc and what they
loplanner
lerandial SECURITY were planning
planner and i to do." lusticc
a lawyer to atie,tl//„mmat said. "We also
lead the other asked them to
sessions. Justice had additional community rate the financial value of the workshop."
support for the program. In general, participants found it valuable,
"All of our local banks donated money to she said. The majority of Otero County
help support it and pay for advertising. One participants placed the financial value of
bank gave scholarships." the seminar series to themselves as between
A team of Colorado agents tailor $100,000 and $500,000.
materials created at the national level for Miller said CSU Cooperative Extension
their local programs. Miller explained. plans to continue the Financial Security in
"Our Colorado Web site was set up for our Later Life seminars.
educators. Agents can click and download and "The national figures on financial
copy handouts or outlines or get PowerPoint planning are just too daunting for us to
presentations." ignore." Miller said. "With approximately 60
Each of the seminars in the program is percent of Americans who die without a will,
designed to spark action by the participants. trust or advanced health directive, we already
In Colorado, these activities included have plans in place for an updated legal
estimating income sources and monthly education program. called, Legally Secure
financial needs in retirement, using a template Your Financial Future.-
-Sue Lenlhe
Coloradans Get Prepared
According to an impact statement created by Cooperative Extension from data provided by participants in the 2003-2004
Financial Security in Later Life seminars, more than half of Coloradans who attended said they were well prepared to snake
decisions ahout their retirement concerns following the seminars. Most of the remaining participants—46 percent - felt they
were somewhat prepared.
.r
GAIIA 14
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y, Millions. with the volunteers and the volunteers' time is
►s y That's the dollar value of volunteer spent serving the community."
i .c hours donated to Cooperative Extension Whiting said the value of Colorado
s,' 'f_, " programs. master gardeners' time is about$1 million a
. •
Across the state, whether it's year. "1'm excited about that. That's quite a
yy native plant masters. Colorado master contribution back to our community," he said.
gardeners, 4-H leaders, food safety Around the state, volunteer gardeners
0' advisers or others, thousands of like Steve Kanewske (pictured at left) of
„ ' , Coloradans are putting in thousands of Denver answer phone calls in county offices,
7.,11-(-; ', hours annually. help with school and community projects, at
irk
ra ive ){ Their efforts multiply Cooperative farmers' markets and plant diagnostic clinics.
}t Extension knowledge, research and resources Kanewske has been serving as a Colorado
ref �1 exponentially. master gardener since 1996. Retired from a
x 1.t Take 4-H, for example. Dale Leidheiser, position at US West as director of corporate
9 {.j: Extension 4-H youth development specialist, advertising and brand management, Kanewske
r,* -' `," 6 said that in 2003-04. a volunteer group said he wanted to learn more about gardening.
e1 k 12,659-strong put in an average of 128 hours "I've always had an interest in horticulture
t
x a -J per person peryear. and did it as a hobby. When I retired, I had
The statewide professional staff of 60 a desire to get a little more solid foundation
'f
full-time workers couldn't begin to make a in some of the dos and don'ts and the proper
?1, 4:` s 11 i- dent in the program delivery 4-H volunteers way to do things.This was an excellent way to
-11
provide. do that."
The U.S. Department of Labor values Master gardeners receive 60 hours of
: "k volunteer time at$17.19 per hour. That's a training taught by Colorado State University
I! dollar value of more than $25 million in 2003 horticulture specialists and Extension agents.
3'
for 4-H volunteer hours alone. Once trained, the volunteers are required
e. s . Cooperative Extension's Colorado to contribute 50 hours the firstyear and 24
k ¢ ' Master Gardener program offers similar hours eachyear after that.
benefits. David Whiting, Extension consumer Kanewske has found a variety of ways
., 4I horticulture specialist and Colorado master to donate his time as a Colorado master
in Lails,; ; gardener coordinator, said there are about gardener. He works with Habitat for Humanity
s' „f . `x , - tI 1,700 volunteer gardeners statewide. In homeowners on the design, installation
J11;111',"'„: A. ` }1 Boulder County. for instance, there are two and maintenance of their landscapes. He
5, 3tir ' ,"a ' 1) Extension agents working in horticulture and volunteers at the ProGreen Expo held each
44 1 300 Colorado master gardeners. year in Denver, serves on a speakers bureau
;a € .41 "The Colorado master gardeners multiply and helps review applicants for new volunteer
' (J., ` , .1 j; the staff potential by hundreds,"Whiting said. gardener positions.
} "If we did not have our volunteer gardeners, The Native Plant Master program, offered
a 11 we would not be serving home horticulture. jointly by Gilpin and Jefferson counties
t0 PCgrf I The Extension agents' time is spent working Cooperative Extensions, is a volunteer-
1 - it.
r
• ,. 4 `01.training program twice removed. The program "Barbara and I worked L� ow,S
trains a handful of trainers who then train together to conceptualize this ,
larger groups of trainers. idea of having an educational "x( -1 _ "
"We're training the staffs and volunteers program that empowered .
of other agencies. We do not have to homeowners and resource M .ti c,—
�
manage those volunteers hut they use the staff to teach the public about \
a:1/4\ I
4.,
information.' explained Barbara Fahey, native plants," Leahy said. "" i ,L �i'
director of Jefferson County Cooperative "There wasn't time for me to
Extension. do that while on the joh, even �, e ,..
Fahey launched the program in 1997, though the position had was � , -fit? ,�A: -1/4i
which asks each native plant master to commit in environmental education. , . ,I 2P
to teaching 30 people about Colorado plants So I was committed to doing
every year. that with Barbara on a volunteer basis."
From there the benefits begin to multiply The Native Plant Master program focuses
like ripples on a pond. on teaching people about native plants as
"We're in the thousands of public well as the normative plants and weeds that 6"`
contacts every year. Through the end of 2003 can threaten them. As they learn to identify tt
we had 51,399 direct educational contacts as a various plants and their places in the local
result of this program," Fahey said. ecosystem, they become increasingly excited, I'
"In 2003. more than 14.000 public acres Leahy said. "It helps them value these plants
have had noxious weeds controlled on them. in a way they have not, perhaps, thought of : '
Ir i.
More than 16,000 acres had native plants before."
.
used in landscapes That's more than 30.000 The efforts of volunteers like Leahy and
acres impacted by the program." Fahey said. Kanewske extend beyond the obvious roles of .!
In 2004 alone, by the end of the teaching people about plants or gardening,
third Quarter the program had 3.755 direct cooking or sewing, or raising cattle. Extension
educational contacts. volunteers are engaged in community
Volunteer trainer Christine Leahy said building.
that participating in the Native Plant Master I lelping people with home gardens,
program allows her to explore a personal for instance, isn't lust about growing better
passion for native plants. She was already at backyard tomatoes. "Gardening is how people
work in the environmental education field teach children joh skills. It's a creative outlet.
when she helped Barbara Fahey develop the it's a stress reducer," Whiting pointed out.
program Leahy was director of Jefferson "We're not in it because we want to garden.
County's Lookout Mountain Nature Center at We're in it because we're growing people."
the time. -.Sue Lenthe
More than a Monetary Return
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension statewide 4-H staff of 60 full-time workers can't begin to make a dent in
the program delivery 4-H volunteers provide. In 2003-04, a volunteer group of 12,659 4-H leaders put in an average of 128 hours
per person. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, who values volunteer time at $17.19 per hour, this translates into more
than $25 million of service to their communities.
In exchange for 60 hours of training from Colorado State, over 1,700 Colorado master gardener volunteers give their
communities 50 hours of service their firstyear and 24 hours of service the following years.This contribution is estimated at
$I million a year in service to Colorado communities.
`iV _. f i
is
/4 fit '`;jii„
0\ 11. 13 High-Tech Weed Pulling
.,.,.
The Routt County 4-H community because they should," she said. 'They see it
mapping project is a parent's dream come being clone for authentic reasons, are brought
true. into the whole process of looking at the
The project represents a happy problem, monitoring it. assessing trends and
confluence of kids, high-tech computer hopefully working with the state parks folks to
applications, the outdoors and community find out how to minimize those weeds."
service. The outcome: relevant experience in The Routt County project also helped
real-world endeavors. resource managers comply with a 2003
Thanks to a partnership with the Orton government directive requiring all state
Family Foundation, and knowledge gained agencies to map tamarisk, a new invasive weed
Mapping about Global Positioning System and Global found growing along waterways, Whaley said.
Information System technology, sixyouth from Whaley launched the project in February
Routt County took on the task to help local 2003 Ey rounding up kids he thought would
the location resource managers by mapping noxious weeds be interested, based on past 4-H projects.
at Elkhead Reservoir in Elkhead State Park. Ultimately, a group of six, ranging in age
of weeds Jay Whaley(pictured in photo), Routt from 12 to I5, came together to form the 4-H
County 4-Hyouth coordinator, organized community mapping team.
the project after being contacted by Connie "It's a pretty unique group. We have
helps resource Knapp, community mapping program three from Hayden, on the western side of the
manager for the Orton Family Foundation in county, one from Steamboat and two home-
Steamboat. schooled kids,"Whaley said.
managers "Community mapping is a tool used by all Emily Hallenbeck, a 5-year-old native of
kinds of decision makers." Knapp said. "In the Hayden, said at first she wasn't very interested
case of the Routt County project, mapping the in the project. But the technology element and
understand the location of weeds around the reservoir helped a friend's participation hooked her.
resource managers understand the extent of "I got interested because it had to do
the problem and make decisions about how to with computers," she said. Like many kids
extent of the deal with it." her age, Hallenbeck enjoys "messing around"
"Our community mapping program puts with computers and discovering the different
youth working alongside community members things that she can do with them.
problem. on real issues so that they learn new skills, After selecting the team, the next step
like GIS technology, and how to apply it to was a class in GPS technology, which consists
decision making," said Knapp. The program of 27 satellites orbiting the earth and a series
also teaches youth that math, science and of ground stations around the world that
CACDklai technology skills have applications in the real monitor these satellites.
world beyond school. Both civilians and members of the
�iv "I think the real carrot in this whole military use handheld GPS receivers to
Cooperative
Extension community mapping process is that kids learn communicate with the satellites using radio
in a real-world context that it's not that they waves. Combining information from four
Putting Knowledge to Work have to learn math or how to measure pH just satellites, the receivers are able to pinpoint
and save a Ss ' 'fit$ usable map
location on -4..','•.-4.:4-: ' W y0 keys for their
earth. called
_
a way point- N v ' Whaley
This data 1 r - plans to
',
then can he ^es '� continue
loaded into a p > t A the 4-H
computer with l'1 ( community
Geographic mapping
Information - " team again
System _ in the spring
soltware and p� of 2005. He
used to create t' also hopes to
maps_ help educate
Once the group was familiar with the others in 4-H about the power and
hardware and software. members spent a full potential of GPS and GIS technologies.
day surveying Elkhead reservoir. Happily, He has developed a seven-step process for
Whaley said, they found no tamarisk there. implementing projects.
By boat and on loot the young mapping team Meanwhile, the GPS units haven't been
members marked all of the Russian Olive gathering dust. "The kids come hack in and
plants they found using their handheld GPS check out the units."
units. One team member gathered a group
With their data in hand. team members who went out and mapped noxious weeds
paired up, with each pair creating a map. "So on his father's ranch. Hallenbeck and her
they not only learned how to load the way friend, Jennifer Epp, mapped hounds tongue,
points on to the computer. we taught them all a cockle-burr-producing weed, in the Hayden
the things that need to be on a map and what Town Park. They devised a control plan -
they were trying to relay," Whaley said. chopping down the plants and bagging seed
"II was easy to make the points." heads—and plan to go hack in the spring to
Hallenbeck said, referring to the way points monitor the problem. Annual Report, 2004
created with the handheld GPS units. 'But it Whaley said the technology involved in Cooperative Extension
was hard to put them into a map and design community mapping offers opportunities for Colorado State University
the map so it was attractive for people to 4-H to expand its relevance toyouth. "A lot of 01 Administration Building
read." times the public sees 4-H as cooking and cow 4040 Campus Delivery
Hallenbeck said it took time for team projects. They don't realize all the citizenship Fort Collins. CO 80523-4040
members to figure out all the things the and leadership and now even technology we're www.ext.colostate.edu
computer systems could do along with providing toyouth." Phone:(970) 491-6281
choosing appropriate colors and creating --Leioh Fortson FAX: (970) 491-6208
4-H Agent Tackles Community Mapping
Roust County 4-1i youth coordinator, lay Whaley, launched the 4-H community mapping program in February of 2003, to
help the county meet a government directive to map tamarisk, an invasive plant growing along waterways. Whaley chose six 4-H
youth who had worked on past 4-I1 projects. three from the west side of Routt County. one from Steamboat. and two home-
schooled youth. All youth on the team shared a common interest...computers.
p \__! U Co -op I(. .iv,°) Off
�a may
Larimer County farmer Mario Herrera credits Ernie Marx, Extension
re-ate Herrera (pictured at left) probably agriculture agent in Larimer County. and
didn't know he was about to take on others within the Extension system for guiding
�. ...'. -1. -
a challenge that had frustrated many him through the process of determining that
4 {� _ before him. Herrera. the founder and cucumbers would be the best bet for a crop
force behind the Northern Colorado that could produce a good return per acre.
w Y , soy Pickle Cooperative, believed the idea of and staying with him during all the steps of
sr, growing cucumbers for food processor developing the co-op.
Dean Foods was a good one and We considered string beans, carrots,
thought a co-op with local farmers just might onions and peas, but cucumbers fit our
armers worked work. And so far, with a successful 2004 growing season for this area so well," Herrera
harvest and a three-year contract, it has. said. A cucumber crop harvested for pickle
Herrera first met Bob Hamblen, Colorado production can provide a return of up to
with Extension State University Cooperative Extension $1,000 an acre, compared to the$50 an acre
director for Boulder County, and Roberta return on other crops traditionally grown in
Tolan. Extension horticulture agent in Larimer the area, such as barley, sugar beets and pinto
agents to find County, at a Mile High Growers Group beans.
meeting in 1999. Hamblen. Tolan and others Dean Foods welcomed the idea of
were working with local farmers to find crops cucumbers grown in Colorado for the La
Information and
that could be grown profitably in the Front Junta facility, rather than the Texas cucumbers
Range counties. Herrera, who began farming they were buying, because fresher cucumbers
talk through the at his current location just east of 1-25 near generally mean better pickles. But even with
the Weld/Larimer County line in 1990, had a crop known to be successfully grown and
previously grown cucumbers for Dean Foods, harvested in the area, one of the biggest
1SSUeS. but gave it up when the food processor closed hurdles would be forming a co-op that
its facility north of Greeley. Herrera still had worked. The advantages to a co-op, such as a
the name of a contact at the Dean plant in La shared contract with a food processor, sharing
Junta in southern Colorado, and suggested the purchase of expensive equipment and a
the growers group consider hying to grow pooling of experience and knowledge, are
cucumbers for pickle processing. often riot enough to overcome the obstacles,
While Herrera knew growing cucumbers said Doyle Smith, Director of the Colorado
for a pickle processor could provide a Cooperative Council. Smith said many new
farmer an excellent profit, he also knew the co-ops fail eachyear in Colorado, mainly due
many challenges, including the debate over to lack of proper planning and a shortage of
mechanical vs. hand harvesting, the problem capital.
of picking the cucumbers quickly once they Smith met with Herrera, Marx and others
reach the preferred size, and the race to get from Colorado State Cooperative Extension
Cooperative
F the cucumbers to the processor within hours and encouraged them to try for greater up-
of being picked. front capital for the pickle co-op. Herrera and
Putting Knowledge to Work the other IS grower members paid a per acre
k ...jjj.jtiji,jj.jjj,,j.j.; • jj oj;:.,jj:j:jjyjs,ijj.---v. .':fiC•jj,,
•
fee to join the co-op and pay an additional mechanical harvesters ,ti_ ,r �"` sri� �� `
•
lee per acre to self insure the co-op against the co-op purchased can ! - a
problems with the harvest_ The co-op of move from held to field
farmers in the Johnstown. Berthoud and in an orderly process. _�� c
Milliken areas had 320 acres in cucumbers in Only three of the �� J�i
2004 and may increase that number for 2005, 16 co-op members had '�_►��� &
I lerrera said, hut added that this is a closed commercially grown r.�r2� „
T a
co-op because Dean Foods contracts for only cucumbers for pickles,
a certain number of bushels of cucumbers. so they had many a �Agr �I.
During the process of finding farmers questions. Mechanical
willing to join the co-op, determining the harvesters have been
production cost per acre, negotiating with around since the 1960s fr
Dean Foods on a contract price for the and now about 60
cucumbers and learning the intricacies of percent of the cucumber
mechanical harvesting. I lerrcra worked with crop is picked that
Marx and other agents to find information and way, but there are
talk through the issues. 'Their knowledge of sonic adjustments and r,,l,"4114 .
resources and ability to run the numbers and things we had to learn •
•
find the answers was really invaluable, and to be able to make it
they didn't try to encourage or discourage work for us." Herrera
us on a certain path. they asked lots of said. They enlisted the
tough Questions and then helped us find the help of Ed Kee, a professor and Cooperative d , t
answers," I lerrcra said. Extension specialist with the University of r
"The Cooperative Extension agents and Delaware and expert in cucumber harvesting
specialists are a tremendous asset to have, who has visited Herrera's and other farms in ..
they have absolutely nothing to gain they the area several times to give advice. Marx
just wanted to see us succeed," I lerrcra said and Herrera returned the favor with a trip to 4 .
Herrera's original invitation to farmers Delaware in January 2005, to talk with Kee
in the area to learn about the co-op resulted and his about the project in ;"
colleagues pickle � � ' a
in only a 10 percent response, so he had to Colorado. „
try again to come up with enough farmers Marx said the credit liar the pickle co-op `° ,. r� •,
who were close enough together to make the success goes to Herrera for"the incredibly �. - `. y
sequenced harvesting work. When cucumbers good job he did in researching and writing the �i m°"� x'`t
r s
reach peak pickle size they must he Quickly business plan,- as well as I lerrcra s credibility '� ,r r•rw
harvested or they're of no use to the among area farmers. I lerrera said he can't +f t" gt
processor. For the Northern Colorado Pickle give enough praise and thanks to Cooperative ,:;!if'
>� T "y , t
Co-op, members agree to a planting schedule Extension for the part they played in the ,
that allows Ibr a staggered harvest so the three creation ul the pickle co-op. � k p , y ; �, ;
n a !
—Mary Pal Adams §a w, va, .. , sky
L 1 sBPa. 11 5`t *,
Sequenced Harvesting Seals the Deal
With a food processor on hoard that preferred Colorado grown cucumbers. Cooperative Extension helped Herrera identify
issues, run numbers and find answers that eventually convinced other growers to join the co-op. Since cucumbers have to he
processed within hours after they're picked, members of the co-op agreed to a planting schedule that would allow for staggered
harvests and mechanical harvesting.
o i . +
IMPS! W l
Y# # a I
u , . 4 ;'a. In 1999, The Colorado Division of through Communication, Consultation and
4 e ` ar Wildlife (CDOW) recognized that mule deer Cooperation).
%
4 a t, and elk on the Uncompahgre Plateau were Colorado State University Cooperative
sx. L sk competing for winter food sources, and that Extension livestock and range agent. Robbie
f t go" . r ' the mule deer were losing. In an effort to Baird LeValley, oined the collaboration soon
s 'l , v, boost their survival' $500,000 of CDOW after it was established. Participating under
,r } € capital construction funds were necessary the umbrella of the PLP, Baird LeValley brings
� ,L to complete the mission of improving their to the table I6years of expertise in range and
', f );.4!.7.41-, habitat. This infusion of funds launched livestock science. Since her involvement in the
'1:41, 344 ;r; an unprecedented collaboration between project, LeValley has served as liaison between
b r the CDOW, Bureau of Land Management, public land permittees, private landowners
i.:4.. , 1, US Forest Service, and the Public Lands and the various government agencies. She's
, 3 sir ; Partnership (PLP) that ultimately created the kept each entity aware of what the others were
S Uncompahgre Plateau Project(UP). doing and what kind of science was necessary
Xfiz
,` s $'; �, " ' ': These days. UP reaches beyond concerns to move her part of the project forward. Her
444,4-,,N ti posed by the mule deer and is responding to ability to communicate to these diverse groups
osist
f '' wildlife and ecological degradation resulting has contributed to the ongoing success of the
f ' S i > t .fg , 't+ from decades of grazing, logging, the project.
P,' introduction of roads, and juniper colonies "Collaboration of this magnitude. on 1.5
r � . a �� ' created from fire management efforts. Overall, million acres and with the level of detail the
a v fi �0 the project embraces the region's economic, agencies have given to it, is rare,' said Baird
s s "l i social, cultural and ecological issues and is LeValley who is one of eight members of
a it.T(':. �, 1 impacting 1.5 million acres of private, state UP's technical committee. "One of the most
0i``1 re hz `� and federal lands—75 percent of which arc promising components of the project is that
p:r
r public. it's portable to other people working on other
'11:f.':, '1 t iti Successfully fulfilling their mission "to landscapes. What we're doing will be a good,
k t :4?-4.sdevelop a collaborative approach to restore practical working model for projects occurring
e '� ..., ��- and maintain the ecosystem health of the elsewhere in the future:
'' � . . i Uncompahgre Plateau, using best science and The overarching goal of UP is to
i st x public input," UP now boasts collaboration improve the quality of the ecosystem's health
� i &
r
4.4.411;'',6 .',1,..1 S 1 between approximately SO governmental and restore the natural functions to the
} ' agencies and more than 600 private citizens. Uncompahgre Plateau. Specific goals include:
,1 I { ' ,;,',,,e4 ,./41t4-14,iThe project has received national press • increase the species, age diversity,
.c."` , r )404.,-,14 coverage and the attention of Lynn Scarlett, and productivity of native plant and animal
Fthe assistant secretary of policy, management communities,
'4 ' �f i 'r 't 1� and budget at the Department of Interior • change the distribution of plant age
�4111'-'4'.
C"�!
r s�° 4 '' (DOI) who visited the plateau last April. classes to match a more natural distribution,
v* +bu
a;g v; _ °, tw.,n,4, ? More recently, Kathleen Clark, director of • improve watershed health, water quality
a11 ' ) -1-';'''''-.1c.::743.1 the DOI, awarded UP with the nationally andyield,
-f&k recognized 4 C's award (Conservation
£1s
::,-;):',),,24.i: 4 ,t p e
e y x 4t u;: t
• Improve habitat
rZuaGq, for most wildlife y`
species.
• increase the
recruitment and natural
3r
survival ol mule deer. ^i
• improve the . x4 P .- ,y"
distribution and Quality of
the mule deer winter range, r t
P,
,a
• develop community Irl
partnerships to promote the
health ol the Plateau while
l'j i r
sustaining social and cultural values, active participation will greatly contribute to
• provide new stewardship opportunities restoring the plant balance on the Plateau, ; !
for sustaining community-based natural but it will also provide additional income to
resource businesses, and enterprising producers.
• demonstrate a collaborative partnership 'This has been a great learning
between communities and agencies working experience for me." said Godin who is )'
together in an adaptive approach to ecosystem located at the Rogers Mesa Research Station r
management tailored to restoration efforts in Hotchkiss. "Even though we're just
across jurisdictional boundaries. beginning with this project. I love trying new
Baird LeValley currently teams with CSLI technologies that we can hopefully pass on j
Agricultural Experiment Station Research to growers. It will take about five years to t-
Scientist Ron Godin, and representatives get there, but in the end, it will help growers )' Vr '
Iron) Utah State University and the Utah diversify and increase their profit margins."
Department of Natural Resources, to develop The long-range goal, he said, is to rcvegetate `
a program to produce seeds native to the 6,000 or so acres per year over the next
plants on the Plateau. Seeds from vegetation ten years. To do that, growers will provide
on the Plateau will he collected and taken to about 500 acres for cultivated native seed
producers who will plant and grow them at production and grow' up to 60 plant varieties
their farms or ranches. The plants will then The plant seed program will go on
generate their own seeds, which will be taken indefinitely, and LeValley hopes that it
to one of the test sites on the Plateau where will become business-as-usual for the
they will he planted again. participating producers and future growers.
From the get go. Baird LeValley urged Between the efforts to restore the natural
that local growers be selected to participate conditions on the Plateau and boost the
in the seed development project, identifying economic viability of area producers, UP
nine producers with appropriate growing Qualifies as one of the most successful
sites. I eValley and Godin s expertise and partnerships on record.
—Leioh Fortson
a
ill Th.:L
More Heads are Better Than One
This project brought together approximately 50 governmental agencies and more than 600 private citizens. The restoration
of the Uncompahgre Plateau impacted 1.5 million acres of private, state and federal lands, of which 75 percent are public.
• s:,At_ When consumers in western (Fruital. and John Wilhelm (Orchard Mesa)
41 Colorado shuck an ear of sweet corn began studying the beetle in controlled plots
111 and delight in the clean, bright kernels. to learn how it caused the damage and how it
1. r -� they're witnessing the benefits of could be controlled.
�f � ' ► f partnerships between Cooperative Within one year, they discovered that
oar-
- Extension and Agricultural Experiment a change in the timing of chemical spraying
f'1 Station (AES) at Colorado State could greatly reduce the impact of the beetle,
} c el
University. That's because corn that's and subsequently, thousands of acres of sweet
picture-perfect, disease-and insect- corn were saved in future harvests.
free, sweet, and delicious doesn't happen Studies on how best to combat the sap
by accident. Rather, it's because of a long- beetle are ongoing, but even what the agents
standing and deliberate effort to prevent have gleaned so far has helped and given
the corn from environmental hazards and to growers encouragement.
create optimum conditions for the highest- Olathe resident John Harold grows 1,400
quality product possible. acres of sweet corn, onions, and feed. -The
While both Extension and AES may have folks at CSU have put a tremendous amount
similar expertise and knowledge, they fulfill of research into insects and managing water
different roles. Extension agents work in the and soil pH levels. They've also helped with
field, side-by-side with farmers and ranchers EPA training and labor. What they do for us
to help identify any problems they may be is so beneficial that if they weren't around, we
having or to determine what problems might wouldn't have half the success that we do."
be developing that haven'tyet materialized. Extension agronomist Wayne Coolcy,
Likewise, AES provides the scientists, with lohn Murray of the Natural Resource
equipment. and facilities necessary to conduct Conservation Service, recently put together
long-term controlled studies in response to growers, Extension agents, and scientists
data collected by the field agent. As they to help treat the pH levels in the soils and
study pests, diseases, moisture, temperature, irrigation water around the Uncompahgre
and soils under controlled conditions, they are Valley where I larold farms. According to
able to discern the best herbicides, spraying Rogers Mesa Experiment Station research
practices, harvest times, packing methods, scientist Ron Godin. high soil pH levels
and more. prevent plants from taking up adequate
An example of the positive impact of nutrition, so he is conducting the firstyear
these partnerships was recently played out of a three-year study to remedy the problem
in Mesa County. In 2001, a corn-loving pest by adding sulfur and compost to the soil
called a sap beetle infested about 400 acres and acidifying the irrigation water. Harold
of sweet corn. wreaking havoc on the crops appreciates how the cooperative efforts
and adding up to a harvest loss of about between Extension, research station scientists,
$500,000. Extension entomologist Bob and other agencies are proactive, thus
Hammon. along with AES research scientist, preventing future problems from occurring.
Rick Zimmerman (Rogers Mesa), Fred ludson
Sweet corn growers
7
aren't the only people
who benclit from this type ' - /
of collaborative research. I -
•
Studies are being •
conducted across the a
t.
state to learn more about • ' ;'
onions, alfall i, canola, N
held corn, dry beans, -Ss 1 ,, ,,s
mountain meadows, and
small grains.
The small and controlled plots at AES Similar partnerships abound involving a
research centers are excellent sites for many variety of projects which ensure that our food,
of the studies, but researchers also need environment, and backyards are healthy and
multi-acre plots necessary for pesticide beautiful.A sample of the kinds of work being
trials. In that scenario, area growers provide conducted between Extension and AES agents
parcels of their own farmland for the projects. include
Pesticide studies are conducted to answer • offering technical training and hands-
both immediate and long-term concerns on pruning workshops for Colorado master
so researchers can evaluate environmental gardeners,
impacts; how weather patterns elfect the • reclamation work on mill tailings in
chemicals: the appropriate times and amounts Leadville,
to spray: and when or how pests and diseases • training migrant workers for pesticide
develop resistance to the formulas use and to understand worker protection
In the end, the data gathered from standards, and
these studies is communicated to pesticide • educating ranchers on feed and pasture
manufacturers to help them create more issues during times of drought.
effective pesticides: to chemical applicators In most cases, the team of agents
for more efficient spraying; and to the and scientists from the different arms of
producers themselves so they can yield the the University relies heavily on producers,
best possible crops and, therefore, reap industry-related businesses. and even
the highest profits. With their involvement, retailers. This promises that the tax dollars
producers become yet another partner in paying for the work will give farmers the
the efforts toward successfully managing greatest return on their investment and
agricultural lands and producing affordable consumers the best, safest, and most
and attractive loo& affordable products and services.
—Lei0 Fortson
Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Experiment Station, and Growers Collaborate
It's not enough to plant a crop and hope for the best. Colorado State University capitalizes on Extension's ability to network
and bring growers together with the scientists. With this union, Extension and Agricultural Experiment Station can look at how
best to resolve the high pH levels in soils and irrigation water around the Uncompahgre Valley that prevent plants from taking up
adequate nutrition. This kind of collaboration is being considered for studies with onions, alfalfa, canola, held corn, dry beans,
mountain meadows, anc]small grains.
1 'A
' '` The Grass is Always Greener
& a .• 3p t�R
vn
Sunny and dry Colorado offers a great lawn care option for consumers interested in
environment for raising cattle but can be organic products.
a challenging place for growing a lawn. The research team also is investigating
Colorado State University professor of soil how turfgrass top-dressed with composted
science and Cooperative Extension soil manure responds to drought.A dry period
specialist Jessica Davis, associate professor was imposed on the turfgrass test plots.
of turfgrass science and management Yaling One week after the dry period had started,
Qan, and professor of animal science and plots treated with 35 cubicyards per acre of
Extension feedlot specialist Tim Stanton compost had higher levels of soil moisture
are working together to show exactly how and lower turfgrass canopy temperature than
Homeowners the manure generated by cattle can enhance untreated plots. The compost increased soil
suburban gardens and landscapes. (Pictured water-holding capacity and reduced drought
from left are Qan, Davis, and Stanton.) stress on established turf. The compost
and turf Nearly 89,000 acres of agricultural land treatments even helped one variety of turf, a
are developed along Colorado's Front Range drought-sensitive bluegrass, to maintain its
annually, and about one-third of this area, or Quality during the simulated dry spell. "These
managers can 29,653 acres, is estimated to be planted with beneficial results have important implications
turf everyyear. Front Range soils naturally in Colorado, where water conservation
conserve water tend to be heavy and clayey, and are easily is of critical importance,"Davis says.
compacted during construction. They also "Homeowners and turf managers can conserve
tend to lose their topsoil, making them very water and save money on their water bills."
and save money difficult to landscape or garden. Compost can To make manure safe for use in
help restore these soils. "Composted manure the landscape, it must be composted.
is great for landscaping," Davis says. "Turf "Composting is a managed microbial process,"
on their water represents one potential high-value use for Davis explains. "The microbes need carbon,
composted manure." nitrogen, water, and oxygen in order to
Davis and ()Ian, along with graduate compost well. When the composting process
bills. student Grant Johnson, are studying the proceeds correctly, temperatures will rise to
benefits of using manure as top dressing on 140 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. These high
turfgrass. They have concluded that compost temperatures kill pathogens and weed seeds
application at a rate of 35 cubicyards per acre in the manure. The entire composting process
improved turf Quality and increased clipping can take up to six months, depending on the
yield over no treatment at all, and two annual intensity of the management."
applications of manure at this level eliminated However, even when composted correctly,
the need for synthetic fertilizer to maintain a some manure sources are better than others.
(JJJJvv good-looking lawn. As manure and compost Due to the diets of some animals in feedlots,
������ are the best natural, organic sources of some composts have relatively high levels of
phosphorus for Colorado's high pH (basic) salt that can hinder seed germination and slow
University
soils, applying composted manure rather than plant growth. The Colorado State University
Knowledge to Go Places chemical fertilizers could be a very attractive research team is addressing the problems
posed by salts in
manure. Stanton uses
his role as Extension
feedlot specialist to
explore methods of •
reducing the amount - " �" s ' , — —
of sodium in manure _
by changing the diets - -- " � "
of cattle in the feedlot. au`
The industry standard is
to supplement the food t ;v y — Annual Report, 2004
of feedlot cattle with • '
0.25 percent sodium - - T ... Cooperative Extension
chloride. Stanton and the team compared the cattle. Therefore, removing salt from the Colorado State University
cattle treated in this standard way with cattle rations of feedlot cattle could reduce sodium 01 Administration Building
that were given no sodium chloride, cattle that levels in manure and increase the horticultural 4040 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-4040
were offered free access to a salt block, and value of manure without having detrimental
cattle that were given a 0.125 percent sodium impacts on cattle performance. www.ext.colostate.edu
chloride supplement.After feeding on these As the benefits of composted manure Phone:(970) 491-6281
diets for six months, the cattle were harvested, are proven to homeowners and landscape FAX: (970) 491-6208
and their carcasses were evaluated. The cattle professionals. it is Davis' hope that the market Agricultural Experiment
with the different amounts of sodium chloride for compost may rise, giving feedlot operators Station
in their diets performed the same as the cattle and small-acreage horse owners an incentive Colorado State University
fed the standard supplement when evaluated to compost manure. Manure shouldn't be 16 Administration Building
by average daily gain, feed intake, and feed a disposal problem as it sometimes is now, 3001 Campus Delivery
efficiency. However, the sodium levels in the particularly when it has such high potential Fort Collins. CO 80523-3001
manure were significantly reduced by lowering to keep urban and suburban landscapes www.colostate.edu/Depts/AES
the sodium chloride levels in the food fed to beautiful. Phone:(970)491-5371
—Leslie Patterson FAX: (970) 491-7396
Colorado State University Collaborates with Composters
In the past year. a group of local composters has joined together to lixm the Rocky Mountain Organics Council (RMOC).
Their first order of business has been to develop compost Quality standards to help consumers evaluate a compost and its
potential uses
Salinity levels are one of the key factors in evaluating compost Quality. When salinity levels arc too high, the RMOC
recommends that compost not be used on salt-sensitive plants, like ornamentals. Another factor that contributes to compost
Quality is compost maturity, which is measured through both carbon to nitrogen ratio and germination tests.
Colorado State University has been at the table with RMOC aiding in the development of the Quality grades from the start. In
addition, research associate Kathy Doesken has just finished drafting a fact sheet on the compost grading system for consumers,
and research associate Addy Elliott is planning a workshop to train composters and agricultural professionals in February.
Colorado State and RMOC also are working together to seek funding for additional research in the area of compost Quality and
use. The relationship between Colorado State and RMOC is just one example of how the University supports partnerships to
encourage local businesses and agricultural sustainability.
For more information on RMOC, visit the Web site at http://www.cafr.org/membership/rmoc.htm.
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•
Hanging Patho°ens Out to Dry
:
Pat Kendall, Cooperative Extension Pathogens appear in surprising places.
gyp specialist and professor of food science like home-dried foods. Foryears, it was
and human nutrition (pictured. left), assumed that the low moisture content in dried
thas always been interested in health foods precluded the growth of microbes, but
and food, but her research on food research has shown that E. colt O157:H7 and
safety has also made her very familiar Salmonella can survive basic drying methods.
with the language of pathogens and Kendall, along with professor of animal
viruses. Escherichia colt(E. calif O157: sciences lohn Sofos (pictured, right) and Ph.D.
H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella candidate Patricia DiPersio, has developed
nenteritidis. Salmonella typhimurium, and some procedures for safely drying foods. They
Produce-related Norwalk virus (norovirus) are all essential appear in a new Extension publication entitled
words in her vocabulary. Fortunately. Kendall Drying Foods:Dehydrating Fruits, Vegetables,
doesn't expect everyone to be able to Leathers, and lerkies.
outbreaks pronounce these pathogens, but she does "The recommendations in the publication
want everyone to know how to avoid an illness concern how foods that are about to be
from them. dried can be pre-treated to enhance the
nearly match Food safety is a major problem in destruction of pathogens," Kendall says. The
the United States. Although it's estimated research team tried various pre-treatment
that only one in 10 food-borne illnesses is methods including blanching. immersing
the number
documented, Centers for Disease Control in salt solutions, and immersing in acidic
and Prevention (CDC) statistics indicate that solutions. By examining the vegetables, fruit,
of all other 76 million people in the United States are and jerkies about a month after they had
adversely affected by food-borne pathogens in been dried, Kendall and other investigators
anyyear, resulting in 325.000 hospitalizations came to several conclusions. For both fruits
contaminated and 5,000 deaths. These illnesses are and vegetables. pre-treating them with an
particularly dangerous to the elderly,young acidic solution enhances the destruction of
children, and those with compromised potentially harmful microorganisms during
food illnesses immune systems. dehydration. For vegetables, water blanching
Food-borne illnesses can be linked to in a solution that contains % teaspoon of
contaminated beef, poultry, seafood, eggs. citric acid per quart of water is recommended
combined. and produce. "Outbreaks associated with to increase pathogen death and improve
meat may get more publicity because of general quality. A vinegar dip or ascorbic
large recalls, but produce-related outbreaks acid treatment should be used on meat prior
almost match the number of illnesses linked to marinating for jerky. Safely drying foods
to contaminated beef, poultry, seafood, and involves pre-treatment. sufficiently heating the
Ss • r".. eggs," Kendall says. In fact, in 2000, there food to draw out moisture, exposing the food
►►►►"' were 3,981 reported illnesses associated with to dry air to absorb moisture, and allowing for
University
contaminated produce and 4,025 linked to the proper air circulation to carry off moisture.
other foods mentioned. These processes provide multiple hurdles that
Knowledge to Go Places together enhance microbe destruction.
Publications arc only one way Kendall the restaurant staffed the T ti
gets the word out on food safety. She also employee wants to can a R.4L
•..fi 1
writes a weekly column that appears in 22 paycheck and outbreaks
newspapers, co-edits the Sale/ink/News potentially can spread to
online newsletter, oversees a subscription- a far greater number of
•
only listsery that sends out food alerts. and people than is possible in
provides training for Extension agents, master a home kitchen situation.
loud preservers, and the Women, Infants, and Norwalk virus may
Children (WIC) program. She has also been seem particularly dangerous because it can Annual Report.2004
instrumental in developing a Web based. land on any surface, hut even a microbe like
multimedia continuing education program for cw/i, whose original source may be in the Cooper$lve Extension
nurses, dietitians, and Extension agents on gut of an animal, can easily cross-contaminate Coloradp State University
food safety issues for high-risk audiences- non-meat items without proper sanitary 01 Administration Building
Kendall's message may become even more practices. "Furthermore. there is evidence that Campus'Dellvery
Fort Co
imperative "We didn't worry about Norwalk several strains of pathogens are becomingbns CO$0523 4040
virus three years ago Kendall says, referring more virulent," Kendall warns. "Microbes like vmmext.colostate.edu
to a pathogen that recently sickened diners F. soli O157:H7 are learning to survive in Phone: 70)491-6281
at a Fort Collins steakhouse and that has severe environments." FAX (970)491-6208
generated nests stories concerning outbreaks Fortunately. Kendall and Solos are Agricultural Experiment
on cruise ships and care facilities. "The committed to researching food-related Station
symptoms of Norwalk, vomiting and diarrhea. health risks. Simple practices like hand Colorad6 State University •
aren't particularly lon lasting, but an infected washing, washing all produce with cold water 16Administratlon Building
person can still he a carrier of the virus even before eating. keeping things refrigerated 3001 CampusDCllvery
three days after the symptoms disappear." This zinc] derning cutting hoards. utensils, and Fort Coffins,CO.80523-3001
prolonged infectious period Kendall explains, refrigerators can significantly help protect www.cokrstate.edu/Depts/AES •
can he particularly problematic m a restaurant health. Phone:{970)49($371
situation, in which the employer wants to keep - /cs/ic Patterson .`FAX: (970)491-7396
SafeFood: From Farm to Fork
Are free-range chickens safer to eat?At what temperature should a refrigerator be kept' Is there any truth in the five-second
rule?Some fascinating and fun Questions are asked and answered by Salcfood Nests(http://suvw.colostate.edu/Orgs/safefood/
NEWSITR/ntenunews.html), the online newsletter produced Quarterly by Colorado State University Cooperative Extension.
SafeFood Netts is part of the SafeFood Rapid Response and Information Network, a Web site designed to help consumers
and producers make informed decisions by providing objective, research-based information about food production and safety
issues. In an entertaining, down-to-earth style, the newsletter explores topics ranging from Food and Drug Administration
warnings to urban legends surrounding food.
The Fall 2004 newsletter described an investigation in which a Georgia researcher discovered that 25 percent of the 100
free-range chickens he examined tested positive for Salmonella, matching the rate of conventionally raised chickens. An article in
the Winter 2004 issue on food storage said that refrigerator temperature should be between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. And
in Spring 2004, research was described on the five-second rule —a piece of folklore that holds that if something is dropped on
the floor it is still safe to eat if it is retrieved within five seconds. In this case, a high schooler doing an apprenticeship at Hans
Blaschek's University of Illinois laboratory, examined cookies and gummy bears dropped on tiled floors. Under a high-power
microscope, she discovered that food could become contaminated with only five seconds of contact with inoculated tiles,
r
r�, Market-Fresh
{
Dawn Thilmany (pictured, left), but Thilmany points out that a value-added
associate professor of agricultural and product can be anything that is done to a
rI
resource economics at Colorado State product that increases its market value. For
Jital University, is dedicated to taking a instance, getting an eco-label or organic
fresh look at marketing foods. Thilmany designation on a product or having a product
grew up on a big but financially labeled as Colorado-grown might increase its
struggling farm in Iowa. There, she value.
learned a model of agriculture where With niche marketing, the grower
the producer didn't have much control capitalizes on the unique aspects of a
over marketing. "But there are other models," product to appeal directly to certain
Growers can she says. "Growers can choose to take consumers. Probably the dominant niche-
control over their destiny by investing more market is organics. But in addition to
in marketing." Her research and Extension organic certification, Thilmany predicts
choose to take activities show that there is more than one way that consumers may soon see a variety of
to market food. certifications—for instance, a certification
Thilmany stresses that the traditional, for humane treatment of animals and an
control over big business model of agriculture is not American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation
bad in itself, but it's always good to have for Western Slope wines.AVAs are geographic
their destiny by choice. She feels that her work can help locations where the climate, soil, and
small producers gain access to markets. "It's elevation are assumed to give wines a certain
become a pretty concentrated agricultural characteristic.Although an AVA does not
industry in the United States, and ifyou're indicate anything about the quality of a wine,
investing more
not a big producer, it can be difficult getting Western Slope grape growers should benefit
into certain wholesale markets,"Thilmany from having an officially designated AVA.
In marketing. says. "If we can do research that investigates Growers cut out the middle person
how to gain access to different markets, what when they market their products directly to
share of the market wants to buy products consumers. The farmers market is a classic
differentiated in a certain manner, and what example of direct marketing. Thilmany's
kind of premium consumers are willing to colleague Adrian Card (pictured, right),
pay for the product, growers can determine Extension agent for Boulder County, claims
whether they will pay to invest in new that Colorado has experienced a higher
enterprises or change current enterprises growth rate in the number of farmers markets
to include different production practices." than other regions of the country. There are
Some of the practices that growers might now more than 80 farmers markets in the
choose to invest in include processed value- state. However, Thilmany wants to be sure
`.C. added products, niche-marketing, and direct that growers who choose to direct market are
marketing. aware of the challenges involved.
University Most people think of value-added "Ifyou're going to market directly as a
products as an actual change in the product, large part ofyour marketing plan,you have to
Knowledge to Go Places such as turning apples into apple juice, be as serious about investing in marketing and
C'
S •
communication resources asyou are ;•' •'r . + ,
about production,"Thilmany warns ��
in the speeches she delivers around • • a
the state through Cooperative �• �
Extension. ..cfe
"Many people get into careers
in agriculture because they love ' • . • -'ti ' X �
the production aspect of farming," 4,,�
says Thilmany, but for success in
direct marketing. they need to bring the same communities. Others want the benefits
enthusiasm and work ethic to developing of the dollar they've spent to stay in their
business plans. For his part. Card feels that neighborhoods. Still others derive comfort
producers are hearing Thilmany's message: and satisfaction from talking face-to-face
"I see more farmers approaching their work with the farmer from whom they are buying Annual Report, 2004
by looking at the marketing side first and their food. Then there are the "[oodles" (self-
working backwards, and that's good." proclaimed fans of the Food Network) and Cooperative Extension
Thilmanv and Card are anxious to let proponents of the Slow Food movement that Colorado State University
farmers know that there are lots of marketing agriculture is a culture: Food and agriculture 01 Administration Building
choices out there. There are diverse reasons are things that can enhance their quality of life 4040 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins. CO 80523-4040
customers buy a certain product. For instance, just like art.
there is no one group of consumers that buys Thilmany hopes to market to all of www.ext.colostate.edu
organic food. People choose to buy organic these reasons by helping farmers create Phone:(970) 491-6281
for different reasons. Sonic formulate their good business plans. Choice can make FAX: (970) 491-6208
choice based on environmental ideas, others happy producers and consumers. With an Agricultural Experiment
on health concerns. Many parents make the agricultural system that makes room for a Station
decision to buy organic in order to promote variety of different ways to market food. Colorado State University
nutrition in their childrens' diets. consumers are satisfied because they can 16 Administration Building
Similarly. Card explains all consumers make an informed choice about the foods 3001 Campus Delivery
who buy locally don't do it for the same they buy, and producers are happy because Fort Collins, CO 80523-3001
reason. Sonic customers want to buy locally they can charge a fair price for a product they www.colostate.edu/Depts/AES
produced roods because they want to produce using techniques they believe in. Phone:(970) 491-5371
keep agriculture and open space in their —Les/iePatterson FAX: (970)491-7396
From Crop to Cuisine
Colorado Crop to Cuisine (CCC) is designed to connect farmers with restaurant chefs and increase market opportunities for
local producers 01 fruits, vegetables, herbs, artisanal produce. and lightly processed foods. The Colorado Proud program. which
received a 2002 Governors Award for marketing, acquaints agricultural producers with Colorado chefs and coordinates orders
and delivery of locally grown products to restaurants. No particular attributes about the product are advertised except that it is
locally grown and that there is a 24-hour turnaround between harvest and delivery to the restaurant.
Yet the program is a boon to growers, chefs, and consumers alike. By joining CCC, farmers are able to easily diversify their
marketing portfolio: chefs get to work with the freshest products and advertise menu items as locally grown; and consumers
get to enjoy fresh tastes and become familiar with foods they might not have tried before. Certainly, even a short list of foods
available through the program —raspberries, tomatoes, herbs, onions, peppers, natural pork, and peas— is enough to make any
food lover's mouth water. (For more information on CCC, visit http://www.geocities.com/coloradocrop.)
www.ext.colostate.edu • www.answerlink.info
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Extension teork, in cooperation with the U.S. llepinrtrnent of
Agriculture. Cooperative Extension programs are available to all
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