2010 – 2011 University of Maine Extension Highlights for Piscataquis County
Program Highlights- 4-H and Youth Development
- Family Resource Management, Nutrition, Food Safety & Food Preservation
- Sustainable Agriculture, Home Horticulture & Home Energy
- Statewide Program Highlights
Making a Difference
For more than 90 years, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has worked with Maine volunteers to offer community-driven, research-based educational programs in every county. Our annual report features highlights of recent accomplishments and the difference we make in the lives of Maine citizens and their communities.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s successful educational programs result from a federal, state and county government partnership. Since 1919, when the Maine Legislature passed the County Extension Act*, the University of Maine has been in all Maine communities with a county office whose operations are funded by county government. Our educational programs anticipate and respond to local and state needs and issues. We also communicate those issues and opportunities to UMaine faculty to influence their research and development plans.
Executive Summary
Like many organizations, Pisc
ataquis County Extension has faced the challenge of increasing need and demand for services concurrent with decreasing revenues and budget. As noted on page 9 we’ve actually experienced a 21% decrease in county funds since 2009 that resulted in a 35% decrease in state support. While this has created some obvious changes such as a 20% reduction in hours open to the public, we are pleased to note that we have not reduced our service to nor impact on the community by the same 20%.
Viewing Extension as a business, we are a significant contributor to the local economy. When all extension funding is taken into consideration, we are a business contributing in excess of a half million dollars to the county economy in real dollars, not counting monies being brought in to the county through grants and improvements to local businesses and individuals. We cannot, however, expect other sources of funding to increase and offset county reductions. These sources of funding are experiencing the same economic challenges and those challenges must be shared with some degree of equality.
These challenges have required sacrifices, creativity, improved efficiencies and an increased reliance on volunteers. While we understand, support and actually promote the need for fiscal responsibility, we also have a responsibility to the communities and citizens of Piscataquis County. This report will attempt to describe and summarize how we have attempted to meet that responsibility during this past year.
As we complete our second year of significantly reduced funding both proud of our accomplishments and exasperated by the needs and opportunities we’ve missed. This report is a synopsis of program results.
- 4-H and Youth Development
- Family Resource Management
- Nutrition, Food Safety & Food Preservation
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Home Horticulture
- Home Energy
Additional information is available and we of course welcome the opportunity to answer any questions.
2010 – 2011 Piscataquis County
Staff Members
Extension Educators Program Associates
Barbara Baker Anita Libby-Kain Donna Coffin Sue Henner Jane Conroy Hannah Todd Tom GoodspeedEat Well Regional Supervisor
Wanda LincolnSupport Staff
Amanda MilesFor More Information about Piscataquis County Cooperative Extension contact the local office at:
165 East Main Street Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 (207) 564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491 cespsq@umext.maine.eduhttp://extension.umaine.edu/piscataquis
Please note, due to reduced county funding the office is open to the public Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Tuesdays we are closed to the public. Other office staff continues to conduct educational programming without secretarial support on this day.
Have any comments or suggestions? Do you want to complain or tell us we are doing a great job? To help us in our efforts to better serve you, we have created a Customer Comment Card that is accessible online. Please visit http://tinyurl.com/psqccc to express your opinion, provide valuable feedback or share a testimonial. Or stop into the office during regular business hours. Thank You!
