2009-2010 Washington County Annual Report

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.  

A sampling of our educational program areas: 

•  Agriculture Business & Community 

•  Food & Health 

•  Gardening & Horticulture 

•  Home, Family & Youth Natural Resources 

•  Consumer Energy Education 

•  Small and Home Based Business 

Washington County Highlights

Nutrition Associates from the Eat Well Nutrition Education Program provided nutrition education to 1,831 low income youth in local libraries, summer camp programs, Head Starts, schools and after-school programs in 2009.  Fifty-eight limited income program families were taught individually in their homes, in small community groups, in Food Pantries or participate through a correspondence course-Eat Well by Mail. 

The Senior Companion Program provides volunteer stipends for 32 Washington County residents who help 185 older adults maintain their independence through companionship, transportation and being a friendly visitor.  

Senior Companions were honored at the Governor’s Service Awards in Augusta. Senior Companions from Washington County were named to Maine’s 2010 Roll of Honor in appreciation for volunteering over 500 hours during the past year in their communities.  The twenty four Senior Companions honored volunteered a total of 16,810 hours in 2009. 

Eighty-three older adults participated in A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program for Seniors.  Classes were held in five different locations. The older adults learned new techniques to help them live more independently and not be afraid of falling. 

During the past year, over 312 youth between the ages of 5 and 19 participated in a variety of 4-H activities delivered through day camps, special interest groups and the 4-H club model. Programs and projects focus on hands-on learning experiences that teach life skills such as decision making, cooperation, critical thinking and goal setting. 

Summer day camp programs with an Olympic theme were offered in four communities, reaching 70 youth between the ages of six and nine. 

Sixteen youth leaders gained work-force prep skills and were trained to lead young campers through a variety of activities.  

4-H activities in Washington County were supported by 35 volunteers dedicating over 700 hours of service to their communities. 

Over 815 lbs of produce was donated to Washington County food pantries during the 2009 growing season through volunteers of the Plant a Row for the Hungry Program. 

In 2009 and 2010, 27 new Master Gardener volunteers were trained. In 2009, Master Gardener volunteers spent over 1,887 hours on projects.  Examples of their current outreach projects include community or demonstration food gardens in Trescott, Eastport, Calais, Perry and Machias; a school gardening project in Eastport; community beautification projects in Calais, Cutler, Machiasport, Lubec, Eastport, Machias, and Wesley and an intergenerational berry garden in Pleasant Point. 

UMaine Extension’s Marine Extension Team is participating in a fisheries study to conserve and restore wild populations of Rainbow Smelt within the U.S. Gulf of Maine watershed.  Results from this work contributed to regulatory changes in 2010 that provided additional conservation measures for smelt in Maine.  Part of the project is public education on Rainbow Smelt populations in Washington County and engaged students from Perry Elementary School and Shead High School, Eastport to assist with monitoring efforts this year.  

In 2009 – 2010 approximately 30 potential owners received over 200 hours of free individual consultation and support to help them evaluate their business idea. Extension is continuing to work with these entrepreneurs as they move forward with their business plans.  

The From Recipe to Market: Ca$hing in on Value-Added Opportunities six-part workshop series provided an overview of what is involved in taking a specialty food product to market.  Twelve participants learned about licensing, how to prepare and package their food product safely, to access potential profits, and discover some of the resources available to support them in business development. 

There are 25 Extension Homemakers that meet in Whitneyville on a monthly basis for the purpose of strengthening and extending adult education into the home and community.  Maine Extension Homemakers goal is to develop leadership, promote the University of Maine Cooperative’s educational programs and support worthy community causes.  

Local Partnership

Our County Extension Association is the vital link between the county, our communities and UMaine. The Association’s Executive Committee is comprised of local volunteers who represent community interests by advising UMaine Extension staff on educational programs, advocate for and secure funding from county government to support the county office, oversee the office budget and facilities, and guide UMaine Extension staff in identifying their programming goals. 

Statewide Extension Funding

  

As a unique partnership among federal, state and county governments, UMaine Extension uses funding from Maine counties and the University to match and leverage support from the United States Department of Agriculture, other federal grantors, state agencies and private foundations. Each county UMaine Extension office is also part of a statewide organization and the national Extension system. 

University of Maine Cooperative Extension Support for Washington County

2009  
Local Salaries and Benefits   467,339
Prorated Support from UMaine*   478,387
Computer Equipment & Networking   6,272
Publications   830
Postage   3,110
Telephone   1,685
Travel   21,539
Total   $979,161

Prorated Support from UMaine* reflects salaries & benefits for Administrative and state-wide staff.

Without statewide support, UMaine Extension would not be present in this county. Funds for projects are provided through the University of Maine, Federal Formula Funds, grants, contracts, and fees. Dollars from other sources support salaries and benefits for Extension Specialists, County Educators, Extension administration, computer equipment and networking, publications, postage, telephone, and travel.

Washington County Budget 

Equipment-  $ 3,500     
Insurance-  $ 500
Rent-  $ 7,200
Utilities-  $1,200
Supplies-  $ 2,000
Postage-  $ 400
Telephone-  $ 2,200
Program Support-  $ 2,600
Secretarial Salary-  $ 24,500
Total Request-  $ 44,100 

Each year, Washington County tax dollars support the UMaine Extension with physical office space, support staff salaries, office supplies, equipment and some programming expenses. 

*The County Extension Act 

The County Extension Act explains the role of county government in funding local Extension offices: 

Cooperative extension work shall consist of the giving of practical demonstrations in agriculture and natural resources, youth development, and home economics and community life and imparting information on those subjects through field demonstrations, publications and otherwise. For the purpose of carrying out this chapter, there may be created in each county or combination of two counties within the State an organization known as a “county extension association,” and its services available to all residents of a county. The county extension is viewed as a unique and important educational program of county government. The executive committee of each county extension association shall prepare an annual budget as requested, showing in detail its estimate of the amount of money to be expended under this chapter within the county of counties for the fiscal year. The executive committee shall submit to the board of county commissioners on a date requested by the county commissioners, and the county commissioners may, if they deem it justifiable, adopt an appropriate budget for the county extension program and levy a tax therefore. The amount thus raised by direct taxation within any county or combination of counties for the purposes of this chapter shall be used for the salaries of clerks, provision of office space, supplies, equipment, postage, telephone, a contribution toward the salaries of county educators and such other expenses as necessary to maintain an effective county extension program.¹  

¹Excerpted from Title 7, Chapter 7 of the Maine Revised Statutes, §191–§195. 

Statewide Highlights

 A sampling of programs that have statewide and local importance: 

The Value of Volunteers: As in previous years, Extension’s volunteers multiplied the value of our work through the generous commitment of their time and expertise, this year giving more than 151,400 hours to their communities in the name of UMaine Extension. Extension volunteers helped senior citizens maintain their health and independence, grew community gardens, taught people ways to keep warm during the long Maine winter, helped feed the hungry, monitored the quality of our coastal and lake waters, made their communities more beautiful, and maybe most importantly, helped young people in Maine learn skills of living. Volunteer time is valued at $15.74/hr. by Independent Sector –if paid this reasonable rate for their time, these volunteers would be worth more than $2.38 million to Maine communities. If we put a value on the affect they had in the lives and future of the people with whom they worked, it would, of course, be invaluable. 

Extension; A UMaine Priority: Despite profound shrinkage in State support to the University of Maine, the outreach mission of our institution remains a high priority, and UMaine Extension as its major purveyor remains an important and integrated part of that effort as expressed by the University of Maine President in a recent blog posting: 

In a career spent at land-grant universities, I’ve been closely involved with a number of Extension operations. None can match UMaine Extension in terms of scope, effectiveness and commitment to the needs of state residents. It is truly a first-class enterprise, which brings UMaine expertise and resources to people in every Maine community. As Extension’s role evolves, so does UMaine’s impact. UMaine Extension focuses on helping Maine residents work to manage agriculture, natural resources, and the environment; enhance economic opportunity; and encourage lifelong wellness. The widespread effect of work in those areas alone has a tremendous positive impact on communities, families and individuals statewide.  Extension is a source of pride for the University of Maine, and it is a real key to the positive statewide identity this institution enjoys.- Dr. Robert Kennedy, President University of Maine, February 2010 

Maple Grading School: UMaine Extension worked with the University of Vermont and the Canadian syrup industry to develop an innovative curriculum for consistent grading and best management for producers. The Maple Grading School was established in 2004 and more than 110 maple producers, packers, and USDA inspectors have attended. Producers who attended the Maple Grading School learned and implemented specific grading skills that enabled them to produce more uniform, consistent, and valuable maple syrup and value-added maple products. 

Our evaluations show that approximately 75 percent of participants have saved money, increased sales, reduced costs, and increased profits from between 10 and 70 percent, or an estimated $1.4 million. 

Farming and Gardening, the Value of Asking: People routinely contact Extension’ County offices by telephone, email, or by stopping into an office to ask a simple question about farming or gardening. In fact, we answer tens of thousands of simple questions every year. We recently followed up with a sample of 34 clients to determine the ways in which our answers were helpful, and the value they attributed to the information they were given. Almost everyone (97 percent of those surveyed) found the information we supplied to be helpful in solving their problems. In fact, people saved money as a result of asking for help: 53 percent (18) benefited economically by growing more or better food, experiencing less pest damage, using fewer pesticides, or saving or making money. When asked how much they had saved or made and using the statistics they supplied, we can assume that for every 1,000 inquiries to our offices there is an average of $113,800 in economic benefits directly back to clients. One client who participated in this evaluation said: “I couldn’t farm without you. I have learned how to spray less and am now 99 percent organic. Extension’s advice about pasture grasses have helped eliminate years of trial and error.” 

Weight Control Behavior in Maine Middle School Students: In response to the childhood obesity epidemic and its predicted long-term economic and health implications, public health advocates have strived to increase youth awareness of the health risks associated with obesity. Moreover, the media emphasize the aesthetic desirability of being slender.  In response to these messages, youth are trying to lose weight but are not necessarily approaching it in the most healthy manner. UMaine Extension recently conducted a study that explored weight control practices of middle school students. We found that the majority of middle school students are aware of the desirability of avoiding excessive weight gain; however, in trying to control weight, they may be unintentionally increasing their risk for obesity: 

       82 percent of female students engaged in weight control behaviors that studies associate with a three-fold increased risk for obesity five years later. 

       36 percent of male respondents engaged in weight control behaviors that increase their risk for obesity.  

       74 percent of females with healthy weights engaged in weight control practices that increased their risk for obesity.  

       26 percent of males with healthy weights engaged in these activities. 

Decreasing Lobster Pound Mortality: One of the risks of lobster trading is holding stock to sell during winter months when prices are higher. In recent years, the economic advantage of impounding has been greatly lessened due to “shrinkage,” the industry’s term for loss due to mortality caused by stress and disease during impoundment. This loss has been reported as high as 20 percent, or as much as $56 million in Maine. This year our Animal Health Laboratory conducted a large study of stressors in lobster handling. Our research suggested that fast hauling speeds, depth of water, and rough handling does produce a measurable stress in lobsters, leading to mortality losses. We also detected a microbial agent that appears to have a role in the shrinkage seen in the pounds. Management strategies as a result of our research have the potential to save millions of the crustaceans, improve the quality of lobsters at retail, and minimize the incidence of sick and diseased lobsters going to market. 

Entrepreneurship – Small and Home-Based Business: Small and home-based businesses play a significant role in Maine’s economy, employing an estimated 15 percent of our workforce. Business workshops and consultations are offered to those in the start-up and change phase of a business. UMaine Extension faculty and staff teach business skills and answer questions, which help owners and managers make important decisions about their business concepts and direction. Our one-on-one assistance includes a range of business supports including reviewing a business plan, reviewing marketing materials, identifying market research techniques, and sharing resources. Our consultations helped customers establish clear business goals and objectives, organize their businesses, apply for a trademarks, develop customer profiles, research specific markets, create Web sites, establish new pricing policies, and engage in networking opportunities. During 2009, our small and home-based business team helped facilitate the creation of more than 110 new business plans, 70 marketing plans, and 49 financing plans. Partly as a result of our interactions with Maine entrepreneurs, 95 businesses were established, 18 businesses were retained, and 99 new jobs were created. 

The 4-H and Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation Partnership: Extension’s 4-H youth programs are enhanced through support from the Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation, whose fundraising efforts and endowments support program such as Citizen Washington Focus, National 4-H Congress, and the Eastern States Exposition as well as a college scholarship program for Maine youth. During 2009 there were 30,083 youth enrolled in Maine’s 4-H youth development program through clubs, camps, schools, nutrition education programs, and other programs. Enrollments included: 

• 14,510 – Science Engineering and Technology
• 9,122 – Environmental Education
• 2,492 – Animal Science
• 5,707 – Citizenship
• 2,107 – Leadership/Personal Development
• 2,999 – Communications/Expressive Arts
• 15,149 – Healthy Lifestyles

  

For More Information about University of Maine Cooperative Extension-Washington County office: 

University of Maine Cooperative Extension
28 Center Street
Machias, ME 04654
1-800-287-1542 (within Maine)
207-255-3345