Alabama Extension knows how to make a difference in people’s lives. Our programs help individuals, families, and communities make decisions that improve quality of life and economic well-

being. We listen, we partner, we respond, and we educate to effect positive change where people live and work.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIPOpportunity Increase environmental sustainability by promoting water conservation, recycling, and the use of irrigation alternatives and other practices.

Outcome Seventy-four participants in two Rain Barrel workshops learned the value of collecting and storing rainwater from a roof—water that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains and streams. Extension partnered with the St. Clair County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Middle Coosa Clean Water Partnership to conduct the workshops where individuals assembled rain barrels to take home for landscape use.

HEALTH AND WELLNESSOpportunity Promote healthy lifestyles by providing information and increasing awareness about county health care and resources.

Outcome The annual health fair organized by Extension in partnership with the Alabama Department of Public Health and several health agencies served more than 400 people. Trained personnel used a walk-through model of a colon to educate participants about the importance of early detection. Free cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, vision, depression, and chiropractic screenings as well as flu shots were offered.

Opportunity Create awareness about the risks, myths, and options related to prostate cancer and care among families in the county. In Alabama, about 170 to 200 men per 100,000 have the disease.

Outcome In partnership with the ADPH, Extension personnel presented the Create a Buzz about Blue program on prostate cancer to a target population and their families. Fifty individuals participated. The program was also presented at the St. Clair Correctional Facility.

Opportunity Enable senior citizens to navigate the Internet and learn to manage health care decisions, protect confidential information including bank accounts, and use the Internet safely and wisely.

Outcome More than 200 seniors learned computer basics through the Generations onLine program. Extension partnered with the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging using software specifically designed for the older generation.

Opportunity Help reduce the staggering rate of diabetes in St. Clair County by creating an awareness about obesity and its possible complications. More than 35 percent of adults in the county have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Outcome Sixty individuals learned to prepare healthy meals at home and balance calorie intake through the Diabetes and Your Diet and Cooking Smart program.

www.aces.edu

Making a Difference in St. Clair County

A L A B A M A C O O P E R A T I V E E X T E N S I O N S Y S T E M

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Opportunity Provide information about local services available to veterans and military families that move into the state and county.

Outcome Forty-two community partners provided information about local services at the St. Clair County Veterans and Military Families Resource Fair. More than 300 people attended the fair organized by Exten-sion in cooperation with the St. Clair County Military Assistance Personnel Support program and other agencies in the county.

Opportunity Demonstrate how business etiquette can determine success in the workplace.

Outcome More than 300 students in the St. Clair County school system explored proper protocols used in business and dining settings. Fourth through sixth grade students developed skills to make a favorable workplace impression by learning to exercise proper office manners, good table manners, and a great attitude at all times.ARCHIVE

Published by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University), an equal opportunity educator and employer.

New Nov 2012, EX-0143

© 2012 by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. All rights reserved. www.aces.edu

Lee Ann Clark County Extension Coordinator1815 Cogswell Avenue, Suite 103 /B04Pell City, AL 35125Phone: (205) 338-9416Fax: (205) 338-9417

4-H AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENTOpportunity Educate youth on significant issues through a variety of programming on subjects including science, technology, health and wellness, creativity, leadership, citizenship, character, self-esteem, and achievement.

Outcome Extension conducts fifty-seven 4-H clubs in local schools and six volunteer-led clubs that reach 1,661 youngsters in St. Clair County. More than 200 young people, ages 9 through 14, participated in the 4-H Clover classroom, which provides opportunities to learn basic life skills, creative endeavors, hobbies, and technology to realize their potential and develop a positive self image. St. Clair County Extension–trained volunteers logged many hours of service, valued at $27,010.

DISASTER RECOVERYOpportunity Help forest landowners deal with the ravages of storms and return lands to a productive status for economic, recreational, and safety reasons.

Outcome The Alabama Forest Recovery Task Force conducted a seminar for more than fifty participants on the topics of salvage operations, fire and insect damage consider-ations, reforestation, government assistance, and tax implications.

FINANCIAL LITERACYOpportunity Help consumers save money by wisely using coupons.

Outcome A Smart Shopping Using Coupons workshop was organized to help eighty participants understand how to save money when they shop. Attendees learned where to find coupons and how to organize and use them effectively.

GARDENING AND HOME GROUNDSOpportunity Beautify public and private landscapes in the county to improve quality of life and educate youth through hands-on gardening projects.

Outcome County Master Gardeners have undertaken numerous projects including helping build an outdoor classroom at Moody High School, landscaping city hall, planting a raised-bed garden at the Adult Retarded Citizens Center, maintaining existing projects, promoting plant sales, and planting trees at the entrance to a new hospital. St. Clair Master Gardener volunteers logged in 1,763 hours of service valued at $31,829.

Opportunity Encourage home gardening enthusiasts by providing information about how to grow their own transplants.

Outcome More than seventy individuals attended the St. Clair County Exten-sion Seed Starting Workshop where they learned various aspects of growing healthy seedlings for timely transplanting at home. Participants received several varieties of tomatoes and pepper seeds that are not available as transplants in stores. Due to the overwhelming response to the first seed starting workshop, a second class was offered.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY SYSTEMSOpportunity Help livestock producers in the county decrease production costs, improve forage production, and increase sustainability of farming operations.

Outcome More than 100 cattle, sheep, goat, and equine farmers and hay producers attended a workshop on forage basics. They learned how proper forage management influences herd nutrition, reduces the need for stored feed, and improves the overall economic health of small family-operated livestock farms, thereby, significantly improv-ing long-term sustainability.

SAFE AND SECURE FOOD SUPPLYOpportunity Provide training for food service managers in the importance of food safety and handling.

Outcome Thirty food service managers in the county participated in food safety training through the ServSafe program.

Opportunity Help families eat safe, healthy foods by learning how to properly preserve fruits, vegetables, and meats.

Outcome Basic food preservation programs were offered to more than twenty-five participants, helping families save money, eat more fruits and vegetables, and ensure that their preserved foods are safe to consume.

Opportunity Provide information for clients expressing renewed interest in raising their own food.

Outcome Extension personnel offered the Backyard Poultry workshop to those who were considering raising chickens and needed help getting started. More than thirty people learned about housing, breed types, feeding and flock management, disease issues, and biosecurity.

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