Okaloosa County BOCC — August 8, 2013 — Ag Extension — reading text

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA SERVICE AREA: PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: EXTENSION SERVICE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Okaloosa County Extension Service develops and delivers research-based educational programs, workshops, newsletters and publications in the areas of agriculture/small farms, family and consumer sciences, horticulture, natural resources, marine science, and 4-H/youth development. The nationwide informal educational network links experts and resources at federal, state and local levels. Local advisory committees provide guidance and recommendations for programming based on local community needs. Programs in Agriculture/Small Farms/Natural Resources focus on agriculture profitability and the sustainable use of environmental resources for the larger commercial operations as well as those smaller farms with more limited available resources. Family and Consumer Sciences programming involves food, nutrition, health, food safety, family finance, community prosperity, and housing. Home and Commercial Horticulture programs include training of Master Gardeners and development of Best Management Practices for the benefit of the environment for all county residents. With increased urbanization and growth come increased pressures on our coastal ecosystems. Balancing population needs while conserving our natural resources is one of the major goals of Okaloosa County’s Sea Grant and Natural Resources Extension program. 4-H clubs develop youth leadership, character, and good citizenship. Projects and programs focus on a wide array of youth interests REVENUE: Extension Service is funded within the General Fund and two partners-federal and state. Federal and state partners provided $511,824 to support the Extension Office during FY12/13. In addition, local Extension agents secured $1,048,847 through grants, in-kind services and monetary donations. For every dollar of General Fund contribution provided to Ag Extension, over $5.08 was obtained from other sources. EXPENDITURES: Expenditures Budget FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 Category Actual $ Actual $ Original $ Approved $ Personal Services 366,967 254,111 267,989 285,369 Operating Expenses 41,640 37,825 38,728 48,085 Capital Outlay 1,183 7,256 0 15,000 Reserves 0 0 0 0 Total 409,790 299,192 306,717 348,454 HISTORICAL STAFFING SUMMARY: Category FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 Full-time 9 9 8 8 Part-Time 1 1 1 1 Relief 0 0 0 0 Total 10 10 9 9 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS LAST YEAR:  Twenty-one financial management classes were taught reaching 364 individuals. Post evaluations indicate 95% had increased knowledge and 68% planned on using the information.  An ongoing series of lunchtime financial webinars was created, marketed and presented reaching 344 contacts. Post webinar surveys showed 138 of 163 (85%) respondents increased knowledge.  The Okaloosa Saves Eco-Nomic Living Expo reached more than 500 persons with financial information. Two hundred fourteen persons attended seminars and workshops. Mass media outreach included billboards, newspaper, radio, TV and web, with an estimated 6 million impressions/contacts.  Four hundred fifty-two persons set financial goals and became Okaloosa Savers. Total amount pledged for goals was $72,235 per month. A six month follow up survey showed 42 individuals saved $169,972.  Two hundred eighty youth deposited $20,118 into savings accounts through Teaching Children to Save.  The Family Nutrition Program conducted 212 classes in Okaloosa County reaching 7663 contacts.  To better assist residents in the area of diagnostic needs, the Extension Office offered diagnostic testing of soil and water. In addition, the Extension Office informed the public of diagnostic labs, procedures in sampling and provided interpretation and management recommendations of diagnostic samples submitted through UF/IFAS. More than 1000 samples were submitted and processed from Okaloosa County citizens in FY12/13.  Extension published 104 newspaper articles and aired 107 radio programs reaching almost 300,000 clientele each week with unbiased research proven information.  The Marine Science agent and volunteers provided 77 group teaching events to 3,964 youth and adults in the areas of water resources, environmental stewardship, watershed health and Florida ecosystems.  The Six Rivers Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas partnership group, led by the Marine Science Agent, educated over 200 participants through workshops, educational bulletins and workdays.  The Extension Agricultural Program reached 2020 clientele through on-farm consults, phone calls, group meetings, emails and office visits. Extension seeks to make our food system fully sustainable by teaching IPM, variety selection, pest management, and improved marketing skills.  Producers were able to identify and control pests based on Extension recommended thresholds on 80% of peanut, cotton and soybean acreage (9,000 acres) in Okaloosa County. Eliminating one pesticide application resulted in savings of $90,000 ($10 per acre) in pesticide cost.  One hundred eight wildlife enthusiasts attended three wildlife programs presented by Extension. Educational programs are having a positive impact on landowners and others who manage wildlife. Surveys indicated these programs are meeting a need for managing wildlife and natural resources and are providing a positive outdoor experience.  Okaloosa County 4-H reached 1,340 youth through clubs, camps, day camps, school enrichment, and after- school programs in FY11/12.  In FY11/12, 522 youth were registered in 4-H Community and Military clubs. In these clubs, youth learn leadership and citizenship skills.  Florida law requires that pesticide applicators obtain the proper license through education and follow correct safety and handling procedures. Ninety unlicensed attendees completed the required training, passed the  standardized statewide exam and became licensed as a result of participation in the Limited Pesticide Training program taught through the Okaloosa County Extension Office.  Two hundred participants attended 16 pesticide training classes. As a result, they earned Continuing Education required by the state to keep their pesticide licenses current.  In FY12/13, Extension agents and volunteers taught 40,061 clientele in classes, phone conferences, demonstrations, seminars, web-based modules, interaction audio/video conferences and through field and office visits. PROGRAM GOAL:  To maintain or increase quality educational programs and services using research-based information in response to resident’s needs in a timely, accurate manner.  To maintain state funds and increase other funding for a new facility and upgrade equipment.  To increase external funding for Extension. KEY OBJECTIVES: 1. Recruit and train 20 new volunteers in support of Extension educational programs and services by October 2014. 2. Increase use of technology to enhance educational delivery by October 2014. 3. Maintain existing programs in the areas of agriculture/small farms, family and consumer sciences, horticulture, natural resources, and 4-H/youth development by October 2014. 4. Manage appropriated Legislative funds and oversee construction of a new facility by October 2013. 5. To increase external funding from $422,217 to $450,000 by October 2014. PERFORMANCE MEASURES: Actual Estimated Adopted Performance Measures FY11/12 FY12/13 FY13/14 Number of Full-Time Equivalents (FTE’s) 9 8 8 Input Total Operating & Maintenance Expenditures $406,595.00 $317,610.00 318,545.00 Volunteer Hours/FTE Equivalent 11,015/$5.29 12,000/$6.00 Total Number of Client Contacts 70,486 65,000 61,964 Output Volunteer Training Hours 7,100 5,000 11,930 Volunteer Contacts 21,154 15,000 16,470 Program Cost per Client Contact $4.43 $4.30 $4.06 Efficiency Per Capita Cost of Program $2.12 $2.00 $1.75 Client Contacts per FTE (including Volunteers) 8,493 6,000 17,550 Effectiveness Percentage of Clients Adopting Change/Satisfaction 92 92 74 Volunteer Effectiveness (Contacts/Training Hours) 2.97 3.0 1.38 Volunteer Savings to County @ $18.66/hour $200,422.80 $180,000 $217,126 (According to Independent Sector Research)