Okaloosa County BOCC — August 4, 2014 — 5-3 Agriculture 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 $404,296 to support the Extension Office during FY13/14. In addition, local Extension agents secured $354,949 through grants, in-kind services and monetary donations. For every dollar of General Fund contribution provided to Ag Extension, over $2.14 was obtained from other sources. EXPENDITURES: Expenditures Budget FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 Category Actual $ Actual $ Original $ Approved $ Personal Services 254,111 266,859 291,017 297,106 Operating Expenses 37,825 42,481 48,085 50,438 Capital Outlay 7,256 1,072 15,000 0 Reserves 0 0 0 0 Total 299,192 310,412 354,102 347,544 HISTORICAL STAFFING SUMMARY: Category FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 Full-time 8 8 8 8 Part-Time 1 1 1 1 Relief 0 0 0 0 Total 9 9 9 9 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS LAST YEAR:  Youth/4-H programs included the Teaching Children to Save program. As a result of this program, 90 youth made 122 deposits into savings accounts for total deposits of $12,737.28.  The Okaloosa Saves Eco-Nomic Living Expo reached more than 600 participants who visited educational exhibits and participated in classes. A post event survey completed by participants rated the program as above average or excellent. Two hundred ninety-six program participants set new financial goals and became “Savers.” A follow up survey was complete by 25 participants. They reported savings of $125,444, monthly savings goals of $1925 and $5500 had been paid on debt. Mass media outreach included billboards, newspaper, radio, TV and web, with an estimated 6 million impressions/contacts.  Three hundred seventeen of 325 class members of the First Term Airman Center at Eglin AFB completed a post survey. Sixty-one percent (193) plan to obtain their credit report. 56% (178) will negotiate the total cost of car, not monthly payments on an auto; and 64% (204) planned to develop a spending plan.  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 FY13.  Extension Agents published 104 newspaper articles and aired 8 TV and 104 radio programs reaching almost 300,000 people each week with unbiased research proven information.  Eight hundred seventy youth demonstrated knowledge and understanding of ecosystem function and plant care techniques by successfully raising 1000 Sea Oat plants during the 2012-2013 school year and successfully restored 5000 square feet of coastal dune system in Okaloosa and Walton Counties.  The Six Rivers Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas partnership group, led by the Marine Science Agent, resulted in approximately 4000 acres of invasive species being removed, treated and/or replaced with native plantings.  The Extension agricultural program reached 3,061 clientele through on-farm consults, phone calls, group meetings, emails and office visits. The main goals of Extension’s educational efforts in working with our agricultural producers include enhancing sustainable agriculture, conserving of natural resources, improving marketing skills and improving agriculture awareness for those not involved in agriculture.  There are currently 3,650 acres of peanuts, 4,100 acres of cotton and an additional 1,000 acres of various types of fruits and vegetables being grown in Okaloosa County. There are 2,000 beef cows on farms resulting in beef cattle sales of $1.1 million per year, There are approximately 448,300 acres of forest land in the county with 400 employees and a manufacturing output for this land at approximately $20,586,000.  Okaloosa County 4-H reached 1,574 youth through clubs, camps, day camps, school enrichment, and after- school programs in 2013. These youth learned science, engineering and technology, healthy living, leadership and citizenship skills. Young people in 4-H report better grades, higher levels of academic competence, an elevated level of engagement at school, and are 2 times more likely to plan to go to college to pursue a degree in science, engineering, or computer technology than their peers.  Forty classrooms at 8 Elementary schools participated in our Embryology program, reaching 720 students in 2013. One hundred percent of 40 teachers indicated that these students learned something new about eggs and chickens from this project being brought into their schools.  Florida law requires that pesticide and fertilizer applicators obtain the proper license through education and follow correct safety and handling procedures. Three hundred forty-one unlicensed attendees completed the required training, passed the standardized statewide exam and became licensed as a result of participation in the Limited Pesticide Training or Best Management Practices programs taught through the Okaloosa County Extension Office.  Three hundred forty-eight participants attended 16 pesticide training classes. As a result, they earned Continuing Education required by the state to keep their pesticide licenses current.  In 2013, Extension Agents and volunteers taught 90,577 clientele in classes, phone conferences, demonstrations, seminars, web-based modules, interactive 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 to 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 2015. 2. Increase use of technology to enhance educational delivery by October 2015. 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 2015. 4. Manage appropriated Legislative funds and oversee construction of a new facility by October 2013. 5. To increase external funding from $354,949 to $450,000 by October 2015. PERFORMANCE MEASURES: Actual Estimated Adopted Performance Measures FY12/13 FY13/14 FY14/15 Number of Full-Time Equivalents (FTE’s) 9 8 8 Input Total Operating & Maintenance Expenditures 406,595 317,610 318,545 Volunteer Hours/FTE Equivalent 11,015/$5.29 12,000/$6.00 Total Number of Client Contacts 70,486 65,000 90,577 Output Volunteer Training Hours 7,100 5,000 10,300 Volunteer Contacts 21,154 15,000 8,137 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 86 Volunteer Effectiveness (Contacts/Training Hours) 2.97 3.0 1.38 Volunteer Savings to County @ $18.66/hour $200,422.80 $180,000 $192,198 (According to Independent Sector Research)