Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Seeking Volunteers for Friend to Friend Program


It’s a fact; getting important screening tests can save your life. We know that mammograms can cut breast cancer deaths as much as 1/3. And, most cervical cancer can be prevented by finding abnormal cell changes early with a Pap test.
With this information in mind, Texas AgriLife Extension-Wise County is taking on a new project with the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Within the next year the Friend to Friend: Staying Well Together program will be offered in Wise County. The program’s purpose is to encourage women to get regular mammograms and Pap tests for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer, when the disease is most curable. Information will also be presented on low-cost and free mammogram and Pap screening programs in the county.
To begin the process, I am seeking out persons that are passionate about spreading the word to Wise County women about the importance of scheduling these important health screenings. If you would like to be a part of the planning group   please contact me at the Wise County Extension office; 940/627-3341. Planning the Friend to Friend program consists of a 2 ½ hour ‘party’ that will have small group discussions; a health professional presentation, along with exhibits and food. Planning meetings will begin in February.

Sheep & Goat Clinic

AG 101 Educational Series

Fish Pond Field Day

Monday, January 30, 2012

Quality Counts & the Six Pillars of Character

It’s here! The beginning of the stock show season has officially arrived with the kick off of the Ft. Worth Stock Show. Wise County 4-H and FFA members will travel down the road to Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin and San Angelo this spring, and will end the season at our very own Wise County Youth Fair.

The youth in the barns are ambassadors of agriculture – they are usually the first thing the public sees as they are walking through the different species. This is why Quality Counts education is important and that the message they are conveying is always positive and welcoming.

Quality Counts is a curriculum that teaches youth livestock exhibitors character education and quality assurance. Quality Counts is designed around the Six Pillars of Character created by the Josephson Institute of Ethics. The Six Pillars are: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Quality Counts takes each pillar and relates it to how youth livestock exhibitors can develop and use these traits with their livestock projects. To better understand how this is done, let’s go into how each pillar and how it relates to a youth livestock project.

Trustworthiness
Trustworthiness can be exhibited in youth livestock projects in many ways. A livestock exhibitor demonstrates that they are trustworthy when they do things as simple as accurately recording birth and possession dates, meeting all obligations with their projects, and accepting the responsibility that comes with a livestock project.

Respect
To be respectful, livestock exhibitors live by the Golden Rule by treating other exhibitors, spectators, and judges, as they would like to be treated. Other ways of showing respect include listening to parents and advisors, valuing and honoring others’ opinions and taking proper care of your animal.
           
Responsibility
A responsible exhibitor will develop the knowledge, skills, and judgment about the desired  characteristics of their animal and how to prepare it for the show. A responsible exhibitor will also do each job as well as it can be done, be a role model for peers and other exhibitors, and keep record books up-to-date.
           
Fairness
Livestock exhibitors can show fairness by treating all people fairly. This means that they listen to others’ ideas and try to understand their feelings, live up to all agreements, and refusing to let personal preferences or prejudices get in the way of making a fair decision.

 Caring
Often, caring can be thought of one of the most important pillars. If we do not care, then why are we involved in livestock projects? A caring exhibitor treats animals humanely at all times, shares resources with others, and is not cruel or insensitive toward other people.

Citizenship
An exhibitor can show good citizenship by obeying the rules of the show, promoting good character within their clubs, chapters, and communities, and by protecting the environment during the raising of their project. Citizenship should be shown to the projects (animals) as well as people.

While these are some brief ways that the six pillars are reflected in livestock projects, let us remind you that there are many more. In addition, many of the traits that are under one pillar are interchangeable with another pillar. Livestock projects are a vehicle that teaches participants many things that they will use later on in life. Developing our youth’s character can only lead to a brighter future.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Wise Notes for Consumers


Making Your Calories Count
This week completes our focus of Wise County’s District 4-H Food Show winners and the nutritional benefits of their recipes. Lyndi Luttrull, a 13 year old Decatur 4-H’er received 1st place in the Intermediate Fruits and Vegetable category.  Her recipe for Orange and Avocado Salad will make a colorful addition to any Mexican-inspired meal.  The sharpness of the dressing complements nicely with the taste of the avocado. It is packed full of beneficial nutrients such as folate, vitamins A, E and C, potassium, and monounsaturated fat.
Orange & Avocado Salad

8 cups mixed salad greens                                          1 cup orange segments
1 avocado, diced                                                         ¼ cup slivered red onion
½ cup Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

Toss greens, orange segments, avocado and onion in a salad bowl.  Toss with Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette.

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette                                                                                                                                       
1 cup packed cilantro                                                  ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup lime juice                                                          ¼ cup orange juice
½ tsp. salt                                                                    ½ tsp. pepper
Pinch of minced garlic

Puree cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, salt, pepper and garlic in a blender or food processor until smooth.

NUMBER OF SERVINGS:  4
Per serving: 223 calories; 19 g fat ( 3 g sat , 14 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 14 g carbohydrates; 3 g protein; 6 g fiber; 142 mg sodium; 612 mg potassium.

Wise County Youth Fair Entry


ALL 2012 ENTRIES WILL BE MADE ONLINE-IF HELP IS NEEDED CONTACT YOUR AG TEACHER, THE FCCLA TEACHER, 4-H LEADERS, EXTENSION OFFICE OR THE YOUTH FAIR SECRETARY.

ENTRY PAYMENT:
Payments can be made on line by using a credit or debit card.  Payments can also be made by check, money order or cashier check. NO CASH. Payments by mail MUST BE RECEIVED BY ENTRY DEADLINE and will need to include a printed entry receipt. If the payment is
not received by entry deadline, it will be considered late and subject to late entry fees.

Mail to:        
Wise County Youth Fair
P.O. Box 1062
Decatur, TX  76234


ENTRY DATES:  January 9—February 11, 2011 @ 5 p.m.
The Entry Clinic will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Decatur Ag Science building.

LATE ENTRY DATES:  February 12– February 17, 2012 @ 5:00 pm
Late entries will be accepted for one (1) week after registration deadline, and a late entry fee will be charged of three (3) times the original entry fee with a minimum of $10.00. (NO EXCEPTIONS)

On line payment will not be available for late entries. All monies should be accompanied by a copy of the on line entry receipt and presented to the President or Secretary.

Late entry payment is due by 5:00 pm. If the entry and entry monies are not in by the time deadline, the entry/entries will be null and void deadline, the entry/entries will be null and void.




ENTRY DATES:
    January 9—February 11, 2012 @ 5:00 pm

    The Entry Clinic will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Decatur Ag
Science building.

LATE ENTRY DATES:
    February 12– February 17, 2012 @ 5:00 pm

    Late entries will be accepted for one (1) week after registration deadline, and a late entry fee will be charged of three (3) times the original
entry fee with a minimum of $10.00. (NO EXCEPTIONS)
    On line payment will not be available for late entries. All monies should be accompanied by a copy of the on line entry receipt and presented
to the President or Secretary.
    Late entry payment is due by 5:00 pm. If the entry and entry monies are not in by the time deadline, the entry/entries will be null and void.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Food Protection Management Course


Food Service Managers are encouraged to attend a food safety training program Wednesday, January 25 and Thursday, January 26 beginning at 8 am at the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Wise County office, located at 206 S. State Street in Decatur.  This program will be offered for $115.00.  Cost includes training, materials, and the state approved food manager certification examination (ServeSafe).  Call 940/627-3341 for more information.
The “Food Safety: It’s Our Business” course is designed to not only prepare food service managers to pass the certification examination; it will provide valuable education regarding the safe handling of food.  Almost 50 cents of every dollar Americans spend on food is spent on meals prepared away from home.  Therefore, careful attention to food safety will help keep customers safe and satisfied.
Food borne illnesses are estimated to cost thousands of dollars in lost wages, insurance, and medical bills.  With these statistics, knowledge of how to prevent food borne illness is essential.  The benefits of improved food safety include:
·                     Increased customer satisfaction
·                     Improved relationships with health officials
·                     Prevention of bad publicity and law suits due to food borne illness
By attending the course, food service managers will learn about:
·                     identifying potentially hazardous foods and common errors in food handling
·                     preventing contamination and cross-contamination of food
·                     teaching and encouraging personal hygiene for employees
·                     complying with government regulations
·                     maintaining clean utensils, equipment and surroundings
·                     controlling pests
Food borne illnesses can be prevented by following simple food safety practices.  For more information about the Food Manager Certification Training course of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service call the Extension office at 940/627-3411.  Registration is limited to the first 20 paid participants.