USU Extension Education Highlights

The following is an unedited transcript.

USU Water Quality Extension is leading Pack It Out Utah this month. This is a statewide trail and waterway cleanup that partners local governments, nonprofits, organizations, and volunteers across Utah. Joining me today is Hope Braithwaite, a USU, extension assistant professor for watershed quality.

Farmers markets have been in full swing for a few months and USU Extension’s Teresa Hunsaker is here to share with us some recipies to cook with your fresh veggies. 

Recently, the US Economic Development Administration announced that Utah State University's Remote Online Initiative program is receiving a $1.1 million Care Act Recovery Assistance Grant, as well as other recognitions. Joining me today is Paul Hill, the director of the Remote Online Initiative, to talk about these recognitions and more.

Recently, when talking with Lacee Hemendez, she introduced the Buy Produce for Your Neighbor program that is at some farmers' markets around Utah. Joining me today is Kayla Lane, Weber County Create Better Health Ambassador, to talk more about this program.

Making healthy choices with our food can be expensive sometimes, but there are programs out there to make it just a little easier. Joining me today is LaCee Jimenez with USU Extension’s Create Better Health Program to talk about how SNAP education programs can help people.

The pandemic had many people reflecting on their mental health, and for some of it meant turning to apps for help. USU Extension’s Family Life Specialists, Dr. David Schramm partnered with Impact Suite to help come up with a new mental wellness app. He is here with us today to talk about this new app.

Drought-tolerant landscaping has become a popular option in dry areas to lessen the need for water on people's lawns. Joining me today is Rick Heflebower, USU Extension Horticulturist in Washington County, to talk about this method of drought management.

Climate change seems to be a hot topic in politics and science. Last April, Extension members from all over the country came together to talk about their role in this issue. Joining me today is Roslynn McCann, Sustainable Community Specialists with USU Extension. 

In April, President Biden introduced the $1.8 trillion American Families Plan to help grow the middle class, expand benefits of economic growth, and make the United States more competitive. This plan includes changes that could affect some people in agriculture. Ruby Ward is an agriculture entrepreneurship specialist with USU Extension. She joins me today to talk about how this plan would affect agriculture.

With over 90% of Utah experiencing extreme drought, 2021 is one of the driest years on record. This fire season has the potential to be one of the worst seasons yet. Mike Kuhns, USU extension forester, joins me today to talk about wildfire prevention. 

Keeping your lawn green while conserving water during a drought may seem difficult. In some areas of the United States, people are turning to artificial grasses to save water. Joining me today is Kelly Kopp, a USU Turfgrass Specialist to talk about artificial grasses.

Utah State University Extension Tribal and Rural Opioid Initiative Resource Center is holding a wellness summit on opioid harm reduction. Joining me today is Dr. Sandra Sulzer, USU, Extension Health, and Wellness Specialist.

Keto, paleo, gluten-free, and vegan are some of the diets you have probably heard about on social media that are also known as fad diets. Joining me today is Carrie Durward, Extension Nutrition Specialist at Utah State University. 

When buying cleaning supplies, the labels can get a little overwhelming and confusing. Teresa Hunsaker Family Consumer Science Educator with USU Extension joins me today to talk about disinfectants and sanitizers.

Kailey Foster: When you're new to gardening, it's easy to just hop right in and start planning, but there is a step you may need to consider before you jump right in. Joining me today is Sheriden Hansen, USU Extension Horticulturist in Davis County to talk about soil testing.

Kailey Foster: Social distancing and virtual events have caused some students to feel disconnected from each other. Madison Leak USU Extension Marketing and Communications assistant joins me today to talk about a new campaign on campus that is helping bring students together.

Kailey Foster: You may have noticed you lost an hour of sleep last week because of daylight savings. Joining me today is Emma Campbell, a health and wellness intern with USU extension to talk about how daylight savings can affect our sleep.

Kailey Foster: Joining me today to discuss gardening in southern Utah is Rick Heflebower, USU Extension Horticulturist in Washington County. 

Kailey Foster: Recently, USU Extension was awarded a grant to help serve counties in rural Utah with vape and e-cigarette prevention recourses. Joining me today is Dr. Ashley Yaugher, Health & Wellness faculty at USU Extension and Be Epic Project Director.

  Kailey Foster: To help promote positive youth development USU Extension has created the Hidden Gems Project for families at home. Weber County Extension professor who focuses on healthy relationships Naomi Brower joins me today to talk about this project.

Shalayne Smith Needham: For a lot of us, New Year’s is a time of resolutions. And for that new me, however, we often fall short of meeting our goals. Joining me today is Teresa Hunsaker with USU extension to talk about forming good eating habits this new year. 

Kailey Foster: We are now almost two weeks into 2021, and now is a good time to take a look at how we are doing on our new year's resolutions. Joining me today to talk about keeping these resolutions, Dr. David Schramm, family life specialist at Utah State University Extension.

Kailey Foster: The New York Times has reported a 50% increase in live Christmas tree sales in the United States due to more people staying home this holiday season. Now that Christmas is over, what should you be doing with your tree? USU extension forester Dr. Mike Kuhns joins me today to answer this question. 

 Kailey Foster- Amanda Christiansen, editor of the Utah Money Moms Blog, is joining me today to talk about USU Extension's new PowerPay Money Mastery Online Course.

 Kailey Foster: Are you looking for some new recipes this holiday season? Joining us today USU Extension Agent Teresa Hunsaker.

 Kailey Foster- There is no doubt that the Coronavirus has changed many aspects of life, and for many of us, our holiday traditions. Joining us to discuss this is Dr. David Schramm, an associate professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Utah State University.

Shalayne Smith- Needham- Joining me is Brandon Summers, program coordinator for Utah State University Extension’s 4-H Mentoring program working with at-risk youth. Thanks so much for being here. " class="wysiwyg-break drupal-content" src="/sites/all/modules/contrib/wysiwyg/plugins/break/images/spacer.gif" title="<--break-->">

Brandon Summers- Yeah, thanks so much. I appreciate you guys having me on.

  *This Segment aired back in August*

Shalayne Smith Needham: Utah offers farmers different kinds of weather conditions and growing seasons, depending on where you are in the state. While some farmers can get multiple harvests out of one crop, others are getting just one. Rick Heffelbower, a USU extension horticulture agent in Washington County explains how northern and southern Utah crop harvests could differ from each other. 

Shalayne Smith Needham: Since 2018, USU Extension has offered the Rural Online Initiative to help connect residents of rural Utah to jobs. Dr. Paul Hill is the program director for the Rural Online Initiative.

Kailey Foster- Dr. Kelsey Hall, an associate professor in agricultural Communications at Utah State University, will be hosting a series of webinars from November 5 through December 3. that aims to provide farmers and ranchers the opportunity to expand their customer base by implementing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs or snap for their CSA’s, farm stands and stores.