USU Extension Education Highlights

  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.

Shalayne Smith Needham- Every year on the first full week of October for teachers across the country celebrate National 4-H week. This year, youth celebrated the event from October 4 through the 10th. Megan Hendrickson is a state program coordinator from Utah State University where she runs social media for Utah 4-H.

Shalayne Smith Needham- No matter what your income is, it is easy to face spending issues. Amanda Christensen, editor of the Utah Money Mom's blog and associate professor at Utah State University shares real-life Smart Money tips to help you keep up with your spending goals and budgets.

This Program Ran Back In July 2020

Shalayne Smith Needham- farmers Feeding Utah is a program created by the Utah Farm Bureau that raises money to buy products from farmers to be donated to people in need within the community. So far, the program has helped people in the Navajo Nation and in northern Utah, and we'll be hosting an event in Salt Lake City on July 27.

Shalayne Smith Needham- Coronavirus has left many farmers and ranchers wondering how they were going to sell their products this season. Kynda Curtis is an agriculture and food marketing specialist for Utah State University Extension and joins us to talk about this issue.

Shalayne Smith-Needham: Utah is a great place for growing apples. The warm summers and cold winters helped create an optimal environment for many varieties of apple. Shawn Olson is a retired USU extension agent in agriculture and horticulture who has helped with all aspects of apples. Thanks for being here today.

Shalayne Smith Needham-  The opioid epidemic has been an ongoing battle that has been fought for years in the United States. In July 2018, Utah State University started its Health Extension Advocacy, Research, and Teaching or HEART Program in an effort to educate people on public health crises such as opioids. Dr. Ashley Yaugher is a HEART Initiative Coordinator and Team Lead.

How does HEART help fight against the opioid epidemic?

Shalayne Smith Needham- Food preservation is important for those wanting to enjoy food for a longer amount of time without spoilage. Melanie Jewkes, an associate professor at Utah State University teaches food preservation to members of the community. And with many people buying their produce directly from farmers this summer, how can we make our farm fresh food last longer?

Shalane Smith-Needham- Over the last few weeks, the Black Lives Matter movement has been gaining momentum across the country with protests happening in every state and even countries around the world. While the information on the movement is all over the internet, how would you have these conversations with children?

Shalane Smith-Needham- Summer's here and we are looking forward to the upcoming holiday weekend. Joining me to talk about some fun refreshing recipes to enjoy during the hot summer months ahead is USU extension agent from Weaver county Teresa Hunsaker.

Shalayne Smith Needham: On May 1, restrictions on restaurant dine-in options were lifted. Now that restaurant dining areas are opening up again, visitors should expect things to be different. 

Dr. Brian Nummer, a professor in the USU Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences Department joins us. 

Shalayne Smith Needham: With everyone spending more time at home a lot of us are taking time to clean out our cupboards, pantries and refrigerators and maybe finding the sell, buy and use by date stamps on our food items a bit confusing. Joining us to talk about food safety protocol is Teresa Hunsaker, consumer educator for USU extension. Thanks for being here.

Shalayne Smith Needham: We have all dealt with the effects of COVID-19 in one way or another and some of us will come out of this a new person. Joining us to discuss this is Dr. David Schram, an associate professor of human development and family studies in the College of Education at Utah State University. 

Shalayne Smith Needham: In stressful times, it's important to reach out to friends, family, and especially children who need guidance during these hard times. Callie Ward is an Extension assistant professor at Utah State University and specializes in family finance, family resource management, emergency preparedness and food preservation. Callie Ward joins us by phone from Garfield County. Thanks for being here. 

Are restaurants safe for delivery and take out? Dr. Brian Nummer, an Associate Professor in the Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences Department at Utah State University, addresses this question.