"A little bit of this, a little bit of that."

A little bit of this, a little bit of that.  This statement pretty much sums up the last two weeks of being at the Bracken County Extension Office.  I have worked with the FCS, ag, and 4-H agent although my main focus is 4-H.  The first day on the job I was out visiting with a farmer that was putting CIDRS in his cows to synchronize them all along the side of David Appelman, ag agent and Dr. Anderson from UK.  By the end of the first week I had worked with cattle producers, senior citizens with a nutrition lesson, visited tobacco producers’ greenhouses and started organizing for upcoming events in 4-H such as Cloverbud day camp and our annual showmanship show.

I had the privilege of getting to choose my project for the summer.  Ever since I could walk I have been showing livestock, so of course it was an interest to me to take on the 12^th Annual Bracken County Showmanship Show.  Last night the show committee met, but before that I was at a dairy farm discussing rotational grazing with Dr. Phillips from UK.  After coming back from the dairy farm, I prepared for my meeting which went smooth.  I was proud of myself for conducting such a well organized event and got complimented on doing so too.  This year’s show looks like it is going to be a very successful event and I hope everyone is pleased with some of the changes that were made.

Rebecca Neltner, our county 4-H agent just started last fall and knew I would be a big help this summer. So far we have got a lot accomplished and have more things to take care of before the end of the summer.  For instance, getting me through my first time going to 4-H camp.  Luckily, I found out today that I am not only first timer going that is 21 years old. J Sunday I am leaving to go out west to Oklahoma and Texas as part of a school trip with Morehead State University.  I am a little nervous since the tornadoes destroyed so much, but I hope the trip is something to remember.  Although I’ll be more than ready to get back in the office and get to work!

Introductions, New 4H Agent, Hams, and Tag-Ins!!

Hello everybody! My name is Nichole Murdock and I am stationed here in my home of Breckinridge County. My first two weeks of work have been super busy to say the least, but so much fun. My supervisor is Carol Hinton, the ANR agent; however, I am the 4H intern. But during the time of applying, they were in the process of hiring a new 4H agent. She arrived on Wednesday! It was so nice to meet her and her name is Alex Bryant! I am working closely with bother agents now.



Alex Bryant, New 4H Agent



Me



To start off my week we headed straight to farms to check Tobacco Float Beds. This is a whole new experience for me, because I have never dealt with Tobacco. I have been learning about proper fertilization levels, along with diseases that can occur and what to treat them with. I have also been out to some greenhouses. I am not a steak eater, just because I have never really ever wanted to try it. But our Cattlemen’s Association was having an I Love Beef day, so I went out to their event and they taught me about the different types of cuts and which was the best. I even got to taste test the different kinds of meet. My birthday was also was the second day and the office made me a cake. That was super sweet of them to do. Alex came in on Wednesday, so we travelled out to Irvington Elementary School, to introduce a class of 4^th graders to her and discuss camp. I also was in charge of running the Livestock Club and we watched the BQA and PQA videos and took a test at the end to see how the kids did. They did really well! During the entire first week when I wasn’t running with Carol going to Tobacco float beds, I was working on tons of paperwork and health papers for our Tag-In that was on May 18^th. We had a good turn out and it ended up being a fabulous day for it. Not too hot and it also didn’t rain. And all of my hard work in organizing everything very specifically worked out well. We put through about 160 animals in 2 hours. Not as many as last year but it made for a very quick day J

My second week has not been as busy as my first week, but still had a lot to do. First thing was a few runs out to Tobacco Float beds, and a meeting with the Scale guy. Then we took Alex, our new 4H agent, out to Rickey’s to check out his business. He grows these huge beautiful peonies. And we learned how he does it. Apparently the secret is to plant the peonies, then for five years, never let them bloom. You should cut them and after them years the roots will be stable and you will get perfect peonies. He also sells them, and cuts them when they get to what is called to marshmallow stage and they will survive in the fridge for 6-8 weeks. And when you’re ready for them all you have to do is place them in a cup of warm water for 24 hours and they will open up perfectly. I never knew how much I like Horticulture. We don’t have a club in our county like that so I am thinking that maybe my project will be a Horticulture Day Camp of some sort, but I haven’t thought through it enough.

 

         Later that week we had a reception to introduce Alex to coaches, and council members, and after that we had a 4H council meeting, mainly discussing the county fair, as it is coming very quickly. On any down time my second week, I made changes and typing up the fair schedule. It is very tedious in some cases. And to finish out my second week I went to the 4H Camp Planning meeting with the new 4H agent, Alex, and made sure our schedules were on track, and received camp shirts. Our theme this year is “Clover Dynasty”. I better start watching Duck Dynasty because I have no idea what it is about J The last thing we done this week was wash Hams. I never dealt with Hams before, so I was learning about the length of time you cure a ham and why you hang them up. I even got to wash a couple Hams. The kids and even the adults were super nice! And they made it easy on me!

 

Overall, I had a super busy couple weeks. One thing I didn’t mention was all the clubs I visited. I introduced myself and helped out anywhere they needed me. I have been a part of every club except livestock 10 years. So I am excited to learn more! Next week, will be all about making sure we have everything for camp, and I am so ready to go back. Alex, is nervous but I tell her she has a pro here, so she do great J I hope everyone is having as much fun as me and I cannot wait for more!

A Little Bit of Everything.

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The past two weeks have flown by! My first day in the office was May 13th. I am the intern for Nutrition Education Programs. During my first week I learned many things about what they do in the office. Each person has a different task but in the end their work comes together. I have had the opportunity to work with most of them in the office already.

I had to get a badge to get into the building so I am official!

On my second day in the office we had staff meeting. This pretty much lasted all day but I got to experience how planning of different events and assigning of tasks occurs. Also, we had to celebrate two birthdays so of course we had ice cream and brownies!

 

So far I have worked on updating a proposal. I had to type it in the proper template on the computer and I edit it each time it needs changes or additions. 

I have also worked with the registered dietitian in the office and became familiar with the LEAP program that is being taught to children ages 3-8 throughout the state. I proof read each newsletter and facilitator’s guide and updated the content. I changed MyFoodGuidePyrimid to MyPlate and researched current statistics to replace the old ones.

EFNEP and SNAP-Ed assistants throughout the state send their receipts from programs into the NEP office to be reimbursed. In order for them to receive their money our office has to verify each receipt and scan it into the computer. I have helped taped the receipts to paper and total up the amounts. This is an everyday task for me. More were brought for me to do as I was typing that!

During my first week, Food Preservation workshop was being held on UK’s campus. Our office was in charge of the shopping for the food and canning supplies. So I was off to Walmart to get the supplies. The next day it was held at Erikson Hall in the kitchen. Dr. Sandra Bastin taught the workshop and I helped assist on stirring the food during her demonstration, preparing the canning jars, preparing a recipe, and cleaning up after the workshop. About 25 assistants and agents attended at our location. It was being streamed live to two other locations. At each location the participants were broke into groups and assigned a recipe to make and preserve using a boiling water bath. I was assigned to Squash Pickles and they turned out pretty good! 

The Nutrition Education Programs office produces the Food & Nutrition Calendar each year. I helped format the recipes that are going to be used in the 2014 calendar.

Hopefully the weeks to come go as smoothly as the first two have!

Erin Gibson

Blog One: Planting, Seeding, Guns, Oh My!

Dirt, dirt, and more dirt. That is what has been present in my washing machine almost every day when I get home. These past two weeks have been the true definition of working during the summer, but loving every minute of it. I have the honor to work with Andy Mills who is the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent in Meade County, my home county.

These past two weeks have been filled with running around the county, planting soybeans, seeding Bermuda grass, checking cattle, and working with the public on any problems that they might encounter. On Thursday, May 16^th our soybean test plots got planted in a quest to beat the rain. Our plots consisted of eighteen different test strips. These plots are researching the difference in seed population and row width spacing. It was great to work with a young farmer in the area who is so willing to participate in research. Our office for the day was this field!

             

Friday, the 4-H intern, Aurora Laslie, and I worked on seeding a Bermuda Grass test field. Seeding the five acre field took approximately one hour while in the rain. This was a great way to understand the need for precision driving and accuracy in row spacing. As Aurora seeded the field, I walked the field and directed her as to where she needed to drive in order to have proper seed cover. When we were done seeding this field, we went on to work on a Artificial Insemination synchronization project for cattle. While there, my ear was itching and I had Bermuda grass seed in my ear…no wonder I was having trouble hearing! There were 23 cows (Angus and Hereford) that were inseminated, talk about a job that can get your hands dirty!

This calf was our mascot for the day!

 

On Wednesday, May 21^st, we traveled to the far end of the county to seed another Bermuda Grass Test plot. This one was over 14 acres. A muddy mess, with rain on the way, is the best way to describe this experience. I am quickly learning that being able to engineer and implement an idea will really help when out in the field. It is also vital to have a change of clothes with you back at the office because you never know what will happen. Pants ripping is a true job hazard, just ask my pair of jeans that are now in the trash can! This is a picture of the 4-H intern, Aurora Laslie (on the left) and me after seeding the newest test plot!

Friday, May 24^th, I attended the agent training in Muhlenburg County which was held at a military training camp. This training was designed to teach about some of the drugs that agents could stumble on when in the field, these drugs were also some of the most abused drugs like marijuana and methamphetamines. After the drug seminar, we were able to participate in a gun simulation where we shot Beretta handguns and then we went to the heavy duty guns. I know absolutely nothing about guns, other than they are dangerous. But I shot an M4 and an M16. An let me tell you, they were heavy! I can say that I shot with such precision that I will not be getting a call from the Military anytime soon, but for a first timer, the agents told me that I handled myself very well! For the first time in my life, I felt like I could fit in with the guys on Duck Dynasty, even if I am now sporting a bruised shoulder!

Andy has really pushed me to become a more knowledgeable person. If I do not know what something is, he will walk me in the steps to discovering the answer or I work to research the problem. For example, Andy brought me the leaves of a Silver Maple tree. It was obvious that the leaves had been damaged but it was up to me to figure out what was wrong with them. So I did some research and found out that this Silver Maple had Anthracnose, a fungal disease. This internship has really improved my knowledge bank and I am so thankful for that!

These are some of the plants that I have had to identify.

Throughout the past two weeks I have been on several house calls. These calls have consisted of diagnosing a diseased and insect infested Paulownia tree, erosion help, and working with a farmer whose herbicide from his sprayer went into the neighbor’s yard and damaged their plants. The knowledge and research that comes with this job is absolutely amazing and I cannot wait to see what the rest of this summer has to offer!

First Two Weeks in Meade County

Hello everyone! I hope that all of your internships are going as great as mine! I am located here at home in Meade County where I am working with Carole Goodwin, who is the 4-H Agent here.

My first two weeks have started off slow, although I have had a few meetings to attend and camp workshops to start planning. Having a little bit of down time has allowed me to work with our Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, Andy Mills, along with fellow intern, Callie Hobbs.

In my first week I was able to come up with a lesson plan for the workshop me and Callie will be teaching at camp the last week of June.  We will be focusing on science, and teaching the kids how to make straw rockets and how the forces of flight work together.  We spent some time making our own rocket and shooting it off down the long hallway in the office.  You know, so we’d be pro’s at it by camp.

While Carole was on vacation this week, I tagged along with Callie and Andy on a few house/farm calls.  Our big project this week was sowing several plots of Bermuda grass for a couple of farmers in the county.  One farmer wanted to experiment with Bermuda hay, the other just wanted warmer season forages for his cattle. Since Bermuda seed is very tiny, you have use a four-wheeler to sow it.  Me being the only one in our group who knew how to drive a manual ATV, I was the one responsible for sowing while Andy and Callie helped me stay in straight, even rows.  Having never done this before, it took me a few passes up and down the field to get the hang of driving at the same speed, turning at the exact right moment, and staying in a strict line. Besides our Bermuda plots, we were able to go out and diagnose a few problems local residences were having with their trees and shrubs, as well as assist one day AI-ing a few cows.

Although I spent a lot of time inside the office doing busy-work these past two weeks, I know this will be the last of my “down time.”  We start off next week with meeting and workshops, and really start preparing for Conference and Camp. After that, more in-county workshops and prepping for fair!

And the FUN begins....

                I began my internship on May 13, 2013 at the Mercer County Cooperative Extension office. The past two weeks have been filled with meetings, planning, and working with children. In the past two weeks I have learned so much! One thing that I have loved in extension is that you do something different every day.

                In the past two weeks I have spent time not only working with the 4-H agent but I have also spent time working with the Ag. and FCS agent as well. I love all areas and have been blessed to work with all three agents.  We have all been working very hard on the upcoming Fort Harrod Beef Festival witch will take place next weekend May 31-June 1.

                Besides working on planning the Fort Harrod Beef Festival, I have also spent a lot of time working with our 4-H clubs. With it being the end of the school year I was asked to promote 4-H to our 3^rd grade classrooms and inform them of the numerous opportunities that they will have as 4-H members.  We also held a Cloverbud bicycle rodeo that was super cute. The students learned about bicycle safety and then went through an obstacle course to test their riding skills.  I then went with our FCS agent to “Girl Talk” with 4^th and 5^th grade girls to discuss their changing bodies.  That was sure an interesting experience.  After this I worked with 4-H members as well as the adult Country Ham club members on washing their country hams that are in the curing process. The last club that I got to help with this week was the project club. This week they learned about electricity from a representative of Inter county energy. After the lesson on electricity the students then wired their own lamp and made lamps to take home with them.

Washing Country Hams

Project Club: Making Bottle Lamps

                   

                Even though I have spent a lot of time with kids I have still had meetings to attend in the evening.  So far in my internship I have been to a Beef Festival Meeting, 4-H Council Meeting, and the Mercer County Cattleman’s meeting.

                Outside of meetings I have worked on balancing the horse clubs account and helped getting the yearly report done.  I spent several hours working with our Ag agent the other day shoveling dirt and mulch. We worked on setting up and planting all the flowers for our flower variety trials that we are doing.

                The first two weeks has been every eventful and exciting. I have met many new people and look forward to meeting many more.  I am looking forward to the next two weeks we have many exciting thing planned here in Mercer County one of which being our big Beef Festival next weekend.

The fun has begun...

Hello fellow interns!! I hope everyone is having as great of an experience as I have been having these past couple of weeks!  Last week my week started off to be very busy going around the county checking out disease problems in tobacco greenhouses. Whenever my Ag and Natural Resources Agent, Gary Carter, told me what we were going to be doing I was really excited, because I have helped raise tobacco plants for a few years now and I always enjoy seeing how others raise their plants and learn about different diseases that are present.  We went to one farm that had a bad case of bacterial stem rot and another farm had pythium root rot getting started in their greenhouse.  We were able to give them some recommendations on how to correct the problems and later in the week we went back to check out how the plants were recovering (and all seemed to be getting better!)  After all of the greenhouse visits calmed down we served a lunch to the local hospital staff with the Harrison County Beef Cattle Association.  All the doctors, nurses, and staff were very appreciative of our all BEEF menu that we served!

On Wednesday I had a little change in pace for a day where I went to Environmental Camp with our 4-H Agent, Mike Meyer.  I enjoyed hanging out with the kids and learning a little bit about Falconry through a program that was held there at camp.  

This week I have been involved in planting a test corn plot for our county in which we planted 20 different varieties of corn to see which ones do best in Harrison County. Toward the end of June we will be holding a field day at the farm our test plot is planted, so the farmers throughout the county can see the differences in the corn and it will hopefully be helpful to them in coming years to decide which corn will yield best for typical Harrison County soil.  I have definitely had my fair share of working on some equipment the past couple weeks, anything from seed drills to corn planters as well as working on the jacks that hold the equipment up.  

I have also done quite a bit inside the office such as stuffing newsletters (literally thousands) into envelopes, attending several evening meetings with different boards, picking on the office staff, and doing some research for my summer project.  Speaking of my summer project, I am writing a publication on how to care for your home lawn in Harrison County.  We get several calls especially in the spring time about how to fertilize, what needs to be used to treat different weed problems, etc.  Being a Horticulture major, I thought it was fitting to make a publication that would help answer some of those questions in an easy to read, and user friendly publication.  So far everything has been going smooth with the research and is coming together nicely!

Until next time,

Jessica Brown