To the editor:
I am definitely voting for the new Harrison County Cooperative Extension levy coming up on the March 6 ballot. Please go vote, even if that is the only thing you make it out for this time.
A few years ago I realized that my unused pasture was growing poverty grass, and I wondered if planting some cover crop would improve the soil. Having lived in New York state and relied on Cooperative Extension there, I called Harrison County Cooperative Extension. I immediately received a return call from Ag Educator Mike Hogan, with some advice, and within two more days, a beautiful booklet came in the mail describing and illustrating the various cover crops, pros and cons of each, and I had all I needed to know.
In addition to its well-known agricultural services, Cooperative Extension provides several services to strengthen children and families:
The Family Nutrition Program provides useful training to county residents who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. A total of 420 county residents attended these sessions this past year.
Fit 2-B FATHERS, a social and parenting curriculum, helps incarcerated men become better fathers upon release. A total of 51 men participated in this program last year.
4-H school enrichment activities which provide much-needed hands-on learning in our local schools. Last year, more than 300 school youth learned about animal life cycles through baby chicks, scientific inquiry through rocket launches and much more.
4-H youth project development, which builds lifelong skills, work ethic and citizenship in over 250 local youth each year.
Barbara Dewey
Bowerston
