CSU/SUMMIT COUNTY
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT 1978-79
AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES A. PLANT SURVEY
A vegetable and flower plant survey was conducted by the Extension Office during the winter of 1979. The purpose of the survey was to determine the garden variety plants grown in Summit Couity. The survey was sent to approxi-mately 40 Summit County Garden Club members. A group of eight members volunteered to check survey results and as-semble the information for publication. The pamphlet pro-duced is now available to local residents and may be par-ticularly helpful to newcomers moving into the area with no previous experience in high altitude gardening.
B. SEEDLING TREE PROGRAM
This program provided approximately 8,000 trees for lo-cal homeowners and 10,000 trees for the Amax Mine at Cli-max in their revegetation program. The trees were used for reforestation, windbreaks, and erosion control. Many of the trees purchased by local residents were used to re-forest areas hit by the mountain pine beetle. Results in-dicate that local citizens are interested in planting trees for the future and making sure Summit County remains a
beautiful place in which to live. Approximately 500 seed-lings were purchased by the Summit school district and planted on school property by the children. The following is a breakdown of trees purchased: Lodgepole Pine 3,510, Ponderosa Pine-2,570, Douglas Fir 2,450, White Fir 450, Juniper 180, Blue Spruce 3,550, Englemann Spruce 3,830, Cotoneaster 150, Honeysuckle 200, Lilac 25, and Narrowleaf Cottonwood 100.
C. HIGH ALTITUDE GARDENING CLUB
The Summit County High Altitude Garden Club met for a seed exchange, garden slide show and variety discussion on April 17, 1979. This meeting kicked off the club program for the year. Approximately 40 residents attended this
meeting and exchanged a variety of fruit, vegetable and flower seeds. One greenhouse gardener brought several to-mato seedlings for auction. Following this meeting, six other meetings and tours were held. The.group enjoyed a
panel discussion on gardening in Summit County at the second meeting. Panelists discussed vegetable raising, berry pro-duction, lawn grass and sodding tips, and shrub and tree
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grams were conducted on soil testing, beetle control, vege-table insect control,.composting, mulching and food drying. An early garden tour was held in July to observe flower and vegetable gardening in the area. The final program on trans-planting was held September 18 with a trip to the Henderson Mill site. Transplanting information was provided to the group and each participant was allowed to bring home several plants, courtesy of Amax Inc. Approximately 20 individuals took part in the program. Plants selected were: Blue Spruce, Englemann Spruce, Douglas Fir, Willow, Aspen, Potentilla and Lodgepole Pine.
The mailing list of those interested in Garden Club activi-ties grew from 40 in 1978 to 125 in 1979.. More and more people are interested in learning how to become successful gardeners at this elevation. Approximately 300 contacts were made throughout the year involving this activity.
D. PEAK SEVEN SEWER REVEGETATION
The Extension Office assisted the county engineer in revege-tation techniques along the Peak Seven sewer line. A soil and vegetation survey was made to determine growing condi-tions and natural vegetation on the site. Soil samples were taken and a report was rendered. A revegetation plan was drafted and used by the engineer in his discussions with individual homeowners and the project contractor. Approxi-mately 400 property owners were affected by this. project. If all guidelines are followed, it is believed that within three years a natural condition will again exist on the dis-turbed site.
E. RODENT PROBLEMS
Approximately 50 residents utilized the services of the office in rodent control. A rodent—control workshop was -held in April involving a state wildlife specialist.. Ap-proximately 15 people attended :this workshop. Participants were instructed in rodent habits, destruction patterns, iden-tification and control methods. A newspaper article was
written informing citizens about control techniques. As a result, approximately 35 pounds of poison grain were sold to • residents in the Keystone, Summit Cove, and Silverthorne areas. Several traps were also sold in an attempt to reduce
destruc-tion losses: The workshops and home visits provided were a result of public assistance requests. A formal survey will be conducted during 1980 to determine program results and/or need for future activity in this area.
F. GARDEN/LAWN HOME VISITS
Approximately 30 home visits were made to assist with lawn and garden problems. A primary lawn problem was heloninthium
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sporium, a fungus disease that attacks, Kentucky Bluegrass. Vegetable garden problems consisted of onion rot, flea
beetles, aphid and radish maggot infestations. Proper con-trol recommendations were provided to individual
home-owners resulting in healthier lawns and gardens in Summit County.
G. HIGH ALTITUDE GRASS PLANTING WORKSHOP
Dr. Jack Butler, CSU Horiculture Specialist, presented a workshop in May 1979 for homeowners, and town and county maintenance personnel. Dr. Butler visited several homes in the area and discussed grass planting technique with residents. Approximately 20 individuals attended the work-shop or were given information during home visitations. Success was achievedin identifying local problems in grass selection and planting and in finding some solutions to those problems.
H. BEETLE CONTROL OFFICE CONTACTS, PROGRAMS AND HOME VISITS Over 400 telephone calls were received in the office regard-ing beetle problems in pine trees durregard-ing 1979. These res-pondepts were then supplied information by mail on identi-ficatibn, treatment, control and prevention of MPB. Home
visits were requested by 100 individuals to check for beetle damage. During these home visits, over 2,000 trees were found to be infested and were marked for treatment and dis-posal. The Extension Office worked closely with Colorado State' Forest personnel in outlining areas of concern. The Colorado State Forest Office provided assistance to the towns of Dillon, Frisco, and Silverthorne in beetle control efforts. The Extension Office worked primarily in all areas outside the town limits. Summit County Jaycees offered to cut and treat trees on private property for a donation from the_property -owner. This was_a.needed.service and was used extensively in 1.979.
A 20.-minute slide program on beetle identification and con-trol was assembled in early 1979. This program was
re-quested and given to ten local organizations during the course of the summer. Approximately 250 individuals were reached via this educational method.
Results of beetle control efforts will not be known until 1980 or.later. Many individuals acted immediately on the in-formation given. Others received the inin-formation but have yet to act. Of the 2,000 trees marked, it is .estimated that over 75% were felled and treated. Infested trees that were left untreated probably produced beetle broods that have now infested from one to'three additional trees.
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Ptarmigan Mountain has been identified as the major beetle problem area in the county. It is hoped that an extensive control effort can be organized in 1980 involving local, county and state personnel in reducing the tree losses to the beetle in this area. A survey of lot owners on Ptarmi-gan Mountain resulted in information that will be helpful in organizing property owners. Information is as follows:
Total Lots on Ptarmigan Mountain--339 Total Property Owners 330 Address of Property Owners:
Denver City 203
Colorado 31
Summit County 57
Outside Colorado 48
The Extension Servicewill cooperate fully with local land-owners, county and state agencies in hopefully bringing the beetle problem under control. in Summit County. Results of educational efforts in beetle control are believed to be
having an impact in all areas of Summit County with beetle infestations.
I. HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE FACT SHEETS
Approximately 1,500 individuals requested bulletins, pam-phlets, brochures, or fact sheets from Extension in 1979. Information was provided on a multitude of topics ranging from agronomy, animal science, nutrition, marketing, pduction, weeds, plant pathology, water conservation and ro-dent control to lawn care, vegetable crops, greenhouse gar-dening and trees, shrubs and flowers for mountain communi-ties. The majority of literature is free of charge while others require a small fee.
J. MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES (SOIL TESTING, PLANT IDENTIFICATION, INSEGLAND—DISEASE.IDENTIFICATION).
Services were offered in the above category by the Extension Office during 1979. A total of thirty-one soil tests were submitted to the lab for analysis. The samples were analyzed as to nutritive level for gardening, tree planting, commer-cial berry production, park site development and meadow hay production. The charge for soil testing is $8.00 per sample. Twenty-one individuals requested information on poisonous
plant identification and insect and disease identification. When the analysis cannot be made locally, the samples are sent to CSU for proper identification. All identification services are free of charge.
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K. RADIO REPORTS AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
Weekly radio reports and newspaper articles were prepared for KLGT and Summit Sentinel. Whenever possible, the
re-ports were prepared on timely topics of interest to Summit County residents. It is believed these reports have been helpful in advertising services and/or providing informa-tion that is not available elsewhere.
CSU/SUMMIT COUNTY EXTENSION ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT:(il978-79)
Community Development
Several workshops, meetings and clinics were offered during the report period. The results of these efforts are summarized as follows:
A. Dog Obedience Clinics. Three clinics were conducted to teach the basic fundamentals of dog training. Approximately 75 people attended the clinics. As a result of this experience, participants had better control of their animals and were able to conduct further training of their animals in the home environment. Trainees were also able to train other dogs following participation in the class.
B. Blue River Park. The Extension Office worked cooperatively with the Planning Office in providing a revegetation plan for the park. The agent assisted in determining what grass seed to plant and the best methods of transplanting trees and shrubs. Further help was offered in top soil placement, soil testing and watering procedures. These efforts resulted ih the clearing of the land during the summer of 1979. Soil testing and top soil was purchased and has been readied for Olacement during the summer of 1980. The park will be seeded with a grass mixture in 1980 and fertilization and watering will begin. If all goes well, the park site will be ready for play during the summer of 1981.
C. Anti-Burglary Workshops. Working cooperatively with the Frisco Police Chief, Extension sponsored three anti-burglary workshops. The program covered ways of making homes and businesses burglar proof and what to do if participants found a burglary in progress. Participants were given tips on making their homes safe. As a result, several shop owners indicated they were going to take steps to insure the safety of their businesses. The police chief visited personally with various_homeownerszto help. them with problems in their homes. The police chief felt the program helped all participants become aware of and correct safety problems in home and businesses.
D. Consumer Protection Program. The Extension Office assisted several resi-dents with consumer problems during the period of the report. One resident complained of unfit living conditions in an apartment he was renting. He stated he had brought the matter up with the landlord several times with nothing being done. The Extension agent met with the landlord and the resi-dent several times resulting in improvements in the water system and the apartment living conditions. Similar results were accomplished when a resi-dent complained of a product purchased with a guarantee but the guarantee was not honored. After several discussions, the guarantee was honored by the business establishment.
E. Resource Conservation and Development. The agent attended several meetings of the RC&D committee. Results of this program are still unknown but it is hoped the efforts undertaken in 1979 will achieve results in 1980.
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F. Middle Park Fair Board... Several meetings of the fair board were attended. The agent persuaded the fair board to incorporate several new horse classes into the fair that will be beneficial to 4-H members in Summit County. A special meeting of the board was suggested by the Summit County office to discuss the specific needs of Summit County in the fair. The meeting was most helpful in resolving problems that relate to local residents. All partici-pants in the meeting appreciated the opportunity to discuss their particular concerns.
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CSU/SUMMIT COUNTY EXTENSION ENERGY PROGRAM Program Narrative
THERMOSCAN--One hundred infra -red photos were taken in a three-county area (Lake, Chaffee, Summit). People who participated in this program received infra-red photographs of their homes or buildings. The participants were asked to pick up the photos at specified times and places in each county and were given ex-planations of what each photo indicated in terms of heat loss. Some of the initial explanation sessions were followed up with
visits to the home or building for a more detailed explanation. of the building's heat loss characteristics. Almost all par-ticipants indicated an intent to add insulation or weather-stripping to their*:homesil problem areas, as indicated by the infra-red photo. In some cases the participants had the photos taken in order to see how effective newly added insulation or weatherstripping appeared. Most participants felt the infra-red to be an effective tool in identifying problem areas in their homes and would use the photos as a guide in developing a home insulation program. Almost a year following the pro-gram, calls were still being received from participants for further explanations of the photos, the latest coming from the Summit County School District Building Superintendent. He plans to develop an energy management plan for school buildings.
ENERGY SCORECARD--The Energy Scorecard was a class "C" audit de-veloped by the State Energy Office as part of its Energy Aware-ness Program. In Lake and Summit counties the scorecards were distributed as inserts to the local newspapers. Almost 9,000 copies were distributed in this manner with some 6,000 additional copies. distributed at state and county fairs and at energy work-shops. The user of the audit was asked to return his results and any request forenergy conservation information he/she might have. The response to this program was dismal, not only locally but on a state level as well. However, the State Office DID manage to glean some conservation data from this program.
SOLAR WORKSHOPS--Four solar workshops have been held in the past year. One on solar design principLes was conducted in Vail and three (two on greenhouses, one on active solar system design) were held in Breckenridge in' cooperation with Colorado Mountain College. The last greenhouse workshop resulted in the construc-tion of a solar greenhouse at the Breckenridge Outdoor Educa-tion Center. Most participants in the workshop indicated a de-sire to, at some time in the future, construct a solar system on an existing structure or to incorporate such a system in a new home or business. Some participants were already owners of solar-type homes and were there to learn more about how such
systems were designed to operate. Two participants in the green-housft building workshop have expressed an interest in building greinhouses onto their homes in conjunction with future workshops.
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ENERGY PUPPET SHOWS--Three puppet shows were sponsored by the Energy Office for all Summit County elementary school children. The "Hidden World Marionettes" from Niwot, Colorado performed their show as part of a day-long energy program. Energy con-servation comic books were distributed to the school children as part of the program with the hope that the children would read them at home with their parents. The schools involved in this program were Silverthorne, Frisco, and Breckenridge elementary schools. Both teachers and students seemed pleased with the program.
WOODSTOVE WORKSHOPS--Fourteen workshops on woodburning stove use and safety have proved quite successful in the past year. Over 700 persons have attended these workshops to learn the basics of woodburning stove operation and safety. The work-shops involve local resource people such,as fire department representatives, stove dealers, building inspectors, chimney sweeps, and foresters. Most participants either own a wood -burning stove or fireplace or intend installing one. Many are surprised to learn of the safety considerations which'accompany good woodburning practices and correct improper installations after attending a workshop. The workshops have been well re-ceived throughout the state and more are scheduled.
GENERAL ENERGY CONSERVATION--Five general energy conservation workshops were held in the past year--three in Summit County and one each in Garfield and Teller counties. The purpose of the workshops was to introduce the energy conservation office and to discuss energy conservation practices in the homes. Just how effective these programs are, in terms of getting people to conserve energy in their homes, is uncertain; how-ever, the programs did afford the office an opportunity for po-sitive public -contact -and made them aware of the purpose and services the office could provide,
PRE-SCHOOL SLIDE SHOWS--A slide series for pre-school children was prepared by the office. The series was based on "Energy Ant", a character created by the Department of Energy. The series was presented at the two pre-school day care centers in the county as part of the pre-school program. Energy Ant color-ing books were passed out as part of the program with the intent that the children would take them home and would, through parent/ child interaction, pass on the information to their parents. The pre-school teachers felt the program was successful, based on the interest of the children.
GENERAL INFORMATION REQUESTS--Requests for information have in-creased since. the.operring of the office. Both written and verbal requests are becoming quite regular. The office responds with specific information or with general information packets. It is assumed those requesting information on conservation or alterna-tive energy systems .take steps tozcilleve energy conservation in their own lifestyles. Requests have come from all over the state, many in conjunction with office participation in county and state fairs.
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RADIO AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES--Radio and newspaper articles on energy are periodically submitted to the local media. Later requests for information are, in many cases, directly attri-butable to a newspaper article or radio report. This method of information transfer is inexpensive and effective and, be-cause it is consistent in delivery, people expect to hear periodic reports:from the Extension Office and associate the office with wide ranging information resources.
INFORMATION CENTERS--Information centers dealing primarily with energy conservation materials have been set up at Colo-rado Mountain College in Breckenridge, Summit County High School, the Summit County Library, and the Summit County Ex-tension Office. The most successful centers, based on
dis-cussions with center personnel, are at the Summit County Library and at the Extension Office. The effect of these centers on real energy saving is uncertain.
PLANNED PROGRAMS--The office has plans for future programs simi-lar to those it has conducted in the past. The office will
em-phasize energy conservation more than it.has in the past but will respond to requests for all types of programs as they come in. Although located in Summit County, the office will work to maintain a statewide area of influence but will give local pro-gram requests a . high priority.
CSU/SUMMIT COUNTY EXTENSION 4-H AND YOUTH PROGRAM 1978-79
4-H AND YOUTH
A. 4-H CLUB ORGANIZATION
Ninety 4-H members and 10 leaders are organized into four clubs with projects including horses, foods and nutrition, clothing, gardening, and dog obedience. Members exhibited at the Middle Park Fair in Kremmling as well as Exhibit Day in Summit County in August. 4-H youth also attended Northwest Livestock Expo-sition in Meeker, and the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. The youth enrolled in the Summit County 4-H program have grown as a group and have begun working as a group.
B. 4-H COUNCIL
Twelve 4-H Council meetings were held during the year with ap-proximately 300 persons attending. The 4-H Council initiated an exchange trip with Santa Clara County in San Jose, Califor-nia. In the summer of 1979, fourteen youth and two 4-H leaders from California visited Summit County, staying in 4-H homes. Seventeen Summit Colinty4-Wers and three chaperons will return .that visit in the summer of 1980. The result of this program
has been that youth from two different areas have been able to explore another 4-H program and meet new friends. •
C. 4-H NEWSLETTER
The main link of communication with the 4-N i ers, leaders, and parents is the monthly 4-H newsletter. Each 4-H member and leader receives the monthly newsletter informing them of up-coming eventsF.ariddates. The newsletter has improved attendance at 4-H events.
D. EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS
Various workshops were offered to the 4-Wers during the 1979 4-H year. Topics -of -workshops included horsegrooming, demon-s tWes- ern --hors-em-ans htp —a•nd- English horsemanship. Ap-proximately 70 youth participated in these workshops.
E. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
The after school -pragrninvolved 25 youth in the early spring in a project to learn how to make sugar Easter eggs. The young-sters made the eggs entirely themselves with some very interest-ing eggs resultinterest-ing.
F. MINI GREENHOUSE PROGRAM
The 2nd and 3rd grade classes of the Silverthorne, Frisco and Breckenridge elementaries planted corn, bean and marigold seeds in peat wafers. The children were able to watch the seed sprout and then transplanted the small plants to soil. This project allowed the youngsters to watch plants sprout and grow.
CSU/SUMMIT COUNTY EXTENSION FAMILY LIVING PROGRAM 1978-79
FAMILY LIVING PROGRAMS
A. MONTHLY CONSUMER NEWSLETTER
The monthly consumer newsletter is sent to approximately 100 local residents. The newsletter deals with seasonal topics as well as topics of interest to local residents. The newsletter has also served .as a communication tool for the Extension Of-fice to announce upcoming workshops and events.
B. WREATH WORKSHOP
This workshop was held upon request of several local residents. Fifty persons attended the workshop with participants learning to make wreaths from natural objects found within Summit County. Each person attending made a wreath to take home.
C. CONSUMER MARKETING WORKSHOP
The Extension Office sponsored a workshop to assist local resi-dents in being able to compare similar products at the super-market. The attendees were able to compare ingredients of pro-ducts as well as cost comparison. Participants were shown how to read labels of food products in order to get the most from their food dollar.
D. MICROWAVE WORKSHOP
This workshop was co-sponsored with Public Service Company of Colorado. Approximately 60 persons attended this workshop. Participants learned how to make the best use of their micro-wave 'ovens.
E. 3 RIVERS EXTENSION HOMEMAKERS
The 3 Rivers Extension Homemakers has about 20 members who meet on a monthly basis during the fall, winter and spring. A noon luncheon As -held - on.the first _Thursday with a program_following.. Program topics include food preservation, energy, gardening,
health, and picture framing. The meetings are open to all local residents.
F. DAILY PHONE ASSISTANCE WITH CONSUMER CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS
Assistance is given - to local residents.with problems related to home economics. Answers are given either directly over the phone or, upon request, Service in Action sheets and )other publications are mailed to assist local residents.
G. NEWSPAPER COLUMNAND WEEKLY RADIO BROADCASTS
Consumer interests are the topic of a newspaper column which ap-pears once every three weeks and of the weekly radio broadcasts of three minutes. Topics are of seasonal .value dealing with con-sumer concerns.
