OSU EXTENSION REPORT … Melissa Rupp – Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Sarah Lewis – 4-H Educator, and Eric Richer – Ag and Natural Resources Educator, for the Ohio State Extension office in Fulton County, were all present to give their semi-annual updates to the FC Commissioners at the November 30, 2021 session. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
The last sessions of November for the Fulton County Commissioners were held on Tuesday, the thirtieth, with the following being approved:
-Minutes of November 23, 2021; agenda as presented; payment of bills; Increase and transfer of appropriations for various departments; and purchase orders and travel requests
-Resolution 851 Increase and Transfer funds for Postage Expense Reimbursement
-Resolution 852 Establish 2022 Airport Sewer Surcharge Rate
-Resolution 853 Cancel Session on December 9, 2021
-Resolution 854 Execute Satisfaction of Mortgage for CHIP Program
-Resolution 855 Enter into Technical Assistance Agreement 2021-121 with Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO) for PY2021 Community Development Program
-Resolution 856 Enter into Technical Assistance Agreement 2021-122 with MVPO for FY2021 Target of Opportunity Program Cares Act
-Resolution 857 Appoint part time Intermittent Transfer Station Operator
-Resolution 858 Accept Resignation of JFS Employee
-Resolutions 859 & 860 Approve Personnel Requests on behalf of Senior Center
The Commissioners reviewed the Ohio Unemployment Rate Report for October 2021, the Prosecuting Attorney’s 2021 DTAC Report, and the Treasurer’s 2021 DTAC report.
Members of the Ohio State Extension office, Eric Richer, Sarah Lewis and Melissa Rupp were present to give a Semi-annual update.
Sarah Lewis reported first, sharing that she is the newest 4-H Educator in Fulton County, with her first eight months being very busy.
She was responsible for Project Judging, Camp and the Fair and “they are all on the books now” so she was successful in accomplishing those even with the restrictions that were still in place over the summer.
One hundred and thirty seven youth were actually at Camp Palmer for a five day full overnight experience. She said that Fulton County was the only one to do the traditional camp this year.
At the fair there were 574 youth with 511 being 4H members and a record of almost $382,000 of donations from the community for them. Looking ahead there are some opportunities for older 4-H members.
As a professional, she just returned from the national 4-H conference in Memphis, Tennessee. She was just certified as an official 4-H Camp Director, and she will be sharing some presentations in January, for the Ohio Fair Managers Association.
Eric Richer said that she was awarded the Michigan Outstanding Young Member in a Professional 4-H Position, which is a prestigious award.
Since she just recently was “snagged from Michigan” that was the state for which she was given the award. He bragged on her and what a great addition she is to Fulton County.
Melissa Rupp gave a report on Family and Consumer Sciences, the art and science of living well. She spoke about her work in food safety and food management, as well as financial management.
During this past year she had over 725 contacts with people learning new information related to food systems.
She also taught financial management classes, with a four part series on Money 101 being quite successful. Her work if very diverse with everything from strategic planning to Lunch and Learns across the state.
She also works with getting students enrolled, got to teach a session at camp, and provided leadership to a national committee and a state extension committee.
One day in which she participated for the first time was the Fulton County Ag Day with support from Campbell Soup Company. Coming up she has a presentation at the Extension Annual Conference about Grant Development; organizing and presenting at the NW Ohio FCS Teacher in-service on April 7, 2022; Real Money Real World Program at county high schools in Spring 2022; and Financial Wellness Series for Fulton County Employees.
Getting to share on the Archbold Radio station is one of her greatest joys in her job. She said she is grateful for the opportunity and privilege to tell the Fair Story on the radio.
Mr. Richer, who is the Agriculture and Natural Resources educator in Fulton County, reported that he “wrapped up year one of three years on a GLSNRP (Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program) Grant Utilizing Composted Pen Pack Manure for Improved Phosphorus Placement in the WLEB.” He designed, deployed and harvested fourteen eFields on Farm Research Trials, as well.
There were 80 attendees at the Small Grains Field Day at NW Research Branch and eighteen at the Corn N Application Field Day on the Fly held in Fayette. The First Friday Breakfasts continued throughout the year.
On January 13 at Founders Hall they will host the Fulton County Agribusiness Career Fair and the next day, (January 14, 2022) also at Founders Hall they will be holding the Annual NW Ohio Corn and Soybean Day. In February 2022 there will be a Farm Management Series.
Partnering with Matt Gilroy and Wauseon Chamber of Commerce, there will be a program on March 24, 2022 called “Is Your Farm or Small Business Device Ready?”
Last but not least, the OSU Extension Legislative Luncheon at the Ohio Statehouse is happening on March 23, 2022, and he invited one of them to ride along with him to that event.
In the office they had an intern, Jessica McWatters, that was paid for by the Department of Entomology. She did a number of projects. He also highlighted that the office, which coordinates the Fulton County Ag Hall of Fame, inducted on August 23rd, Dale Creager, Pam Kurfiss, Neil Rupp and Keith Truckor.
He made a budget request for $261,942 for FY2022 which is an increase of 2.4%. He reported that the brand new Multi-function copier purchased by the commissioners was being installed in the office that day. There is a new staff member, Courtney Kreiger who is the Office Associate for AGNR and digital engagement.
After the Extension reports, Beth Friess, from the Board of Developmental Disabilities, addressed the Commissioners concerning a possible Levy on the May, 2022 ballot.
She explained the details of why it is needed. It would be a renewal of their 2.6 mil levy, a 5 year levy. Friess also spoke with the Commissioners, of the intent to discuss annually the possibility of rolling a part of the levy back.
She explained the details of why it is needed and that it would “protect the taxpayers and the disabled” alike. The Commissioners formed a resolution to approve putting the levy on the ballot, and voted to approve the resolution.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com