<!-- intentionally non-empty iframe; for xsl --> Little River county, Arkansas Agriculture Program The Cooperative Extension Service keeps producers informed of the latest technology and management practices available. Services available through the Little River County Extension office are: Soil Testing/Fertilization Hay/Forage Testing Ration Development Manure Analysis Plant Disease Diagnosis Plant Identification Sprayer Calibration Feed Analysis Variety Selection Wildlife Educational Programs Available are: Beef and Forage production Pesticide Applicator Training Weed and Brush Control Pest Management ABIP Garden Production Horticulture PruningPhoto: A local producer checks out the food plot demonstration project.
Nutrition and Healthy Living Extension Get Fit- Women and Men participate in a strength training program for mid-life to older adults designed to increase strength, balance, and flexibility. Stretch tubes or hand weights are used with simple exercises which may be done standing or sitting. An on-going class meets every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10 AM at Cossatot in Ashdown in the Millwood Room. MyPlate – teaches participants how to choose and prepare healthy food for their families. Mediterranean Cooking - hands-on workshops for participants to prepare and taste a variety of dishes to fit a diet based on whole grains, legumes, fish, and fruits and vegetables. Food Preservation - are available for learning how to correctly preserve fresh garden produce for future use. Learn how to use the pressure canner as well as the water bath canner. ServSafe - insures that restaurant food managers know the proper techniques for keeping food safe from the time it arrives at the restaurant until it is served to the customer. ServSafe certification through the National Restaurant Association is for five years. AgrAbility - a national project funded through the USDA that helps provide education and assistance to farmers and agricultural workers who are restricted in their ability to be successful in production agriculture because of a limiting health condition. Educational programs address reducing the development of preventable health conditions. These are Sound Ideas, preventing noise-induced hearing loss; and Endless Gardening, being able to garden with arthritis. Photo: The Senior Get FIt exercise group in January 2015.
Smart Nutrition Active People – Education (SNAP-ED) Smart Nutrition Active People-Education programs provide nutrition education for adults and youth to make healthy food choices within a limited budget. Cooking classes are held at the Foreman Housing Authority. Nutrition programs are held in the classroom in cooperation with these schools – Head Start Schools in Ashdown and Foreman; ABC Schools in Ashdown and Foreman; and Ashdown L. F. Henderson Intermediate School and New Traditions Alternative School. Students learn about healthy food choices and then taste samples of healthy choices. Photo: Participants in the SnapEd program learn about MyPlate - protein by making peanut butter balls. Click here to learn more about MyPlate!
Family Living Best Care classes are offered annually for childcare professionals and others interested in learning about young children. Free classes meet the requirements for 10 hours of training for childcare providers. Other options for training hours are available through the Extension office. These include Guiding Children Successfully DVDs; See the World Through My Eyes and Parenting Journey pamphlets. Parents may also benefit from the free materials. Best Care Connected provides 5 hours of continuing education through Traveling Arkansas' Professional Pathways (TAPP) Registry. Other Family Living Programs offered: The Parenting Journey, A Personal Journey, The Marriage Garden Photo: Celeste Scarborough conducts Best Care training classes.
Extension Homemakers Clubs (EHC) The mission of Arkansas Extension Homemakers is to empower individuals and families to improve quality of living through continuing education, leadership development and community service. Being an EHC member means belonging to one of the largest adult volunteer organizations in Arkansas. Are you interested in serving your community, learning new skills, and enjoying the fellowship of others? We currently have two EHC clubs in Little River County and each club has its own personality and interests. The two clubs are: Advance EH Club and Arden EH Club. Community Service projects conducted throughout the year are: Scholarships for graduating seniors in both Ashdown and Foreman; making lap robes and treats to donate to local nursing homes; caps and pillows for cancer patients; preemie caps and blankets for Arkansas Children's Hospital and donations to a variety of local causes. For more information contact Celeste Scarborough, County Extension Agent-Family & Consumer Sciences at 870-898-7224 or cascarborough@uada.edu. Photo: Little River County extension homemakers club members at 2014 Christmas Council.
4-H Programs Going Strong What is 4-H? 4-H is a fun and educational program where kids "learn by doing." It is a great opportunity for youth to acquire knowledge and skills, and develop healthy lifestyles they can use the rest of their lives. In Little River County it takes the form of community clubs, project clubs, and in-school clubs. 4-H is a part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and in Little River County reaches over 2,000 youth through various clubs and school programs each year. Anyone age 9-19 can join 4-H. So come join the fun. There are over 100 project areas and we can find one just for you! Come join the FUN! The faces of 4-H kids are as diverse as the activities in which they take part. Some of the exciting programs members are experiencing firsthand include: Science and Technology Health, Food & Nutrition Community Service Citizenship Leadership Livestock & Poultry Pet Care Home Environment Gardening & Horticulture Fashion Talent Public Speaking Beekeeping Woodworking Arts & Humanities Energy Management Entomology Little River County 4-H is active and Strong!! Come see what we have for you. Photo: 4-H Day Camp kids in Foreman, Arkansas learning teamwork by going through the "wormhole" activity. Lots of laughter and learning with 4-H in Little River County!