2008 Budget Book - Kitsap County Government

Cooperative Extension
• Ten adults from the West Park Resident Housing Council, worked to develop plans for
activities and educational programs offered and improving communication between and with
the 3000 public housing residents.
• 36 low-income mothers and children of Bremerton low income housing learned to save
money by making their own winter clothing accessories.
• After School program in West Park showed an increase of 100% in youth participation with
67% returning to attend more than one session.
• Over 2000 low-income family participants completing a series of lessons improved food
behaviors such as planning meals ahead of time, comparing prices, using a grocery list,
reading labels and choosing healthier foods.
• 3600 senior citizens reported making changes in their diet planning and food preparation.
• 300 adults learning about safe use of food thermometers resulted in 86% of those not
currently using a thermometer would begin using one in the future.
• Bags of produce were received by 297 homebound seniors, each with an information bulletin
on use of fruit and vegetables.
2008 Goals & Objectives:
• Extension will improve the Safety and Health of Communities by providing highly trained
volunteer educators who along with staff will educate 40,000 county residents in the areas of food
safety, nutrition, youth and family development. We expect to decrease food borne illness by
providing food safety education to at least 2000 people. 400 low-income families and seniors will
learn and apply proper nutrition and sustainable gardening practices. Through the 4-H program,
3,500 youth will be positive, pro-social experiential learners and develop leadership skills that add
to the human capital of their community. A new two-year federal grant will teach nutrition, meal
planning and preparation at Sunnyslope Elementary School.
• Extension will help Protect Natural Resources and Systems through Agriculture and Natural
Resources programs in sustainable agriculture, forest stewardship, noxious weeds, and water
quality, and shoreline stewardship. These programs will teach and empower 25,000 citizens to
adopt best stewardship practices. The Kitsap County Noxious Weed Control Program will be
fully funded and operational; a county wide noxious weed survey will be conducted; voluntary
compliance with state noxious weed laws will be sought from 500 property owners both public
and private.
• Extension will contribute to a Thriving Local Economy by offering college level courses for small
business, forest landowners, sustainable farmers and K-12 teachers. WSU Cultivating Success
courses will be provided to 150 farm producers. The SBDC office will assist 400 area small
businesses. College level courses will be provided to 50 small businesses and 60 teachers
needing higher education or continuing education for professional certification.
• Extension will make Government Inclusive by engaging citizen advisors in strategic planning for
Extension program overall future direction. Over 200 Kitsap County property owners will
participate in meetings of the County Noxious Weed Control Board. 120 citizens will be engaged
in the development of future Extension programs through our councils and program advisory
processes.
• Extension will contribute to Effective and Efficient County Services by using technology to
communicate and teach county residents. This will be accomplished continuing to develop webbased
content and educational opportunities, email and video conferencing to bring the research
expertise of the Land Grant University system into the county.
• Extension will Meet Multiple Vision Elements by assisting KRCC and DCD with economic
development and watershed/shoreline planning; administering and providing technical assistance
to the Kitsap County Noxious Weed Control; organizing and lead the educational effort to
eradicate noxious weeds.
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