GogebicCounty
GogebicCounty Extension
104 South Lowell
Ironwood, MI49938-2044 /

P: 906-932-1420 F: 906-932-9762

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November 2006

GogebicCounty Master Gardeners clock nearly 750hours in community support
The MSU Extension Master Gardener (MG) Program was designed to develop a network of trained volunteers who can provide the citizens of Michigan with research-based information and technical assistance in gardening and home horticulture.
At Gogebic Range Master Gardener Association’s annual meeting, several gardeners received awards for their volunteer work during the 2005-06 program year.
The Gardener of the Year Award was presented to Lena Constantini of Ironwoodfor her outstanding work as committee leader for the Ironwood Pocket Park project. An advanced Master Gardener, Constantinivolunteered 159 hours of time as a Master Gardener, which is valued at more than $2,800 according to Independent Sector, a coalition that supports volunteer agencies.
Gordon Frase of Ironwood was presented with his 500-hour pin, and was surprised with a plaque for the Lifetime Achievement Award. During his10 years as a Master Gardener, Frase was instrumental in starting the 46 Parallel Planters Garden Club and the Range Master Gardener Association. He volunteers in many club projects and has served in many leadership roles.
During 2006 the Gogebic Range Master Gardener Association’s members contributed 746 volunteer hours. According to the Independent Sector, that time is worth $13,457.84.
Perhaps of even more valuable is how their work benefits communities and how the horticultural information helps residents.
Contact: Joyce Price /
Youth Volunteers Prepare Dog
Biscuits for Local Animal Shelter
Experiential Learning Goes To The Dogs
When 4-H volunteer, Karen Fairfield of Ironwoodagreed to be a chaperone for 4-H Exploration Days trip, the three-day, statewide youth development program held each June on the MSU campus, she had no idea what an impact her decision would have on young people in the GogebicCounty 4-H program.
Fairfieldlearned how to make dog treats called “Pea-Mutt Butter Dog Biscuits” during one of the educational sessions she attended.
She brought the idea to a summer camp planning meeting where it was received with a lot of enthusiasm. Camp planners were looking for a community service project for the youth participants, and youngsters had requested more baking activities.
Fairfieldagreed to teach the activity to her daughter Maria, a youth leader, who would lead the activity at camp.
Continued
/ Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities. Offices in counties across the state link the research of the land-grant university, MSU, to challenges facingcommunities. Citizens serving on countyExtension councils regularly help select focus areas for programming. MSU Extension is funded jointly by county boards of commissioners,the state through MichiganStateUniversity and federally through the US Department of Agriculture.
Gone to the Dogs--continued
Four teams comprising 20 youths got their hands doughy as they measured, mixed, cut-out, baked and bagged more than 60 dozen Pea-Mutt Butter Dog Biscuits. More than half were donated to the HOPE Animal Shelter and others were taken home for youths’ pets and the pets of friends and neighbors.
When asked how they could use this experience elsewhere, many youth thought they could make and sell the biscuits as a 4-H club fundraiser. Other ideas were to make the biscuits as gifts, take them to animal hospitals for dogs that have had surgery and bake more at home for their own pets.
When the 4-Hers were asked to share what they learned from the activity, they made comments like, “I wanted to do all of the measuring, but I knew I had to let others help,” and, “I loved being able to cut out my own shapes.”
Theyoungsters alsodiscussed how they used teamwork to make and bag the biscuits – some youths were better at or enjoyed different steps in the process. Camp participants had a lot of fun making the dog biscuits and decorating the bags and also gained skills in planning, decision making, teamwork, using scientific methods, creativity, task completion and entrepreneurship.
Contact: Vicki Nelson
Welcome Newborn reachesmore than 100families
To help new parents learn about the resources available to them and their babies, Gogebic County Strong Families, the Gogebic County Child Protection, and the Range Kiwanis offer the “Welcome Newborn” program.
Last year this program reached more than 100 families. The parents received tote bags filled with gifts and information about local resources.
The totes are delivered through face-to-face visits by the Welcome Newborn coordinator, who also explains the materials and services available. The parents have the opportunity to ask questions, which may result in future visits or referrals to other agencies.
More than 1,400 copies of the “Parenting the First Year’ and the “Parenting the Second and Third Years” monthly newsletters were also mailed to parents. In an evaluation of last year’s program, the parenting text, “What to Expect the First Year” and the newsletters were reported as the most helpful resources by 86 percent of those responding. / In a recent program survey, participants said they had used “Parenting the First Year” and also read the parenting newsletters.
Seventy percent also shared that, “Receiving the information in the tote bag caused them to talk and read more to their baby,” and 57 percent felt that receiving the information in the tote helped them curb their anger toward fussy babies.
Contact: Angie Eitrem
Nutrition programs improve habits, shopping and food preparation skills

According to a recent survey of program participants, Gogebic County MSU Extension nutrition programs contribute to improved food safety and nutrition habits for many county families and individuals.

The Gogebic County Family Nutrition Program (FNP) helps limited-resource families acquire skills to improve their diets and health. Evaluations of this year’s adult participants indicated that the most significant behavior change came with participants more often thinking about making healthier food choices when deciding what to feed their families, more often following the recommended food safety practice when thawing of food, and less often running out of food before the end of the month.
More than 40 percent ofthe homemakers improved in one or more nutrition practices and 27 percentimproved in two or more areas. More than half (58 percent) improved their food safety practices andmore than a third (35 percent)had better food resource management techniques.
The senior nutrition project, designed for senior citizens receiving Medicaid assistance, helps participants improve their nutrition and develop healthy activity habits. It reached 24 adults in a series of in home or small group lessons during the last program year. Several of the participants reported significant weight loss and increased mobility.
Contact: Joanne Pihlaja
GogebicCounty MSU Extension Staff
Joanne E. Pihlaja, County Extension Director
Vicki Nelson, 4-H Program Associate
Cara Matrella, FCS Extension Educator
Ruthanne Fresonke, FNP/BSF Program Associate
Angela Eitrem, BFI/BSF/WN Program Associate
Erin Ross, MiBKC Extension Educator
Kathleen Colassacco, FCS Extension Educator
Joyce Price, Office Manager/MG Coordinator
Terttu Anderson, Secretary
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal opportunity institution, Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Thomas G. Coon, Extension Director, MichiganStateUniversity, E. Lansing, MI48824