Vote for the Harrison County Cooperative Extension levy

Editor:

I am definitely voting for the new Harrison County Cooperative Extension levy coming up at the March 6 election. Please go vote, even if that is the only thing you make it out for this time.

A few years ago, I realized that my unused pasture was growing poverty grass, and I wondered if planting some cover crop would improve the soil. Having lived in New York state and relied on Cooperative Extension there, I called Harrison County Cooperative Extension.

I immediately received a return call from ag educator Mike Hogan, with some advice, and within two more days, a beautiful booklet came in the mail, describing and illustrating the various cover crops, pros and cons of each, and I had all I needed to know.

In addition to its well-known agricultural services, Cooperative Extension provides several services to strengthen children and families: The Family Nutrition Program provides useful training to county residents who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Four-hundred twenty county residents attended these sessions this past year.

Fit 2-B FATHERS, a social and parenting curriculum, helps incarcerated men become better fathers upon release. Fifty-one men participated in this program last year. 4-H school enrichment activities, which provide much-needed, hands-on learning in our local schools.

Last year more than 300 school youth learned about animal life cycles through baby chicks, scientific inquiry through rocket launches, and much more. 4-H youth project development, which builds lifelong skills, work ethic, and citizenship in more than 250 local youth each year.

Barbara Dewey

Bowerston, Ohio