Miami-Dade County

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE CONSUMER SERVICES DEPARTMENT, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION DIVISION 2006 ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT

The Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension Service, a division of the Consumer Services Department, provides educational programs countywide. Cooperative Extension is a partnership between Miami-Dade County government, the University of Florida and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The University of Florida contributes $1.44 million in direct support to the Miami- Dade Cooperative Service=s budget for salary matches, operating matches, service support, and training. This bulletin lists selected highlights of Extension program benefits to citizens and the county as a result of Cooperative Extension programs where a dollar benefit can be measured. Please direct questions to the County Extension Director, 248-3311 x240.

Value Description of Cooperative Extension Service Educational Program Goal ED2-3: Lead the coordination of economic development activities $17,000,000 With Ownership Wealth (WOW) is a multi-agency education program that counseled New 392 people about home ownership. 364 consumers graduated from 8-hour home mortgages buyer workshops. 64 purchased houses, 12 were ready to buy and 11 had contracts. Goal ED3-1: Expand entrepreneurial development opportunities $250,000 115 tropical fruit growers learned how to scout to find insects and diseases affecting their crops. This will help them decide whether or not they need to treat the crop. If this knowledge results in a $50 per acre savings across 5,000 acres of tropical fruit, the result is $250,000 in savings. $15,000 750 plant, insect and fish samples were identified in house for commercial growers ($20/sample) $67,260 A total of 1,121 people received pesticide/pest management related education and other training which offered Continuing Education Units for recertification through workshops, field days and other programs. If they had to travel to Palm Beach County or Collier County1, it would cost a minimum of $60 per person. Goal HH3-3: Improve the future of children & youth $114,309 Volunteer hours for the 4-H Youth Development Program (609 volunteers averaging 10 hours for a total of 6090 hours [@ $18.77/hour]) $63,701 Resources donated (corporate and individual sponsorships) Goal HH4-1: Promote independent living $112,110 Food safety education can reduce food borne illness. 96 (of 112) adults, 117 (of 233) elementary school students and 157 (of 157) middle school students are following food safety practices, thereby reducing the risk of food borne illness ($303/person, based on 2001 CDC estimates) Nutrition and food safety educational programs provided to 289 seniors at congregate meal sites. This is in conjunction with the Alliance for Aging. $18,662 Dollars saved on health care costs by program participants2 $41,893 Dollars saved on food expenditures by program participants2

1 The nearest alternative locations which offers programs on a regular basis. 2 Based on information from Virginia Tech. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) taught 2,569 adults and 1,984 youth from limited income families in Miami-Dade County, to extend their food dollar and make wise food choices. Ninety-five percent (95%) of participants showed improvement in nutrition practices and in food resource management practices. $4,900,000 Dollars saved on health care costs by EFNEP participants2 $1,100,000 Dollars saved on food expenditures by EFNEP participants2 $91,039 145 volunteers contributed an average of 33.54 hours, is worth $91,039 (@ $18.77/hour). $55,221 A federal grant for this amount funds the Family Nutrition Program (FNP). The program provides practical nutrition education to 5961 adults and seniors and 585 children on limited resources. Improving the nutrition and health of clients will go on a long way to creating greater self sufficiency and improved self esteem to enable these individuals to become healthy, productive, contributing members of society. $176,122 Dollars saved on health care costs by program participants2 $395,377 Dollars saved on food expenditures by program participants2 Goal NU3-1: Promote responsible stewardship of natural resources $327,500 A total of 808 people attended pesticide certification workshops in Miami-Dade County, with 524 people being trained for initial certification for F.S. Chapter 487 and F.S. Chapter 482 licenses to apply pesticides. 524 of 680 individuals taking licensing exams passed a specific test (2 exams are required for most licenses). This may lead to a pay increase for 25% of participants ($5,000/year). 153 people received Continuing Education Units to renew their pesticide licenses by $9,180 attending certification workshops. If they had to travel to Palm Beach County or Collier County, it would cost a minimum of $60 per person1. $3,942 Seventy volunteers donated 210 volunteer hours and removed 200 pounds of debris which filled 130 trash bags during a coastal clean up. ($18.77/volunteer hour). $63,217 Master Gardeners performed 3,368 hours of volunteer service for urban horticulture, an increase of 200 hours over 2005. ($18.77/volunteer hour). $33,540 1239 homeowner plant and insect samples identified in house. ($20/sample) 52,925 145 homeowners learned about water conservation while learning to construct rain gallons barrels. Homeowners can save at least 1 gallon of water per day. 8,608,080 534 residents participated in one of 18 workshops about the Florida Yards & gallons Neighborhoods program. If each person reduces lawn watering by 1 time per week, that translates to 310 gallons saved by not applying an addition 0.5” of water per 1000 square feet per week. (UF Research) Goal NU5-1: Enact programs to beautify and improve urban and residential area $470,000 Sixty people participated in an 11-week Certificate Course in Horticulture. After 6 months, 75% of surveyed participants said they were better able to communicate with their customers ($2.50/customer/month). 21% have received a promotion ($5,000/year average). $25,308,073 TOTAL for information reported on this form. 8,661,005 gallons of water saved