Henry County Groundwater Festival 2022
The Henry County Groundwater Festival is a one-day event that was held at Landmark Park in Dothan tailored for 4th grade students and teachers. Numerous water educators and enthusiasts from across the state team up for an exciting and interactive day of learning for the students and teachers. The students participate in three hands-on learning activities focusing on what groundwater is, the importance of water to all life, the water cycle and groundwater’s role in it.
With a grant to Crenshaw County Extension in 2022, repairs were made to the Tom Harbin Ag Center, and all restrooms were made ADA-compliant. Remaining money from the grant was used to purchase materials for future improvements, such as a leaf blower, a pressure washer, a shop vacuum, door stops, rugs, mop heads, and cleaning supplies. In the near future, the Center hopes to host events, workshops, farmers market, and much more.
After School Tutoring & Summer Enrichment Program
The Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Community Development Corporation provides educational resources and intervention for disadvantaged students in need of tutoring in math, science, reading, and other subjects in grade 3-12. The 2022 After School Tutoring program has focused on improving reading comprehension and math with relevant tutoring interventions. Two (2) certified teachers were employed to facilitate the tutoring, both of whom had instructional experience in primary and secondary education and tutoring.
Geneva Walking Trail Trestle Renovation
The City of Geneva received funds for the improvement and renovation of Geneva’s two-mile walking trail to include an old railroad bed. The trestle had become unsafe, even for foot traffic, and this grant helped repair the trestle so that section of the walking trail could be reopened for recreation.
Dale County FFA Project–George W. Long High School
In 2022, the George W. Long FFA is excited about the enclosed trailer purchased through the help of the RC&D grant program. The trailer is going to be used throughout the year to help our FFA program. During the fall, it will help store and transport our concession items that the school sells during the football games. For the National Peanut Festival, FFA will use it to transport Fair Exhibit Displays. One of the main uses will be transporting the materials students use in there Agriscience Shop Projects such as metal and wood from area retailers. The George W. Long FFA is appreciative of the help RC&D provided for this much needed trailer purchase.
Southeast AlabamaWorks Educator Workforce Academy
Southeast AlabamaWorks organized tours Worlds of Work East and Worlds of Work West with guest speakers and industry experts.
The educational objective of this project was to highlight the vital roles they play in shaping our local workforce and economy. Educators teach essential skills needed to be a successful employee and should be provided with the guidance and resources. With a direct link between business and industry, educators can connect classroom education to practical application in the workplace.
Funds were used for materials, food, travel, and event space.
Hands on Liberty: Barbour, Coffee, Covington, and Dale Counties
The Liberty Learning Foundation used grant funds to educate students on civics, history, and government. In 2022, 144 elementary students in 13 schools received curriculum kits and participated the training.
SHORT Goes to Mardi Gras – Reading Parade
SHORT the Squirrel is a plush-costumed character who promotes literacy in the Wiregrass. He distributed literacy kits throughout the community (courthouses, waiting rooms, banks, and more) and visits schools to raise awareness about SHORT and his program. Each February, the SHORT Literacy Initiative releases a birthday video with accompanying lesson plans and extension activities, free for Alabama educators. The literacy kits, school visits, and community appearances were all a part of the Reading Parade event for SHORT’s 2nd birthday.
February 2022’s birthday party had a Mardi Gras theme. The video had nearly 1,500 teachers register, and approximately 35,000 Alabama students have seen it to date. Local schools received copies of the booklet SHORT Goes to Mardi Gras to accompany the video and school celebrations of reading!
Coffee County Soil and Water Conservation District Groundwater Festival
The Coffee County 4th graders attended the Groundwater Festival on April 21, 2022. They rotated through three stations: Edible Aquifers, Water Cycle Bracelets and Filtration. The day ended with an awards ceremony for winners of the previously held Poster Contest from each participating school.
In April of 2022, Barbour County 4-H sponsored multiple events for sixth grade students to learn about water, conservation, and wildlife in the Lake Eufaula area. Events included:
- 4-H Science School Raptor Trek program, featuring two hawks and two owls.
- The importance of conservation and water quality as they relate to fish species with Dr. Rusty Wright of Auburn University.
- PH Testing and soil health with Dr. Eve Brantley, Extension Specialist and professor in the Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences department at Auburn University.
- Water Watch, lead by Dr. Mona Dominguez, focusing on water quality and testing.
- Sam Williams of the Eufaula High School Fishing Team, who spoke about the economic impact fishing and recreation has on the community, along with proper casting technique.
- Local Game Wardens and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency showed the students a live alligator and discussed the lifecycle of alligators, in addition to sharing some information on legal fishing standards.
- The Coast Guard brought their boat and buoys. The discussed possible career options with the guard.
- Barbour County 4-H and Barbour County Soil and Water Conservation District presented the enviro-scape, which is a 3-D model of a town that shows how pollution and runoff makes its way into our water systems.
- Hummingbird joined the Extension Office for Lake Enrichment Day and showed off some of their newest technology. They brought some of their GPS units and depth finders to show the students how technology is used in the fishing business.
The third annual Lake Enrichment Day was a huge success. Grant funds also supported drinking water for all attendees and the purchase of a water cycle model to be used in the classroom.