Kelly Crane, director of the University of Wyoming Extension
University of Wyoming Extension offices will begin opening on a county-by-county basis as restrictions ease and individual county health protocols are followed in addition to the governor’s recommendations in determining when and how services are offered.
UW Extension offices are often housed in county facilities as part of extension’s cooperative agreement with Wyoming counties.
“We are relying on county health officials, local emergency management coordinators and county commissioners to determine how and when we resume face-to-face interactions with community members,” said Kelly Crane, UW Extension director. “These individuals have the technical expertise, local data and community information, which is requisite to determining the appropriate actions relative to COVID-19.”
In-person extension events, including the UW 4-H program and Cent$ible Nutrition Program (CNP) activities and classes, have been suspended or offered online since March and many county offices closed to the public.
UW Extension has been providing a wide variety of online educational programs, activities, and even livestock judging contests for youths and adults in Wyoming communities.
“As face-to-face services resume, our educators will adhere to local orders regarding group size, social distancing and recommendations associated with personal protective equipment,” said Crane. “People attending in-person events (including 4-H club meetings) or coming to our offices need to follow local guidance on appropriate personal protection equipment and other relevant health department guidance.”
Volunteers who work with 4-H and extension’s Master Gardener programs are expected to follow county protocols when participating in extension activities.
4-H opportunities including club meetings will also resume county-by-county and follow the county’s and governor’s recommendations, said Johnathan Despain, Wyoming 4-H Program director.
“Everyone needs to be aware of county limitations and know that 4-H experiences will be different for members based on where they live, applicable health restrictions and subsequent opportunities,” Despain said.
CNP classes will continue online in the coming weeks as preparations are made to offer in-person classes later in the summer, said Mindy Meuli, CNP director.
“A main part of our in-person programming is learning how to prepare and cook foods,” said Meuli. “Until we can do that safely together, CNP will continue online delivery, supplemented with food preparation and recipe videos through our social media and website.”
Crane advised residents to contact their county offices to determine if they are open and for local information. County office contact information is at www.uwyo.edu/uwe/county.
“We appreciate the public’s patience as extension continues to provide educational services in accordance with local health department guidance, and we look forward to helping you in person as local conditions and regulations allow,” said Crane.
For those interested in connecting with local artists and agriculturalists, the University of Wyoming Extension will lead a series of free self-guided Ag & Art tours from May through September. The first Ag & Art event takes place in Natrona County Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “We had a great season last year and are excited to bring this event to five counties this summer, kicking things off [in] Natrona County,” says Hailey Sorg, Wyoming’s Jay Kemmerer Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Institute extension educator.
Wild bumble bees are in decline, and various parasites may be a major cause. But there hasn’t been any data on whether Wyoming bees have parasites and to what degree—until now. Amy Storey, a University of Wyoming third-year master’s student in zoology and physiology, shed light on her research when she took center stage at the recent Wyoming Chapter of the Wildlife Society meeting in Sheridan.
