Wednesday, February 28th, 2018 - UAEx.edu

2018 Galaxy Conference
                                                            Session Descriptions

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018
Opening Session and Lunch
Keynote Speaker: Rhett Laubach
#Live to Serve
Description: 20-year veteran professional speaker/trainer and leadership expert Rhett Laubach faced the
greatest challenge of his life after a visit to the doctor’s office in August 2014. This experience has added
an emotionally-charged story to Rhett’s high-energy, highly-interactive speaking style he has perfected in
front of over one-million audience members. #LiveToServe is a message that will directly impact how
you view the friends, family, and peers in your life, the true purpose of your life and the time you have to
make the most of opportunities to serve. Rhett’s story will challenge you to make changes today, both
personally and professionally, that will produce meaningful results for many years to come.

1:15 – 2:00 PM         Educational Session 1 (45 minute sessions)
Changing Nutrition and Health Behaviors: Facts vs. Feelings
By: Mary Beth Anderson
Egret
Description: Research shows that emotional motivators drive behavior change. People rely on emotions,
not information, to make decisions. In this interactive session, participants will explore the difference
between a traditional, logic-based approach to nutrition education and an emotion-based approach. They
will share their experiences using either approach and evaluate the response to a variety of nutrition
education resources. With a logic-based approach, clients are given information on why it’s important to
make dietary and activity changes and how to do so. Educators determine what they think a client needs
and provide information on what they see as the problem. With an emotion-based approach, educators
connect with the client in a meaningful way. They give the client what the client wants, such as hope for a
better life, affirmation, or empathy. They offer helpful information that supports the client to make
positive, healthy choices.

Understanding Your Retirement Plan
By: Matt Cooper
Ouachita
Description: Retirement and making the most of your 403(b) can be an abstract concept. The University
of Arkansas retirement plan is an incredibly powerful retirement program if you utilize it correctly. Our
presentation helps explains the features and benefits of participating in the retirement plan as well as other
investing concept.

Connect 4
By: Mary Poling and Carla Vaught
Caddo
Description: Explore 4 steps (Plan, Practice, Test, Meet) to successfully connect with your clientele (4-H
leaders, Master Gardeners, EHC, County committees, etc) using Zoom meeting. This session will review
a case study of Polk County’s implementation of virtual 4-H leader meetings and will share results,
insights and plans for moving forward with meeting virtually.

Corn Maze Start to Finish
By: Keith Perkins
Heron
Description: The need to educate producers about agri-tourism and corn maze production is a tremendous
responsibility of county agents. Today’s producers are technology oriented, production focused, and do
not always explore the opportunities to fully develop their marketing. Tremendous marketing
opportunities are always present at county, district and state levels. When a producer decides to explore
agri-tourism, it gives the agents an opportunity to work with producers to develop a plan for their farm.
We have worked with producers on production practices from seeding rate, planting date, variety
selection and soil fertility that best fit corn maze development. Also, we advise producers on design and
ideals that attract customers. We work with producers utilizing GPS technology and a zero turn mower to
cut the design into the corn fields. It is through educational programs that they acquire the knowledge
needed to produce corn mazes that are a major attraction for customers. Educational impact of this
program is measured through various means; some of which are number of visitors, and educational
information.

2:15 – 3:00 PM         Educational Session 2 (45 minute sessions)
Fit4Life: Turning Teens into Health Ambassadors
By: Amy Monk and Jessica Vincent
Egret
Description: Practical workshop that will help you get a Fit4Life Teen Leader group started. Will cover
how to get teachers on board, recruit teens, train teens to lead health activities, work with school
schedules, choose curricula, & evaluate effectiveness.

Roaring "Rithmeticals": Teaching Preschool Parents and Teachers to Teach Math Skills through
Play
By: Katrina Causey
Heron
Description: This presentation addresses some of the challenges of the early childhood centers and FCS
Agents. These include parent meeting attendance, providing useful information to parents / teachers in a
short time period, and building foundational math skills. This lesson has been successfully used and
requested for parent/faculty meetings and encourages a team approach to teaching math skills with a fun
activity based methodology. In this presentation, participants will receive a lesson plan used to instruct
parents/center workers how to teach math skills through simple play. A take-home parent booklet of
teaching activities is provided to participants. Objectives of the lesson include identifying areas of focus
for preschool and kindergarten students; understanding the importance of a team effort approach to
teaching foundational math skills; making simple games associated with learning objectives and having
fun!

Move Beyond the Labels
By: Rhett Laubach
Ouachita
Description: Today’s workplace has men and women from five generations. Your team’s communication
style, decision-making process and relationships are improved when you understand the differences, while
also focusing on the commonalities. This engaging and interactive workshop by professional speaker and
leadership expert Rhett Laubach provides insight into the tendencies of each generation and how you can
move beyond the labels and find common ground.

What’s the Big Deal About Dicamba and Why Should I Care?
By: Ples Spradley
Caddo
Description: An overview and discussion of the issues surrounding the herbicide dicamba in Arkansas
and the U.S. The role of the the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and Arkansas State Plant
Board in regulating the herbicide, Plus the potential ramifications of this particular GMO technology.

Thursday, March 1 st ,2018
9:00 – 9:45 AM         Educational Session 4 (45 minute sessions)
Healthy Meeting Challenge…What, Why, How
By: Lauren Copeland
Caddo
Description: The 4-H Healthy Meeting Challenge is a challenge that is designed to help 4-H Clubs
incorporate healthy behaviors into their meetings and improve the health of their members. This session is
for anyone, whether their county has participated in the 4-H Healthy Meeting Challenge or not. In this
session, participants will learn about the 4-H Healthy Meeting Challenge and how clubs can participate.
Participants will also have the chance to give Challenge feedback and suggestions that will encourage
greater participation throughout the state in the future.

4-H Vet Science: Expanding Your Animal Science Program
By: Rachel Bearden and Dr. Heidi Ward
Heron
Description: Vet Science is an excellent opportunity for 4-Hers to experience hands on projects. 4-Hers
learn not only about a future career path, are better prepared if they attend on pursuing a veterinary
educational program, but it also helpful in basic care of their own animals. Vet Science allows you to
incorporate many of the STEM topics into an animal science curriculum. The curriculum is already
created, several hands on lab kits are available, and many field trip contacts are already in place making
planning easy on the agent. The workshop will discuss tools available, field trip ideas, tips for working
with local veterinarians, and overviews of the program goals at the state and county levels.

AIMS Mobile: It's Finally Happening!
By: Diane Mashburn
Egret
Description: Ever since agents started getting tablets and smartphones, there has been a need for a mobile
friendly AIMS site. After a long time researching, developing, and initial testing, it is finally going to
happen! At this session, participants will get a first glance! Participants will get a chance to view the beta
site, ask questions, and even give initial feedback on Mobile AIMS.

Manage Your Time or It Manages You
By: Rhett Laubach
Ouachita
Description: Time is a canvas, work is the paint and time management techniques are the strokes. We
are in control of how we choose to spend our time; the better the strategies, the better the painting. Our
work is too important to be sloppy with the brush strokes. Join leadership expert Rhett Laubach
(@RhettLaubach) as he takes you through a fun, interactive, super-charged workshop designed to help
you create masterpiece days.

10:00 – 11:30 AM Educational Session 5 (90 minute sessions)
Project Archeology: An Innovative Approach to STEM Education
By: Hope Bragg
Caddo
Description: Programs in Arkansas incorporating archeology and 4-H were recently recognized at the
national level as an innovative program of the year. Archeological programs are easily incorporated into
existing 4-H STEM programs. Take part in this introduction to Project Archeology curricula, learn how
these projects are tied to educational standards and how easy proper archeological education can be. The
importance of context, documentation, preservation and reconstruction of artifacts will be explored
through hands-on activities. Learn how to incorporate lessons or develop a program based on archeology
at this hands on presentation. Archeology is more than Indiana Jones, come and experience this new
program (without ever touching a shovel!)

Canva, Constant Contact, and Creativity (Participants asked to bring a laptop)
By: Rachel Chaney and Ashley Foster
Heron
Description: Do you feel like your flyers, fact sheets, and other promotional materials always seem to
look the same? Do you feel that they fall flat and are boring? Find out how to use Canva, a website where
you can design your own posters, infographics, social media post and so much more. Learn how to design
some unique materials for your Extension Program and how to use them on websites like Constant
Contact and social media. Be sure to bring your laptop and/or tablet and some creativity for this
interactive session.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Navigating Through the Promotion Document
By: Sherri Sanders and Les Walz
Ouachita
Description: A frank discussion about common pitfalls and mistakes found in promotion documents. A
no holds bar presentation about delivering a powerful promotion document that is concise, to the point,
and demonstrating powerful impact. Nobody’s got time to read through boring drivel that lacks flow or
readability. This session will provide suggestions for beefing up your documents to impress committee
members. Suggestions only will be provided but dismiss them at your own risk. We'll include tips for you
to be proactive and to assist you be make your promotion document a success by implementing proven
techniques to tell your story.

1:30 – 2:15 Educational Session 6 (45 minute sessions)
Resistance Training and Running Based Pilot Programs for Youth
By: Tyler Brown and Tori Copeland
Heron
Description: Two new pilot programs will be launched this spring to increase the knowledge of jr. high –
sr. high aged adolescents on the proper mechanics and techniques of free-weight training and running.
LIFT (Lifting Instruction & Foundational Technique) focuses on the coaching and execution of 5 major
lifts, along with information on human anatomy and physiology, proper warm-up and post-exercise
stretching techniques, helping better prepare youth for future resistance training program planning for
optimal muscle and joint health. STRIDE (Specific Technical Running Instruction Developed Education)
is centered on technical running instruction including proper apparel/footwear, stride gait, foot-to-ground
contact, safety precautions, environmental awareness, and more. LIFT and STRIDE weren’t developed to
build athletes, but to increase the knowledge and physical ability of participants, that they may have the
understanding to develop effective, yet safe exercise programs which will aid in overall health and
longevity of the individual.

What’s in your Cup? Growing Your 4-H Program through Racial and Ethnic Diversity
By: Erica Williams and Pia Woods
Egret
Description: America will soon be a minority-majority nation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by
2020 more than half of the nation's children (under the age of 18) are expected to be part of a minority
race or ethnic group. How will you grow your 4-H program through racial and ethnic diversity? During
this session, attendees will explore speed-bumps to growing a 4-H program through racial and ethnic
diversity, how to reach racial and ethnically diverse youth, how to be intentional about creating
opportunities for youth to interact with and get to know people from different backgrounds and What’s in
Your Cup? What’s in Your Cup? is an activity used to increase participants’ awareness on how prepared
they are to be comfortable and successful in a multi-cultural environment.

What Not to Wear: Extension Edition
By: Laura Hendrix and Julie Robinson
Ouachita
Description: Business, business professional, business casual, fitness classes, 4-H 5K - professional dress
can be confusing for Extension professionals. Discover best practices to maintain your professional
image. Gain tips for what to wear and what not to wear.

2:30 – 3:15 PM        Educational Session 7 (45 minute sessions)
Teen Chef Academy
By: Jean Ince, Carla Hadley, Eva Langley, Janet Cantrell and Terrie James
Ouachita
Description: Hear about the youth culinary camp held in Southwest Arkansas. Keeping with the 4-H
teaching method of hands-on learning, agents in six counties in southwest Arkansas planned a cooking
school for youth. This arose from the concern that many Americans do not have the basic skills needed to
prepare a nutritious meal; thereby increasing the potential for future health problems. The agents taught
the four day cooking school for youth ages 12-15. The teens learned practical meal preparation, basic food
safety, knife skills, mise en place and table etiquette.

Expanding Our Reach through In-School 4-H Clubs
By: Sara Beth Johnson
Egret
Description: This workshop will discuss the benefits of utilizing in-school 4-H clubs to broaden our
outreach. We will also discuss and experience some of the hands on lessons used in classroom clubs.

Game Changer: How Extension Agents Deliver Social Change to Arkansas
Jackson Alexander
Heron
Description: The purpose of this presentation is to share qualitative findings on The Cooperative
Extension Service and the ways it affects social change to promote community development. The
presenter conducted this research to explore these ideas, as well as how county agents believe their
practice aligns with the field of adult education. During this session, Extension professionals will be
invited to engage in discussion on the following questions that guided the study: 1. Discuss ways in which
the Cooperative Extension Service has the power to bring about social change through education; 2.
Examine the challenges agents identify as inhibiting their ability to align their practice with the goals of
their organization, 3. Imagine ways agents can promote community development through empowering the
individual, and; 4. Identify the methods Extension educators use to enhance experiential learning
opportunities to promote evaluation of the learning process.

Friday, March 2 nd ,2018
8:30 – 10:00 AM Educational Session 8 (90 minute sessions)
Guidelines for Supervision of EFNEP Educators: How to Coach a Successful Program- Part 1
By: Keith Cleek, Emily Hays, and Debbie Head
Caddo
Description: A hands-on workshop to explain and demonstrate effective supervision in EFNEP
implementation. Agents will be coached on providing effective mentoring and training for EFNEP
educators to successfully reach annual graduate goals. National EFNEP policies will be reviewed and
state procedures explained.

4-H Youth Mentoring Grant: Diversity in Programming
By: Debbie Baker, Leigh Blythe, Rachel Bearden and Mary Cody
Egret
Description: Four counties, Clay, Poinsett, Hot Spring, and Perry, were recipients of the 2016-2017 Youth
Mentoring Grant. Each county carried out programming in diverse and unique ways. This workshop will
highlight each counties planning, training, implementation, and evaluation/outcomes of their Mentoring
Grant.

3, 2, 1…Action! Educational Videos for Extension Programs
By: Addie Wilson
Ouachita
Description: The stage is set for you learn all about incorporating educational videos in your extension
programs. This hands on workshop will go over the basics of planning, filming and editing an educational
video. Increase your contact outreach and unleash your inner movie star.

Engaging, Equipping, and Empowering Your Community: The Story of Moving Manila Forward
By: Mark Peterson, Ray Benson, Pamela Pruett
Heron
Description: Are you interested in increasing visibility and program support in your communities?
Would you like to involve key community leaders in a vital development effort, in which Extension plays
an important role? On April 13, 2017, Moving Manila Forward was launched - a broad-based initiative to
revitalize Manila. County Agents Ray Benson and Pamela Pruett, and Mark Peterson, Professor of CED
were involved in the process. Program activities included a Breakthrough Solutions partner consultation, a
survey reaching 315 people, and working sessions involving 165 local citizens. Since then, over 1,000
people have been attracted to downtown events, a new downtown business opened, and four action teams
formed. A draft Moving Manila Forward blueprint and action plan is being circulated, and plans are being
made for a rollout event in the spring of 2018. Come and learn from their experience and gain insights for
engaging community leaders in your own county.

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM           Educational Session 9 (90 minute sessions)
Guidelines for Supervision of EFNEP Educators: How to Coach a Successful Program- Part 2
By: Keith Cleek, Emily Hays, and Debbie Head
Caddo
Description: A hands-on workshop to explain and demonstrate effective supervision in EFNEP
implementation. Agents will be coached on providing effective mentoring and training for EFNEP
educators to successfully reach annual graduate goals. National EFNEP policies will be reviewed and
state procedures explained. This workshop is part 2 of a two part series.

Online Forms: Easy Ways to Gather, Manage, and Utilize Your Direct Contacts (Participants asked
to bring a laptop)
By: Amy Cole and Gretchen Skinner
Heron
Description: Are you hosting an Extension program or event and need to gather data on attendees? No
fear, the FORMS team is here! We will showcase some DIY form building options as well as a demo
during our 90 minute session. Amy and Gretchen will train attendees on how to build a simple data
collection form, an event marketing form (and landing page), and even a multi-page registration form. We
will feature the best practices of how to build forms that are user friendly and shareable via email and
social media. Finally, we will showcase the capabilities we have in the IT department for building
complex online payment forms as well.

Grab and Go Day Camp
By: Elizabeth Easley
Egret
Description: Rushed for time, yet need a quick idea for an awesome day camp? Then this session is for
you. Each participant will leave with a ready-made nature themed day camp - agenda, lessons, activities,
games, a simple community service project, parent letters, registration forms, and even sample flyers are
provided. All you have to buy is the materials for each activity. Participants will receive hands on
instruction for select activities.