Toolkit for educators: How to use these Tough Times tools in your county or program

Finding Help in Tough Times

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/tough_times/finding-help-tough-times
In response to growing concerns about the recession in Oregon, EESC and FCH have developed an Emergency Communications website to help people find the help they need during these tough times.

Here are tools to help OSU Extension faculty communicate this important information to counties and communities.

• Message explaining purpose of Tough Times communications  (25K)
• Local services template for directing questions (38K)

Button graphics for your county website ( how to add button to your website )

• Bookmark with URL (482K)
• News release (distributed to statewide media in January 2009) (36K)
• Media contacts (OSU faculty who have agreed to take questions from reporters) (30K)

Growing Your Own Food

The faltering economy combined with interest in healthy food choices has led to an increase in calls to Oregon State University Extension Service county offices with questions about growing food in home gardens.

Here are tools to help OSU Extension offices communicate with first-time gardeners.

• EESC has developed the new gardeners publication "Growing Your Own."
• News release: Help Available for First-Time Gardeners
  The news release, which was sent to Oregon news media, explains that county Extension offices and Master Gardeners are available to help people learn how to grow their own food. Included is a list of county offices, with phone numbers and addresses.
• The March Northwest Gardeners E-News magazine points to more information for new gardeners.

Button graphics for your county website ( how to add button to your website )

Tough Times in the Woods

Tough times are all around in 2009. And although the forestry sector has seen its share of economic ups and downs over the years, this year is proving to be extra volatile. In light of such Tough Times in the Woods, the Forestry & Natural Resources Extension team at OSU developed this list of websites to assist you in finding help, such as learning how funds allocated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are making their way into the forests of Oregon, and how these funds will translate into projects and jobs on the ground. Websites are also highlighted that show sources of cost-share funds for private landowners, and marketing opportunities through our Oregon Forest Industry Directory.

Button graphics for your county website ( how to add button to your website )

10 Tips for Tough Times

In tough times, managing individual household expenses can be a great concern. For some people, wading through pages of long words to find help can be overwhelming. In response, OSU Extension has developed several 1-page pdf files, each with 10 tips on simple ways to cut back and save money.

Button graphics for your county website ( how to add button to your website )