USU Extension highlights local ag research, SNAP‑Ed and youth programs to Utah County commissioners

My name is Sean Bettis, a county resident and an employee of Utah State University Extension, told the Utah County Commission that extension programs aim to provide research‑based information and fill roles traditional government does not. “extension tries to fill roles that traditional government does not,” Bettis said.

The presentation summarized several ongoing and pilot projects. Bettis described a pilot for “fenceless” livestock management that uses GPS or satellite‑linked collars to move cattle to grazing or watering areas without permanent fences. He said the approach is early in testing and could reduce labor and protect water and forage resources if it proves feasible.

Bettis also described work testing seedless table grapes and cold‑hardy hybrid wine grapes near Genoa. He said local growers have sold grapes at farmers markets for about $3.75 to $4 a pound and that, on a per‑acre basis, grape revenue could be roughly $20,000 — noting that…