USU Extension tells commissioners about water‑saving crops, fenceless cattle tests, SNAP‑Ed outreach and 4‑H activity

Utah State University (USU) Extension staff updated the Utah County Commission on May 28 on several pilot projects and outreach programs aimed at water conservation, agricultural diversification and community health.

The Extension presentation covered trials of satellite‑ and GPS‑guided cattle collars, research into cold‑hardy seedless table grapes, monitoring of hybrid bermudagrass varieties that use less water and fertilizer, SNAP‑Ed nutrition education partnerships, and growth in 4‑H programming and fundraising.

The report was presented by Tom Bettis, who identified himself as a county resident and USU Extension employee. "Extension tries to fill roles that traditional government does not," Bettis said, adding that the program prioritizes "research‑based information so that people can make decisions economically." He told commissioners the program can show at least a "5 to 1 return" on county funding, a conservative estimate of economic impact from Extension work.

Bettis outlined three agricultural initiatives. He said staff are…