Within program areas, reporting categories focus on specific issues, topics, crops or animal products. Working groups plan, implement, and evaluate projects and activities within the reporting category. They are led by "coordinators", which may be the State Extension Specialist or another Extension faculty member with expertise in that area.

Campus-based partners include the Department of Nutritional Sciences and the School of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Outputs

• SAFE FOOD 2010 Working Group
  The Arizona Department of Health Services reports more than 2307 cases in 2002. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that only 10% of all cases are even reported. The 2000 FDA report on food safety stated that 5000 related deaths occur each year in the United States due to foodborne illness. The safety of the food system from farm to table is directly influenced by best practices at all levels.
  Coordinator: Sharon Hoelscher Day, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension.
  

• BONE BUILDERS OSTEOPOROSIS Working Group
  This program targets increasing awareness of the risks of osteoporosis and provides osteoporosis prevention education to women 25-55 years of age, in cooperation with the College of Public Health.
  Coordinator: Sharon Hoelscher Day, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension.

• EXTENSION FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM (EFNEP) Working Group
  The Extension Food and Nutrition Education Program provides training for low income residents on how to choose and prepare foods for optimal nutrition.
  Coordinator: Scottie Misner, EFNEP Coordinator, Department of Nutritional Sciences.

• HEALTHY LIFESTYLES Working Group
  Obesity, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity is increasing across the United States. As the Baby Boomers reach 50 years plus they will be affected by a range of chronic diseases affected by the lack of physical activity and poor nutrition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and heart disease. Physical activity is one of the best "anti-aging pills" available. The challenge for Cooperative Extension is how to encourage more adults and children to increase physicial activity and good nutrition.
  Coordinator: Vanessa Farrell, Research Specialist, Department of Nutritional Sciences.

• NUTRITION, EXERCISE, AND WELLNESS Working Group
  Will provide a one-day in-service and training to county FCS educators. This in-service will have the campus faculty from Nutritional Sciences and Family and Consumer Sciences speak to the Arizona county faculty about their current research and projects and how they relate to Cooperative Extension.
  Coordinator: Scottie Misner, EFNEP Coordinator, Department of Nutritional Sciences.

• HEALTHY LIFESTYLES Working Group
  Obesity, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity is increasing across the United States. As the Baby Boomers reach 50 years plus they will be affected by a range of chronic diseases affected by the lack of physical activity and poor nutrition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and heart disease. Physical activity is one of the best "anti-aging pills" available. The challenge for Cooperative Extension is how to encourage more adults and children to increase physicial activity and good nutrition.
  Coordinator: Vanessa Farrell, Research Specialist, Department of Nutritional Sciences.

• NUTRITION, EXERCISE, AND WELLNESS Working Group
  Will provide a one-day in-service and training to county FCS educators. This in-service will have the campus faculty from Nutritional Sciences and Family and Consumer Sciences speak to the Arizona county faculty about their current research and projects and how they relate to Cooperative Extension.
  Coordinator: Scottie Misner, EFNEP Coordinator, Department of Nutritional Sciences.
  

• SMALL STEPS TO HEALTH AND WEALTH Working Group
  There are many parallels between factors that affect good health and those that foster financial success. Societal problems that have been reported include over 60% of adults being overweight or obese and a higher incidence of Type II diabetes being documented in youth. At the same time, household savings rates remain low and household debt high. It is anticipated with the surge in fuel costs debt will dramatically increase. As a result of lifestyle choices, many Americans today have health and personal finance issues. The Small Steps to Health and Wealth (SSHW)TM program will teach participants 25 behavior change strategies that can be simultaneously applied to improve health and increase wealth and track their progress over time.
  Coordinator: Linda Block, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Pima County Cooperative Extension.
  

• WALK ACROSS ARIZONA WorkingGroup
  Team based physical activity and health promotion programs are effective ways to motivate health behavior changes by individuals. Sustained behavior change requires on-going incentives, information and motivation. For Walk Across Arizona to be successful, counties must provide a variety educational experiences to team members.
  Coordinator: Linda Block, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Pima County Cooperative Extension.