County Commissioner Commitment to 4-H

October 7, 2020 Lost Creek Guide

4-H Helps Youth Stay on Target with Future Goals

By Shaley Dehner, Weld County Communications Specialist Ng picked up her first bow and arrow in 2014. Her love for archery and shooting sports through her Weld County 4-H Club project has only extended from there.

Ng, who lives in Windsor, does not come from a traditional agricultural background. But the shooting sports project has given her the opportunity to participate in 4-H and hone her skills as a marksman and as a person.

“Although I started my 4-H career in projects like baking then moved into rabbit showmanship, I found my home in shooting sports,” Ng said. “I know this project isn’t traditionally what people think of when hearing about 4-H, but it’s a great project in teaching discipline, leadership and humility.” Youth not interested in crop production or those not wanting or able to raise and show livestock have an abundance of opportunities to complete projects not related to agriculture – 25 of them, to be exact. “It’s neat that we can offer these kids the chance to complete a project that suits their personality and interests,” said Director of Weld County Extension Keith Maxey. “4-H isn’t like it used to be, where kids generally raise and show livestock and grow crops. Now, there are a whole host of unique projects to choose from.”

Since 1917, Weld County 4-H has taught youth aged eight to 18 life skills through projects, record keeping and public speaking. Through the program, youth can participate in contests, on judging teams and attend camps and conferences.

Some projects, such as shooting sports, have units designed to allow youth to advance their skillset and knowledge each year. In the restoration project, kids might start fixing something small one year, then advance to bigger projects — like fine-tuning an antique bicycle — the next.

For 14-year-old Wyatt Meyer, looking for a 4-H project led to an unexpected discovery on his family’s farm. An old tool chest that had seen better years lent itself to Meyer’s current restoration project.

Over the past year, Meyer has learned a new skill: how to keep records related to his progress in restoring the chest. He’s has had fun while doing it.

“I decided to fix the chest up by sanding it down, replacing a few boards and staining it,” Meyer explained. “Through completing this project, I’ve learned how delicate things can be when they’re older, and seeing it go from being destroyed to looking brand-new is really neat.” 4-H doesn’t just give youth in Weld County the chance to restore an old chest, build a model rocket or take aim at a target — it also teaches valuable life skills. Weld County 4-H members can also learn leadership skills through the Youth Executive Council where kids meet up, exchange ideas and help plan countywide activities and events. Through these experiences, youth build skills they’ll continue to use as they grow older.

“4-H has allowed me to improve my public speaking, leadership and collaboration skills over the past eight years,” said Ng. “This program has given me the chance to get out of my comfort zone by becoming a Shooting Sports Ambassador, President of the Windsor-Severance 4-H Club this year, Weld County Shooting Sports Council Secretary and a member of the Citizenship Washington Focus 4-H program.”

Through her 4-H project, Ng has learned that growth is a direct result of failure and shouldn’t be viewed as a burden.

“4-H shooting sports has taught me a lot about focus, dedication and sportsmanship,” Ng said. “It’s taken me a lot of practice and time to get to the point I’m at now with my competitiveness. And it’s inspiring to know that I still have more room to grow. Overall, 4-H has helped me become a better person and has taught me ‘to make the best better’.”

What Really is the Weld County Commissioner’s Commitment to the Extension Office 4-H Program in Weld County?

By Bob Grand

The article above was put out by the Weld County Public Information Office. 4-H is a great program. I was fortunate to serve on the Weld County Extension Office Advisory Board for over six years, two of which I served as Chair. On that Board, I had the pleasure of working with some very dedicated people, Bill Erickson being one. Bill recently passed and we all will miss him. Bill spent 65 years as a 4-H Leader and I listened to what he had to say, and learned much from him about the commitment of the 4-H leadership folks and how important family participation was to the success of the program. They are where the rubber meets the road you might say. Bill also had some strong thoughts on the real commitment that running an effective 4-H takes.

So, reading the article above it presents a strong picture of the benefits of the 4-H program. I agree. If you look at the Weld County Extension budget for 2019 it is $415,562. In 2010 it was $324,630. The difference is an increase of $126,932 or + 39.1%. On the surface that seems great.

The department description for Extension in the 2019 budget (page 289 see below) states: Provide adults and 4-H youth with unbiased, research-based education for agricultural. Environmental; and consumer issues.

Let us look at 4-H participation in Weld County comparing 2010 to 2019: 2010: Number of 4-H clubs in the county: 30 2019: Number of 4-H Clubs in the county: 31 or + 3.3% 2010 : Number of club participants: 919 2019: Number of club participants: 902 or - 2.9%

Population in Weld County: 2010: 252,825 2019: 324,492 or + 28.3%

Looking at the FTE positions, which is how the Weld County budgeting process likes to compare

The extension staff dedicated to 4-H is about the same from the County support level with an overall increase of about 1 FTE provide by Weld County 4-H Foundation (.5) and a AmeriCorps Volunteer (.5) by a CSU grant. The bulk of the salary adjustments reflect wages and cost of living adjustments as opposed to more feet on the ground.

For the number one agricultural county in the state, in an environment that reflects that many

What Really is the Weld County

Commissioner’s Commitment to the Extension Office 4-H Program in Weld County?

of our newcomers have little or no agricultural background and with a population increase of over 28% since 2010 you would think that the county would be more aggressively supporting the education of the overall population about the importance agriculture and the many benefits of the 4-H programs. But that does not appear to be the case. At the many Board meetings I attended on the Advisory Board, there was often a County Commissioner present who always supported the efforts of Extension. That support seemed to disappear at budgeting time. Nether I or Bill Erickson could ever understand that.

I do not fault the Extension staff. They have to manage balancing the CSU and Weld County Commissioners, considering the resources they have, they do a fine job. But with the way the Weld County budgeting process works it is a herculean task to encourage change. For those that have attended budget work sessions you understand. I believe that the Commissioners need to strongly consider the assigned task of the Extension office and support the development of a plan that realistically provides the resources to meet the objectives, not just maintain the status quo. This will be particularly important as the County wrestles with reduced revenues in the coming years. 4-H is a valuable program, one that should be vigorously supported by the County . There are some hurdles to overcome in that a successful 4-H program requires family support, that requires time, something many of our new citizens do not have enough of.

Not an easy issue to tackle but one that should be a core consideration of our Commissioners. Something to date I do not believe has been given the attention it should be.