Extension Councils looking to grow 4-H

Nevada Daily Mail

A new year-to-year traveling trophy to increase participation of Missouri University Extension councils was discussed at the University Extension Council meeting, Monday night at the Nevada Senior Center.

Wayne Prewitt, west central region director of Missouri Extension, sent a letter to Leslie Carroll-Bartlett about Extension's striving to "better understand the value of the 4-H Youth Development Program and the impact it has on its youth."

The letter announced a traveling trophy, a plaque with nameplates. Each nameplate will bear the name of the county and year it celebrated its greatest growth in the 4-H program, the letter said.

Carroll-Bartlett said this letter made her happy and excited because Vernon County's program was already well ahead in first place.

"At the moment, we stand in first place. We have done very well in our development."

Carroll-Bartlett read the letter aloud, "One county may house the plaque for one year and another may house in the next; depending on program growth... The county will need to help promote the local program to as many people as possible. "

The letter promised the trophy would be attractive enough to entice council members to show it off in their county office.

One way Carroll-Bartlett thought Vernon County could improve their 4-H programs was with new robotics kits. The kits are available in each county, the letter said.

"We have a bunch of kids that are all excited for robotics and doing this program," Carroll-Bartlett said. "And we are going to do it in Vernon County, I'm excited about it, and there are many others I know that really want to be a part of the program.

After the letter had finished, Carroll-Bartlett told the council members,

"I know I am preaching to the choir when I speak to this group because we are very, very active with 4-H. I see you all at the fairgrounds, I see you all at my farmer's market programs, and I see you all at the programs Amanda (Davis, Extension's 4-H educator,) is doing and the programs she is putting forward. This is just something new. When we mentioned this at state council, some of the councils went, "Oh." I don't think they thought much about 4-H."

She said one reason why the Vernon County Council did so well with 4-H was because a lot of their members are families with their children in 4-H.

Earlier in the meeting, Carroll-Bartlett shared new updates on the Farmer's Market Grant. Extension wants to build a new building in the Nevada Fairgrounds to hold farmer's markets, Wednesday and Saturdays from May until October, she said.

The new youth pavilion will be ready to have bids on it as soon as next week, Carroll-Bartlett said. The building will be 40 by 60 feet and have room for cars to park.

"All the electricity, water, a bathroom. It's fully handicap accessible," she said. "It will have some sort of door and walls. The building will be open to 4-H or any youth group that wishes to use it any other time. "

She said she was hoping to have demonstrations and classes, and the building will be completed in November.

Council elections for 2016 were also briefly discussed at the meeting. Of the current officers, Cathy Blacklock is the only member to have fulfilled her term limit.

Pat Miller, Vernon County program director and Carroll-Bartlett said they were looking for new candidates to run.

"We don't meet a lot, and we're pretty quick bout it," said Carroll Bartlett.