HomeMy WebLinkAbout20090390.tiffMark V. Cronquist
1638 55th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80634
(970)352-8789 E-mail: markpppthg@q.com
February 2, 2009
Weld County Board of Commissioners
Commissioner Sean Conway
Commissioner Bill Garcia
Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer
Commissioner David Long
Commissioner Douglas Rademacher
915 Tenth Street
Greeley, CO 80632
Re: Proposed changes in the Weld County Extension Office
Dear Board of Commissioners:
As a former Colorado State University Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development witl 29 years
of experience and 24 of those in Weld County, I'm concerned about the discussions surrounding the
programming and staffing of the extension office. I understand the difficult circumstances you are dealing
with relative to the county budget and the weak economic situation in Colorado and throughout the U.S.
However, there are several important considerations relative to the 4-H youth program that have not
been addressed in the media coverage of the situation and because I know the tremendous positive
impact 4-H has on the youth who participate and the volunteers who lead them, I feel an obligation to
speak to these issues.
The most important point to consider in this process is 4-H is a youth development program. The
program planning efforts by extension agents, year-round events and activities planned by county
extension staff and volunteers, and the ongoing emphasis on providing young people an opportunity to
expand their knowledge and life experiences are all part of 4-H youth development. For 4-H children and
teens to increase their abilities in the cornerstone skills of leadership, citizenship, communication (oral
and written), teamwork, social interaction, and project knowledge requires year-round involvement in
4-H. Dedicated extension 4-H youth professionals use their expertise to train and support the volunteer
leaders that guide and nurture the personal growth of each 4-H member.
One of the big issues in this ongoing discussion has been the emphasis on maintaining the Weld
County Fair along with 4-H. The Weld County Fair has a long and celebrated history of providing
entertainment for county residents and an opportunity for 4-H and FFA youth as well as others living in
the county to demonstrate their skills and what they have learned in an amazing variety of competitions.
However, the fair is not a 4-H event; it is held on behalf of the youth to give them a venue to exhibit the
products of their annual learning experiences in 4-H, FFA or other youth activity.
Since Weld County is one of the United States' greatest agricultural production counties, there
should be a large number of 4-H members enrolled in and learning about livestock through their project
work. But just because the youth or their families can invest substantial sums of money to be successful
in livestock projects doesn't mean their learning experiences in 4-H are better or more complete than
youngsters in the other project areas. Whether learning about aquatic ecology in Sportfishing, sustainable
production practices in Gardening, financial management in Financial Champions, or saving money on
groceries while learning how to cook in Foods and Nutrition, these are just a brief sample of the varied
skills and knowledge project work offers Weld County 4 -Hers.
From my long-term perspective of working in Extension, there are several issues that must be
considered in addressing the staffing of the office relative to the 4-H youth development program:
1. The program is educational and operates twelve months a year. It's not just enrolling young
people, but providing the training, operational development and support to the hundreds of
volunteers that are the unpaid foundation for a successful 4-H program. It's being there as the
catalyst for adults and teens as they plan, present and evaluate the numerous events and
activities that make 4-H such a positive, life -changing program for young people. As the 2005
2009-0390
Colorado 4-H Impact Study shows and I can verify from my experience with the thousands of
members I had contact with during my extension career, 4 -Hers do better in school, are
significantly more likely to assume leadership roles and help others, all traits that will help Weld
County and our nation meet future challenges. Full Extension 4-H staffing is required to make
this happen.
2. There are thousands of youth throughout the county that could benefit from the life -changing
opportunities available through 4-H and they don't have to live on a farm or ranch to be involved.
School enrichment and after school programs have been successful in Weld County in the past,
are continuing, but can only expand to larger audiences with funding for the 4-H staff in place
and additional funding for part-time paraprofessionals to initiate new programming. With reduced
budgets a reason for this discussion in the first place, please look at the positives of 4-H in all of
its forms and the benefits young people and the 4-H leader volunteers gain from Weld County's
4-H professionals and their twelve-month commitment to making Weld County's youth better.
3. The Weld County Fair is an event many families, both 4-H and non -4-H, look forward to each
year. It receives amazing support from all over northern Colorado for awards, sponsors,
commercial exhibits and buyers at the Junior Livestock Sale. But like any county fair, the
planning, promotion and production should take into account the educational value of the
experience for the youth involved. Participating in the Weld County Fair has always been a
privilege, not a right, for 4 -Hers and their families based on meeting a variety of criteria that
helps ensure their active involvement in the 4-H program. I would hope that the Board of
Commissioners would continue to emphasize the importance of the total 4-H experience for
young people to be eligible for the Weld County Fair. This, too, will require the continued
involvement of all the 4-H staff in the office to help 4-H clubs, leaders and members meet these
requirements.
4. On a broader level, in the past, the extension office's affiliation with Colorado State University
and its numerous resources has been a tremendous advantage to Weld County. Whether it was
the extension office drawing on the university's resources for community development efforts,
timely agricultural research to address pressing economic, production or environmental issues, or
taking advantage of the university's land grant mission to extend research -based knowledge to
residents all over the county through innumerable workshops, seminars, and information
provided in all kinds of formats, CSU has had a huge and lasting impact on this county. Please
work with CSU Extension administration so the Weld County Extension Office can remain the
county's "Front Door" to Colorado State University and its myriad opportunities for our citizens.
I appreciate the difficult budgetary situation you are dealing with as you look at every option in
meeting the needs of your constituents. As you're making your decisions relative to the Extension
Office, please remember the past and present excellence of Weld County 4-H. Thousands of young
people have realized the many benefits of being a Weld 4 -Her and communities all over America have
been made stronger by the leadership skills and civic responsibility these individuals honed as 4-H
members. Funding the 4-H staff at current levels will continue the tradition of Weld County 4-H youth
development excellence and provide the requisite support the volunteer leaders need to positively
impact the lives of their 4 -Hers.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.
Sin nerely, /
Mark V. Cronquist
2
January 30, 2009
Dr. Tony Frank
108 Administrations
Fort Collins, CO 80523-0100
Sir;
Ours like many other families in Weld County have been involved in 4-H for three
generations. What 4-H does for Weld County is insurmountable. You know this.
The fact that the Weld County Commissioners pat us on the head and say 4-H will not be
touched is insane. I do not think they are listening to us, nor do they have any idea what is
involved in this year-round child development program.
CSU Extension seems to be just waiting instead of setting down the dimensions to the
county commissioners necessary to keep the program going. We have a month left and time is
running out. We feel betrayed by both CSU and Weld County Commissioners.
I have been told you understand! Thank you.
Please! Please intervene! Weld County Extension and 4-H are desperate. 4-H is a child
development program that because of the volunteer and family interaction, develops adults
also. We desperately need 4-H now more than ever in this time of unrest and economic
distress. It is cheaper to develop kids and families than build and sustain prisons. As you
know 4-H builds leadership for all.
It seems the fair board members, commissioners, and some CSU participants think 4-H is
the Weld County Fair and 4-H is livestock. I have fought this attitude my whole 4-H leader
life. Weld County has the most animals of any county in the US but with the development,
we are loosing small farms. Fewer kids are in the farm situation. We are becoming more
urban and need to push the General and Natural and Consumer Family Science projects. We
need more after school kids programs even if they are not traditional 4-H.
I am very aware we cannot have 4-H without Extension and CSU and know changes will
come. We can accept them but we need help now to save 4-H in Weld County. Weld County
Commissioners need to see what really is involved and CSU Extension needs to get to work
and do their job of letting the commissioners know what has to be done to keep 4-H.
As a family and community we are devastated at what could happen to the 4-H program in
Weld County. As a county, the lack of 4-H would affect Weid County Fair, Stock Show and
State Fair. Not to mention the leadership 4-H develops and provides.
Thank you for you time and attention to this matter.
cc Weld County Commissioners
Jean Glowacki
C6'�o-) GA/S
Respectfully,
`-3' el,
Judy Stevens
190OSt
Greeley, CO 8063) Cii
970-352-8492
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