Future of 4-H program is meeting concern

By MaryHelen Swanson
Remember your first 4-H demonstration? Remember Share the Fun? What about those county fair memories - cows that wouldnít stand right, breads that went flat, banners and blue ribbons and trips to the state fair?
Thatís 4-H.
The future of 4-H might be in trouble if funding cuts, starting at the state level, trickle down to the local programs.
In Chisago and Isanti counties, youths and adults with an interest in 4-H gathered recently to talk about the importance of 4-H and what areas might be reduced, if needed, to keep the program alive.
Conversations like these are being held all around the state this summer.
Changes in 4-H began as far back as a year ago when in the Extension Plan Phase I job consolidation meant that Extension staff was given more responsibilities, including being in charge of more than one county.
And it looks as if with continued changes, some Extension personnel could be overseeing as many as four counties in the future.
A task force of both Isanti and Chisago counties will be taking public opinion into consideration as it works to create a list of recommendations that will be given to the county Extension committees and the county commissioners.
At the recent public meetings, University of Minnesota Extension Service Youth Development Director Dale Blyth spoke via video tape to the participants.
He said funding cuts made by the Legislature will mean Extension educators will be moved to regional centers, and regional staff will paid with federal and state funds, not county.
Counties, Blyth said, will be offered choices, a sort of menu, of Extension options to fund.
This change, he went on, will affect 4-H.
More than once Blyth said county funding is integral to the success of 4-H, and that 4-H cannot continue if it would be funded only by the state.
Besides the move to regional centers and shifting of Extension personnel, Blyth said more technology would be used to support 4-H involvement.
He said the importance of the Extension educator cannot be overemphasized. Without the educator, he said, there can be no county fair, no activities such as Share the Fun, less camping opportunities, etc.
He said with less funding, there would be less programming, but that the quality would still remain high of the programs that remain.
Counties will be given a choice in staffing packages and a menu of program enhancement options. Under Phase II of the Extension plan, counties could have the options of funding local Extension educators, technical advisors, program coordinators for 4-H, Master Gardeners, etc., and nutrition education assistants.
By Dec. 31, 2003, county Extension offices with no funding for office and staff will close.
Blyth mentioned the initiation of a fee system for 4-H participation, with a scholarship option that must be in place for families unable to afford the costs.
Money collected through a fee, Blyth said, would be used to support 4-H programs.
The statewide Extension budget is currently $60 million.
Forty-two percent comes from the state, 17 percent from the federal government. Counties kick in 26 percent, 11 percent comes from grants and gifts and 4 percent is collected in fees and sales of material.
Those attending the meetings were concerned that the counties are not going to continue to fund Extension programs.
In small group discussion, the attendees prioritized the valuable aspects of the 4-H program with almost every group finding it difficult to determine which youth development program was not important.
In Chisago County, office support, the county fair and hands-on learning came out on top.
In Isanti County, the county fair, support staff and club meetings were deemed most important.
The people made their choices by placing green dots by their top choices from a list they had created from the small group discussions.They placed red on those that might be less important.
There were few red dots on the board.
The Extension office, according to Barb Piehl, is continually looking for more ideas on this issue.
Call them with yours: (763) 689-1810 or (651) 674-4417.

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