JEFFERSON — Allen Semai, 16, and his sister Maxine, 15, of Williamsfield Township appreciate the education they have received as members of the Bits and Tails 4-H Club.
“Just recently, we helped save a horse that had broken through the ice in a pond, and we used what we learned about horses through our 4-H club,” Allen Semai said, as he ate his chocolate sundae.
The Semai family, along with more than 500 other county residents, came to show their support for Ashtabula County’s 4-H Clubs and the Ashtabula County Ohio State University Extension, Monday, in the Expo Building at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds. An Ice Cream Social Extension Rally was held to raise awareness and to celebrate Ohio 4-H Week in the county.
“We are here to inform folks on the Extension office and 4-H, what we’re about, as well as what we’re facing with the budget crisis,” said Becky Holmes, OSU Extension educator/ 4-H youth development.
The Extension office struggles to stay open and maintain services on a greatly reduced budget. The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners cut the office’s funding to $46,000, from about $180,000 last year.
“There are many other counties in worse condition. Some county budgets couldn’t allow any funding for their 4-H programs,” said Robert Boggs, Ohio’s director of agriculture and a former Ashtabula County commissioner. “As tough economically as things are, the (Ashtabula County) commissioners have tried to help.”
“We really need 4-H to be a priority because we are dealing with the future of this county. I drove home to be here to show my support, and there will be better days,” Boggs said.
“This is the worst time since the Great Depression, and 4-H, like America, is known for taking their lumps and moving ahead,” he said.
During the evening, Boggs gave a proclamation Monday inaugurated Ohio 4-H Week.
Information on how to donate to the Ashtabula County Extension Office was presented during the evening. There are two funds: the Ashtabula County Extension Current Use Fund and the Permanent Endowment Fund for Ashtabula County. The Current Use Fund will be used for educational programs in 4-H youth development, agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, and community development, according to a pamphlet. The Permanent Endowment Fund is being established to support the extension educator positions in Ashtabula County permanently, the pamphlet shows.
“I am here to help support 4-H. It is not about the animals; it’s about what it means to the kids,” said Deana Kelly, adviser for the Barnyard Buddies 4-H Club in Sheffield Township.
Ruth Somnitz, adviser for the Trail Blazers 4-H Club, of Harpersfield Township, agrees.
“4-H is beneficial to our youth. If there is any possible way, we must keep it going,” she said.
To learn more about donating to the Ashtabula County Extension funds, contact David Marrison, County Extension education, at 440-576-9008.
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