The Overton County Budget Committee approved $51,000 in funding to establish a new 4-H and Agriculture extension position to support youth programming throughout the county.
Budget Committee Chairman Darwin Clark said the county will fund the entirety of the position’s cost for the current year to ensure the program can expand its reach. Clark said the new hire will become an employee of the University of Tennessee, which manages agricultural extension offices across the state.
“It’s going to be a huge asset for the 4-H folks and for the county,” Clark said. “It’s going to give us the opportunity to do more things with more kids. And so, I’m glad that we’re going to be able to fund it this year and hopefully we’ll be able to fund it for the remainder, you know, as long as they need that extra person.”
Clark said the new staff member will assist three existing agents who manage a high volume of student enrollment in local schools. Clark said the position will support various activities including the county fair, summer camps, and specialized clubs for archery and BB shooting.
“They work tirelessly in the school system to help kids to do things and go places that they probably normally wouldn’t get to do,” Clark said. “I can’t tell you the exact job description because they do so much. Even at the fair, they help with the judging of the animals. They do the bakery and all that stuff. So they are a huge asset for the county from just that standpoint alone.”
Clark said the county will send the funding directly to the University of Tennessee to cover the salary and state insurance for the new employee. Clark said he has already spoken with Agent Director Jason Garrett about the expansion and suggested the possibility of seeking future financial partnerships with the school board since much of the work occurs on school campuses.
“Well, because they work with our youth,” Clark said. “It keeps them from being run around here on the streets not having nothing to do. It keeps them from sitting at home all the time watching, playing video games or watching TV. They get the experience of things that they normally wouldn’t get to by having our 4-H program in our county.”
Clark said the 4-H program currently sends representatives to every grade school in the county at least once or twice a month to engage students in different activities. Clark said the investment is necessary to keep local children interested in learning and active in the community.