Released: January 23, 2003

Budget Woes Prompt Changes in 4-H Programs

MANHATTAN, Kan. – State budget cuts have prompted a comprehensive review of 4-H programs in Kansas, said Gary Gerhard, assistant director, K-State Research and Extension, and state director, 4-H Youth Development.

Educational benefits have been weighed against program costs, the level of participation, and people power, said Gerhard, who described the evaluation and decision-making process as thoughtful – and painful at times.

Some long-standing programs, such as Discovery Days, an event that typically allowed 500 or more young Kansans to explore career opportunities and experience life on a college campus, will be modified.

"A one-day seminar is being planned to energize Kansas’ youth as responsible citizens working towards their life potential. The shorter program will replace a two-and-a-half-day event that required overnight stays and intensive people power," the state director said.

The initial change in the program is being considered for one year. Program review is expected to be ongoing. The Ambassador Training Conference has been put on hold, he said.

Other changes, such as scheduling the 4-H horticulture judging contest on March 8, 2003, in conjunction with the Wichita Garden Show rather than at the Kansas State Fair, are expected to reduce program costs without sacrificing educational opportunities for Kansas’ youth.

Sedgwick County 4-H volunteer and horticulture team co-coach, Evelyn Neier, noted that the change will prompt teams to move up their practice sessions, but also introduce them to plants and plant parts at different stages, such as a bulb rather than foliage.

Neier, who is associate Family Nutrition Program (FNP) specialist charged with building a junior master gardener program in the state, said "Holding the contest in conjunction with the garden show should help contest participants expand their interest in horticulture. That’s a plus."

The state 4-H photography judging competition, also will be moved to March 8 in conjunction with the Wichita Garden Show this year. 4-H photographs will continue to be exhibited in the 4-H Exhibit Building at the Kansas State Fair.

"The popularity of the photography project has grown rapidly. The change is expected to allow more time for the judging to take place, and also introduce the level of interest and expertise of young photographers to a new audience in the state," Gerhard said.

Other contests formerly held at the Kansas State Fair, such as the Wheat Test Plot Contest, which will be moved to the Kansas Wheat Growers’ Annual Meeting, and some quiz bowls, also will be matched to other state events to minimize expenses, he said.

4-H participants – and perennial visitors to the 4-H Exhibit Building at the Kansas State Fair, scheduled Sept. 5-14 in Hutchinson – will note other changes prompted by the budget cuts.

"Staffing during the fair will be reduced," said Gerhard, who cited the need to maintain regular job responsibilities with a reduced staff, travel time and expenses as key factors in the decision-making process.

One of the more noticeable changes may be the absence of Lindy Lindquist, who previously has managed the 4-H Exhibit Building and staffed the information booth throughout the fair. Lindquist, who has logged more than 30 years of service to 4-H, will retire in April.

Some 4-H judging at the fair will be moved from the first Friday to Saturday. While this change may delay results posting, it will allow more individual conference judging – more 4-Hers will be able to attend on Saturday.

Exhibits formerly housed in the Showcase Building on the fairgrounds will be moved to the 4-H Exhibit Building. Demonstrations will be canceled for this year.

Reductions in staffing also have prompted the decision not to continue participation with the "State’s Largest Classroom" series at the Kansas State Fair," Gerhard said.

Less noticeable changes reflect the changing interests of Kansas’ youth. For example, the bee project, which drew only five state entries last year, is being discontinued.

Program participants also will be asked to help defray some costs, Gerhard said.

Staffing is an issue. In 2003, the state 4-H staff is being reduced – by retirements – by 50 per cent. In addition to Lindquist’s retirement, longtime state 4-H program specialists, Steve Fisher and Marcia McFarland, also have accepted cost-reduction retirement packages.

"Under the best circumstances, well-earned retirements result in a loss. The retiring trio has logged more than 92 years of service to Kansas 4-H, and the unanticipated loss of their expertise within a matter of months will leave a huge void. The fact that K-State Research and Extension also is under a hiring freeze compounds the loss," said Gerhard, who said that as director, he will have to re-evaluate and justify the positions, then wait until the hiring freeze is lifted before they can be advertised.

"As Kansas 4-H nears its centennial celebration, set to kick off at the 2004 Kansas State Fair, the announcement of program cuts and adjustments has been difficult for staff members, and is likely to be difficult as well for volunteers and others in the state who have benefitted from the programs," the state director said.

"One in four Kansans is said to have been touched by 4-H programs. In 2002 alone, Kansas 4-H served more than 150,000 young people in the state," Gerhard said.

"While some grieving over necessary changes is inevitable, I think it’s important to focus on the future, and work together to continue the educational quality and spirit of citizenship integral to 4-H programs," he said.

-30-

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson, Communications Specialist
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News