TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
Lincoln County, Wis., residents are invited to attend a 4-H Listening Session Townhall this evening, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. in the upstairs Board Room at the Lincoln County Service Center, 801 N. Sales St. in Merrill.
The listening session was organized by UW-Extension employees after speaking with and at the request of Lincoln County Board Chairman, Don Friske, according to the Extension. This is not a formal Lincoln County Board meeting or formal meeting of any Committee of the Lincoln County Board. Rather, it is an opportunity for the County Board Chairman Friske to hear firsthand from constituents in regard to their concerns.
The meeting stems from concerns related to proposed cuts to the Lincoln County budget.
Recently, the Lincoln County Finance Committee, in an effort to create a sustainable 2023 budget, proposed eliminating (among other cost-cutting measures) the funding to the UW-Extension program. Many residents, after learning of the proposal, are upset, saying it will eliminate the 4-H program in Lincoln County.
The Lincoln County Finance Committee recommendation being put to the full County Board for consideration “would permanently eliminate 4-H in Lincoln County,” Chad Lashua, President of the Lincoln County 4-H Leader’s Association said. “This comes as quite a shock, as just last year the County increased the educator position from .5 to .8 of a full time position.”
“This indicated to us in 4-H, that the County supported our programming and supported the youth in the County,” he said. “Unfortunately, this was only a one-year investment.”
“If 4-H in Lincoln County is discontinued, all 4-H programming will need to be disbanded by the end of this year,” Lashua said.
Art Lersch, Area 3 Director at the UW-Extension office in Lincoln County, said that while the UW-Extension office administers the 4-H program in Lincoln County, it is not just the 4-H program in Lincoln County that is in jeopardy.
Lersch made it clear that, should the Lincoln County Board cut funding of their $208,000 contribution to the UW-Extension office from their 2023 budget, what is being proposed would essentially close down the Extension office in Lincoln County.
The Extension has been in Lincoln County for more than 100 years and the County has always supported it, he said. It has always been a joint effort, a partnership, with the University funding about 55% of the cost and Lincoln County funding about 45% of the cost. That amounts to roughly $260,000 of funding from the University and $208,000 from Lincoln County, Lersch said.
We’ve worked together on this, he said, and it is just not feasible for the Extension to maintain the funds to keep it functioning without the County’s financial support. This has long been a partnership, and without one half of the partnership, the University wouldn’t be able to fund it on their own.
With regard to 4-H specifically, “4-H programming has been in Lincoln County for over 100 years and has helped countless youth grow and develop into productive responsible adults,” Lashua said. “This programming is not just animals and crafts, it is robotics, community service, leadership development, civic engagement, and mentoring, just to name a few. This past summer I was part of a 4-H Citizenship experience that took some Lincoln County and other Wisconsin youth to Washington D.C., to learn about government and civic engagement. This was at no cost to Lincoln County, and still youth benefitted from this opportunity. We met with both Senator Johnson’s and Senator Baldwin’s office to learn more of what was done on Capitol Hill and to allow our youth to ask questions and learn. This is not politically biased and allows everyone to see both sides. If the County forces 4-H in Lincoln County to disband, we lose those opportunities. The youth met other 4-H delegates from across the country. They shared ideas, shared our values, and learned from each other.”
“Adult leaders are supported through multiple training programs provided to them at no cost by 4-H, covering topics including diversity, equity, and inclusion,” he said. “There are also components that cover mental health and positive youth engagement. This programming is proven to be comprehensive and beneficial to not only new leaders, but as a refresher to those already involved with youth programming.”
“The skills that youth develop in 4-H are priceless. No matter the interest that youth have, there is an avenue for them to pursue. It would be hard to find another youth program that is as inclusive, and not subject specific that allows all youth to work together, collaborate, and build leadership skills,” Lashua said. “No matter what the project is, communication, leadership, and youth-to-youth mentorship are key components in 4-H, and are promoted throughout the youth experience.”
“I have not found programming like this in other organizations and do not support the removal of this programming,” he said. “We understand that there is a budget shortfall, but cutting support for our youth and future generations is more costly than the immediate cost to the budget. Other options are available and we hope they are considered.”