About Us
County Impact Statements - Polk County
We are proud of the accomplishments of the Polk County U of A Cooperative
Extension Service. The past year has been exciting and full of educational
opportunities for the citizens of Polk County as well as the County Extension
Council and the Extension Staff.
The County Judge and Quorum Court members continue to support our
programming. Polk County was one of only a few of the County Extension Offices
in the state that were at the appropriate level of funding for the county
program when the new equity program for base support was implemented by the
State Extension Service this year. We are relieved to be able to focus on our
educational programs rather than having to spend hours working on our budget and
trying to maintain our County Extension Office. Our appreciation is extended to
all who have made that possible.
All of our programs continue to grow and expand. Agriculture, whether
directly or indirectly, continues to be the major source of income for residents
of Polk County. The pastoral landscapes folks admire when they visit and decide
to retire to our area can largely be attributed to agriculture and it’s by
products. As cost of production increases and market prices stay the same or
decrease, producers must find cost effective and efficient ways to farm.
Hopefully, our services provide some of those answers.
Leadership and community development receive a lot of our attention. Our
focus on making better people, who then make better communities is a top
priority of our Office and the subcommittees of the County Extension Council.
Volunteers and volunteer development are critical to our success.
Perhaps our most important tasks are working with families and children to
improve the health and well being of the residents of our county. Family and
Consumer Science programs offer families information on improving health,
consumer information, parenting, clothing, foods and nutrition, and leadership
development opportunities. Youth Development is accomplished through the 4-H
program. Youth ages 5-19 are offered opportunities for education through local
4-H clubs. These clubs and the many activities of 4-H help build productive,
useful citizens for tomorrow. Four-H encourages youth to develop the head,
heart, hands, and health to make their futures better and brighter.
We hope you take a minute to look at the programs we have chosen to highlight
as major accomplishments. We continue to request input from committee members
who represent local citizens so that we offer programs that are useful to the
residents of Polk County.
|
