New 4-H Youth Development Regional Specialist hired

With a plan of expanding 4-H outreach to youth in the Lincoln, Adams and Grant counties region Lauren M. Hrncirik started as the new 4-H Youth Development Regional Specialist.

As the Regional Specialist, Hrncirik works to identify where the extension can improve, facilitate new connections within the region and identify the level of service within each community.

The ultimate goal for the program is growth.

“Right now I’m doing a lot of connecting with community partners and finding out what are we currently doing, who currently knows us, who is involved with the 4-H programs,” Hrncirik explained

This also will allow her to identify those who are not involved in the 4-H program and where there are other opportunities for the extension office to become more involved in the different communities.

Hrncirik got her start with the 4-H Extension after she graduated from the University of Florida. She worked as a county agent, in a county comparable to the size of Grant County, before she transferred up to Washington last year.

She worked as the Regional Specialist for the Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap counties before starting in this region on Dec. 1.

Hrncirik is excited about new programs within the region, one of which is the Second Wednesday 4-H, started by Karen Robertson, the program assistant for East Adams and Lincoln counties.

The purpose of the program is to increase 4-H exposure in an after-school setting. The ultimate goal is to either encourage parents and children to become involved in an existing 4-H club or start their own.

“We want them to be involved in 4-H long-term,” she said. “Because research shows us that that is where the impact happens.”

Though new to the region and still analyzing the program outreach, Hrncirik has already identified areas that can be improved, specifically the partnerships with school systems.

“One thing that I’ve heard as feedback from people who are already within our program in the community is the challenges with transportation,” Hrncirik said.

With students traveling for sports and other school related activities it makes it hard for parents and students to commit to a 4-H program because they are already traveling long-distances for the activities they are involved in.

Hrncirik explained that in urban communities this isn’t as much of a problem because resources are not as widespread as they are in rural communities.

“That’s a really interesting challenge that I really haven’t had to interact with before,” she explained.

To address this problem, Hrncirik plans to meet children where they already are.

“Let’s not create a barrier or introduce things that maybe don’t fit for the community here,” she said.

To achieve this Hrncirik said she is looking at ways to partner with and enhance existing youth programs.

“The kids who aren’t involved in sports, what are they doing?”

Before drastically increasing recruitment, however, the focus will be streamlining existing programs and ensuring the organization is functioning properly.

Hrncirik is not interested in competing with other youth organizations like FFA or the Boys and Girls clubs. Instead she hopes to partner with them and reach out to those who are not involved in a youth organization or to provide individuals who are involved with the opportunity to try something new.

“Agriculture is wonderful, but it’s not for everybody,” Hrncirik explained. “I’m sure there are some kids perhaps who might be interested in STEM activities or rocketry or engineering.”

She would like to offer opportunities that 4-H provides to youth to all who are interested to compliment existing programs.

“One unique thing that 4-H does, especially when you get into middle and high school, is we’re realy great with our leadership program,” Hrncirik explained.

One thing 4-H offers is Know Your Government, which gives teens the opportunity to learn about the legislative process. They then have the opportunity to go through a mock session at the capitol.

4-H also holds the Teen Conference at the end of June each year where members have the opportunity to interact with Washington State University, experience dorm life and explore career options.

There are also opportunities through 4-H to attend national conferences, as well as national competitions in a wide variety of subjects from robotics to livestock judging.

Another way Hrncirik plans to increase 4-H exposure throughout the region will be to rotate meetings and training opportunities to each of the communities.

The extension office will also be hosting volunteer leader training on Feb. 28 at the Adams County Extension office in Ritzville.

The goal is to not locate all of the regional resources in one area, which is usually what happens when there are limited resources Hrncirik said.

With such a large area to cover and the large differences in communities Hrncirik expects to have a busy schedule throughout the year.

“The fair will come somewhere in there,” she said.

She looks forward to working within the communities and expanding 4-H outreach within the region.

Hrncirik an be contacted at [email protected]

or by phone at 360-912-5520.