Volunteers honored at OSU Extension luncheon
COSHOCTON – Luke Massie is the fifth generation of his family to participate in 4-H.
“Nationally it is the largest youth development organization,” said the nine year member of Magic Makers 4-H Club.
Massie shared why 4-H is important to him at the Coshocton County OSU Extension Advisory Committee Recognition Luncheon held Sept. 9 at The Presbyterian Church. Before awards were handed out at the luncheon, he and several others were asked to share why extension matters to them. Massie explained that he has done 4-H projects on several topics including public speaking.
“My confidence has grown from that and I enjoy public speaking,” he said.
Massie noted that his animal projects also have taught him about responsibility and keeping track of profits and losses.
“When I get older I want to stay involved with 4-H as a volunteer and help youth have the same opportunities my parents and grandparents gave me,” he said.
Sharing the microphone with Massie was his grandfather David Lapp.
“When I was listening to Luke practice I told him I was just going to let him speak and stand up here and nod in agreement,” Lapp said. “He said, ‘No grandpa you have to talk too.’”
While Lapp didn’t take public speaking when he was in 4-H he did take several other projects and enjoyed the organization so much that he was a member of the 4-H camp adult staff for 14 years.
“There is more to extension than 4-H though,” Lapp said. “Emily Adams (educator, agriculture & natural resources and county director) and Tammi Rogers (program assistant, agriculture & natural resources, master gardener coordinator) keep us (farmers) up to date on our ever changing world,” he said.
The OSU Extension office provides farmers with necessary information on a number of topics including pesticides and fertilizers.
“Thank you for everything you do to make this community a better place,” Lapp said.
Brian Crilow from Coshocton CARES and Phil Goerig, program assistant, 4-H youth development, spoke about the program Real Money Real World that has reached 450 high school students in the county.
During the program the students go through a simulation where they are a 27-year-old with a family and have to budget their household’s money.
“I like seeing their deer in a headlights look when they see how their lifestyle choices affect their income,” Crilow said.
The students are evaluated after the simulation and Goerig said the results show the program is making an impact.
“Seventy percent are more aware of deductions taken out of paychecks and 68 percent are more aware of the cost of children,” he said.
Another program discussed was Ready Set Go, which is taught by Kim Gress, program assistant, expanded food & nutrition education program. She gets referrals for the nutrition education program from Robin Sharier, who works at Coshocton County Job and Family Services.
“I tell people I don’t expect them to change everything, but to pick a few little things and work on them,” Gress said. “I love the program and teaching it.”
Volunteers and staff members also were honored at the luncheon for their dedication to helping the Coshocton County OSU Extension office fulfill its mission and several awards were presented.
The Friend of Extension Award was presented to 4-H Food Stand Volunteers Larry and Shirley Fry, Kenn and Melody Lowe and Henry and Ann Morgan.
“Without you the 4-H food stand would not be the success it is today,” said Jenny Strickler, educator, 4-H youth development, who presented the awards.
The Proclamation Awards went to Susan McCurdy and Mark Fortune, who have both been involved with OSU Extension in numerous ways from working with 4-H clubs to serving on committees. Adams presented McCurdy’s award and Bambi Zinkon, chair of the OSU Extension Advisory Committee, presented Fortune’s. State Senator Jay Hottinger was there to give them both a proclamation.
“Thank you to the staff and volunteers for all you do for this organization,” Hottinger said.
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