Columbia River Country Days event reviewed

Members and Friends of Extension met together Monday evening to review the Columbia River Country Days event held on October 3-4. The festivities raised approximately $5,800 to benefit the Wahkiakum Extension Service and the 4-H program for children and youth.

The purpose of the Friends of Extension discussion was to decide the best way to use the funds earned, and to address the problem of the extension service being eliminated from the county budget by the cuts made by Wahkiakum County commissioners.

The hope of the Friends group is that enough funds will be found to keep the Wahkiakum Extension office open and operating. Blair Wolfley, the Southwest Area Director for WSU Extension, was present to answer questions. Wahkiakum County Commissioner Blair Brady also presented possible plans for increasing county revenue.

Wahkiakum Extension Agent Carrie Kennedy presented her goals for program development and promotion. She spoke of a small farms workshop; a youth leadership and mobilization project; strengthening families and family education; evaluating and beefing up the existing 4-H program. Staffing would include Kennedy as a full time county director, and Lore Twiet to continue as a part time assistant. Part time coordinators would also be sought for food and farm activity, youth mobilization and for strengthening families.

Wolfley said WSU is prepared to cooperate with the county extension to provide services. WSU extension service requirements are office space, a telephone and a computer line. The county must agree to pay one quarter of the county extension agent's salary. The goals are to keep the best of what is had and obtain grants for additional programs.