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UW Extension educator outlines phased plan for youth participation on county board
Summary
UW Extension’s youth development educator reported progress on exploring a youth-on-the-county-board program, recommended a government-day recruitment event, and suggested delaying full implementation to fall 2026 to coordinate with county administration.
Donna Nucchi, UW Extension youth development and 4‑H educator, updated the Sawyer County Economic Development UW Extension Committee on efforts to bring youth representation to county boards and recommended a gradual, coordinated rollout.
The effort matters because it is intended to formalize youth voice in county government and require collaboration among extension, the county board and county administration. Nucchi said other counties use different models and extension will help facilitate recruitment and training.
Nucchi said she has been consulting with other counties and her regional planning manager and that additional discussion is needed with the county administrator. She said extension would typically help recruit youth and facilitate the program but that roles and responsibilities must be clarified with county leadership.
Nucchi proposed holding a government day at the county building to bring candidate youth on a site visit and to meet department heads; she described the event as a recruitment and orientation tool that could feed into a fall 2026 implementation. Nucchi said, “I do think that a full implementation of youth on the county board in fall of 20 26 would be more ideal and more successful so that we have time to explore the options and create a successful implementation plan.”
Committee members responded positively to the government-day idea and suggested outreach to local schools and civics classes. Nucchi said she may report monthly on progress and will continue developing an implementation plan and a list of successful options used in other counties.
Ending: The committee encouraged continued planning; Nucchi will continue stakeholder discussions and refine an implementation timeline with the county administrator and other partners.
