Lena Kaloff, a Polk County resident, told the Polk County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 7 that she has growing concerns about how Polk County 4‑H and OSU Extension report membership and measure impact.

Kaloff said she has been active with Polk County 4‑H and the Polk County OSU (Oregon State University) Extension for about 10 years and has served on the OSU Extension budget committee. She asked the board what “checks and balances” exist for 4‑H and Extension and whether the county conducts any audits beyond Extension’s annual impact report. “Is there an audit process or another form of accountability, or is it basically an Extension self audit via their yearly impact report?” she asked.

Kaloff cited apparent inconsistencies in published membership counts. She said she saw “379 members in November’s 4‑H 20203 report and 385 members in the ’24 OSU Extension Impact Report,” and questioned why the figures differ. She also asked whether the county or Extension tracks leader numbers, how many members leave after one or two years and whether low-cost participation affects year-to-year retention.

Kaloff said she still sees value in 4‑H and Extension for Polk County but worried the county’s needs in 2025 may differ from earlier years and that the public may not be getting a full picture. The board did not take action on the items raised during the public comment period; commissioners moved on to routine agenda business after Kaloff finished.

Kaloff’s comments were recorded during the public comment portion of the Jan. 7 meeting and no formal follow-up or staff direction was recorded in the transcript.