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County extension reports growth in 4‑H, Master Gardener events and new nutrition educator
Summary
Northumberland County extension staff updated commissioners on 4‑H membership and activities, Master Gardener outreach and a newly hired nutrition education advisor who will run local classes, saying youth and adult participation increased this summer.
Northumberland County extension staff reported rising participation in local educational programs and introduced a new nutrition education advisor during the Sept. 2 commissioners meeting.
The extension update, delivered to the Northumberland County Commissioners, said the county’s 4‑H program now has about 56 traditional members and 35 volunteer leaders, with youth enrolled in equine, livestock, shooting sports, archery, cooking, computer science, rocketry and creative arts. “4‑H is more than just livestock,” the presenter said, noting the program has expanded into art- and engineering-focused activities.
The presenter said a Milton Area School District after‑school 4‑H healthy‑snacking program enrolled about 34 students. The Central Susquehanna 4‑H camp at Camp LaVine in Benton drew members from Snyder, Union, Northumberland, Montour and Columbia counties. Steam programming offered in June and July served about 140 youth in the Shamokin and Milton area summer day camps.
Master Gardener volunteers held Power of Produce events at the Mount Carmel Farmers Market in May and August to teach vegetable growing and provide youth vouchers to spend at the market. Extension staff said Master Gardener basic training is scheduled this fall as a credit-bearing horticulture course.
The extension’s animal‑science staff ran a hoof‑health workshop for dairy producers in April in Lewisburg and continues farm visits aimed at improving milk quality and biosecurity planning; staff estimated those interventions helped dairy clients generate about $500,000 in additional value over the past year. Agronomy workshops and a six‑week webinar series on the county agronomy guide were also offered.
The county recently hired Catherine Bollington as a nutrition education advisor for Northumberland County. Bollington plans a four‑week program at the Mount Carmel Adult Community Center teaching older residents how to eat healthfully on a budget; organizers reported 12 initial participants. Early next year she will offer a nutrition, cooking and food‑safety series for youth through CSIU’s 5‑star program.
Commissioners asked program questions during the presentation, including a light-hearted exchange about the county’s tomato crops; the meeting record notes several commissioners and staff participated in that discussion.
The presenter asked if there were questions and none were raised that altered the update. No formal county action was proposed during the report.
