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Penn State Extension outlines services, volunteer impact in Bedford County
Summary
Penn State Extension manager Jeff Hackenberg briefed commissioners on the program’s county services, reporting Bedford 4‑H serves about 300 youth with nearly 80 volunteers and Master Gardener volunteers contribute training and public education; combined volunteer hours were estimated and local office details provided.
Jeff Hackenberg, client relationship manager for Penn State Extension, briefed Bedford County commissioners on the breadth of Extension services available locally and the role of volunteers in delivering programs.
Hackenberg described Penn State Extension as part of the university’s College of Agricultural Sciences and said Extension is present in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. "We have an overriding belief that all people should have access to science based education," he said.
Hackenberg told commissioners the Bedford 4‑H program serves approximately 300 youth with nearly 80 adult volunteers; 4‑H adult volunteers average about 120 volunteer hours a year and together contribute roughly 9,600 hours annually. He also described the Master Gardener program as having 28 active volunteers and 11 new trainees in 2024; when combined with 4‑H volunteers, hackenberg said the two groups contribute approximately 12,210 volunteer hours per year with an estimated dollar value of about $394,000.
He outlined Extension program areas — 4‑H youth development; agronomy and natural resources; animal systems; food, families and communities; and horticulture — and noted local services such as ServSafe certification, pesticide applicator credits, farm visits, and locally tailored research.
Ending: Hackenberg encouraged residents to register at extension.psu.edu and noted the Bedford County Extension office address and phone number for those seeking services or training opportunities.
