Cass County Extension reports 227 programs, 1,300 participants and renewed hiring; 4‑H member wins national honors

An extension office representative reported to the commission that in the past year the office ran 227 separate programs in Cass County with about 1,300 participant registrations. The office said many offerings are multi‑week series rather than one‑time events.

The extension report said the office documented at least 5,200 volunteer hours supporting programs such as 4‑H and master gardener activities. Using a volunteer valuation of $33.24 per hour, the speaker described that contribution as “over a hundred and $90,000 in value back to the county.”

The office said it has recently filled an ag and metro resource agent position (Mary Bina started within weeks of the meeting) after an eight‑month search with numerous interviews. The administrative assistant position is open and closes Friday; the extension office was interviewing candidates for a family nutrition program agent. The speaker said the office hopes to be fully staffed soon.

The extension report also highlighted recent 4‑H success: a Cass County 4‑H member who barely made the county team became the overall grand champion at a national event in San Antonio. The extension representative described ongoing programing including caregiver tools, parenting classes, gardening series, project clinics, archery, welding, pasta and candy workshops, and preparations for the July county fair.

No formal action was taken by the commission during department reports on extension staffing or space; the office said it will continue recruitment and programming and will report back if staffing or space changes require commission action.