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Kaufman County extension office reports strong 4-H activity, Master Gardener events; agent vacancy may take months to fill
Summary
Extension staff reported a busy quarter — hay show, 4-H contests with high participation, district conferences and a successful East Region Ag Alive Conference with 555 attendees. Staff said the family and community health agent retired Dec. 31 and replacement could take 6–9 months or possibly until summer if an external hire is needed.
Kaufman County extension staff told commissioners Jan. 21 that 4-H and Master Gardener programs had strong participation during the last quarter and that the county will operate short-staffed after the retirement of the family and community health (FCH) agent.
Tommy and Carrie (last names not specified in the transcript) presented the county extension quarterly report, highlighting a successful hay show in October, a well-attended Master Gardener banquet, and a district 4-H food challenge that drew about 250 youth during a single day. The extension team said the East Region Ag Alive Conference on Jan. 7 drew 555 attendees and the Trinity Valley Pesticide Conference in December had 169 participants. Staff also noted increases in local volunteer-led programming and regional youth leadership events.
Presenters confirmed that the county’s family and community health agent, Katie, retired Dec. 31; extension staff said her role will likely remain vacant for several months while the office pursues a replacement. They estimated a hire could take six to nine months if an external candidate is selected, and said the April hiring window for external hires is a factor because new agents attend a set onboarding and shadowing process (including an out-of-county month and a First Step orientation). The presenters said they hope to recruit an internal transfer to shorten the timeline and that they are already contacting potential candidates in district 4.
Extension staff also reported validations and counts for livestock and project work: at the most recent validation period the presenters said the county validated 78 goats, 82 lambs and 98 heifers for 4-H and FFA participants. Staff described a robust stock-show season and thanked volunteers and leaders for sustaining programming post-COVID.
Commissioners moved to accept the extension quarterly report by voice vote.
