Richland County welcomes new OSU Extension 4‑H educator Kristen Eisenhower

The Richland County Board of Commissioners on April 7 welcomed Kristen Eisenhower as the county’s new Ohio State University Extension 4‑H educator. David Civitello, interim associate dean and director of Ohio State University Extension, said the system has about 650 Extension employees across Ohio’s 88 counties and introduced Eisenhower and area leader Andrea Reese to the commissioners.

Eisenhower, who said she started in Richland County two days earlier, told commissioners she grew up in Richland County and attended Shelby High School. She said she previously worked with OSU Extension in Mahoning County for roughly six to seven years and earned an undergraduate degree in agricultural science education in 2019 and a master’s in extension education in 2023. "I grew up in the program," she said, adding that she intends to "relearn the program," rebuild community relationships and prepare for improvements by 2027.

Eisenhower described expanding access to 4‑H by bringing non‑livestock projects — including hands‑on STEM activities such as electricity and geology — into schools so youth who cannot care for animals or attend club meetings can still participate. She said Richland County enrollment was "a little over 660" youth last year but that she had just gained access to the county system and had not yet confirmed current numbers.

Civitello thanked Andrea Reese for overseeing county services during the transition, saying Reese helped ensure 4‑H activities such as fair planning and camps continued without interruption. Commissioners and extension staff said they expect ongoing collaboration, with Commissioner Cliff Mears identified as a county liaison for Extension communications.

Eisenhower said she plans to spend time meeting local stakeholders and schools and expects to visit often to support programming. The board’s welcoming remarks closed with thanks to the Extension team and recognition of the role 4‑H plays for local youth.