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WVU Extension agents describe in-school programs, camp and farm show benefits funded by local levy
Summary
WVU Extension agents told the Gilmer County Board about school enrichment, after‑school 4‑H programming, health and STEM lessons in classrooms, summer camp attendance and a successful county farm show that together reach dozens of local children and rely in part on levy support.
WVU Extension agents presented an overview of youth programming their office delivers in Gilmer County, saying the levy helps fund school enrichment and community 4‑H activities.
Jamie, an extension agent who said she handles youth‑development programming, told the board the county’s after‑school 4‑H program enrolled “just over 40 kids” last year and highlighted in‑class activities ranging from preschool lava‑lamp STEM lessons to second‑grade plant‑science exercises and a chick‑embryology unit in spring. Daisy, her colleague, joined the presentation and the agents said they work with teachers to place curriculum on school calendars and coordinate events such as Heritage Day and a student farmers market.
The agents described health and citizenship programming offered across grade levels — sun‑safety and UV‑bead activities in kindergarten, Germ City hygiene lessons in first grade, a mindfulness curriculum called Mindful Me for third grade and a Health Rocks anti‑vaping curriculum taught to junior leaders. The extension team also runs Wildcat University 4‑H activities that teach decision‑making (the presenter described a motion/vote exercise done with trail‑mix ingredients).
Jamie said the county’s summer camp drew 74 children the prior year and emphasized developmental outcomes such as social competence and connection, noting the program’s connection rates exceeded the state average. She also reviewed the county farm show results: 83 animals sold and “just over $78,000” in total sales, with nearly $4,400 in resale donations. The agents said those events provide youth leadership and work‑readiness experiences and cited partnerships with FFA and Glenville State University for STEM outreach.
The agents asked the board to publicize drought‑related outreach (a drought meeting is scheduled at the county extension office) and invited schools or community groups to contact them about partnerships. They closed by asking that extension materials be posted in the schools and thanked the board for levy support.
The board did not take formal action on the presentation; it was received as informational.
The board’s next step: extension agents said they will follow up with school staff to coordinate classroom visits and have materials posted in schools.
