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4-H leaders and Extension staff disagree over supervision and arena maintenance in Kemmerer
Summary
Former 4-H educator Jesica Lozier and community leaders urged restructuring supervision for North and South Lincoln County 4-H positions and raised concerns about arena maintenance and additional burdens on volunteers; University of Wyoming Extension staff said 4-H is county-based and supervisory changes are under consideration.
Community 4-H leaders and a former county 4-H educator told the Lincoln County Commission on March 1 that tensions between the North and South Lincoln County 4-H programs have hurt operations and placed undue burdens on volunteers who maintain the arena and community barn in Kemmerer.
Jesica Lozier, former 4-H program educator, said ongoing distrust and management dynamics could be resolved by making the positions independently supervised rather than requiring supervision through Afton. Jessica Witbek, a 4-H club leader, described operational strains including maintenance of the arena and bathrooms and the out-of-pocket time and money families have contributed. Several speakers asked that applicants not be required to travel to Afton in person to get applications.
Bridger Feuz of the University of Wyoming Extension said 4-H programs are county-based rather than community-based and that changes—such as moving supervision of the Kemmerer educator to an associate director—are being considered. Chairman King said the commission will meet with the City of Kemmerer to discuss events center usage and that the county is working with UW to fill the Kemmerer position.
No formal action was taken; commissioners agreed to continue conversations with UW Extension and local leaders to resolve supervision and facility-maintenance concerns.
