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Residents, youth and volunteers urge Clay County to preserve UF/IFAS extension and 4‑H funding
Summary
A string of public commenters — including youth leaders and 4‑H volunteers — told the Board of County Commissioners that proposed cuts to the UF/IFAS Clay County Extension would curtail summer camps, volunteer coordination and dozens of youth programs, urging commissioners to preserve full funding.
At the July meeting of the Clay County Board of County Commissioners, a coalition of 4‑H members, volunteers and community leaders made an appeal for the county to protect full funding for the UF/IFAS Clay County Extension and its 4‑H youth programs.
Susan Welch, a 4‑H leader who identified herself as membership coordinator for the Clay County Beekeepers Association, told commissioners she uses extension staff ‘‘to connect parents to clubs, organize leaders and conduct background checks’’ and warned that ‘‘if the office is short staffed or not staffed at all,’’ those services would vanish. Teen speakers recounted personal benefits: Savannah Ratgen said 4‑H ‘‘teaches public speaking, teamwork, citizenship’’ and asked the board to ‘‘look beyond numbers on a spreadsheet’’ when considering cuts.
Multiple speakers gave concrete counts and examples: Welch said her club works annually with 30 children and the local beekeeping short course draws about 80 residents; Peyton Woods described programs that led to entrepreneurship and community events that bring revenue to the county. Cooper Murphy, a 4‑H board member and farmer, urged the board not to cut extension funding, saying the office is the primary source of agricultural assistance and education.
The public comments were presented during the meeting’s designated public‑comment period; the board listened and several commissioners acknowledged the testimonies. No binding action on extension funding was taken that evening, but commissioners indicated they would consider the remarks during forthcoming budget deliberations and follow up with staff to clarify projected staffing and program impacts.
