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Extension Council Election set for Nov. 10

By Richard C. Snell

Barton County Extension Agent, agriculture

Kansas

Even though this is an odd numbered year which means no big national or state elections, Nov. 10 is the date for you to cast your vote in the annual Barton County Extension Council election.

I would like to encourage you, as a taxpayer and citizen, to get out and vote. Your vote really does count and it's your responsibility to get out and vote for the people who represent you.

The election for the Barton County Extension Council will be held at the Barton County Extension Office, 1800 12th Street in Great Bend. You can cast your ballot anytime between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served throughout the day. Nominations will be taken from the floor at 7 a.m., when the extension council executive board opens the meeting.

Candidates for this year's election for the agriculture committee include: Curt Vogel of Pawnee Rock, Greg Axman of Olmitz, and Austin Nokes of Albert. Those running for economic development are Robin Proffitt of Ellinwood, Kathie Rondeau and Karmi Green of Great Bend. Candidates for family and consumer sciences programming are: Beth Boese of Ellinwood, Reva Dougherty and JoAnn Clarke of Great Bend. Up for election on the 4-H and youth committee are: Sharla Durrett, Kent Williams and Marti Conner.

Three people will be elected to each of the committees. All persons that reside in Barton County and are 18 years of age and older are eligible to vote. So come out Nov. 10 and cast your ballot.

What's this election all about?

I just told you about the Nov. 10 election and some of you are asking just what it is you are voting for and what do these people do. Well, let me tell you about the council and how it works.

In Kansas, we are fortunate to have grass roots control for extension education through the county extension council. In most states today, extension is mostly controlled by the state without much say so from the local people.

There are twenty-four members on the extension council in the county. There are six members on each of four program development committees. These committees represent the four program areas of agriculture, family and consumer science, 4-H and youth, and economic development. These council members may serve up to two, two-year terms. We elect twelve council members each year, although some are incumbents. All of this is part of the Kansas Extension Council law.

The elected program development committees meet 2 to 3 times per year to plan for extension programs. The 24 member council also meets once a year to elect a nine member executive board. This executive board is elected to meet once monthly and carry out the financial business of the extension council. They also hire and employee extension agents in cooperation with a representative of Kansas State University.

Some of you may be aware that these days, in Kansas and many other states, we have extension districts. Districts are formed by two or more counties going together to pool agents, money and other resources. Examples of this are the Walnut Creek Extension District, which has Lane, Ness and Rush counties together and the Central Kansas District which has Saline and Ottawa counties together. The extension board and budgetary process in the districts is different. Agents are generally more specialized in a district format for improved programing and subject matter knowledge. Currently we have 7 districts involving about one-fifth of the counties in Kansas. It is an optional method of operation that is initiated by the counties.

Extension is a three-way partnership between the county, state and federal government. The federal government is represented by the United States Department of Agriculture Extension Service. They help provide funding to Kansas State

University which is the Land Grant College in Kansas. The university helps pay salaries for extension agents such as myself, as well as provide specialists and publications. County and district extension agents are off campus faculty members of K-State.

Commercial pesticide applicator training

Hays will hosting commercial pesticide applicator training, Nov. 9 and 10 at the Student Union on the Fort Hays State campus. It begins at noon on Nov. 9. This is for previously licensed applicators who need to renew their hours. K-State Research and Extension will be teaching the courses and are co-sponsoring the event with the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The same training will be available the Nov. 12 and 13 in Manhattan. Contact me for a full schedule.

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