PROGRESS: County getting OSU Extension ANR educator back this year

The Ohio State University Extension office will be gaining an agriculture and natural resources educator by this summer. The new person will replace Hallie Williams, who served in the position from 2018-2021 when a grant ended and she left the position for another job. "I think it was mainly a funding issue," said Mary Beth Albright, OSU Extension educator in Erie County, who is Extension's area leader. "Before Hallie, the county hadn't had an ag educator for many years." The position was vacant for more than seven years before 2018 and was vacant in 2022. But the Seneca County commissioners funded the county's portion of the salary for 2023. Albright said Extension educators are paid using a combination of federal, state and local funds. "At the county level, counties have what we call a cost-share," she said." If a county has one educator, the cost to the county is currently $31,750. State and federal funds pay the remainder of the educator's salary and benefits. If a county has a second, third or fourth educator, the county cost share for each of those positions is currently $41,750, and state and federal funds pay the remainder. In 2018, she said county officials and OSU Extension signed a memorandum of understanding. "At the time, Extension agreed to pay half of the county's cost for the county's first three years of the position," she said. In 2021, OSU Extension asked the commissioners to begin paying the county's entire share, but the county officials opted not to fund the position in 2022 due to COVID uncertainty and other factors. "The commissioners did not grant us our full ask, basically continuing to pay for half of the ANR position," Albright said. "State funds were no longer available for the other half. We discussed splitting the position with another county, but there is not a contiguous county that is interested in funding half an ANR educator. Most have full-time ANR Educators." She said she had concerns about finding a qualified candidate for a part-time position. In the current budget, the commissioners funded the full county share. Albright said the job opening has been listed for a few weeks and there are applicants. "We already have several," she said. "We're always looking for more. We would love a large number." She said the position no longer requires a master's degree – as it has in the past – and anyone with a bachelor's degree in agronomy (preferable) or a field related to agriculture, natural resources, education or a similar field is welcome to apply by Tuesday (Feb. 28). The person should have experience working as part of a team, be willing to work flexible hours, have strong teaching skills and be knowledgeable in at least one area of agriculture. Duties include a broad range of agriculture and natural resources education in general. Specifically, in Seneca County, the position includes providing leadership and guidance for programs about farm management, livestock and crops, home horticulture, ag businesses, renewable energy and similar topics. The person handles pesticide applicators training, leads the master gardeners program and is active in areas deemed important to the local area. "Hallie was very involved with the local farmers markets and set up Produce Perks and other programs for them," Albright said. Albright said a state committee will screen applicants and select several for review by county officials. "We hope to have local individuals serve on that local committee," she said. "Local people, commissioners, master gardeners, local farmers." She said she hopes interviews are set up in March and the new person begins in late spring or early summer after background checks and other paperwork is complete.