USU Extension outlines programs and requests county funding for a STEM 4‑H facilitator

Utah State University Extension officials briefed the commission on county programming, reported performance metrics and requested continued county support. Tom Bettis, county director, reviewed Extension activities including horticulture and agricultural trials, Master Gardener outreach, food‑security programming, volunteer leverage and $714,000 in new and continuing grant funding that staff said is coming into the county this year.

Extension staff asked for $370,000 in county funding to support operations and a pilot 4‑H STEM facilitator position that would expand library outreach and STEM programming to rural communities; staff said USU would match that funding for the position. Presenters summarized outcomes: 4‑H growth in youth participation, mentoring program reach with at‑risk youth, SNAP‑Ed nutrition classes (including Spanish‑language outreach), and farm/food distribution events that delivered thousands of food boxes to residents.

Presenters also discussed agriculture work—rootstock trials, soil research and fruit‑industry byproduct pilots—and health programs including a HEART initiative that monitors opioid outcomes and adaptive gardening workshops intended to reduce injury and pain. Staff clarified that some positions are state‑funded and not county supported; they invited commissioners to schedule a formal budget vote in a future work session.