Each fall, the Barton County Extension Council holds an election to fill positions on our various program development committees. Mark Monday, Oct. 29th on your calendar and stop by the Barton County Extension Office at 1800 12th Street to cast your ballot. Election time is 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Any Barton County resident who is at least 18 years of age may vote in this election.
Candidates for the Agriculture Program Development Committee include: Kevin Bahr, Olmitz; Aaron Baldwin and Trent Mauler, Great Bend.
The Family and Consumer Science PDC candidates include: Kathy Hayes and Colleen Newman, Great Bend; Alicia Straub, Ellinwood.
The 4-H Program Development Committee candidates for the 2013 Council include: JoAnn Gaunt, Jill Boultinghouse and Mary Foley all of Great Bend.
Three candidates have agreed to serve on the Economic Development Committee.
They include: Paula Manweiler, Hoisington, Freddy Gunn of Ellinwood and Kevin Sundahl of Great Bend.
Those elected will join the twelve council members who are in the middle of their two year terms. From the group of twenty-four elected members, a nine-member executive board will be elected at our Extension Annual meeting on Nov. 27th.
This locally elected board helps determine the kind of educational programs that we are involved in. The Board and the PDC’s (Program Development Committees) help make sure that the programs that we offer and the information that we provide are what local people want to know about. They help the Extension Agents stay on target and focused on local needs and issues.
So what is Extension and why at Kansas State University? Extension is a joint program of Barton County, K-State Research and Extension and USDA. Kansas State University is the nation’s first land-grant university, established in 1863 under the terms of the Morrill Act of 1862. While most universities engage in research and teaching, Kansas State University has a third mission – Extension. The technology and research that is developed at the land grant university is shared as practical, useful knowledge that families, youth, communities and agriculture across the nation can use in solving everyday problems. That knowledge is shared through the local Extension Office and there is an office in every county in the state of Kansas.
Please stop by the Extension Office at 1800 12th Street, Great Bend to cast your ballot and enjoy some refreshments on Monday, October 29th between the hours of 7:30 am and 6 pm.