New Extension Assistant Enthusiastic About 4-H

She may be small in stature, but the enthusiasm Cheyenne County's new extension assistant holds for 4-H and its programs is 10 feet tall.

Growing up in Omaha, 4-H wasn't a part of Lisa Schumacher's life. But she began to learn about a part of it as she watched her nephew compete in the local Lego Robotic League.

During Lego League Schumacher met Cheyenne County 4-H Extension Educator Cynthia Gill, and the two got to visiting about what 4-H is, and what its programs have to offer, and found herself very interested in the program. She later learned that Gill was leaving the area and began visiting with local extension staff members about the possibilities for her as part of the program.

Trained in elementary education, Schumacher was drawn mainly to the youth development facet of 4-H. As talks moved on, extension officials agreed the fit would be good for a temporary posting as an extension assistant, where she will focus on helping to run the local 4-H program.

"We're still working on how it's going to work," Schumacher said of her new job, which she began just a month ago. "But I'm excited about the youth development the program offers, and hopefully I'll acquire the 4-H knowledge along the way."

A University of Nebraska Lincoln graduate, Schumacher hopes the fit is good enough to continue her education and become an extension educator.

"I'm just excited to see what will come around for the program and what can be," she said.

So for now, she is helping with the current 4-H enrollment period, helping potential 4-Hrs ages 8-18 find their way into programs that will benefit them. She is also working to carry as much of Gill's leadership as she can in set program, "and hopefully later on I'll be able to help expand programs if things work out."

Schumacher said young people interested in seeing what 4-H has to offer and to sign up can go 4honline.com. She and other extension staff are also available to answer questions about local programs by going to the extension office at 920 Jackson St. in Sidney or by calling 254-4455.