ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 29, 1995                   TAG: 9501300004
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JAMES D. OLIVER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium


4-H WOULD SUFFER BADLY FROM PROPOSED EXTENSION CUTS|

Gov. George Allen's budget would cut $7.9 million from the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. With this proposed cut, extension will have lost almost 50 percent of its state funding in the last six years. Such a cut would necessitate a dramatic reduction in personnel, a totally new staffing pattern, and a radical reduction and elimination of valuable services to the people of Virginia.

One of the programs that would be greatly affected by the proposed cut is 4-H, the extension's youth education program. About 120,000 youth and 11,717 adult and teen volunteers are involved in 4-H.

In Montgomery County, there are more than 2,500 4-H members and 221 4-H leaders. The program assists youth in developing life skills that will help them become productive, responsible adults.

4-H involves people helping people. This is one of the better ways to teach technical subjects to youth in hands-on, learn-by-doing programs. Approximately 200 projects teach skills such as veterinary science, photography, livestock, citizenship, personal appearance, clothing, nutrition computers, health and public speaking.

4-H teaches youth how to make informed decisions, how to keep good records, how to communicate, and how to get along with others. Volunteers and parents learn the same skills.

4-H provides meaningful leadership experiences by giving youth the opportunity to serve as club officers, to serve on various committees, and to practice parliamentary procedures with confidence. Camping also helps 4-Hers gain knowledge, build relationships, improve communication, develop leadership skills, and improve self-esteem.

I hope you are as concerned as I am about the proposed cut in funding for the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. I would like to urge you to write your state senator and delegate, as well as the governor, expressing support for full restoration of funding for the Extension Service. Make your letters personal and note the impact of the proposed cut on your life and your community.

James D. Oliver of Blacksburg is a member of the Montgomery County 4-H administrative board.



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