By Richard Fechter, extension agent

The Rolling Prairie Extension District will officially begin on July 1. This is a combination of the Chautauqua County and Elk County Extension Councils. The process of forming this Extension District began in the fall of 2007. At this time, Extension Council Executive Boards from both counties approved this measure and then gained the approval of both sets of county commissioners. Following a petition period, where none were filed, the Kansas Attorney General approved the Rolling Prairie Extension District in late April.

The Rolling Prairie Extension District will be the eighth in the state and the first one in Southeast Kansas. The other seven Extension District in Kansas cover 21 counties. An Extension District is a local unit of government that has a publicly elected board of four members from each county in the District. The inaugural board members are: Chautauqua County - Becky Williams, Jim Bruner, Rolan Leniton, and Edwin Bowman; Elk County - John Griesel, Caryl Barnaby, Dale Clubine and Velva Hoyt. The Extension District is a taxing body. It is very similar to a school board in regards to developing a budget.

Why an Extension District? With the cost of doing business increasing every year, and a greater need for agents to become more specialized, an Extension District will enable us to provide efficient and effective Extension programs and allow opportunities for program expansion in all areas.

Why Chautauqua and Elk Counties? The board members and Extension staff feel an Extension District is a way to remain viable and expand our opportunities to provide programs and improve the way of life for citizens in our counties. Also, Extension programming in our two counties are very similar.

Initially, on a day to day basis, operations in both counties will not change much probably. However, in the future, through attrition and hirings, Extension Agents would have the opportunity to become more specialized. Programming and opportunities for 4-H and Youth in the Extension District will increase right away because of more 4-H members and volunteers with a combined Extension program. One example of this is the 4-H Shooting Sports project. In order to offer this project, counties must have certified leaders for the different disciplines in the project. Prior to this year, Elk and Chautauqua counties were not able to offer the Shooting Shorts project to 4-H members, because we did not have certified leaders. However, this year, we now have certified leaders and the Shooting Sports project is being offered and it is starting to hold events and activities. Also, the Rolling Prairie Extension District hopes to have one combined 4-H Club Day in the winter of 2009.

An Extension Office will be maintained in both Sedan and Howard and the Extension staff at each site will remain there. The offices will no longer be known as the Chautauqua County Extension Office and Elk County Extension Office, but as the Rolling Prairie Extension District - Sedan Office and Rolling Prairie Extension District - Howard Office. Both counties will maintain their own county fairs. County fairs are run by local fairboards with assistance from the Extension staff.

In summary, the current level of service will not only continue — it will be better! If you have any questions the Chautauqua and Elk County Extension District, feel free to visit with me at the Extension Office or give me a call at 620-374-2174.

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