Barry Dunn 
7/26/11
by Perry Miller
The man in charge is confident in the future of 4-H
and Extension in South Dakota.
Extension is in the midst of a major reorganization
because of state and federal budget cuts. It means
regional Extension offices and halftime 4-H advisers.
It is up to each county to contribute if they want a
fulltime 4-H adviser.
Doctor Barry Dunn is the Dean of Agriculture
and Biological Sciences at SDSU and the Director of
the Cooperative Extension service. He discussed the
changes in the programs Tuesday with the
Brookings County Commission.
Dunn says he likes the option the county is considering
to provide two 4-H youth advisers to Brookings County.
He says they can do it for 56% of what they invested in
Extension a year ago.
Commissioner Dennis Falken says they wouldn't really
be saving that much money. Falken says they may save
some money on the salary side but there will still be
operational costs. He hopes their budget won't be
larger.
Commissioner Deanna Santema says they want to help
fund 4-H but not other Extension programs. She says
Extension should be the responisbility of SDSU.
Final decisions on 4-H have not yet been made
although the county has indicated their intention to
fund at least one fulltime adviser.
###
E-Mail
Print