To the Editor:
Carroll County without the Extension of the Ohio State University in the county is unbelievable.  A rural county with its main source of income from agriculture needs all the advice plus latest information and all the hands-on training it can get. We have been very fortunate thanks to previous long-range planning.

Presenting the Extension annual budget to the county commissioners for matching funds with The Ohio State University is not new. It happens every year. In fact, it has happened for over 60 years. Past budgets have always been approved and looking around the county you can tell that agriculture has excelled.

Carroll County was one of the top dairy producing counties for several years. Now it seems to have been passed to the beef producers. So be it. Which ever way we want to go, Extension is there with benefits to the entire county.

One of the most outstanding programs of the Extension service, which I believe is the “fairest one of all,” is the 4-H program. The Four H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Health. What could be more important than teaching our youth? The 4-H program is available for all our county youth. There are many projects to choose from and all come with volunteering adult supervision.

Our family of five and all the neighboring crew “grew up” with their projects. What a busy time that was, but we survived with amazing results. Among the many fields of interest our gang continued to pursue in their education included parks and recreation, teaching, agronomy, engineering, architecture, nursing, finance and yes, farming. In the process of them doing all these different projects, we found they learned the three R’s  - Respect, Responsibility and Reliability. Put these all together and, in time, you have leadership. What could be more important for our country and future generations?

Our county commissioners have always approved matching funds with The Ohio State University to maintain our county office. This year, in their official capacity and with limited funds, they were obligated to fund only mandated programs.

I think now is the time for all of us to step up to the plate and do what is necessary to keep the Extension of The Ohio State University in our county. Vote yes on the Extension Levy May 4. It can be called long-range planning.

Gladys Evans
Lee Twp. Resident

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