Seven representatives of USU Extension visited the Carbon County Commissioners during their regularly-scheduled Wednesday evening meeting to introduce themselves and describe what each of them do for the community.
Kicking off the introductions was Ellen Serfustini, county director. Then, DeLayna Barr spoke on being a family and consumer science agent and teaching classes in the agency on relationships, nutrition, 4H, food safety and more.
Heather Cloward spoke next, who is a nutrition education assistant (NEA). Cloward works with low income families and individuals while also helping to organize on food drives and cooking classes, among other activities and events.
Ashley Yaugher is over the Health, Extension, Advocacy, Research and Teaching (HEART) Initiative. She touched on the opioid summit that had been hosted at USU Eastern this week and announced that another would take place in July. Yaugher continued by stating that she is focusing on health and wellness throughout Utah and her main goal of the day was to inform the commissioners that she is available to collaborate and work with them to bring more to the community.
Following Yaugher was Steve Price, who focuses on agriculture, national resources and 4H. Price stated that he works with many different programming such as pests, weeds, grazing, pasture management, irrigation, agriculture and more. Price also teaches classes, such as crop school.
Concluding the presentation was Russell Goodrich and Jordan Leonard with the Rural Online Initiative and Development Incentive. This program was designed as a training arm to help individuals learn to work remotely and develop soft skills. Goodrich stated that their first class started in October 2018 and with the new spring class, they will have had over 400 people go through the program, approximately. According to Goodrich, 70 of those students are from Carbon and Emery counties.
Goodrich also touched on the initiative’s website and weekly newsletter before turning the time to Leonard, who wanted to share a success story with the commissioners. He informed them that, through the initiative, they assisted a gentleman that had past history that was proving difficult for him to find employment. Now, with the help of Goodrich, Leonard and the initiative, the gentleman was able to find full-time remote work that also provides benefits.
Serfustini spoke once more before ending the introductions by reminding the commissioners that the extension office is always available for assistance in any way possible.