Nope, not going to happen.
Becky responds, at the end of the day, if we cannot grow4-H and extend it beyond elementary school, 4-H will decline anyway. And the resources that the legislature allocates will become part of the controversywe are seeing now. Why spend money on something that is declining and not meeting the needs of the state. And, why spend it on 4-H when we are already spending money in four other departments that are also reaching youth. Dr. Cadeaux, ifwe truly want 4-H to be seenas part of the solution, then we have to change. Or change will be forced on us, and we will not like the result. Let’s not worry about the budget right now. First things first. Let’s finda home that will allow 4 -H to growand to help solve th e university’s problem, then we can figure out how to flow the money so that neither the Department nor Extension is on the losing side of the equation. Look, Dr. Cadeaux adds, understand I amnot going to take the heat for you. You want to run this up the flagpole, fine. I will say that I opposed it but gave you the go-ahead to test the waters. That I thought therewas a chance that 4-H could help the university reach students all over the state, and that those students might be potential candidates for admission. But that is all you are going to get from me.
That is quite enough, Becky responds.
Mon dieu, Dr. Cadeaux thinks.
Getting Ready forMoving Day
Becky’s conversations with the Center are productive. Great idea. What do you need? Would love to have you on our side. Just say the word. By the way, what is your budget allocation? It would flow through us, right?
With an ally in her pocket, Becky gathers her staff to be sure everyone is on board. Everyone is not.
Look, Rick Carter whohandles five rural counties says, we alreadyhave enough trouble with recruiting volunteers for the program. We have tried to accommodateWashington’s emphasis on diversity and inclusivity – it has not been easy, but I think we have messaged it so that people are now on board in my counties. They are ready to see 4-H not just as a programfor their own children, but one for new members of our communities. It has been a hard-fought effort, but I think that people now are broader in their views. But, if after that, we now have to message something other than agriculture, I can’t saywhat will happen. The volunteers we have are there because they see us as deeply connected to the land and to the academic and research resources that theyneed to continue to prosper. Look, we all know the volunteer model is broken, but where I am, it is all I have. My volunteers are from places where agriculturematters. We alienate the people I serve by moving out of Agriculture, I am telling you right now I am not sure I can hold onto the program, let alone build it. The O’Keefe Center for Community Concerns will be a tough sell to farmers. A deep conversation ensues, withconsensus that any move is going to have to emphasize 4-H total commitment to its historic roots. The larger role in the university through the Center and the reach of 4- H across youth groups and locations are outgrowths of, but not replacements for, that history.
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