Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors will reconsider today whether to withhold funding for the University of California Cooperative Extension office that covers Amador and three other counties.
Supervisor Chairman John Plasse requested reconsideration of the $154,000 Amador County pays into the Cooperative Extension program, to see if money might better help the local Agriculture office with localized staffing.
Several people circulated sample letters, urging people to personalize the letters and send them to Supervisors. Scott Oneto, Cooperative Extension Director for the Amador region, sent one letter, saying “residents of Amador County would lose close to $1 million in program resources for the lack of support from Amador County government.”
In a July 14 letter to Master Gardener volunteers, Oneto said “if the county decides not to support Cooperative Extension, our entire department will be eliminated and all programs will be dissolved,” and the entire office would close.
It would mean loss of 4-H Youth Development, Master Gardener, Farm Advisor, Nutrition Advice, and Food Stamp Nutrition, and all ag programs. He said “services will not be available from other counties to help Amador County farmers, ranchers and residents.”
Oneto urged people to attend today’s Supervisor meeting. He supplied Supervisors’ contact information, and urged people to write to them, saying “they do count how many folks from each district contact them.”
Plymouth veterinarian Elida Malick circulated Oneto’s note, adding to it that “4-H in our county is in imminent danger of being dissolved. We need you to show your support.”
Malick said 4-H is “near and dear to my heart” and “has been an invaluable asset in the growth of my children and preparing them for adult life.” She said they learned the values of teamwork, “hard work, developed communication skills, poise and leadership ability,” and the “joy of working with their animals.”
Also circulating letters were Cathy Koos Breazeal of the Amador Fire Safe Council, Loraine Davis, and Kelly Trottier.
Oneto’s sample letter said UCCE’s roster of “80 Master Gardeners volunteered the equivalent of $86,000 worth of hours to staff the office.” He said UCCE volunteers “provide researched information to the public on ways to save money.”
He said Cooperative Extension brings $981,000 in “resources to the residents of Amador County to deliver Agriculture, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Nutrition, and Youth Development programs,” including 4-H.
Oneto said state and federal partners, volunteers and other funding provide 84 percent of Cooperative Extension’s total resources in Amador County, or $826,000; while Amador County provides 16 percent, with its $154,000 contribution.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
