The Contra Costa Times yesterday ran a story about the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors' proposal to cut its $325,383 funding for the UC Cooperative Extension program.
The story centered on the cut's potential impact on the county's 4-H program. Writer Nanci Valcke reported that she gleaned from "UCCE literature" the breadth of the program's role in the community. "As a land-grant institution, the UC Cooperative Extension mandate is tied to the welfare, development and protection of California agriculture, natural resources and people," Valcke wrote.
The reporter also noted the wide-ranging UCCE involvement in the local community, including:
- Services to Countywide Youth Commission, Head Start in Concord, Employment and Human Services and flood control
- City programs
- Collaboration on the Markham Arboretum in Concord
- Help with the golf course, open space and trails, parks department and Heather Farm in Walnut Creek
- Collaboration with the East Bay Regional Park District and Mt. Diablo State Park
The story raised the possibility that the county's 150 4-H members could be absorbed by the 4-H program in neighboring Alameda County.
"I don't think Alameda is as cool. It's going to be difficult to be called Alameda 4-H. (But) I try and think of what Alameda is doing for Contra Costa, which is keep us going," the article quoted Orinda 4-H member Madison Gibson.