Libby McNeal transitions into 4-H educator position for OSU Extension, Highland County

Libby McNeal transitions into 4-H educator position for OSU Extension, Highland County 

The Ohio State University Extension in Highland County has announced that Libby McNeal would transition from the position of 4-H program coordinator to 4-H educator for Highland County. 

Since 2008, McNeal has worked with the Extension program in Highland County as a student employee, a program assistant, and most recently the 4-H program coordinator. As an Extension educator, McNeal will continue to develop and implement educational programs for youth development and facilitate volunteer recruitment and training. Specific duties of the 4-H educator include utilizing a variety of program delivery methods appropriate to diverse audiences including community clubs, school programming, 4-H camps, member

evaluations, junior fair programs, older youth programs, youth-at-risk efforts, Cloverbuds and others.

"Transitioning to the Extension educator position actually saves the county

money," said Rose Fisher Merkowitz, OSU Extension educator. "As a program coordinator, McNeal’s position was paid for with county

dollars, as well as a few grant dollars. Extension educators are cost-shared with state and federal funds that Ohio State University Extension receives, along with county commissioner funding, so the county will be paying less for the educator position.

“I’m very excited about the promotion to an educator position,” McNeal stated. “I am eager to continue working with the excellent 4-H program, youth and volunteers in Highland County, and I hope to further advance the 4-H program in the years to come.”

McNeal is a Highland County native, raised on a farm in Samantha and a graduate of Fairfield High School. In June 2008, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State in Agricultural & Extension Education.

While working for the OSU Extension in Highland County, McNeal continued her education at Ohio State, receiving her master’s degree in agricultural communications in December 2009.

The mission of the 4-H Youth Development program is to create positive environments for culturally diverse youth and adults to reach their fullest potential as capable, competent, caring, and contributing citizens.

For additional information about the Ohio State University Extension in Highland County and the Highland County 4-H Program, please visit the website at www.highland.osu.edu.

The Ohio State University Extension in Highland County has announced that Libby McNeal would transition from the position of 4-H program coordinator to 4-H educator for Highland County. 

Since 2008, McNeal has worked with the Extension program in Highland County as a student employee, a program assistant, and most recently the 4-H program coordinator. As an Extension educator, McNeal will continue to develop and implement educational programs for youth development and facilitate volunteer recruitment and training. Specific duties of the 4-H educator include utilizing a variety of program delivery methods appropriate to diverse audiences including community clubs, school programming, 4-H camps, member evaluations, junior fair programs, older youth programs, youth-at-risk efforts, Cloverbuds and others.

"Transitioning to the Extension educator position actually saves the county

money," said Rose Fisher Merkowitz, OSU Extension educator. "As a program coordinator, McNeal’s position was paid for with county dollars, as well as a few grant dollars. Extension educators are cost-shared with state and federal funds that Ohio State University Extension receives, along with county commissioner funding, so the county will be paying less for the educator position.

“I’m very excited about the promotion to an educator position,” McNeal stated. “I am eager to continue working with the excellent 4-H program, youth and volunteers in Highland County, and I hope to further advance the 4-H program in the years to come.”

McNeal is a Highland County native, raised on a farm in Samantha and a graduate of Fairfield High School. In June 2008, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State in Agricultural & Extension Education.

While working for the OSU Extension in Highland County, McNeal continued her education at Ohio State, receiving her master’s degree in agricultural communications in December 2009.

The mission of the 4-H Youth Development program is to create positive environments for culturally diverse youth and adults to reach their fullest potential as capable, competent, caring, and contributing citizens.

For additional information about the Ohio State University Extension in Highland County and the Highland County 4-H Program, please visit the website at www.highland.osu.edu.