New extension agent holds a lot of 4-H experience

The Quay County Extension Service’s new family consumer science agent won’t need a lot of break-in time to help the area’s 4-H programs in the next few months: Her two children are involved in the club, and she was a 4-H member as a youngster.

Erin Smith, previously an elementary teacher at Tucumcari Public Schools for 17 years, assumed her post at the extension office in Tucumcari on June 1.

Her predecessor, Suzann Mikkelson, took a similar position at the Guadalupe County Extension Office in Santa Rosa last spring.

Smith acknowledged she hasn’t been able to devote much time to the family sciences part of her job. The 4-H district contest at Roosevelt County begins this week, followed by the state conference and Quay County 4-H Rodeo next month and the county fair in early August.

As agriculture extension agent Jason Lamb put it: “It’s the busiest time of the year for 4-H.”

Fortunately for Smith and the extension office, her local 4-H background is extensive. She coached the agronomy and horticulture teams for about five years. Her children — Ashton, 16, and Carter, 14 — have been heavily involved in 4-H activities.

That background was a big motivator on why she applied for the extension-agent position.

“I have been involved with extension myself since I was younger myself and have seen the impact it has in our community,” Smith said. “I was really excited to have the opportunity to be able to join extension, to be able to work with people all over our county. That was one of the main things that drew me in.

“I’m excited to be able to have this opportunity to continue to be an educator, but in a different capacity and to a broader audience,” she added.

During an interview last week, Smith had been at her new position for about two weeks. How’s it been going?

“I’ve been loving it,” she replied. “It’s been a lot, but at the same time I’ve enjoyed getting to be involved with everybody here and with different extension agents from around the state. I’m really looking forward to seeing the district and state contests from an agent’s perspective versus a parent’s perspective.”

Smith admitted she doesn’t have a strong background on family consumer sciences.

“But I’m learning a lot, and I have a really great support system that has really helped me to get an idea what is needed and where I can step in and be a good resource for our county,” she said.

Once 4-H activities die down in the fall, Smith said she wants forge a partnership with the Quay County Health Council.

“Once we get through the summer and through the fair, I’d like to look into doing a lot of family health and working with the Health Council to see what we need to do in that avenue.

“Also, we need to see what we can do to bring more youth into 4-H and getting more kiddos involved with everything that is 4-H. It’s a great organization that has a lot of benefits for these kids. It’s really something l’d like to try to promote.”