Shanna Nicodemus

How to Reach Us

The Extension Staff

Available Programs

4-H

Agriculture

Family and Consumer Sciences

Calendar of Events

Newsletters

Extension Service Committeee

Links to Other Sites

Home

Shanna Nicodemus may be the newest leader of Jefferson County's 4-H program, but that doesn't mean she does all the work. "It's the volunteers' organization," said Dick, the new 4-H Youth and Development extension agent.

"It takes those volunteers to make this program such a success." Approximately 200 people offer their time to help with the county's 4-H program. They run 44 clubs - which range in membership from six to 30 - organize fund-raisers and work with 4-Hers on various projects. "They are the ones that run it," said Dick, 25, who started her job Jan. 16. Along with 44 community 4-H clubs, Jefferson County also has several specialty clubs, including a saddle club, a llama club - which also has members in Clarke County, Va. - and a teen leadership organization.

Nicodemus's passion for 4-H is homegrown. She grew up in the
4-H program in Shepherdstown, W.Va., and was a member until she was 21. After college, Nicodemus became involved in the international 4-H youth exchange program and lived in Poland. She has bachelor's degrees in agricultural and environmental education and animal and veterinary science from West Virginia University and a master's degree in agricultural education from Texas A&M University.

While some people might think 4-H is all about "cows and plows," in today's world the truth is that even 4-Hers often do not know about agriculture. "The more diversity we have, the more we learn and the more we learn, the more we grow," she said. Overall, she said, children who learn life skills early on will make better parents and leaders.

Those in 4-H learn leadership skills and can discover passions earlier than others might, she said. "We're here to provide a safe environment in which children can grow," she said.