Location: Heber Spring, Ark.
CEA-Staff Chair: Michelle Mobley (pictured)
Services: Coordinating and implementing numerous programs for county 4-H members, county residents as well as dissimulating information to farmers is a daunting task, but one the Cleburne County Extension staff takes in stride.
“One thing people don’t’ realize is we provide programs year-round,” Mobley said. “We have a full calendar of activities for the summer for 4-H and of course we are constantly keeping our farmers informed with newsletters, field demonstration days and a host of other educational functions.”
The Cleburne County Extension consists of four components including: Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development, and Community and Economic Development. After a period with staff vacancies, the Cleburne County Office is now fully staffed. The staff includes Sarah Metzger, Family Consumer Science; Tracy Fall, 4-H Program Assistant; and Lydia Guffey, administrative assistant.
Many of the U of A programs slow down during the summer. Not so for the Extension Service, in fact, it is the direct opposite. The Cleburne County 4-H members have a full calendar of leadership training events, summer camps, the State O’Rama at the University and the ever popular Fish Derby in June. County livestock producers and gardeners find a host of field days and workshops to improve profitability, and of course, the big one, the Cleburne County Fair after Labor Day each year.
“As staff chair I have to wear a lot of hats and really concentrate on time management,” Michelle said. “We have a great staff here, we are like family and everyone pitches in to get the job done.”
One of the largest and most successful programs for the Cleburne County Extension is the Community Garden project located on the old Optimist Park in Heber Springs. The garden project was started to give area residents the opportunity for healthier lifestyles by growing vegetables. A unique feature of the community garden is people can grow for themselves or they can donate their bounty to area non-profits. Gardeners are assigned plots in the garden and can grow any plant and/or vegetables they choose. Water is provided by the city of Heber Springs.
“The community garden is a huge project for us,” said Mobley. “Not just for our staff, but for the entire community. There are many dedicated individuals that help organize and keep the project going. It just keeps getting bigger and better each year.”
