CRG 4H/Extension Committee's update on reestablishing the Extension Programs in Josephine County, including Master Gardeners.

4-H/COOPERATIVE EXTENSION COMMITTEE

Josephine County has had an Extension Program since the early 1900s. For much of the twentieth century, a portion of revenues of timber harvests funded public services. From 1957 to 1980, these revenues were so abundant that the County charged no property taxes at all; from 1981 to 1994, it charged a mere 30 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. (1)

With the decline of timber revenue in the latter part of the twentieth century, the County was not able to fund the Extension Services, and there were no services from October 1995 until May 1996. In the November 1996 election, a Referral Measure (17.58) was approved with 63% yes vote. It resulted in the establishment of the Josephine County 4-H/Extension Service District. It provided a tax base to support Extension Programs that included 4H, agriculture, home economics, forestry, community development, and energy programs.

In 2023, what appears to have been a conflict in the 4H program, over wearing clothing with a religious expression during a government-funded event, escalated. The expanded conflict resulted in the County Commissioners voting to terminate the relationship with Oregon State University and not collect the Service District tax revenue. In addition to 4H, all other Extension services were eliminated. Those included Master Gardeners, Master Food Preservers, and Forestry.

Currently, the Adopted Budget for FY 2025-26 includes a small budget to reestablish the Extension Programs. It includes a full-time position (Outreach Program Manager) with eight hours a week of an Administrative Office Manager. Those positions are currently being advertised. It also includes support from OSU professors (.15 FTE Livestock and Forage, .15 FTE Small Farms, .30 FTE Commercial Agriculture, and .30 FTE Family and Community Health)

The OSU Southern Region Director held a meeting earlier this month to discuss reestablishing the Master Gardener Program. She asked for volunteers to assist. Individuals have volunteered to assist in a range of Master Gardener areas. Those include: Food Bank, Raptor Creek, Seed to Supper, Plant Clinic, and a number of the school gardens. She is also engaged with the County to set up a physical location: possibility in the Extension Auditorium at the fairgrounds.

The CRG 4H/Extension Committee will continue to track the implementation and report back with updates and recommendations.