Sarah Nigbor

The Pierce County Board of Supervisors is in the process of determining its 2026 budget. This is going to be especially tough this year because the extent of federal funding cuts isn’t known yet, which may impact mandated programming, especially in the Human Services and Public Health departments.

Pierce County has always been fiscally conservative, and I can tell you after watching thousands of hours of their board meetings, they carefully scrutinize every dollar and cent, trying to get the best value for taxpayers, finding ways to save money wherever they can. They do not take lightly requests for funding new positions, new projects, maintenance, etc. In fact, most years I can remember, they have asked department heads to turn in budget projections equaling a 0% increase to their budgets if at all possible.

For many years, Pierce County had a strong relationship with UW-Madison Extension services, which provided educators in the crops & soils, dairy, nutrition, horticulture, 4-H and human development areas. However, at the Sept. 2 Pierce County Finance & Personnel Committee meeting, the group voted to forward a recommendation to the county board to reduce contractual services with UW Extension and the department’s budget for 2026.

The Pierce County Board needs to cut approximately $1.4 million from next year's total budget for the county and therefore, our 4-H program will be greatly affected. UW Extension programs are not mandated; therefore, they are usually one of the first on the chopping block when budgets need to be trimmed. However, County Administrator Jason Matthys recognizes the benefit of 4-H in the county and worked with UW Extension to find ways to trim costs; the Finance and Personnel Committee has forwarded a recommendation to the board which would reduce the total contracted staffing costs from $144,063 to $82,813 (-$61,250) which would allow for the 4-H program to continue with 1 FTE educator (April Daniels) and .5 FTE support staff.  The Extension Office is currently at 2.4 FTE.

Below you will find a link to a petition that I am asking you to sign and share to acquire as many signatures as possible before the Pierce County Board meets on Oct. 28. We are simply asking the board to approve the above recommendation and continue their support of the Pierce County 4-H program.

4-H teaches children skills they will use their entire lives, such as decision-making, accountability, leadership, perseverance, budgeting and community service. Kids can pursue projects in many areas and it’s not just for farmers: Art, music, theater, STEM, horticulture, soil science, vegetables, fruits, herbs, history, heritage, political science, child development, food and nutrition, llamas, dogs, cats, rabbits, dairy, beef, swine, goats, woodworking, photography … and there’s plenty more.

Head, Heart, Hands, and Health are the four Hs in 4‑H, and they are the four values members work on. The 4-H Pledge reads: “I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking, my HEART to greater loyalty, my HANDS to larger service, and my HEALTH to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.” Isn’t that something we can all get behind?

Pierce County has an especially strong program with hundreds of members and volunteers. It’s a prime component of the fabric of our county. Pierce County needs 4-H. Please take a moment to sign the petition to show the Pierce County Board how much it means to our communities. I know I would not be the person I am today if I hadn’t had 4-H.

You can find the petition at https://c.org/qSP4LHnVyW