Douglas County Extension Service District
As part of Douglas County’s budget process, the County Commissioners approve the budget for the Douglas County 4-H, Master Gardener and Extension Service District. Recently, that budget was approved for fiscal year 2010-11. Here is a little history:
At the end of 2008, the county stopped financial support to the Extension Service as part of economies to deal with loss of safety net funding. Without the ability to match federal and state funding, Douglas County residents would lose OSU Extension services. A group of local citizens formed a Political Action Committee (PAC) and, working with OSU Extension, proposed a property tax of 6.5 cents per $1000 of property value to permanently fund the Service District. The PAC qualified the measure for the ballot by approaching the County Commissioners and the city councils of incorporated cities.
Only the cities of Reedsport and Canyonville declined to be included in the vote.
A robust and large group of volunteers worked tirelessly to educate voters about Extension programs and the dynamics of the tax increase.
The Extension Service District was formed by a vote taken in the May, 2008, primary election. Just shy of 62% of registered voters turned out for that election. Final tally for the Extension District was 64.5% yes, and 35.5% no. Of the 68 precincts voting, the measure passed in 62 and failed in 6.
For the 2010-11 budget year the Extension Service District proposed a conservative and efficient budget and will assess 6 cents per thousand.
Extension programs are offered for all ages and many interests. 4H Youth programs have developed youth leadership skills for generations of Douglas County families. Master Gardeners, Food Safety and Master Food Preservers, Livestock & Forage, Forestry, Horticulture and the Well Water Program will answer your questions and help you solve problems. A focus on the special needs of small family farms is a valuable service to rural landowners who want to make productive use of their land.
If you are new to Douglas County, or even if you have been here all your life, the friendly and knowledgeable folks at the Extension service can help you. A great many of our families, friends and neighbors volunteer to make all these programs successful. If you are one of these volunteers – Thank You! If you aren’t, give them a call at 541-672-4461 or visit the website at http://extension.oregonstate.edu/douglas/