There's a fresh face at a familiar institution, breathing new life into both Custer and Dawson County’s 4-H and Extension Education programs. Sarah Fanning, a Colorado native, has just completed her first year of service as the counties’ Extension Educator, and has spent that time learning and leading in equal doses.

“If you had asked me two years ago if I was going to live in Nebraska, I would’ve told you no,” Fanning laughed. “But a little over a year ago, my boyfriend just asked me if I would want to move to Nebraska, buy a house and do something different! We were looking for a change.”

“I’m originally a teacher. I taught middle school science in Wyoming [where we were living]. So I looked for an education job, but I wasn’t finding any that were the subjects I wanted. Then I saw this Extension Educator position pop up, and I thought it looked interesting!”

Growing up in the Denver Metro area, Fanning had not participated in 4-H. However, she was familiar with the educational aspects of the program in addition to the community, leadership, and growth opportunities it offers to kids. A passion for teaching easily lent Fanning the background she needed to jump into this unfamiliar venture. The timing couldn’t have been better, as she got to experience the culmination of the 4-Her’s year right away.

“I got thrown in the first week of the fair! I don’t think I could’ve landed in a better place,” Fanning shared. “Everyone is so incredibly supportive here, and really have the same goals as I do with 4-H and our programs, as far as expanding and growing our reach to our local community and beyond.”

Cont. PAGE 5: NEW EDUCATOR One of Sarah’s first goals is to do just that: educate the community on all the different things that a Nebraska Extension Office has to offer. In 1862, Congress passed the first Morrill Act, instituting the novel policy of providing federal support for postsecondary education, focused on agriculture and the mechanical arts, according to the Congressional Research Service. They created a national system of land-grant colleges and universities recognized for their breadth, reach, and excellence in teaching, research, and extension, including the University of Nebraska. Land-grant institutions are located in every U.S. state, and have extension offices in nearly every county. These offices provide agricultural education and resources for local farmers, ranchers, and citizens, as well as facilitate the 4-H program for kids aged five to 18.

“We are a great resource to connect you to education, resources, and research that is coming out of the University of Nebraska. We are definitely more than just 4-H, which I think is confusing for some people,” Fanning said. “There are multiple areas we can assist and educate in, including horticulture, water and cropping systems, early childhood education, livestock, and many other agricultural programs.”

As the local Extension Educator, Fanning collaborates with local libraries, schools, YMCA, and other outreach programs to offer opportunities for increased skills and knowledge in all areas of agriculture and research. She is always looking for more groups to assist with, so feel free to reach out if you’d like to host an event or class.

The second goal Fanning is striving towards is expanding every area within the 4-H program itself. In the 2024-2025 enrollment year, Fanning has overseen a few key changes already.

Future years will see a concentrated drive to recruit more youth into the 4-H program, which focuses on not only the traditional livestock and agricultural ventures, but a variety of homemaking, lifeskills, clothing and science projects as well. Fanning is also encouraging feedback from club leaders, fair superintendents, and participant families about the annual fair to continue to make the best better. Enrollment for the 2025-2026 year opens in October.

For more information on enrolling your child in 4-H, or taking advantage of the research and education from the extension office, contact Sarah by email at sfanning3@ unl.edu.