Lytton

The Carroll County Extension Office was significantly impacted by 2008 budget reductions. Extension staff member Joann Lytton explained that the office suffered the loss of a program assistant, a part-time clerical worker and will assume the annual $14,500 rent obligation. That obligation was previously paid out of the county commissioners' budget.

Given those factors, staff members Lytton and county extension agent Paul Marcellino said they both remain in the office and in the county full-time doing what they have been doing all along. They worked to create ways to reduce expenses but maintain the same quality programming.

"We want to work with the county council," Marcellino said. "We want to help them any way we can."

"4-H is continuing as normal," Lytton added.

Cost-cutting measures initiated by the office include the use of E-mail rather than stamps and envelopes for notifying county residents about upcoming events and meetings.

"We really need everyone's current and correct Email address for notification purposes now," Lytton said. "But we will continue to provide the same level of programming as we have in the past, such as school programs and county-wide homemaker clubs."

Marcellino "We even want to add another program called 'Youth Leadership Carroll County' next year," she added.

Lytton said one tradition that was financially affected by budget reductions was the county fair. Although there were fewer staff to implement the components and be leaders in fair activities, community volunteers stepped forward to provide the necessary manpower for the fair to proceed normally.

"We have always had wonderful help from club leaders and junior leaders," Lytton said. "We received additional help from parents, 4-H'ers, Extension Homemakers, Lions and Kiwanis clubs and other service organizations."

"Flora Community Club, the Antique Tractor Club, the Flora Police Department, and Flora Park Board all coordinated efforts to provide whatever they could to accommodate what we needed for the fair to be the success it was this year," she added.

Marcellino will continue to offer the 13-week Master Gardener Program. He said he will also continue to be significantly involved with the Carroll County Agriculture Association, soliciting and adding new members whenever possible.

"It's just not pork anymore in Carroll County," Mar- cellino said. "We support those in agriculture and the community at the same time. Organized efforts are better than individual ones."

Both Lytton and Marcellino offer a variety of inschool programs for all grade levels. A list of available programs can be obtained by calling the office at (765) 564-3169.

"We just want everyone to know that we both are still here full-time, and still serving the Carroll County community," Lytton concluded.