■ . I Like the library and the arts

I Like the library and the arts groups in Rappahannock, the MSrginia Cooperative Extension Service is very active here, apd like the library and arts groups the Extension Services ffcces all-but-fatal cuts from Richmond. ! The county’s two Extension agents, Tommy Williams and Helen Smith, provide a balance of programs that touch most l£res, in"one way or another. Programs for children include 4H camps, workshops and congresses, ah embryology project in (injunction with RCES science classes, a stock market program in the high school, the Junior Garden Club, the Horse sBid Pony Club, local 4-H clubs in smaller communities, the Harm Show and a variety of other events. ■ For families and adults, the Rappahannock Extension Offfce also puts on the Extension Homemaker Club, the SelfHelp and Resource Exchange (SHARE), a culinary hearts cjass, schools in beef and fruit farming, and serves as an inforiflation source on any number of agricultural and homeoriented topics. • * ; Recent course offerings put on here by Extension include £ women’s financial planning seminar, an estate planning dburse, and the fruit school. The Extension Office fills a considerable void in gypsy moth programs in Rappahannock and, this fall, helped coordinate a shipment of 1,600 bales of hay to f&rmers in Clarke County (an event sponsored by the RappaKjannock Farmers’ Association). The Extension Office also (J>ordinate8 a volunteer network, so reducing the number of dfeents would in reality afreet numerous clubs, charities and (immunity groups in Rappahannock. ; And they do all that and more on a budget that, excluding griaries.totals only $17,100 for 1991-92/The Board of Supervisors funds one-third of salaries and all of the $17,100 in support Services, a total of $41,000 last year. I Gov. L. Douglas Wilder’s proposed biennium budget would slash more than $12 million over two years from the Extension Service’s $38 million yearly budget, a move that could dliminate as many as 80 of the 308 local agents like Mrs. Smith $id Mr. Williams. ; But efforts are under way in the county to protect the dfervice from at least some of the proposed cuts. The Rappaijannock Extension Advisory Committee is writing the county’s General Assembly delegation (Sens. Kevin Miller and Ed Robb and Del. Jerry Wood) and encourages others to write tjiem as well. And the Board of Supervisors, on Feb. 3, will be tjdting up a resolution supportive of the Extension Service, &king for some of the funding to be restored. ■ There is a petition drive going, and copies are available at t$ie Extension Office on Gay Street. m g- ’ ' ~k