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Extension Agents
Apparently because Rappahannock has a young, less experienced agricultural agent, we will lose him, even though this leaves our extension office with only one agent. a The budget for the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service was cut by about $500,000. The extension service says that it will try to make cuts through attrition, but if that doesn’t reduce the budget enough, the least experienced agents will be laid off.
As a result Scott Cunningham, Rappahannock’s agricutural agent felt he had to look for another job. With a wife and two young children he did not feel he could take the chance on being without a job starting July 1.
Meanwhile other counties have three or more agents, and there does not seem to be any thought of offering one of these agents to Rappahannock County.
We are truly sorry to lose Mr. Cunningham. He has won many friends in the county. His supervision of the pesticide cleanup last summer was a gigantic service to the county. Local farmers have found him helpful and accessible.
Mr. Cunningham shared with home economics agent1 Helen Smith responsibility for overseeing the county’s 4-H program. Mrs. Smith assures us that the 4-H program will continue. There will be day camp and resident camp for for county youth this summer. The many county 4-H clubs will continue with their volunteer leaders.
The county extension office will continue to assist farmers, referring them to experts when necessary. A more senior agent from one of the surrounding counties will probably be in the Washington office once a week.
We wish Mr. Cunningham success and happiness in his new job. We will miss his gentle manner and genuine concern for Rappahannock’s land, farmers and youth. .
But, frankly, we’re angry that once again our small rural county is forced to take the brunt of state fiscal woes.i
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