USU Extension is providing hands-on learning and career-focused connections for families across Carbon and Emery Counties through specialized youth development and community education programs. These initiatives, which include the 4-H program, aim to help residents navigate diverse challenges by teaching practical skills in areas such as agriculture, nutrition, and family wellness.
Hands-On Youth Development
The 4-H program remains a cornerstone of youth development for both Carbon and Emery Counties, focusing on a "learning by doing" philosophy. Available to boys and girls in grades 3 through 12, the program allows participants to choose from over 100 different project areas or create their own unique projects. This structure is designed to foster interest and skill-building in urban, suburban, and rural settings alike.
4-H Club Structures
According to the Emery County Extension, the 4-H experience follows a structured path where youth work with adult leaders to explore common interests. Participants can join project-based clubs, which consist of members of a similar age working on a specific topic, or community clubs, which include a larger number of members of various ages working on a variety of projects. Additionally, family clubs are available, which utilize parents as leaders to guide the learning process.
Agricultural Support in Carbon County
In Carbon County, the extension office provides specialized resources to address the unique needs of the local community. This includes a significant focus on agriculture, a vital part of the region's heritage. Because 39 percent of the land in Carbon County is privately owned—a distinction from many other rural Utah counties—the extension works closely with both public and private land agencies to foster cooperation.
Critical Agricultural Resources
Carbon County producers rely on the extension for expertise regarding several critical agricultural issues. These include irrigation water management, soil condition, and pest control, specifically insect and weed control. The extension also provides guidance on disease prevention and control for both crops and livestock, farm safety, and strategies for increasing enterprise profitability. Other concerns addressed include West Nile Virus management and the complexities of managing both public and private lands.
Family and Community Wellness
Beyond agriculture, the extension focuses heavily on home and community wellness. In Carbon County, this includes addressing family communication, parenting, child development, and the balance between work and family life. The program aims to teach the skills and attitudes necessary for managing personal finances and promoting optimal nutrition and wellness throughout a person's life span. These efforts are intended to strengthen the well-being of individuals and families across the entire life cycle.
Specialized Health Resources
The extension's health and wellness initiatives are supported by a dedicated staff of specialists. In Carbon County, Harim Driggs serves as a Create Better Health Ambassador, and Josie Hatch serves as the Health & Wellness Prevention Coordinator for the Escape the Vape Youth Prevention Program. These roles are part of a broader effort to provide research-based community education and resources to help residents manage modern challenges.
Local Office Information
Residents can access these services through the local extension offices in Price and Castle Dale. Carbon County's office is located at 751 E 100 N, Suite 1700, Price, UT, and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a midday closure from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Emery County office is located at 75 E Main Street, Room 114, Castle Dale, UT, and follows the same weekday operating hours.
