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The local UW Extension office is filling back up after losing half of its staff last fall.
Powell-based UW Extension educator Jeremiah Vardiman updated Park County Commissioners on Tuesday on …
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The local UW Extension office is filling back up after losing half of its staff last fall.
Powell-based UW Extension educator Jeremiah Vardiman updated Park County Commissioners on Tuesday on the office and introduced new 4-H educator and Powell native Mary Louise Wood.
She had worked the last 15 years in the Albany County extension office, but had previously volunteered for the Park County extension office with 4-H.
“I heard from folks in Albany County and they weren’t happy with us,” said commissioner Lee Livingston as he remarked at how well she had done down south.
“She was a great asset in my years in the extension office,” clerk Colleen Renner said. “It’s great to have her back in Park County. “
Wood replaces Tycee Mohler, who resigned the position last year to move with her family out of state.
“I grew up in Powell, so it was a chance for me to come home,” Wood said.
The office has also hired local Hunter Koster to replace the last office administrator who had resigned last year.
Now, Vardiman said, the only spot to fill is the part-time horticulture specialist position, although the previous longtime occupant leaves big shoes to fill. Bobbie Holder retired late last year after many years of service for the office in the county-funded position.
Vardiman said losing her was rough, and it’s been a challenge to find a replacement considering the position only paid $18 per hour part-time.
“I cannot tell you how valuable that position is,” he said.
The office has searched for funding support to up the pay and make it a full time position. They’ve accomplished the former with help from the cities of Powell and Cody and Weed and Pest, which enables the position to now be paid $20 per hour.
Vardiman said he’d like to get a new specialist in soon as the spring and start of gardening season is always a busy time for the position.
Commission chair Dossie Overfield said the county had discussed the possibility of working with other counties in the Big Horn Basin to pool resources and hire one full-time, benefited position. She said that’s something they could examine further if Vardiman can’t find an applicant to fit the bill.
