Extension service prepares for fair

July 22, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By D.A. WILKINSON

LISBON

Ohio State University’s Cooperative Extension Service is preparing for the upcoming Columbiana County Fair, and a staple of the extension service remains the same.

“We have no budget,” Julie Herron said Wednesday.

The office rent at 7876B Lincole Place in Lisbon is paid by the commissioners at a cost of $1,500 a month. The service does not get more money from the county.

The service is being funded by donations, including money left to it in wills.

“We’re trying to do lots of new things to show our worth,” Herron said.

There will be a raffle and a kiss-a-pig contest to raise funds during the fair that runs Aug. 2 to 8.

“There are between 750 and 800 youths just in 4-H,” Herron said. There are about 200 volunteers who help with the youth programs. The 4-H program also has been trying to do programs in schools and libraries.

The extension service also has seen an increase in calls from people wanting to know how to can vegetables to save money because of the sluggish economy.

Herron estimated that it would take $50,000 or less to run the local extension program a year. She has met with the commissioners to discuss funding.

Commissioner Jim Hoppel said the commissioners have not begun to determine the county’s spending for next year.