Commissioners hear upcoming Extension Office projects

NIOBRARA COUNTY – Niobrara County Commissioners met with county department heads on March 3 to hear their updates.

Kellie Chichester, Community Vitality and Health Extension Educator, reported that the extension office plans to grow a small pumpkin patch with the goal of giving every child a pumpkin at harvest. The goal is to provide those who cannot travel outside of Niobrara County with the opportunity to have that experience with their family and to also bring back another generation to help support the operation. Chichester has obtained funding for the pumpkin project. SkillsUSA will also be helping with this project to give the team the opportunity to engage in a community project and they will assist with the technical aspects of the pumpkin patch. Chichester said that, along with the pumpkin patch, they will continue with their bees and honey and plan to grow flowers again this spring.