New County 4-H Educator brings experience, education

The newest 4-H Youth Development and Health & Human Science Educator for Ripley County isn’t a new face at all. Baylee Dwenger “grew up on 4-H” according to her. Her mother, Chelsa Dwenger has been a volunteer for nearly 30 years, so Baylee has always known and participated in events. Her father is Melvin and brother, Clark, who took first place this year in a woodworking project.

Dwenger is excited to be at Osgood in the county where she grew up and was a 10-year 4-H member of the Pierceville Haypals.

She has plenty of experience working with the youth having served two summers as a Summer Assistant, and most recently as Jennings County’s 4-H Educator for a year. She has also been the 4-H photographer.

The 2018 Jac-Cen-Del graduated says she’s at home behind the desk in her office, or on the fairgrounds in any capacity. She has a passion for the position she took charge of on July 17. She graduated from Hanover College with a degree in Kinesiology/Physiology and is ready to bring knowledge and also listen to others.

She is excited about several programs, one being the Junior Leaders. “This is where we learn to be a good leader,” she noted. Since she has had these experiences herself, she knows what they entail. She knows the knowledge one gains from participating in 4-H in the many different areas.

Dwenger says they also will be participating in educating the youth with programs such as Captain Cash for third graders across the county. Dining with Diabetes is another program that will focus on health. She has a keen ability to go from helping children learn about their money, to help those with health problem learn how to cope with that.

She has participated in the Southeastern Indiana 4-H Camp (first week of June), where 4-H’ers from eight counties come together. She said there were 268 campers last year that proved to be a blast. She said they have structured learning, recreation, time with friends, and fun in the pool! Dwenger combines the elements of learning with fun to provide a bright future for 4-H’ers. She has also traveled to a National event at Washington, D.C. with 4-H.

The first week of October is National 4-H Week, so look for exciting happenings from the new educator. You can email her at bdwenger@purdue.edu or call the office at Osgood at 812-689-6511, where another great asset to the team, Office Manager Brenna Sarringhaus, will probably greet you.