New 4-H agent no stranger to group

The Orange County Cooperative Extension Office didn’t have to look far to find its next 4-H agent.

Madison County resident Sarah Weaver began work last month as the new 4-H Youth Program Educator in 4-H Youth Development. Weaver, the daughter of Tom and Tina Weaver, lives three miles west of James Madison’s Montpelier on a family farm once owned by Madison himself.

Weaver graduated in 2010 for Virginia Tech with a major in animal and poultry sciences and a minor in agricultural economics. She’s no stranger to 4-H, having grown up in the program. She said she has been involved in the livestock club, showed pigs, was an officer, and participated in cattle work and on the stockman and livestock teams. For the past two summers, Weaver has also been involved in the agri-tourism industry, having created a pick-your-own pumpkin operation on her family’s farm in Uno. Weaver said she also has a love for children making the 4-H agent post a good fit.

“I’ve always babysat and been around kids,” she said. “I knew I wanted something in Extension and this is the job I wanted. I’m super excited.”

Orange County Cooperative Extension Unit Coordinator and Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent Steve Hopkins is excited to have Weaver join the team.

“Sarah grew up in Madison County and is very familiar with our 4-H program in Orange,” he said. “She has assisted as a 4-H volunteer over the years helping us with our third grade Agriculture Day, fourth-grade farm tours and judging teams. She has a degree from Virginia Tech in animal science and a very strong background in livestock judging and other programs that are very active in Orange. Sarah is a people person, someone who relates very well to kids and adults. I believe you are going to see all our youth programs continue to expand with the leadership we have with Kaci and Sarah.”

Weaver, who started her new job two weeks ago, said right now she’s trying to meet everyone and plans to keep the current programs going while also possibly taking a different spin on the 4-H program’s annual summer workshops.

“I’m interested in whatever I can find to get involved in,” she said. “I hope to be in the schools as well.”

In the future, Weaver said she’d like to start a new program focusing on financial literacy.

“Many [students] graduate high school without any knowledge of personal finances,” she said. “It’s important they be educated on that.”

Weaver fills the extension’s position left vacant by Kaila Hahn, who is now the 4-H agent in Clarke County.