Not tangled up in purse strings — Persche remains optimistic in the face of budget concerns

Despite budget concerns, Weston County 4-H continues to enjoy success.

Inflation in the United States has reduced significantly since reaching a 40-year high of 9.1% in June 2022. However, the current rate of 2.4%, which is higher than the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%, along with decreased tax revenue, has local leaders uncertain about current program and service funding.

“I think everyone’s a little afraid of what’s coming down the pike financially,” Weston County Commission Chairman Nathan Todd said. “Costs keep going up and, unfortunately, some of our tax base is being reduced or has been reduced.”

So far, Weston County 4-H has only been minimally affected, having had its travel budget cut by $400 last summer. Despite this modest cut, Weston County 4-H educator Erin Persche is optimistic about the future of the program, and much of this optimism comes from the program’s success. Having held her position for four years on March 31, she pointed to consistent enrollment as evidence of the health of the program. From her first year, 2022, to the present, she has had, respectively, 156, 168, 182 and 188 youths enrolled.

Todd’s 7-year-old daughter, Paycee, is one of the many children taught by Persche.

“She has a blast,” Todd said of his daughter.

Because of Paycee’s participation, Todd frequently witnesses Persche’s efforts firsthand.

“It’s a good program, and I’m appreciative of Erin. She has brought a lot of energy to the 4-H here,” he said. “She brings a positive, fun attitude to the program, and it’s been enjoyable to watch what she’s done so far.”

Persche’s students are also frequent entrants in competitions, such as the annual Showcase Showdown held in Laramie, the Wyoming State Fair and 4-H Shooting Sports. Persche said that she took 185 static exhibits created by her students to last year’s State Fair and had 16 youths compete at the various contests held at the event. She also said she has had students qualify for the national 4-H Shooting Sports competition.

Continued support from the local community also bolsters Persche’s optimism. Such support comes in the form of 31 current adult volunteers, as well as generous donations. In the past year, several individuals have donated sewing machines and yarn for the children to use. Persche also noted a yearly “nice donation” from Range Communications, as well as a considerable donation received a little over a year ago from the Wyoming Refining Co.

“We were one of the recipients of the charity gold tournament from the refinery,” she said. “They had contacted me and said, ‘We have some money for you,’ and it was a little over $12,000.”

Persche said she had anticipated “maybe a couple thousand dollars” and was flabbergasted when she saw the amount on the giant check they presented to her.

In her interview with the News Letter Journal, Persche also expressed appreciation for the financial support she receives from the county. Weston County Extension employs three individuals: a community vitality and health educator, an administrative assistant and Persche. The county and the University of Wyoming each cover half of the staff’s salaries and benefits. The county also provides office space.

“The county has been great,” Persche said.

To ensure continued support from the county, the 4-H educator plans to continue providing the Board of County Commissioners a monthly update on “all the great things that 4-H is doing” to show the benefits of their patronage.

“I think that has definitely contributed to them seeing the benefit of the 4-H program,” she said.

However, Persche recognizes that sometimes tough decisions need to be made and that future cuts to her budget are always a possibility.

“The hard part with budgets is that each service provider thinks that what it does is really important,” she said. “I’m glad I’m not the one who has to decide who gets what money.”

Fortunately for the 4-H program, Todd does not expect Persche’s office to be the most likely candidate for austerity measures.

“I don’t think 4-H is probably the first place a person would look to try to cut anything,” he said. “There would hopefully be other places we could look to first without affecting major things, but it’s never fun.”

While she hopes for the best, Persche intends to remain undaunted in the event of future cuts to her budget.

“I’ve worked for a long time in that very creative space of how to do a lot with a little,” she said.