Shaily Harshbarger is the new 4-H educator for the University of Wyoming Extension in Lincoln County. Harshbarger said she is excited to bring her FFA and 4-H experience to the community. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Shaily Harshbarger is the new 4-H educator for the University of Wyoming Extension in Lincoln County. She was born in Laramie and her family moved to Kansas when she was young.

Harshbarger grew up on a farm in Kansas, where she and her family raised and took care of livestock. She worked at a veterinary clinic as a high school student.

“My love for animals has really influenced what I chose for my career,” Harshbarger said.

Harshbarger played basketball and volleyball in high school, but said she was most involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA).

She was a president and vice president of her FFA chapter. She showed livestock, judged cattle and meat and participated in ag sales and public speaking.

“FFA changed me a lot, because before I was a shy kid who didn’t want to be outgoing,” Harshbarger said.  “I owe a lot to an advisor who encouraged me to get involved in FFA. It had a huge impact on me, so I want to be able to help at least one kid and have an impact on them through these 4-H programs.”

Harshbarger graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in animal science and a minor in business.

As a kid, Harshbarger was also a member of 4-H, where she showed goats and horses.

“I’m used to being on the other end of things as the kid who shows, so this is a fun challenge to plan meetings, programs and clinics to really teach the kids what 4-H is about,” Harshbarger said.

Harshbarger said 4-H prepares kids for life because it teaches them a variety of important life skills.

“In 4-H you can really learn something new every day,” Harshbarger said.

Harshbarger said she is excited to work with the 4-H educators in other Lincoln County communities like Afton and Cokeville.

“It’s really like a family,” Harshbarger said. “Each person has their own expertise to offer to the community and to the 4-H kids.”

Harshbarger said she can tell Lincoln County really cares about its 4-H kids.

“The community barns and the greenhouse are awesome,” Harshbarger said. “It’s awesome for the in-town kids who otherwise wouldn’t have somewhere to keep their animals, and it really helps us teach them responsibility.”

Harshbarger interned with the University of Wyoming extension in Lincoln County two summers ago.

“When I was here before, I loved helping the kids with the community barn, teaching them how to take care of animals, judging, going to events and talking them down from their nerves before competitions,” Harshbarger said.

The new 4-H educator said she is excited to learn more about her job and how she can best serve the community.

“My favorite part is teaching kids about agriculture,” Harshbarger said. “Kids need to know that stuff, like where their food comes from.”

She said she is grateful for the welcome she has received from the community since she started her new job.

“Kemmerer is so friendly,” Harshbarger said. “I’ve had so many people offer their help if I ever need anything.”