Whether it’s a question about planting a garden or plowing a 100-acre field, Athens County might soon have an educator for that.
The Athens County Commissioners approved hiring and paying for a full-time educator who will be hired by the Ohio State University Extension at their Tuesday meeting.
Commissioner Lenny Eliason said he does not expect anyone to be hired before March 1, and the position will pay $40,000 for the remainder of the year.
The educator would be a resource not only for farmers, but also for anyone who has questions about the county’s agriculture and natural resources.
The commissioners decided to open up the interview process to include anyone interested, instead of only “in-house” applicants.
Jerry Iles, who is currently the educator serving Hocking County, said he is interested in being Athens County’s full-time educator.
“I’m from here,” Iles said. “I’ve really grown to like being a county educator.”
Iles has worked in Hocking County for the past two-and-a-half years, but before working there, he did work with watershed management in Athens County’s extension office.
Although the interviews will be open to anyone, Commissioner Chris Chmiel said he thought Iles would be a promising candidate.
“I’m really excited about having a full-time educator,” Chmiel said. If hired, Chmiel said Iles “will be great.”
Eliason said he is also excited to soon have a full-time educator serving Athens County again.
“I’m glad we can afford to get (a full-time educator) back. We used to have one,” Eliason said.
The educator will be hired for the 2014 year, so the contract will have to be renewed for 2015 if the commissioners decide to keep a full-time educator.
Eliason said he hopes the county can evaluate over the year how effective a full-time educator is by tracking how many calls are received.
However, it might take residents some time before they are aware that a full-time educator is back in the county, Iles said.
“It’s going to take a while for people before they realize a person is always here.”
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