Extension’s Impact On My Life

by Brad Brummond, NDSU Extension Service - Walsh County

I can still remember my first contact with Extension. I had just got my best friend to come with me to a 4-H meeting at the age of nine years old. I was sitting there petrified that someone was actually going to say something to me. I got through this process and 4-H was one of the most influential organizations in my young life. 4-H taught me how to speak and be a leader. I held all the offices in our local 4-H club and learned to lead and speak. 4-H also taught me through its judging contests. I participated in crops, land, dairy and livestock judging. This gave me an excellent base for my future career as an Extension agent. It was my experience in 4-H that ultimately gave me my career in Extension. Without 4-H, I would have never considered becoming an Extension agent and I would have missed all the wonderful years of helping people.

I also would like to say I have had many high school and college instructors and employers say they can tell immediately in an interview if the person they are talking to was in 4-H. They tend to be more organized, confident and better speakers. If given a choice, I would rather hire a person with a 4-H background then one without. I have seen many 4-H members go on to successful careers and become leaders in their communities.

My father had a degree in vocational agriculture and used the Extension Service regularly in his farming operation. He liked the research-based information that was easy to read and then have someone talk to him about it if he so desired. The county agent and my father became best of friends and was a relationship that lasted a lifetime. Jerry Larson, the county agent, always has been my standard of excellence in Extension. He told me shortly before he died that he was proud of all my accomplishments.  I could not have been prouder.

Extension made my life better and gave me a career. I can ask no more of any organization.