Extension educator delves into

new programs, responsibilities

By BILL RICHMOND

City editor

After just over a month on the job, Randolph County Extension Educator for consumer family sciences and 4-H youth development Laura Dragoo Mickler says she's keeping busy and she likes it that way.

"It has been hectic sometimes," she said, "especially with my split responsibilities. I've always been a busy person - I'd probably go crazy if I didn't have something to do."

Mickler's first day on the job as county extension educator was July 21.

"We're getting ready to start a healthy baby program in the local high schools," she said. "We're also working on a family nutrition program and some things about financial literacy that I haven't decided what form they will take. We want to establish a variety of programs that provide information that families and some individuals who may be just starting out can use to operate a successful household."

She is also working to help the local 4-H program continue to succeed and grow. Besides being a 4-H leader for the past four years, she was very involved in 4-H during her youth and was a 10-year member.

"I did a lot of different 4-H projects and enjoyed the experience," she said. "Clothing and textiles were a special interest."

Originally from Parker City, Mickler graduated from Monroe Central High School and Ball State University. She now lives in Yorktown.

For her undergraduate studies, she majored in family and consumer sciences education. Her graduate work was in student affairs administration.

"I thought this was a really neat opportunity to do education outside the classroom with a variety of different audiences," she said. "I am very interested in Randolph County, being from here. I did my student teaching in Winchester, so I know the county pretty well."

Mickler has expressed an interest in writing a biweekly column on home and family-based topics for the News-Gazette. The first installment of that column should appear in a few weeks.

For more information about county home extension programs, contact Mickler at her County Fairgrounds Husted Hall office: (765) 584-2271.