Spotlight on: Sheila Kelley
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development - Elbert County
I’m Sheila Kelley, the 4-H Youth Development
Extension Agent and Interim Elbert County Extension Director. At a youth
council meeting last week, we all introduced ourselves and were asked to tell
how long we’ve been with 4-H. After a bit of calculating, I said I had
been involved in 4-H in some aspect for the past 34 years. The kids looked at
me like I was crazy – it seemed to make them think I was as old as
dirt!
I started my 4-H career in Yuma County when I was eight. I then
moved to Brush and finished the rest of my 4-H membership in Morgan County. We
lived on a small acreage and I was able to do chickens as well as gardening and
almost every other general project. I also was active in the consumer choices
team, although it wasn’t called that back then! I placed fourth at state
conference and thought that was a great accomplishment! I still have my medal
and all my pins!
I found a couple of photos which show me working on my
foods project (not sure the shorts would fit the 4-H dress code, but I was in
my own kitchen!) and child development where I did a lot of activities with my
two younger cousins who were also 10 year 4-H members.
I have three
sisters younger than me and they were 10 year members also. My mom was a club
and project leader and county poultry superintendent. Janice Dixon came to
Morgan County the year after I finished 4-H so I’ve known her a long time!
She’s been a terrific agent there! Sorry, Jan, this might kind of date you
too!
My husband, John, and I
have a total of five children through blended families. His daughters, Teresa
and Beth, are married and all grown up. Beth and her husband, Josh, have two
young children. Last year we attended the wedding of our son, Andrew, to his
new wife, Megan. They presented us with our beautiful granddaughter, Cadence
Lynn Kelley this July, right before fair. I really scolded them on their timing
- I mean they know what causes it and could have planned better for my
schedule! Ha, ha!
Our son, Matthew, is finishing his degree in Criminal
Justice in Rock Valley, Iowa. He is currently working at a home for young men
with special needs.
Sarah, our youngest, is a sophomore at Northeastern
Junior College in Sterling where she’s working on her degree for child
psychology.After heading to college after graduating from Brush High School (go
Beat Diggers!) I went to NJC and then UNC for a degree in communications. After
graduation I started work immediately for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at
their West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte.
I so
enjoyed this job. I was the communications liaison between 20+ research and
extension people and the general public. I learned more during those eight
years than all during my post-secondary learning. Some of the specialists were
internationally known for their research in agriculture and it was the best
learning experience I’ve ever had. I received my masters in
journalism/communications from UNL in the late 90’s. By that time, I was a
club and project leader for all three of my kids in their 4-H careers. I also
worked with the 28 counties of the West Central District to promote and
strengthen their 4-H programs.
After completing my MA, we moved to
southwestern Minnesota to work for the University of Minnesota. It wasn’t
a good fit and I left after a year. Since the kids were still in high school,
we tried to stay there so they could complete their schooling. (Sometime you
see me, ask me about my 4-H life skills story and my oldest son – I still
get
shivers every time
I tell it!!) We started a small embroidery and screen printing business in a
small town of about 2000 people. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. Small
town, main street businesses have such a hard time surviving in the economy of
the past few years.
I applied for the Elbert County position and was
hired to begin work in June of 2006. Our daughter, Sarah, went to school in
Limon and was on their state-bound softball team for two years. What a grand
adventure for her! An experience she’ll remember forever!
I’m
eagerly waiting for Cadence to be old enough to join 4-H. Her mother
wasn’t in 4-H but her father and I have already talked Megan into letting
Cadi start when she’s a Cloverbud! Unfortunately, that will be in Kansas
and not here, but we can’t have everything!