I would like to welcome the new 4-H Youth Development Educator for Cheshire County, Holly Gowdy. Holly may be new to Extension but not to Cheshire County. She and her family own Brookfield Farm in Walpole, producing certified organic hay, forage and beef.

Holly has a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina State University in Animal Science and was most recently employed by the Holstein Association, USA, INC. as manager of Classification Services. She was a training coordinator and reproductive specialist for Hubbard Farms, LLC and a large animal technician at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Her experience in 4-H goes back to her college days where she worked with the Extension Equine specialist to organize the state 4-H horse judging, quiz bowl and hippology events. Holly is a 4-H volunteer for the Pinnacleview 4-H Dairy and Beef Club and serves as a mentor for the Frederick S. Hooper Institute High School Mentoring program.

She is excited about the possibilities of expanding the areas of science and technology into the Cheshire County 4-H Program. Holly will start Monday, March 2.