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Astara (Aster) Zuorski, 4-H Program Manager for Cheshire County
Astara (Aster) Zuorski has been hired as the new 4-H Program Manager for Cheshire County and started in June 2024.
Zuorski comes with 15 years of youth development and educational experience along with volunteer management, cultural awareness, grant writing, project and event planning skills. They have a heart to connect youth with their passions for learning, to grow belonging within the 4-H program and to expand the existing program. 4-H Youth Development’s purpose is to meet youth where they are and prepare them for what is next by building life skills and confidence and involving them as active members of Cheshire County communities!
Zuorski states, “In this role, I hope to be a part of a community-wide integrated process of connecting youth from a large variety of backgrounds to opportunities that help them grow into the people they want to be, no matter what obstacles might challenge them.”
Zuorski comes to Cheshire County with previous professional UNH Extension experience. During the summer of 2009, they served with UNH Extension 4-H youth development programs as an AmeriCorps member developing a community teaching garden at the Massabesic Audubon in Manchester, N.H. It was because of this positive, inclusive and engaging 4-H experience, coupled with their time of schooling at Antioch University in Keene, that Zuorski was motivated to pursue this Cheshire County 4-H Youth Development position.
Zuorski brings an engaging and diverse array of professional experiences to the 4-H role including a Waldorf teaching certification, having taught in both Waldorf and nature-based, place-based schools. They are also a certified Behavioral Health Professional with three years of experience working closely with behaviorally challenged teens.
Bringing people together for mutual discovery and service motivates Zuorski, “Some of my most favorite job opportunities have included the aspect of adventure: Sailing expeditions, bushwacking in the forest for science, creating gardens in empty lots, high and low ropes courses and more. In each of these opportunities, it has been necessary to meddle with the state of awe and curiosity. I most enjoy sharing these experiences with others and creating an atmosphere where others can learn something from the unexpected and ordinary.”
Most recently, Zuorski served as an AmeriCorp Land Management Coordinator for the Vermont Land Trust. Professionally, they have served youth and volunteers as a school-based teacher and behavior specialist in Maine and at YMCA Camps and the National Park Service. Zuorski is trained in Chainsaw and Safety Care Certified, GIS/GPS and as a Wilderness First Responder.
Zuorski has volunteered in Cheshire County with efforts and organizations including Standing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), Keene Pride Youth, Wabanaki Alliance and the Milfoil Protection Program.
Astara (Aster) Zuorski has a Master of Education from Antioch University in Keene, N.H. and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sciences from Eckerd College (FL).
Thank you to the Cheshire County Extension Advisory Council and the Search Committee of Kim Hudson (Cheshire County 4-H Volunteer), Aaron Moody (Cheshire County Extension Advisory Chair), Diane DuGray (Cheshire County Extension Office Administrative Assistant), Karen Deighan (4-H Program Manager, Belknap County) for their contributions to the search process. The interests of Cheshire County were well represented, and Extension is thankful to partner with Zuorski in this professional role – all working to benefit Cheshire County youth through 4-H Youth Development programs!
