UNH Extension Welcomes Olivia Conway as Merrimack County 4-H Program Manager

UNH Extension and New Hampshire 4-H Youth Development are pleased to announce the hiring of Olivia Conway as the new Merrimack County 4-H Program Manager, based in the Merrimack County Extension Office in Boscawen. She started her position on Monday, September 14, 2026.

Conway brings a unique combination of personal 4-H experience, youth development passion, volunteer engagement expertise, community outreach leadership, and communications skills to the role. In her new position, she will lead and support Merrimack County's 4-H youth development efforts, working alongside volunteers, families, community partners, and Extension colleagues to create meaningful educational opportunities for young people throughout the county. The position includes supporting volunteer development, coordinating county 4-H programs and events, fostering youth leadership opportunities, and helping advance statewide 4-H initiatives focused on STEM, civic engagement, healthy living, and agricultural education.

A lifelong advocate for youth development, Conway's connection to 4-H began as a nine-year-old growing up on a dairy farm in northern New Hampshire. As a 4-H member, she participated in dairy and arts programs, local fairs, New Hampshire Teen Conference, the Eastern States Exposition, and national educational experiences that broadened her horizons and helped shape her personal and professional path. Her parents also served as 4-H volunteer leaders for more than two decades, giving her a deep appreciation for the critical role volunteers play in creating positive youth experiences.

“4-H had a profound impact on my life,” said Conway. “I am excited to return to the organization in a professional capacity and help young people discover their strengths, develop confidence, and build meaningful connections within their communities.”

Conway joins UNH Extension following her role as Coordinator of Grants, Social Media and Economic Development for the Town of Newport, New Hampshire, where she coordinated grant-funded projects, managed community communications, and collaborated with local stakeholders on community initiatives. Previously, she served as Associate Director of Marketing and Communications at Vermont Academy and held leadership roles with Circle Program, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mentoring and educational opportunities for youth. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated strengths in volunteer engagement, relationship building, project coordination, fundraising, communications, and community development.

“Olivia's professional experience, combined with her firsthand understanding of the value of 4-H, makes her an exceptional addition to our team,” said Wade Weber, Extension State Specialist for 4-H Positive Youth Development. “Her passion for helping young people succeed, her ability to connect with volunteers and community partners, and her commitment to creating opportunities for youth will strengthen 4-H programming across Merrimack County.”

As Merrimack County 4-H Program Manager, Conway will work with more than 100 volunteers and hundreds of participating youth and families, helping ensure that local 4-H programs continue to provide hands-on learning experiences that foster leadership, citizenship, life skills, and a sense of belonging.

New Hampshire 4-H Youth Development, part of UNH Extension, is the state's largest youth development program, empowering young people through research-based educational experiences that help them become caring, competent, and contributing members of their communities.