While he was chief of the Colorado State Patrol, Mark Trostel brought Extension new connections and opportunities. Trostel has been connected to Extension since his days as a 4-H member. In fact, he contributes his success in part to the character he developed through his 4-H experiences. Over the years he has been involved with Extension as a 4-H leader and state advisory committee member.

Now retired from the State Patrol, Chief Trostel worked tirelessly to provide leadership for numerous county project seminars, starting and sustaining a 4-H club, on state advisory subcommittees, and for county fair events. He has been an outstanding advocate for Extension in his county, on a state level, and nationally. On the national level, he addressed participants at the triennial meeting of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, where he promoted partnerships with Extension and its role in local communities. Because of his advocacy, the Department of Public Safety uses Extension as an educational resource.

Volunteer Pro� le: Community Development

Volunteer Pro� le: Colorado Master Gardener sm

Ask Kata Schmidt why she volunteers for Extension and she will tell you it is all about helping people. As a Colorado Master Gardener in Pueblo, she takes her message on the road every year, working in urban areas and across county lines to encourage others in their gardening endeavors. Her mission is simple: make it easy for people to grow their own food.

“I like making opportunities for people, to teach them how to feed themselves and their families,” she says. Volunteering over 160 hours per year, Schmidt reaches out to young and old alike; holding seminars in elementary schools and libraries, at community gardens, and garden and home shows.

In 2004, Schmidt joined the Master Composters in Boulder County, then moved south to Pueblo where she has donated

her time as a Master Food Preserver and Colorado Master Gardener. Her passion for gardening inspires over 1,600 people annually to � ex their green thumbs.

Barbara Holthaus has nearly sixty years of involvement with and service to Extension and 4-H youth development programs in Colorado. She started her � rst 4-H club, the Lucky Leaf 4-H Club, in 1947 and subsequently organized two more clubs.

From 1948 to 1980, Holthaus presented workshops to 4-H clubs, and judged exhibits, demonstrations, and contests throughout the state and at the Colorado State Fair. Her three daughters were involved as 4-H members and won national awards. Now, some of Holthaus’s grandchildren are enrolled in 4-H, while others have already graduated from the program. Her daughters have also served as volunteers.

In 1990 the Holthaus family, under Barbara’s leadership, established a Colorado State University scholarship endowment designed to recognize 4-H youth for their contributions to leadership and citizenship in the program.

She served on the Colorado Extension Advisory Council, lending her forward thinking perspective and her ability to creatively address tough programming, policy, and funding issues.

Holthaus has touched the lives of thousands of people by her generosity, commitment to building community, integrity, and dedication. She stays involved because she believes in the power of giving and she truly cares about the organizations and the people who are part of them.

Volunteer Pro� le: 4-H Youth Development

Colorado State University ExtensionCounty and Area O� ces

• 1,540 CMG volunteers• 55,230 reported hours contributed• 113,120 One-to-one contacts reported

Youth Gardening Projects• 200 CMG volunteers working in youth programs• 2,000 Volunteer hours in youth programs• 8,000 Youth reached in CMG youth program• At one school, young gardeners raised approximately 317 pounds of produce, valued at $922.95.

Colorado Master Gardenersm (CMG)Facts and Figures

Native Plant Masters• 460 NPM volunteers• 58,624 reported hours contributed

• 6,151 volunteer leaders• 787,328 estimated hours contributed

4-H Youth Development

Master Food Safety Advisors34 MFSA volunteers•

• 1,382 reported hours contributed

Adams................... (303) 637-8100 Arapahoe.............. (303) 730-1920 Archuleta.............. (970) 264-5931 Boulder.................. (303) 678-6238 Broomfi eld............ (720) 887-2286 Chaff ee................... (719) 539-6447 Custer..................... (719) 783-2514 Denver................... (720) 913-5270 Dolores.................. (970) 677-2283 Douglas................. (720) 733-6930 Eagle...................... (970) 328-8630 El Paso................... (719) 520-7675 Elbert..................... (719) 541-2361 Fremont................ (719) 276-7390 Garfi eld................. (970) 625-3969 Gilpin.................... (303) 582-9106 Golden Plains Area:

• Kit Carson....... (719) 346-5571 • Phillips............ (970) 854-3616 • Sedgwick......... (970) 474-3479 • Washington..... (970) 345-2287 • Yuma................ (970) 332-4151

Grand.................... (970) 724-3436 Gunnison.............. (970) 641-1260 Huerfano............... (719) 738-2170 Jackson.................. (970) 723-4298 Jeff erson................ (303) 271-6620 La Plata................. (970) 247-4355 Larimer.................. (970) 498-6000 Las Animas........... (719) 846-6881Lincoln.................. (719) 743-2542 Logan..................... (970) 522-3200 Moff at.................... (970) 824-9180 Montezuma........... (970) 565-3123 Morgan.................. (970) 542-3540 Park........................ (719) 836-4293 Pueblo.................... (719) 583-6566 Rio Blanco............. (970) 878-9490 Routt...................... (970) 879-0825

San Luis Valley Area O� ce ................................(719) 852-7381

• Alamosa• Conejos• Costilla• Mineral• Rio Grande• Saguache

Southeast Area:• Baca................. (719) 523-6971 • Bent................. (719) 456-0764 • Cheyenne........ (719) 767-5716 • Crowley........... (719) 267-5243 • Kiowa............... (719) 438-5321• Otero............... (719) 254-7608• Prowers .......... (719) 336-7734

San Miguel............ (970) 327-4393 Summit.................. (970) 668-3595 Teller...................... (719) 689-2552 Tri River Area:

• Delta................ (970) 874-2195 • Mesa................ (970) 244-1834• Montrose......... (970) 249-3935

Weld....................... (970) 304-6535

She served on the Colorado Extension Advisory Council, lending her forward thinking perspective and her ability to creatively address tough programming, policy, and funding issues.

Holthaus has touched the lives of thousands of people by her generosity, commitment to building community, integrity, and dedication. She stays involved because she believes in the power of giving and she truly cares about the organizations and the people who are part of them.

• 58,624 reported hours contributed

Colorado State University Extension Communications, April, 2010

While he was chief of the Colorado State Patrol, Mark Trostel brought Extension new connections and opportunities. Trostel has been connected to Extension since his days as a 4-H member. In fact, he contributes his success in part to

Volunteer Pro� le: Community Development Colorado State University ExtensionCounty and Area O� ces

Issued in furtherance of Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agri-culture, Deborah J. Young, Director, Colorado State University Extension. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity, a� rmative action institution. � e University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.

Volunteers

Farmers and ranchers have always been an important asset to Extension programs. Producers are crucial in conducting farm- or ranch-based agricultural research. By allowing CSU Extension sta� to use a working farm or ranch for research purposes, scienti� c � ndings carry real-world credibility.

Producers are o� en asked to present at conferences and workshops on topics relevant to other farmers and ranchers, adding an essential peer-to-peer learning aspect to Extension educational outreach.

Additionally, producers function as mentors to beginning farmers and ranchers in the Colorado Building Farmers program. � e

relationship continues as producers serve on advisory boards and share the message of CSU Extension with their peers.

Extension agents develop programs that address the educational needs of county and area residents. Local advisory groups, made up of volunteers representing a cross-section of the community, help them to further identify local issues.

Th e Colorado Extension Advisory Council (CEAC) includes individuals selected for their leadership, demonstrated concern, and involvement in signi� cant areas of social and economic issues in Colorado. In addition, there are ex-o� cio members representing the Colorado Farm Bureau, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Colorado Counties Inc., Green Industry of Colorado and the Colorado Association of Family and Community Education.

� e Council provides direct communication between the CSU Extension Director and leading citizens of the state for the mutual exploration of a broad range of educational needs and problems.

Shooting Sports Certi� ed Volunteers• � ere is a great appeal for youth to learn how to use guns, but it’s the long-term development of life skills that

members cite as the most important aspect of their involvement in 4-H shooting sports. � e 18-hour volunteer training is the most comprehensive program required of 4-H leaders prior to working with young people. Volunteers learn about program development, basic instructional methods, risk management, and essential elements of youth development.

Volunteers are certi� ed in a variety of shooting sports disciplines such as archery, pistol, muzzle loading, ri� e, outdoor skills, and shotgun/trap. Additional responsibilities include range safety o� cer, coordinator, coach, and instructor.

Colorado 4-H Foundation• Volunteers with the Colorado 4-H Foundation serve as members of the governing board of trustees as well

as assist with marketing and fundraising events. Responsibilities include recruiting board members who can make signi� cant contributions to the goals of the foundation, promoting the 4-H program and foundation, and attending quarterly board meetings.

� ey serve on committees, make an annual gi� to the foundation, use personal and professional connections to identify potential donors, and secure new sources of funding. � ey actively participate in fundraising activities such as the annual golf tournament, the foundation gala, and the 4-H Ford truck ra� e.

educational needs and problems.

Master Food Safety Advisor (MFSA) volunteers are trained educators who provide the public with research-based information on food safety and food preservation from Colorado State University and USDA.

Trainees become certifi ed aft er participating in 30 hours of intensive training on methods of canning, pickling, freezing, dehydrating, food safety, and prevention of foodborne illness. Master Food Safety

Advisors commit to providing at least 40 hours of volunteer service per year.

Master Food Safety Advisor activities include answering consumer phone calls, providing information at local farmers’ markets and fairs, conducting presentations and workshops for community groups and schools, preparing educational displays, and writing articles for newsletters and newspapers. Additionally, volunteers participate in continuing education opportunities throughout the year and are required to complete a recerti� cation exam every three years to stay active with the program.

� ere are currently six Colorado counties o� ering MFSA programs. Larimer County alone has 18 active MFSA volunteers, two of whom have served with this long-standing program for over 25 years. Formerly known as Master Food Preservers, they have seen the program evolve and expand to include other aspects of food safety education.

Volunteers in the Colorado Master Gardenersm program have played an active role in the education of gardeners for over 30 years. Program participants hone their knowledge through 10 weeks of classes, beginning with basic botany and building upon plant health topics such as soil composition, disease diagnosis, insect identi� cation and control, and turf grass and tree care. � ese classes are taught in person and online by Colorado State University professors, specialists, and agents. During the � rst year, Colorado Master Gardener apprentices return 50 hours of volunteer time to the program.

A� er the � rst season, Colorado Master Gardeners continue to get 12 hours of training and give 24 hours of volunteer service per year. Projects are combined partnerships with the green industry, elementary and secondary schools, and community service programs to promote environmentally responsible horticulture.

Anyone can sign up to get to know the plants of Colorado, but to become a Native Plant Master, participants take three courses and give back some time educating others.

� e mission of the Native Plant Master™ program is to educate the public about native plants in order to foster stewardship, sustainable landscaping and management of weeds that threaten native ecosystems. As a result of the program, over 1.1 million acres of land in the state have been the target of weed control e� orts.

� e program is o� ered in 10 di� erent locations across the state. Volunteers who complete three courses and educate at least 60 citizens are certi� ed by Colorado State University Extension as Native Plant Masters.

More than 8,000 volunteers reach out to people throughout Colorado with Extension programs. Because of volunteer e� orts in diverse Extension programs, more people learn how to make better choices for their families, homes and, businesses.

Volunteers o� en delve into a subject area and are anxious to spread the word to others in their community. � ey are an essential part of Colorado State University Extension’s outreach.

Some ways that volunteers contribute their time include:exploring opportunities with the 4-H youth development program• growing the latest from the plant trial gardens to showcase to their neighbors• teaching Colorado residents how to care for the home landscape• growing fruit and vegetables and then learning how to preserve them• communicating the importance of native plants.•

� e U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics has established the current value of volunteer time at $20.25 per hour; the bureau has adjusted the value slightly higher for Colorado—to $20.84 per hour. Multiply this by the number of hours volunteers contribute every year and it adds up to over $18 million annually.

� e bene� ts to Colorado counties as a result of that investment can be measured in young people who are more engaged in their communities, improved harvests, family economic stability, improved parenting and family nutrition, saving water through appropriate landscaping, and individuals engaged in making their communities better places to live.

Bringing Extension to Local Residents

4-H International Programs• Volunteer host families are the key to the success of an

international exchange. � e mission of this program is to help young people and their families understand the importance of knowing about other countries and the U.S., and their respective cultures.

By living with a host family, participants from other countries become real community members, rather than guests or tourists, and discover daily life in the United States. Families are not paid, but rewarded with the unique opportunity to learn about another culture in their own homes.

4-H Youth Development

Extension Advisory Councils Agricultural Producers

Colorado Master Gardenersm Program

Master Food Safety Advisors

Native Plant Master™ Program

Volunteers with the Colorado 4-H program are involved in direct service to youth: teaching, guiding, and advising them in community-based groups. � ey work at county and state fairs, livestock shows, and in club and a� er school programs. As with all Extension volunteer programs, the Colorado 4-H program helps to ensure the emotional and physical safety of program participants by conducting national background checks of all potential volunteers who apply to the program. According to the national 4-H Volunteer Research, Knowledge and Competency study, a 4-H volunteer contributes an average of 128 hours each year.

Volunteers in the Colorado Master Gardenersm program have played an active role in the education of gardeners for over 30 years. Program participants hone their knowledge through 10 weeks of classes, beginning with basic botany and building upon plant health topics such as soil composition, disease diagnosis, insect identi� cation and control, and turf grass and tree care.

More than 8,000 volunteers reach out to people throughout Colorado with Extension programs. Because of volunteer e� orts in diverse Extension programs, more people learn how to make better choices for their families, homes and, businesses.

Volunteers o� en delve into a subject area and are anxious to spread the word to others in their community. � ey are an essential part of Colorado State University Extension’s outreach.

Some ways that volunteers contribute their time include:

Bringing Extension to Local Residents 4-H Youth DevelopmentColorado Master Gardenersm ProgramVolunteers with the Colorado 4-H program are involved in direct service to youth: teaching, guiding, and

advising them in community-based groups. � ey work at county and state fairs, livestock shows, and in club and a� er school programs. As with all Extension volunteer programs, the Colorado 4-H program helps to ensure the emotional and physical safety of program participants by conducting national background checks of all potential volunteers who apply to the program. According to the national 4-H Volunteer Research, Knowledge and