Jay County has new 4-H educator

Erica Widmer is on a learning curve.
Fortunately, she has plenty of volunteers eager to help her along.
“I will be learning a lot,” said Widmer, who joined the Jay County Purdue Extension Office in early October as the new 4-H educator.
“I didn’t realize how much the volunteers do and how many there are … and how passionate they are about it,” she said. “It’s amazing. It’s phenomenal.”
Widmer joined Purdue Extension after 12 years as a classroom teacher.
She received her bachelor’s degree in communication from Ball State University and her master’s degree in communication from IPFW in Fort Wayne.
Her teaching experience focused on speech, theater and English at Wayne High School in Fort Wayne, at New Haven High School and in her hometown of Angola. Along the way, she also found herself involved as sponsor of the high schools’ color guard.
“I’ve taught all over the state for color guard,” she said, noting that she worked with the guard at Muncie Central High School over the summer.
But 4-H will provide some new challenges.
“I was getting a little frustrated with the daily classroom thing, but I still wanted to make a difference in kids’ lives,” she said of the career change. “My best friend is 4-H youth educator in Allen County,” and that connection led her to Jay County.
Growing up, her own 4-H experience was limited to “exhibit hall stuff,” she said. When it comes to livestock projects, “it’s new for me.”
To get up to speed, she’s been busy attending 4-H Council meetings and Junior Leader meetings, and talking with volunteers.
“I know there are a lot of longstanding traditions here in Jay County,” she said.
At the moment, she’s in the planning stages for two open houses aimed at attracting new 4-H members. On Dec. 8 and Jan. 5, Widmer and other staff members will be at the Exhibit Hall at Jay County Fairgrounds to enroll 4-H members and answer questions about the year ahead.
Married, Widmer and her husband Jim reside in Muncie, where he teaches music at Longfellow Elementary School.
“I’m just trying to get to know everyone,” she said.