Kristen Herrick worked as an NWC communications intern during her senior year at UNL. After graduating from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and environmental sciences communication in May, Kristen has started her career at the Nebraska Extension office in Otoe County as a 4-H Extension Assistant. Kristen’s experience in 4-H was highlighted by Nebraska Today, with an excerpt of that story below.
Kristen Herrick can’t remember a time during her childhood when she wasn’t involved in 4-H.
As the daughter of a Nebraska Extension educator, Herrick was learning through 4-H long before she was old enough to be a full-fledged member.
“Because my mom, Rhonda Herrick, was an educator in Franklin and Kearney counties, I was going to contests, workshops, county fairs — everything to do with 4-H — since I was little,” Herrick said. “I feel like I got a really full picture of what it takes to help young people find success and have a successful 4-H program.”
Eventually, Herrick did get to forge her own 4-H path, which she credits with developing her leadership and communication skills. Herrick is carrying those skills and everything she’s soaked up from her mom into her career. She is the newest 4-H assistant for Nebraska Extension in Otoe County and is excited to help guide the program. Herrick began the role in May, shortly after graduating from the University of Nebraska– Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and environmental sciences communication.
Starting a job as a 4-H assistant in May means jumping in head-first and learning the ropes quickly. Many 4-H contests, activities and fairs happen during the summer months. Herrick quickly got to work leading preparations for livestock entries in the Otoe County Fair in Syracuse, Nebraska, Aug. 1-3. In four hours on entry day July 31, Herrick oversaw the weigh-ins of 952 animal science entries from 316 exhibitors. In total, Otoe County Fair officials handled 4,093 entries from 4-Hers.
