Moore

Saline County University of Missouri Extension has appointed a new 4-H youth development specialist. Tracie Moore took office in February to help provide educational leadership in the development and implementation of programs related to community-focused programs that promote positive youth development through 4-H clubs, schools and other youth-serving agencies.

Moore, 24, was born and reared in Marceline on a farm where they background cattle. She raised Golden Retrievers and raised and competed with her horses.

She spent a big portion of her life dedicated to being a member and a leader in the 4-H program. She was a member of two 4-H clubs, Lucky Star and New Cambria Heartlanders.

"I decided to be a youth specialist because 4-H has always been important in my life," Moore said. "I wanted to continue in a program that made a difference in my life and I wanted to give back to the program that meant a lot to me."

The position requires a master's degree with a minimum of 24 hours of coursework in education, learning theory and learning strategies, according to a position description for a Howell County youth development specialist.

Moore received her associate's degree in farm management with emphasis in equine science from North Central Missouri College in Trenton. She then furthered her education by receiving her bachelor's degree in animal science and her master's degree in general agriculture from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville.

Moore is serving as the youth specialist for Saline and Howard County. She works with 12 4-H clubs in the two counties which deals with about 400 kids.

Prior to taking the position here, Moore was a 4-H youth educator for Boone County from August 2006 to February 2007. "Boone County had a lot of committee work due to the size of the county," Moore said. "They have almost 600 members." Moore said she liked working in Boone County but she likes the small community and rural area that Saline and Howard County provides.

A specialist must posses personal strengths such as initiative and drive, capabilities as an educator, capabilities in information technology, and expertise in their academic specialty, according to position requirements of the University of Missouri Extension.

Moore and her husband, Jerry, are living in Marshall. They drive to their farm in Marceline every weekend to care for their pets and livestock. Moore is still raising Golden Retrievers; she has a mother dog with 14 puppies.

According to the MU Extension Web site, the 4-H youth development programs help children and teens become caring, capable, competent and contributing through a series of progressive experiences. The program focuses on needs of youth. It uses an approach that recognizes young people are part of multiple systems, including family, community and society.

Moore said she has been very busy since taking the position. "The program here is really strong and I would like to keep it that way," she said. "We have a lot of night meetings. Practically everybody I deal with in the program are volunteers so they work during the day."

Moore is just completing the embryology program in which students observe the process of hatching chickens. Southeast Elementary, Slater Preschool, Marshall Head Start, Hardeman Elementary, Glasgow Elementary and Sweet Springs Elementary all participated in the program, Moore said.

The 4-H youth development specialist develops programs and partnerships at all system levels to promote positive growth and development for all young people.

Moore has several programs on her agenda. 4-H Summer Camp will be June 11-15 at Dean Lake near Triplett. Clover Kids Day Camp will be held at Van Meter State Park on June 23.

Moore said her highlight so far working at Saline County University of Missouri Extension is "just getting to work with the people here. Everyone has been real welcoming. All the way around, they're just a great group of people."

Contact Rachel Harper at

marshallcity@socket.net