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4-H programmer prepares to leave
Nevada Daily Mail
For five and a half years, Chris Mosbrucker has helped build and lead programming for Vernon County's 4-H participants.
But after next week, she'll be moving on to greener pastures in mid-Missouri.
Mosbrucker, who has been the county's 4-H Youth Program Associate, has accepted a new position with the University of Missouri Extension as a Youth Specialist in Boone County.
There, she'll oversee a 4-H program in two counties -- Boone and Howard -- with nearly 650 kids. Mosbrucker said she'd be managing a 4-H program larger than Vernon County, which is the largest in the southwest area with just less than 400 youth participants.
Mosbrucker said that many aspects of her job won't change, like creating programs, managing events and working with kids. But she will now also manage two Youth Program Associates in those counties and be able to job train others, both tasks that are elevated from her current position in Vernon County.
With the excitement of trying something new, Mosbrucker said leaving Nevada is bittersweet.
"My family made Nevada its home. It's been great for my girls," she said.
Mosbrucker, who is from Colorado, moved to Nevada with her daughters nine years ago from Washington. Four years later, she found herself applying for an Extension position.
"I'm a 4-H mom and familiar with the program. So, when this position opened up, I said great," she said. And since then, Mosbrucker has been working to help build enriching experiences for 4-H families and those who volunteer with the program.
"I have loved working with kids, the program and all volunteers," she said.
Nearly two years ago, Mosbrucker began hunting for youth specialist jobs in the state after completing a master's degree, which enabled her to qualify for other Extension jobs. Unfortunately, she said, Vernon County does not have a youth specialist position. If one was available, she gladly would have chosen to stay in the region.
Mosbrucker said her relationships, both with 4-H and the community, in the area make it difficult to leave.
"I'm going to miss my 4-H Congress kids. I am so attached. They're like my own children. I'm really going to miss them," she said.
Leaving her theatre troupe isn't much easier. Mosbrucker has been involved with the Community Council on the Performing Arts, and has acted in five plays, spending countless hours on the stage preparing for shows.
"I'm going to miss the Fox and my friends at the Fox. They're a great group of people," she said. "That is one of the hardest things to leave."
In Nevada, Mosbrucker also taught speech and presence classes at Cottey College during the summer (which she will continue to do this year) and catechism classes.
But, Mosbrucker is looking forward to new experiences.
"I'm going to learn all there is to know about Columbia and the surrounding area. And maybe, finish those seven quilts... but probably not," she said, laughing. "It's very exciting."
To ease into the change, Mosbrucker will be transitioning between the two towns and two extension offices over the next few months, completing a few projects she's committed to.
"I'll be back and forth through the end of July to make sure everything runs smoothly," she said.
Mosbrucker will trek across the state to Columbia after her last day at the Vernon County Extension Office next week. While she's sad to leave behind a group of stellar 4-H kids, she said she's optimistic about the next individual who will help Vernon County's agriculture-loving youth.
"The person who takes this position will be great with kids," she said.