Harlan County has a new agent in town, more specifically, a new Family and Consumer Science Agent at the University of Kentucky Extension Office. Heather Maggard states that she is super excited to serve her community through the Harlan County Extension Office.  She continued with stating that as the new Family and Consumer Science Agent, she will have multiple opportunities to serve our citizens, in valuable and meaningful ways.  She is especially excited that the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension program provides our inhabitants with research-based educational programing that will help strengthen our families.  Maggard continued by sharing, “I strongly believe that our families are by far our greatest treasure.”  

                     When asked why she pursued this position as a community educator, she shared a quote that served as a catalyst for her accepting the position.  The quote is out of the book of Ester and it states, “Perhaps this is the moment for which you were created.”  I believe this quote served as a confirmation for me to take all of my accumulative learning experiences, and apply that knowledge to support and embolden others.  Maggard stated, “It’s as if everything I am passionate about has woven together into one opportunity.”  When asked about her education and the experience she brings to the position she shared, that she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development with an emphasis on Elementary Education, she also holds a Master’s Degree in Middle School Science and Social Studies Education from Union College.  In addition, from Union College she obtained a Rank I Certification in Program Development and Assessment.  From Eastern Kentucky University she received an additional certificate in Family and Consumer Science.  I have about thirteen years of classroom experience, I taught all levels from Kindergarten to High School, and I served as a homemaker/stay-at-home mom for six years.  

                    When asked if she has particular goals with regard to this position she replied, “As an educator coming straight out of the classroom, I am keenly aware of the needs in our community, and it is my hope to educate and inspire our people.   Harlan County is a beautiful community with amazing resources, the most outstanding among those resources are the good people who call Harlan their home.  I hope to enhance, empower and further develop our residents, through educational programing.  I want to create a symbiotic relationship with our people.  I want to work cooperatively alongside our population, and glean from their immense wisdom, while sharing educational opportunities with them as well.”    

                   When asked about the effect the pandemic has had on educational programing, Maggard stated, “Covid19 and all the restrictions that accompanied the pandemic, weakened our community ties.  It is time to reconnect through opportunities provided by our extension office, because together we heal and stand stronger.”  Maggard wants everyone to feel free to reach out to her at the Harlan County Extension Office of the University of Kentucky, the phone number is (606)573-4464, and her email address is heather.maggard@uky.edu