Jun 16, 2023 | AOC News
On June 16, the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) celebrated the graduation of twenty-four students from diverse backgrounds including County commissioners, judges, staff, and OSU Extension staff.
The County College program, sponsored by CIS and Oregon State University (OSU) Extension, began in 2006 in partnership with the OSU Extension Service, and for four years, ran every year. Since the 2009 class, it has run every other year in odd years. Designed primarily for new commissioners, judges, chairs, and high-level staff, the program offers a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities and authorities of a county, and a county commissioner, judge, or chair, including legal, government ethics, public meetings and records, parliamentary procedure, and much more.
Over six months, County College participants engaged in over 80 hours of educational programming from over 75 content experts and thought leaders. In addition, they gained hands-on experience with tours at the OSU, Oregon Forest Science Complex, the Oregon State Hospital Museum, the Marion Resource Recovery Facility, and the Marion County Public Works Facility.
In November, the 2023 County College class will come together again for a formal graduation ceremony as part of the 2023 AOC Annual Conference Opening General Session at the Graduate Eugene.
Congratulations to the Graduates of the 2023 County College Program:
- Chair Shane Alderson, Baker County
- Commissioner Christina Witham, Baker County
- Commissioner Kellie Jo Smith, Columbia County
- Commissioner Rod Taylor, Coos County
- Nikkol Taylor, Coos County
- Commissioner Brad Alcorn, Curry County
- Commissioner Jonathan Trost, Curry County
- Assistant to the County Commissioners/ Employee Resources Officer Miranda Rees, Gilliam County
- Commissioner Leah Watkins, Gilliam County
- Executive Assistant to the County Judge Delaney Watkins, Gilliam County
- Judge William Hart, Harney County
- Commissioner Mark Wunsch, Jefferson County
- Legal Secretary Kassie Austin, Josephine County
- Commissioner David Loveall, Lane County
- Commissioner David Sykes, Morrow County
- Commissioner Jeff Wenholz, Morrow County
- Commissioner Roy Drago, Morrow County
- Regional Director Nicole Strong, OSU Extension / AOC Districts 2 and 3
- Local Liaison Laura Corder, OSU Extension / Douglas County
- Service District Administrator Tammi Gaskey, Sherman County
- Commissioner Cindy Timmons, Umatilla County
- Commissioner Phil Brady, Wasco County
- Administrative Services Director Ali Postlewait, Wasco County
- Commissioner Kit Johnston, Yamhill County
View the entire 2023 county college program curriculum and agendas here.
Contributed by Kristen Paul, AOC public affairs associate
Jan 30, 2023 | Member Services
Twenty-six students from diverse backgrounds in county government gathered at Reser Stadium and the Alumni Association building at Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis mid-January for the Association of Oregon Counties’ (AOC) revered new member program, County College. County commissioners, judges, staff; OSU Extension staff; and partners make up the 2023 cohort.
The January session kicked off the first of five educational sessions in 2023 aimed at providing new commissioners, judges, chairs, and high-level staff a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities and authorities of counties and county elected officials.
The program, designed in partnership with OSU Extension Service, offers sessions led by professionals in core county service areas, including: community and economic development, finance, human services, infrastructure and public works, public safety, leadership, and management.
During the first training, participants gained insights on broad programming information about AOC and its federal partner, the National Association of Counties (NACo); government ethics; the history of counties and county structures; duties and responsibilities of county administrators; public records; risk; legal considerations; and partner organizations, OSU and CIS.
“This first session of county college has been terrific both to learn new aspects of our role in government, and to connect with new commissioners from across the state,” commented Baker County Commission Chair Shane Alderson. “To serve our constituents to the best of our ability means that we must always be willing to learn.”
Eleven instructional years into the program, participants are finding content to be as valuable as it was in its first year, in 2006. Originally offered annually, the program shifted to a biennial offering in 2009.
“AOC is proud to continue offering this critical service to our members. We enjoy seeing our members build strong relationships in their cohorts, and developing curriculum that benefits members, counties, and Oregonians from here into the future,” commented AOC Executive Director Gina Firman Nikkel, Ph.D.
The 2023 County College class will meet next at the AOC offices February 16-18 and will cover a range of topics including: the AOC legislative process, advocacy, and transportation and natural resources policy portfolios.
For more information on County College visit: https://oregoncounties.org/education/county-college/ or reach out to program administrator: Kristen Paul.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate
Jan 19, 2023 | AOC Business Partner
The Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service partners with local communities, providing trusted expertise and science-based knowledge to respond to local needs, challenges, and opportunities.
Our work is as richly diverse as Oregon’s communities. We’re helping kids reach their full potential and expanding educational access through 4-H and other youth programs. We’re encouraging resilience across the food chain — from pollinator health to farm and ranch productivity. We’re supporting sustainable natural resource management and enhancing health and well-being for every stage of life.
Our mission, put simply, is to help every Oregonian thrive. Our relationship with Oregon counties is crucial to fulfilling that mission.
A strong partnership
OSU Extension has a presence in every Oregon county and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Local governments provide important financial and advisory support, ensuring that our work is directed toward community priorities.
Twenty-six counties support Extension with voter-approved service districts or levies; nine others provide general fund allocations. Every $1 invested by counties in OSU Extension leverages $2 in state funding as well as federal, grant, and philanthropic funding. These county dollars directly support county needs, including facilities and local program support.
In January 2023, we were honored to again partner with the Association of Oregon Counties to offer County College. This biennial program provides a comprehensive overview for new commissioners, judges, chairs and high-level staff and opportunities to explore the strong partnership between counties and OSU Extension.
A look ahead
OSU Extension is one of three statewide OSU public service programs, along with the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station and the Forest Research Laboratory. These programs, known as the OSU Statewides, receive a state funding allocation separate from the university’s general budget.
Guided by stakeholder input, in the 2023-25 biennium the OSU Statewides will seek $206 million in state legislative funding, which is a $50 million increase. This investment supports:
- Full base funding to sustain program and service levels.
- New funding to bolster capacity and expand programming to support resilient food systems, natural resources, and communities.
While Extension efforts are included in all aspects of the request, they are the centerpiece of the community resilience focus and will directly benefit rural and urban communities by:
- Expanding proven Extension programs to support agricultural production, and in turn, economic development.
- Strengthening our network of field-based educators who provide nutrition, mental health, and physical well-being programming.
- Supporting college and career access and expanding positive youth development programming.
- Building more sustainable urban environments and community food systems.
- Expanding existing, effective Extension community mental health promotion and substance use programming.
- Build capacity to provide applied research and evidence-based solutions to help communities mitigate detrimental health effects of houselessness and improve other health outcomes.
State funding is a critical complement to investment by counties in OSU Extension, and provides for delivery of statewide programming that is responsive to local needs.
We value, and depend on, the support and collaboration we receive from Oregon’s counties. And we look forward to what we will continue to accomplish together.
We invite you to learn more about how OSU Extension is serving Oregon: extension.oregonstate.edu/impact
Contributed by: Dr. Ivory W. Lyles | Vice Provost, Division of Extension and Engagement, Director, OSU Extension Service
*AOC Partner sponsored article.
