I know firsthand how transformative local 4-H programs can be for youth. Having grown up in 4-H, and over the years serving as a leadert, volunteer, and parent to 4-H children, I’ve seen the direct influence it has on our children’s lives, shaping them into responsible, independent, and capable individuals. This personal testimony resonates with numerous Dickinson County residents who have also benefited from the 4-H program.

4-H involves more than 6 million children in the United States, making it one of the largest youth development organizations in the country [National 4-H Council]. This local youth development program is a vital asset in Dickinson County. However, our cherished 4-H and Extension Office risk losing funding, ultimately diminishing this pivotal program’s impact and reach.

Every single county in Michigan supports their 4-H Extension Office. The level of support is determined based on the population of each county. Currently, there is only one county in the entire state that does not provide funding support for their 4-H program, and that is only because their county cannot afford it. There was a time when Dickinson County faced a similar challenge and could not afford to support the program. The solution was to use marijuana tax revenue to fund it. Thanks to this remedy, we avoided losing our 4-H program due to lack of funding. Today, that is not the case here. Dickinson County can afford to fund this program. The issue is not a lack of resources—it’s a lack of willingness.

This year, Dickinson County’s share of Michigan adult-use marijuana tax distributions will rise to $232,915, an increase of nearly $56,000 from the previous year (Jim Anderson, Iron Mountain Daily News, 2/25/2025). With this substantial revenue growth, there is no reason the county cannot allocate a portion of these funds to support the 4-H and Extension Office.

One commissioner even went so far as to blame the taxpayers, claiming that they don’t want to support 4-H and referencing two failed millages from nearly a decade ago. This argument is both misleading and unfair. It’s not the taxpayers who would be funding this program—it would be fully supported through marijuana tax revenue already collected in the county. Blaming the taxpayers for something they wouldn’t even have to pay for is simply an attempt to shift responsibility.

Despite what some say, believe, and call facts, the reality is that 4-H cannot exist here without our local Extension Office. Furthermore, 4-H and other youth groups are not one and the same. 4-H is a unique program with a specific mission of empowering young people through hands-on learning, leadership opportunities, and community engagement, which requires the resources and support of our local Extension Office.

Our proposal is straightforward: we ask the County Board of Commissioners to re-evaluate their decision and recognize the vital role 4-H plays in shaping our youth. The solution is clear and already within reach: allocating a portion of the county’s revenue from marijuana sales taxes. This approach does not require raising taxes or drawing from the general fund. Utilizing these funds would provide a sustainable and steady source of support for the 4-H and Extension Office. Such an allocation is a fair and practical way to invest in the growth and development of the young people who represent the future of our county, state, and country. Our children deserve the benefits of programs like 4-H, and we believe the marijuana tax revenue could continue to secure these benefits for future generations.

Please educate yourself on what our local Extension Office does and why it is so vital! Paul Putnam, our local director, has been invited to share his knowledge with residents, and I strongly encourage you to attend any informative events where he is scheduled to speak.

Please join us in letting our county board know how many of us support and back 4-H in Dickinson County. Add your name to this petition and influence the county board to continue to allocate marijuana tax revenue to support our beloved 4-H program. Let’s stand up for our children, our community, and a brighter future for all. Please sign this petition today.