West Virginia native named as new 4-H extension agent

A Glenville, W.Va. native has been hired as the county's new 4-H extension agent.

Sara Drake started work here on Nov. 3 and has an extensive background in 4-H, said Carmen Long, interim director for the Alleghany County Cooperative Extension.

"We're very excited to have her on staff," Long said. "She brings a great deal of expertise to the program through her years of involvement with 4-H. We're lucky to have her here."

Drake said that she grew up in 4-H. "I took part in livestock judging, showed feeder calves and did everything ranging from cooking to photography to West Virginia history."

However, extension was not her first choice for a career. She first considered optometry and then thought about being a veterinarian. However, she decided that she wanted to work with people and, after volunteering to work for a summer with 4-H, decided to go in that direction.

Over the summer, she worked as a program assistant for 4-H in Marion County, W.Va.

She helped take children camping and worked with the district fair, sent out newsletters to leaders and teen leaders and took on other tasks.

Drake attended West Virginia University in Morganton, where she received a bachelor's degree in agriculture and animal and veterinary science.

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