A new governor gives hope to budget woes regarding the 4-H extension program.

Budget cuts made to the program last year are affecting the funds needed this year in Illinois, including DeKalb County.

John Horn, county director for the extension program, 1350 W. Prairie Drive, Sycamore, said the program received a small portion of what it was supposed to get in funds.

“At the beginning of the year, we only received 25 percent in funds of what we were expecting,” Horn said.

Peggy Doty, natural resources educator for the extension program, said the money they got this month should have come several months ago.

“We recently got our first quarterly funds halfway through our fiscal year,” Doty said, “when we already should’ve been receiving our second quarterly funds.”

Doty said despite receiving the funds late they are still able to run the 4-H program without any changes being made.

“If we didn’t get the funds needed, then we would have to reduce our programming,” she said.

Horn said he likes how 4-H helps out students in the county.

“4-H centers around projects for students to get involved in,” Horn said. “There are lots of clubs for students in the program that help their leadership skills.”

One problem the program is facing in DeKalb County is a miniscule staff.

“There are 4,800 kids that are a part of the program with a staff of only two people including myself,” Doty said.

Horn said he has high hopes in Gov. Pat Quinn turning things around.

“I’m extremely hopeful about things with our new governor,” he said. “The extension program is well-established, and it’s something I definitely don’t see going away.”