Tara Duty Is Newest Agent At Mercer County Cooperative Extension Office
The Harrodsburg Herald/David Carpenter
Tara Duty is the newest extension agent at the Mercer County Cooperative Extension Office.
April Ellis
Herald Staff
The Mercer County Cooperative Extension Office welcomed Tara Duty, the new family and consumer sciences agent, at a reception Monday afternoon.
Duty, originally from Lexington, moved to Danville a couple of years ago and taught family and consumer sciences at Garrard County Middle School. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a bachelors in child and family studies and a masters in family and consumer sciences education.
Duty knows her first year she will be engrossed in training, but looks forward to getting to know the people in the community the Extension office serves. “My short term goal right now is to just get acclimated to the county, build relationships with people who are active in our programs and recruit some new folks,” said Duty.
She knows there are several favorites, including the canning classes, and hopes to continue those while starting a few new ones.
“I know the previous agent was very well versed in canning and this is something the community really looks forward to every year, so I am looking forward to offering those classes again,” she said.
“Overall, I am excited to hit the ground running with different programs. My FCS area specialty is textiles, so I am looking forward to hosting different sewing and quilting classes.”
Duty hopes to see expanded participation in the groups and classes the Extension office offers. “Currently Mercer County Homemakers has three clubs and I would like to grow that by at least two in my first year,” said Duty.
“My long term goal is to finish my training and begin offering successful annual programs for the community to attend. Anyone with any ideas are welcome to call me or visit the office to chat.”
Duty also encourages community members to sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date on activities and classes. To sign up for the newsletter, call the Extension office at 859-734-4378.
I am interested in taking any sewing classes that may be offered.