Meet Gretchen Thornton

The new Family and Consumer Sciences Agent

Mike Johnson
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Gretchen Thornton is the newest smiling face at the Jefferson County 4-H Extension Office, taking over as the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent.
Thornton comes from the great state of Mississippi, known as the hospitality state. Growing up as the only grandchild and working on her family's farmland as a young girl drilled in the love for rural life and experience. With this passion for agriculture, she knew that the 4-H life was for her.
Thornton's thirst for knowledge was never held back getting her Associate of Science, in computer technology in 1996 from Co-Lin College. But it didn't stop there. She furthered her education with Co-Lin College getting her Associate of Art in Education in 2004, Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies Education in 2007, Masters in Workforce Education leadership 2009 at Alcorn State University and Doctoral in Agricultural and Extension Education of 50 hours from Mississippi State University.
Thornton loved to share her wisdom with the youth teaching science and social studies in the Mississippi Department of Education for two years. She worked for Mississippi State University's 4-H Extension Office as an agent sharing her wealth of knowledge.
After so many years, Thornton wanted to spread her wings and reach out to a new area of children, helping them become model citizens in today's society. After a good look around, she decided that Florida would be a great place to spread her roots and start her new chapter of life. Her goals of coming down here and teaming up with UF's Extension Office are to help with Nutrition, Child Development, Resource Management, Family Dynamics, Health, and Personal Development. The mission for all this is to help adult staff and volunteers merge with the community and develop skills in Family Consumer Sciences.
If needed you can reach Thornton either by phone at (850) 342-0187 or at her office location 2729 W. Washington Hwy., in Monticello.

Meet Emily Nolen

The new FAMU 4-H Program Assistant

Mike Johnson
ECB Publishing, Inc.

We are excited to introduce the new FAMU 4-H Program Assistant, Emily Nolen.
Nolen grew up in Oak Hill, Fla., where her love for the outdoors came from her family's citrus farm. Growing up as an only child meant work comes first, then play. However, when she did get the chance, riding horses became a hobby for her. Nolen competed in many different events, including western, barrel racing and Hippology contest.
This love for animals helped guide her in the direction of her first actual job with animals. At age 17, she worked for a doggy daycare on the weekends, which then progressed into working for PetSmart as a groomer. With each new job, many new opportunities presented them-selves, advancing from a groomer in a pet store to working for an animal hospital as a kennel tech and now as a certified Veterinarian Technician.
While working at many different jobs and rescuing four hounds from the local shelters, Nolen found a way also to complete her schooling. She scored 98 percent on her license exam at Florida A&M University, getting her Bachelor's of Science in Agriculture with a concentration in Veterinary Technology. She now holds her Veterinary Technician license in Florida and Georgia, allowing her to work in/and both states.
Now joining the Jefferson County 4-H Extension Office, Nolen is looking to re-start livestock programs where the community will learn and experience the raising and care of all livestocks and the process of field-to-fork life. Nolen will be returning livestock clubs as well as virtual programs. Virtual programs are helping the community social distance due to COVID-19 but still allow for the gaining and furthering of knowledge in livestock. With help from Nolen's team and Jefferson County Extension Office, they will be bringing back fairs, livestock shows, Hippology contest and equestrian competitions.
If needed, you can reach Nolen either by phone at (850) 342-0187 or at her office location, 2729 W. Washington Hwy., in Monticello.