ROCHESTER, Ind. — Using a Hobo Convention theme to kick off the 2012 annual program for Purdue Cooperation Extension of Fulton County, Extension Educator Mark Kepler urged everyone to dig into the food bags placed in front of them. The bags contained a bottle of water, half a slice of dry bread and a vitamin pill.

“This is all you need for a day’s nourishment,” he admonished. Many in the crowd at the Fulton County 4-H fairground disagreed even when Kepler pointed out that in some countries, that bag of supplies would be considered manna from heaven.

In short order, food was served, Bubbles the Clown cavorted and an election resulted in a new Extension Board. Members are Tom Smith, Sue Geib, Carl Overmyer, Karin Fowler, Ellen King, Nancy Krom, Sandy Owens, Stephania Barkman, Penny Ramsey, Barry Scales, Rick Rock, Melinda Kamp and Dale Herrold. Herrold is president.

Kepler, assisted by Christa Holloway, Extension Educator for Health and Human Sciences, Melva Stamberger, Extension Educator for 4-H youth development, and Kandace Evers, FNP, highlighted in areas in which Extension helps Fulton County. These include electrical safety workshops, ag day, food and nutrition programs for students and parents, leadership classes and conservation activities as well as programs targeting better farm living and practices.

To illustrate how community works together, Kepler showed a photo of Gen. George Washington at the helm of a boat crossing the Delaware.

“He’s the leader,” Kepler said. “The man behind him holding the flag is the standard bearer. Each of these men has responsibility and authority. If one of them falls, another will assume his place. If one of them fails, you’ll read about it in the newspaper. That’s the way it is with community. Each of us – the men watching for the enemy, the men pushing back the ice, the ones just along for the ride – has a role. Without everyone working together, we have community in action. If one doesn’t do his job, everyone hurts.”