Service District

Marion County Extension & 4-H Service District

The district's purpose is to build a stronger economy by fostering successful agriculture and forestry businesses; healthy youth and families; sustainable communities; and natural resources with education services including:

• Applied research for farmers, family forest owners, and nursery growers to solve disease, insect, production and conservation challenges.
• Volunteer-lead programs, such as 4-H, after-school, camps, Master Gardener, Master Food Preserver, food safety, nutrition, Master Woodland Manager, and Master Naturalist.
• Small farm development for food supply, community and school gardens, farmers markets, and agritourism. Marion County Small Farm Loop
• Noxious weed management to protect city and rural watershed health.
• Wildfire Preparedness - learn about wildfire preparedness in Marion County through the Fire Aware. Fire Prepared. Webinar Series 

Out There. Working in Marion County

On May 19, 2015, Marion County voters approved the formation of the Marion County Extension and 4-H Service District, which established a property tax rate of $0.05 per $1,000 assessed value to fund Extension programs.  The district serves all 20 incorporated cities, as well as the unincorporated areas of Marion County and works in cooperation with Oregon State University Extension Service to bring important services and supports to local residents. (Feasibility Study)

District Governance

The Marion County Board of Commissioners serves as the governing board for the district as directed by state statute (ORS 451.485).  Community Services Department Director Kelli Weese serves as the District Administrative Officer and Budget Officer. In addition, financial, legal, clerical, treasurer, and procurement services are provided by county positions. 

The annual budget and completed audit are available to the public.

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING

                                      Marion County Extension and 4-H Service District             

A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Marion County Extension and 4-H Service District, Marion County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 will be held at 555 Court Street NE, Salem OR 97309, in the Commissioner's Board Room, 5^th floor.  The meeting will take place on May 1, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget.  This is a public meeting where deliberations of the Budget Committee will take place. 

Anyone wishing to testify may do so by written comments to the Marion County Extension 4-H Service District Budget Committee prior to the public hearing on May 1, 2025. Written comments will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Comments may be mailed to Marion County Community Services, Attn: Kelli Weese Budget Officer, PO Box 14500, Salem, OR 97309 or e-mailed to communityservices@co.marion.or.us. To be included in the record, comments must include the commenter's full name and address or e-mail address.

A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after April 24, 2025 at the District office, 555 Court Street NE, Ste. 1236, Salem OR between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (503) 588-7975, or online https://www.co.marion.or.us/CS/ServiceDistrict/Pages/Budget.aspx.  A copy of the notice may also be reviewed on the county website, https://www.co.marion.or.us/CS/ServiceDistrict/Pages/minutesagendas.aspx

Kelli Weese, Budget Officer 

2025 Service District Meetings: