Making you feel at home: A county commissioner's perspective

Doralyn Genova's roots run deep in Mesa County. "This is my home. I have a real love of this area and a sense of ownership."

Her family goes back three generations in Grand Junction. She was born and raised there and graduated from Grand Junction High School and Mesa State College. For the past 10 years, her commitment to the area has included serving on the three-member board of county commissioners for Mesa County.

As a commissioner, Genova helps determine the future of Mesa County, finds ways to provide public services needed by county residents and works with commissioners from other Western Slope communities.

One of the main challenges in Mesa and adjoining counties is how to cope with rapid growth. Helping her county develop a land-use plan that accommodates growth, but also protects private property rights and preserves and strengthens the area's agricultural tradition, is one of Genova's goals.

"One group that has been especially helpful in developing that plan is Colorado State University Extension," she said. "Nathan Moreng and his staff in the Tri-River Area offices in Grand Junction, Delta and Montrose always come to the table with ideas for us."

Moreng appears regularly before the Mesa County Commissioners to brief them on programs in the Tri-River area, which is composed of Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Ouray counties. Genova said the commissioners from those four counties also participate in budget discussions concerning the Tri-River Area Extension program.

She said Extension also helps many small farmers in the area survive and thrive. "Many of Mesa County's agricultural-related industries are very small. They've come to rely on the services and information from Extension to stay in business."

Additionally, many fruit and wine-grape growers in the area rely on Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station in Grand Junction for information to help make them more efficient -- and profitable -- growers.

Genova also praised the work of the local Extension staff and the leadership of agent Brent Young in trying to save a local grain mill. In that situation, Farmland Industries announced its intention to close a mill the company owned in Fruita. The Fruit Co-op stepped in and bought the mill and, with Extension, is developing strategies to keep it open.

"They're looking at new and 'niche' Crops such as weed-free alfalfa that can be grown in the area to take advantage of the mill," she said. "The costs of shipping a crop to a processor out of state would eat up our farms. In situations like this, we turn to the Extension office for advice. That saves tax-payer dollars."

However, the local Extension office doesn't limit its help to just agricultural-related topics. "Their activities touch all aspects of the county," she said. Genova cited the office's commitment to youth through the 4-H program and service to the community through such programs as Master Gardeners. She also noted educational efforts to improve nutritional health through Extension's family and Consumer science programs. "And, our citizens can call that office to get their questions about many different topics answered."

"Extension is important to the quality of life in our county. Its service to Mesa County is greatly appreciated and very beneficial," Genova said.

For more information, contact your local Colorado State University Extension office.

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