By Mary Alice Murphy

"I am very excited to be back in Grant County where I belong." Jessica Swapp, who grew up in Luna and graduated from Reserve High School as valedictorian, has been named new 4-H and extension agent for the Grant County Extension Service of New Mexico State University.

She received a bachelor's of science degree in agricultural economics and agricultural business from NMSU, and a master's of science degree in agricultural leadership, education and communications, with a focus on Agricultural Extension Education, from Texas A&M University.

"My goals for 4-H are to recruit and retain membership," Swapp said. "My goals for the extension program are to create a better relationship with local farmers and ranchers and with the extension service out of NMSU. I want to build better relationships between extension and the community in general.

"My ultimate goal is to retire from here someday," Swapp said. "This is the job I went to school to do. I did a lot of research and preparation for the interview. I have a lot of freedom to bring new ideas that can be tried, done and implemented."

At NMSU, she was a member of the livestock judging team, which is relevant to her new position.

"In high school, I held state FFA officer positions," Swapp said.

"4-H and FFA are key to being a successful adult," she said. "They were where I learned how to speak in public, do presentations, deal with crises and work with much larger animals."

Grant County has FFA and 4-H programs. She said a new ag teacher has come on board at Silver High School and a new one is being hired for Cliff Schools.

"This position is a good opportunity for collaboration," Swapp said. "I'm a team person. I work alongside Judy O'Loughlin, who is local program director. I have enthusiasm, and hope I will be good for the community and Grant County as a whole."

Her employment previous to receiving this position was as the agricultural operations supervisor for Olam Spices and Vegetable Ingredients in Las Cruces. "The company provides spices to Kraft, McCormick, General Foods, and Taco Bell, among others. We specialized in paprika, and mixed spices in the tons of pounds."

"I have jumped into the busy time of year," Swapp said. "I'm very busy and I like it that way."