By Marlene Fritz (208/364-4010 in Boise)

TWIN FALLS, Idaho--Bliss native Cindy Kinder has accepted the position of University of Idaho extension educator in Camas County effective Nov. 22.

Kinder will develop educational programs in crop, livestock and farm management as well as in community development. She will also provide overall leadership and coordination for the Camas County 4-H program.

Her emphasis will be on technology transfer, economics and environmental stewardship, including organic and sustainable agriculture. She will be active on a UI District III extension team that addresses issues related to high-quality, high-elevation forage production.

"I’ve been involved with Cooperative Extension and with 4-H my whole life, so I’m really excited about working with the community and educating both adults and youth," she says.

Kinder will complete her master’s degree in animal science from the University of Idaho this month. While working towards her graduate degree, she assisted the Meat Science and Animal Diseases classes. She conducted her master’s research on the growth characteristics of E. coli 0157:H7, Salmonella and Listeria in dark cutting beef.

Kinder earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science at the University of Idaho in 1997 and her associate’s degree in agricultural business at the College of Southern Idaho in 1995.

In addition to 4-H, she has experience in FFA and in the Idaho and Western states Junior Angus associations. This past summer, she assisted Ivan Hopkins and extension educator Bill Hazen with a study of factors affecting alfalfa hay quality in Camas County.