Photo of Colby Burke, Extension

Colby Burke

4-H Coordinator and SNAP Educator

Summary

I am the Pershing County 4-H Coordinator, County SNAP Educator (for youth and older adults), as well as a business owner. My general work interests include community involvement and education of our youth to create productive healthy members of society that are well rounded. Personal interests include family, horses, ranching, farming, painting, and a trucking company. I have over thirty years of hands-on experience gained in educating youth in numerous volunteer positions. I taught three years as a substitute teacher, I have over thirty years of office experience within multiple departments, and over twenty-five years of hands-on experience in business including the raising of livestock, trucking, and farming. 

The UNCE Pershing County (PC) 4-H Youth Development Program currently offers 25 projects or clubs with 29 leaders creating an opportunity for everyone. 4-H youth ages 5-19 can participate in projects or clubs such as: Arts and Crafts, Baseball/Softball, Community (Lovelock/Imlay), Dog, Garden, Foods and Nutrition, Garden, Horse, Hot Air Balloon, Livestock (Beef, Chickens, Goats, Rabbits, Sheep, and Swine), Photography, Record Book, , Shooting Sports, Self-Defense, Sewing, and Snow Skiing. 

Along with the youth’s record keeping, offices served, and education acquired through being a 4-H participant there are opportunities to attend numerous events and clinics even if they are not a member of that particular project or club. The events have included but are not limited to Livestock (judging, showmanship, and butcher clinics). All youth are eligible to attend the 4-H Camp located at Lake Tahoe. Baseball and Softball in addition to the pre-season practices offer a clinic to all youth.  Shooting sports hosts clinics including an archery and trap shooting. The Garden club offers floral arrangements, succulents, and seed starting clinics. Community Club events include: scavenger hunts, group paintings, home decorating, welding, leatherworking, roller skating, parades, dances, and kickball. Furthermore, each club offers quiz bowls and fundraisers -such as an art show, fashion show, exhibit (county, tri-county and state), car washes, and the bbq.

Youth can acquire civic engagement experience through 4-H’s community service events which change each year. Previous year’s events have included: amending soil and planting trees, assembling military care packages, hot air ballooning with nursing home members, card making for numerous entities, apple harvesting, cleaning kennels and facilities for the county animal shelter, herb planting with the senior center, and working at an animal sanctuary- Safe Haven.  

All projects and community service opportunities incorporate evidence-based curriculum, which means it contains educational practices that have been vetted through rigorous research. 4-H is a learn-by-doing life-skills program that teaches youth communication, self-concept, team-building, problem-solving, decision-making, self-responsibility, conflict resolution, aspiration-building, goal-setting, community leadership and career development. Whether you are a youth interested in joining or an adult interested in volunteering please contact our Community Based Instructor, Colby Burke for more information.   

Education

Moapa Valley High School
Associates of Arts Western Nevada Community College

Programs

STEM project

Pershing County 4-H Youth Development

Pershing County 4-H Youth Development

pick a snack cb

Produce Pick of the Month

This evidence-based campaign focuses on building fruit and vegetable consumption in children through healthy snacking. Produce Pick of the Month is a monthly, in-school nutrition education program for primary grade children in at-risk elementary schools in many counties across Nevada. In addition to direct instruction, staff works with school wellness coordinators to build meaningful and sustainable programming to create a good environment in every school.

Courses

Education (69 credits) including Associates of Arts Degree. My teaching efforts besides the three years of substitute teaching are all volunteer positions. I have twenty nine years of hands on experience gained in educating youth in numerous volunteer positions. These positions to name a few include: 

 Moapa Valley High School Rodeo Club- Overton and Logandale, NV Student President (1991 to 1995): Four years experience as a student President- coordinating, fundraising, and hosting rodeos for over 300 contestants. Acquired experience in advertising, creating programs for sponsors, and management of a two day rodeo annually. Additional organizational skills were acquired during fundraising events which included: hosting a kid’s rodeo for ages pre-k to 15 during the Clark County Fair; numerous concession events; and a fashion show.

 Moapa Valley Future Farmers of America (FFA)- Overton and Logandale, NV Secretary (1991 to 1995): Four years of experience as a Student Secretary gaining knowledge in the process of parliamentary procedure, horse judging, livestock judging, and soils through competitions. I hosted numerous horse judging trainings educating team members with material acquired from the local Cooperative Extension Office in Logandale. Assisted High School teacher in creating quizzes, assignments and lesson plans for Agricultural Science classes. I also worked on the FFA farm learning hands on experience in farming and the cattle industry.  Nevada State High School Rodeo Association- NV Secretary (1994 to 1995): One year of experience as a Student Secretary gaining knowledge in the process of hosting a State Competition including fundraising and dance.  University of Nevada’s Pershing County Cooperative Extension- Lovelock, NV 4-H Livestock & Drama Club Leader and Building Board Member (2002 to present): Seventeen years of volunteer experience- coordinating meetings and event schedules, assisting with- fundraisers and livestock show and sale; as well as creating and implementing lesson plans for children ages 4 to 19. Utilized available computer technology including: laptops, copy machine, and projectors.

 Lovelock Junior Rodeo Club- Lovelock, NV President, Secretary and Treasurer (2000 to 2008): Eight years experience as a three in one President, Secretary and Treasurer- coordinating, fundraising, and hosting rodeos for over 125 youth contestants pre-k to eighteen. Acquired experience in advertising, ordering prizes, creating programs, funding and organizing concessions, which included the management of a two day rodeo annually.

 Pershing County Cattlewomen- Lovelock, NV Secretary (1999 to present): Twenty years experience as a Cattlewoman- hosting many events such as Alumni Ball, Fireman’s Ball, numerous luncheons and dinners as well as the annual sandwich booth at the Christmas Bazaar. I Gained experience in educating youth through Ag in the Classroom as well as facilitating Beef Ambassador Contest, Scholarship Committee, and the Father’s Day drawing contest.

 Girl Scouts of America- Lovelock, NV Leader (2002 to 2005): Three years experience- coordinating, fundraising, and leading Girl Scout troops with over sixty student members. I facilitated events with the community and children acquiring contacts and skills.

Accomplishments

I have successfully helped run a trucking company, Diamond J Trucking LLC., since 1998, as well as a ranch with farm ground and cattle since 2000 while sustaining other employment and volunteering simultaneously.

Work Experience:

 Glendale Restaurant, Convenience Store and Gas Station- Glendale, NV Store Manager, Waitress, and Gas Station Attendant (1993-1996): Three years experience working as waitress, store manager, and gas station attendant gaining skills in management and customer service.

 Nevada Ready Mix- Las Vegas, NV Clerk (1995-1998): Three years of experience working as an office clerk in multiple departments. Computer experience in: accounts receivable, payable, payroll, purchasing, and parts and maintenance. Mastered ability to create spreadsheets, charts, and graphs utilizing Excel and Lotus. Completed the data entry and aided in setup for new purchasing software.

 Diamond J Trucking and Livestock- Lovelock, NV Co-owner (1998 to present): Twenty-one years experience keeping records for personally owned trucking company, as well as a farm and cattle ranch. Acquired computer experience includes: Quick Books; Excel; Power Point, and Word Perfect- acquired through a Farm Service Agency class and personally applied learning.

 Southern Transport- Lovelock, NV Clerk (1999 to 2002): Two years part-time experience assisting in the day to day duties working as a secretary as well as liaison for numerous trucking companies. Acquired computer experience in GPS based software.

 Winnemucca Publishing and Lovelock Review Miner- Lovelock, NV Reporter (2008 to 2009) : Two years experience writing articles for the Lovelock Review Miner and Nevada Rancher.

 Coeur Rochester- Lovelock, NV Heap Crew Laborer (2012-2015): Five months experience working as a laborer and acquired basic knowledge in building a leach pad and the silver refining process. Accounts Payable Clerk: Two years experience working as the Accounts Payable Coordinator while assisting the Controller with Operation Meetings and reports. 

 Pershing County School District- Lovelock, NV Nine years total. Substitute Teacher (2009 to 2011): Three years working as a substitute teacher for pre-k to twelfth grade. Administrative Assistant (2015 to 2020): Six years experience working as Payroll, Human Resources, and as the School Board Secretary). I mastered software for ADS, EPES, Power-School, Infinite Visions, Tyler Technology, JCG Recording, and Infinite Campus. Implemented employment processing, insurance benefits, and negotiated agreement requirements. Ensured employees were paid in an accurate and timely manner in compliance with payroll and state laws. Facilitated School Board and Committee meetings, correspondence, and trainings while keeping minutes and records. Cross trained in Accounts Payable and Warehouse while working hand in hand with the Grant Administrator and Finance Officer gaining knowledge in multiple departments.

Service

I am dedicated and invested in the community as well as passionate for educating our youth. I have over thirty years of hands-on experience gained in educating youth in numerous volunteer positions listed below.

 Moapa Valley High School Rodeo Club- Overton and Logandale, NV Student President (1991 to 1995): Four years experience as a student President- coordinating, fundraising, and hosting rodeos for over 300 contestants. Acquired experience in advertising, creating programs for sponsors, and management of a two-day rodeo annually. Additional organizational skills were acquired during fundraising events which included: hosting a kid’s rodeo for ages pre-k to 15 during the Clark County Fair; numerous concession events; and a fashion show.

 Moapa Valley Future Farmers of America (FFA)- Overton and Logandale, NV Secretary (1991 to 1995): Four years of experience as a Student Secretary gaining knowledge in the process of parliamentary procedure, horse judging, livestock judging, and soils through competitions. I hosted numerous horse judging trainings- educating team members with material acquired from the local Cooperative Extension Office in Logandale. Assisted High School teacher in creating quizzes, assignments and lesson plans for Agricultural Science classes. I also worked on the FFA farm learning hands on experience in farming and the cattle industry.

 Nevada State High School Rodeo Association- NV Secretary (1994 to 1995): One year of experience as a Student Secretary gaining knowledge in the process of hosting a State Competition including fundraising and dance.

 University of Nevada’s Pershing County Cooperative Extension- Lovelock, NV 4-H Livestock & Drama Club Leader and Building Board Member (2002 to present): Seventeen years of volunteer experience- coordinating meetings and event schedules, assisting with- fundraisers and livestock show and sale; as well as creating and implementing lesson plans for children ages 4 to 19. Utilized available computer technology including: laptops, copy machine, and projectors.

 Lovelock Junior Rodeo Club- Lovelock, NV President, Secretary and Treasurer (2000 to 2008): Eight years experience as a three in one President, Secretary and Treasurer- coordinating, fundraising, and hosting rodeos for over 125 youth contestants pre-k to eighteen. Acquired experience in advertising, ordering prizes, creating programs, funding and organizing concessions, which included the management of a two day rodeo annually.

 Pershing County Cattlewomen- Lovelock, NV Secretary (1999 to present): Twenty years experience as a Cattlewoman- hosting many events such as Alumni Ball, Fireman’s Ball, numerous luncheons and dinners as well as the annual sandwich booth at the Christmas Bazaar. I Gained experience in educating youth through Ag in the Classroom as well as facilitating Beef Ambassador Contest, Scholarship Committee, and the Father’s Day drawing contest.

 Girl Scouts of America- Lovelock, NV Leader (2002 to 2005): Three years experience- coordinating, fundraising, and leading Girl Scout troops with over sixty student members. I facilitated events with the community and children acquiring contacts and skills.