Arielle Pierce joins parish 4-H program

When Arielle Pierce was just a girl in her school’s 4-H Club in Collier County, Fla., she never dreamed she would one day be employed in a position to help other young girls and boys experience the joys and opportunities of 4-H.

Then again, maybe she did.

Pierce joined the Avoyelles Parish 4-H team March 1, replacing longtime 4-H leader Esther Boe. Boe was promoted to a 4-H position in Rapides Parish.

“I’ve got big shoes to fill,” Pierce said, “but I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”

Pierce said the one thing she immediately saw “was how warm, welcoming and friendly people are in this parish. I know it will be easy to work with this community.”

After spending eight years as a student in the Collier County 4-H program -- participating in leadership roles, youth demonstrations and livestock shows -- Pierce decided to seek a degree in Animal Science at the University of Florida.

STARTED HER CAREER

Upon graduating in May 2015, she returned to Collier County and worked as an unpaid intern with the 4-H program. That experience proved to her that a career in 4-H was for her. In October, dreams and reality came together and she was hired as an outreach coordinator in that office.

She has completed additional courses to sharpen her skills since then.

Her identical twin, Anneke, moved to Pineville a few months ago when her husband got a position with the U.S. Forest Service in the Kisatchie National Forest.

“She was searching for a job and saw this opening,” Pierce said. “She called me and told me it would be perfect for me, so I applied.”

Pierce is living with her sister and brother-in-law temporarily while she looks for a home in Avoyelles.

“It’s been fun,” Pierce said. “It was good to have family here when I moved. It certainly made it easier.”

She said she is looking forward to working with youth, volunteers, AgCenter staff and other agents on the parish, regional and state levels.

One special project is to continue improving and expanding the parish 4-H’s Fashion & Sewing program.

While it is primarily for girls, “we do have a few guys who are really talented,” she noted.

In addition to those work-related goals, she plans to “experience the Louisiana culture and explore the surrounding areas.”