As a child, Kimberly Davis loved to talk about horses — especially in 4-H club competitions. She remembers traveling to more than 15 states.

Now all grown up, she still travels with clubs as the new 4-H agent for Douglas County. She coordinates 13 clubs in Baldwin, Eudora and Lawrence.

“I’ve got the whole county to cover, and in three months I’ve been to almost half of the clubs,” Davis said. “The ball is really starting to roll now.”

Her goal is to promote diversity in the clubs, appealing to urban children as well as 4-H’s traditional rural constituency. The organization has added three programs: theater arts, heritage art and visual arts.

“As I look forward to the future, I want to see that 4-H is not just for farm kids,” Davis said. “I want to try to break down those barriers.”

Davis became the new Douglas County 4-H agent Sept. 2, replacing Cathy Musick, who left in the spring for a position with the Gove County Extension Office.

During her first month on the job Davis shadowed 4-H agents in nearby Shawnee, Franklin and Leavenworth counties.

A 10-year member of her 4-H club in Hastings, Okla., Davis hopes her experience will benefit the 500 traditional 4-H members and the additional 500 members of 4-H’s after-school program in Douglas County.

“For me, I bring to the position a high level of enthusiasm and experience,” Davis said. “I just want to get 4-H’ers fired up.”

This winter Davis will help organize the annual Bromelsick holiday party at the Lied Center in conjunction with area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She will spend the winter evaluating member record books and coordinating club days in February.

Aside from seasonal events, Davis will organize the county’s livestock, public speaking, rocketry, aerospace, food and clothing activities.

“4-H is a family affair,” Davis said. “You don’t just have to do livestock or food, you can do anything.”

A southwest Oklahoma native, Davis completed her master’s degree in agriculture education from Oklahoma State University.