Friends and Neighbors: Erika Loy

Activity and involvement are a way of life for 29-year-old Erika Loy.

Loy, the Extension Assistant and officer manager at the Kimball Banner County Extension Office doesn't go to work each day for the paycheck, but rather for the passion she has for 4-H.

She has been involved in the program since grade school, she said, and later was active in FFA.

"I've really enjoyed 4-H and FFA and all that it taught me. The life skills, working with the animals, teaching others about animals and teaching different projects," she said. "I wasn't much of a seamstress, but was an artsy/craftsy type person. The future of agricultural and our country is based on what kids learn and I feel like 4-H can help with that."

The summer before her senior year in high school, Loy served as the Kimball-Banner County Rodeo Queen, and stated that she learned some of her public speaking skills during this time. Loy added that she really wished she would have gotten more into the public speaking while in 4-H and FFA, as she realized later that is something she really enjoys doing.

"I do a lot of teaching for the youth, so there is a lot of public speaking there," she explained.

Loy encourages youth to become active and involved in 4-H and with a a total of nine clubs, she added, there are subjects to appeal to everyone, including dogs, horses, robotics and cooking and sewing. Most of these clubs have been active for several years, but the most recent club, started just three months ago by Erin Heidemann, focuses on cooking and sewing.

Born in Kimball, Loy grew up in Bushnell and the 2004 graduate of Kimball High School went on the attend and graduate from Chadron State College in 2011. She married Deputy Sheriff Brandon Loy and together they have an 18-month old daughter, McKayla.

Although 4-H has been her passion, she added that McKayla will get to make her own choice someday to be involved in the organization.

McKayla already has her own horse named "Buttons" that was bought just before the toddler was born, but she prefers her mom's horse and once on the horse, the youngster would like to stay on for as long as her parents will allow.

Loy said that she shares her daughter's love of horses and she enjoys teaching others the art of being one with your horse.

"It's not just horse and rider separately," she explained, "it's in the partnership with your horse."