UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Nancy Stephenson and Robert Brown, both extension agents for Penn State Cooperative Extension in Bucks County, have been selected for the College of Agricultural Sciences 2003 Diversity Achievement Award, which recognizes faculty and staff who foster the understanding, value and promotion of diversity through their professional work.

Brown was hired as a 4-H and agriculture agent in March 2001, while Stephenson began as a 4-H and youth development agent in January 2002. Since then, they have developed several new youth clubs and expanded programs that target minority and at-risk youth in the Bucks County community. Brown and Stephenson also have recruited new volunteer youth program leaders, several of whom are minorities, to implement programs.

"I am impressed with the quality and level of Bob's and Nancy's efforts to expand educational programs for youth from diverse backgrounds," says Dean Robert Steele. "Programs like theirs ensure that diversity is promoted and understood, and that youth have an opportunity to enjoy the many experiences 4-H can offer. We recognize their highly commendable work with this award."

Stephenson and Brown worked cooperatively to establish youth groups that address life skills and agricultural topics for students in the urban areas of southern Bucks County. Their projects have included bringing 4-H programs to the Venice Ashby Community Association, which is located in a low-income, minority housing project. Over the summer, 40 local minority youth completed 4-H project books on numerous topics. Through a funding partnership with Bucks County Conservation District, the children also went on trips to natural areas and the Middletown Grange Fair, where they displayed their work and attended a meeting with the county commissioners.

"We've stressed subjects like public speaking, embryology, dairy production and environmental topics such as recycling, with youth who might not otherwise have the opportunity to witness a chicken hatching or experience the places we visited," says Stephenson.

Brown and Stephenson also organized the Big Red Scarf 4-H Club, a group at a residence home for abused children. Members completed projects in tomato and potato growing, embryology, gardening, poultry and beekeeping, and displayed projects at the county fair. Buffalo Soldiers, a 4-H horse club, has focused on both horse and tomato-potato projects for 45 minority residents of a second home.

"I've found the kids especially take a real interest in agriculture topics," says Brown. "The projects provide a stimulus that keeps their attention and they have so many questions for us. The plant and animal projects have really turned their heads."

"Nancy and Bob have made strong efforts to take Penn State 4-H to parts of the county where traditionally youth have not had a chance to be exposed to our programs," says Michael Fournier, county extension director. "We're following the college's goals to give everyone equal access to our resources. Bob's only been here two years and Nancy one, and already they've made tremendous progress in getting our presence to new areas."

Stephenson and Brown are currently developing summer camp programs and also designing more programs on topics including financial planning, job preparation, resume writing, computer skills, nutritional education and microwave cooking safety. Existing programs like Big Red Scarf and Buffalo Soldiers will continue to expand.

"The challenge now is to do some different things with these groups," says Brown. "We're working with our county horticulture agent to develop a flower project this year, and we might add pumpkins. For Buffalo Soldiers, we want to get them out to hippology workshops, and we're going to try to get involved in walk-trot competitions and work with a therapeutic riding clinic."

Stephenson and Brown are intent on creating new animal and social opportunities for an increasing number of Bucks County youth. "Everywhere we go with our programs, whether it's with youth-at-risk or low-income youth, our county's communities realize the importance of teaching life skills and using 4-H programs," says Stephenson. "It's been exciting to see, and the youth have responded very, very well."

The Diversity Achievement Award recognizes leadership in encouraging communal diversity and the elimination of discrimination. It is awarded annually and includes a certificate and recognition on a plaque mounted in the lobby of Penn State's Agricultural Administration Building. All full-time faculty and staff are eligible for the award and may be nominated by students, faculty, staff, alumni or clientele of the College of Agricultural Sciences.

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EDITORS: For more information on the Diversity Achievement Award, contact Dr. Catherine Lyons, assistant to the dean, at 814-865-7521.

Contact: Amanda Yeager aby104@psu.edu 814-865-3636 814-863-9877 fax #124

Chuck Gill cdg5@psu.edu 814-863-2713 814-863-9877 fax