Click here for a Text Only Version

Schuylkill County       Cooperative Extension                   2007 Annual Report

In this report. (Click on a topic to download the PDF.) Message from the Director (also shown below) and Mission Statement County Commissioners and Office Secretarial Staff 4-H & Youth Development Family & Consumer Sciences Consumer Horticulture Agriculture Nutrition Education Program West Nile Virus Program Click here to download the entire Annual Report document - please note this is a large PDF and may take time to download.

	Message from theSchuylkill County Extension Director Paul A. Shealer, Interim Director (pictured left)
	Please note: as of November 2007 the Director is Dwane Miller (pictured left)

To our many program participants, volunteers and partners:

It has been 18 months since I was appointed as Interim County Extension Director and I am very pleased with the accomplishments we have all made as a team. Most notably are the relationships that have been built and rekindled with county officials, both state and federal legislators, and our own sister agencies in the Ag Center. Far more good things can be accomplished with cooperation!

The 4-H Program is another area where a few adjustments have been made in the past year. This has resulted in a smoother running program. Briana Shealer and her hard working group of dedicated volunteers have one common cause: to enhance the development of children and to teach life skills to our county’s youth so they can go on to be productive citizens in our communities. They do a fine job.

This year saw some changes in our Ag Program as well. Dwane Miller, our Agriculture Educator, was granted a six month sabbatical leave to pursue his Masters Degree. Prior to him leaving in April, Dwane did some outstanding programming in Agronomy and Pesticide Education. While Dwane was on leave the agriculture community’s needs were still being met by educators from surrounding counties. One of the great things about this organization is that when there is a void, co-workers will do their best to meet clientele needs.

Our Family Living Program has seen the addition of Kim Woodford. She has been hired as a part-time Nutrition Education Program (NEP) Educator. She has been a real asset to the program in that she has been able to reach audiences that we have been unable to reach with traditional programming. Yvonne Szpara, Family& Consumer Sciences Educator, has to be commended for securing the funds and for supervising Kim in some outstanding educational programming.

Master Gardeners are on the “Grow”. Susan Hyland and Kathy Wolfe continue to expand the program. Again in 2007 there was another training session for 13 new Master Gardener volunteers. Currently 52 volunteers assist the gardening community with quality education covering a variety of topics from composting to hortline and from trial gardens to regular newspaper columns. I don’t remember a time when two part-time employees and a team of dedicated volunteers ever accomplished so much for so many.

As my time as Interim County Extension Director nears an end, I look back at where we were and where we are and I can honestly say the office, as a whole, is better off. I, however, am not taking the credit. The credit belongs with the entire staff. I wish the best for the new director and am willing to offer any assistance I can to make a smooth transition.

Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank the Schuylkill County Commissioners, our state and federal legislators, and the Pennsylvania State University for making Cooperative Extension Programs possible. Our Commissioners, in particular, have lent outstanding financial and moral support to our programs. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the Schuylkill County Extension Association, as well as the hard work of the many volunteers who help to keep Extension thriving. Finally, I want to thank our fine secretarial staff for all their efforts.

They have truly guided me through the day to day functions of the office. I could not have done it without them.

As always, the staff of Cooperative Extension looks forward to the opportunity to serve the residents of Schuylkill County with quality Extension programming.

Sincerely,
Paul A. Shealer
Interim County Extension Director

Return to the top.