2002 Internal Compliance Review Report Excerpt
Best Practices-Overall Themes
| 1. | Broadening Agricultural and Natural Resources program content generally results in greater program participation by minorities and women. | |
| 2. | EAC's and boards/committees that include minorities and both genders result in better program participation by a representative cross-section of the community than when there is no committee/board or when that body is homogeneous. | |
| 3. | Having diverse volunteer groups tend to result in greater participation by minorities. | |
| 4. | Faculty who collaborated with other agencies/entities tended to expand their audience reach. | |
Best Practices by County
This portion of State Report will be disseminated to all counties using FYI and the web.
Charles County
Adapted and redesigned program materials for low literacy audiences, provided Spanish materials, and partnered with other agencies to provide accommodation for hearing impaired and special needs participants. Improved percentage of male participation in Initiative II by seven percent from 2001 (from 31% to 38.4%) by relocating programs; offered Basic Money Management and Estate Planning
topics in an attempt to attract males (with limited success).
Harford County
AGNR Educator has gone outside traditional programming in Initiative I to achieve greater participation from women (+5%). Hosted "Women In Agriculture" program, conducted small farm classes and equine owner classes. Active Master Gardener program collects participation data, not entered in MCERS, but will be for 2003.
Garrett County
New FCS Educator improved percentage of males enrolled in her classes by six percent over 2001, by targeting programs and program activities and sites (including group homes). 4-H Camp offers financial help to foster children and the AGNR Educator is working with the Amish community. The AGNR Educator is helping establish a Federal Health Outreach Center that will be available at low cost to Amish and other
clientele.
Montgomery County
Innovative livestock, horticulture, and youth programs are contributing to the achievement of gender parity in Initiative I. Utilizing web translator (automated) has not yet generated any complaints, but need resources to reach Spanish-speaking clientele.
Targeting audiences through collaborating with other agencies to identify specific needs, including outreach to military and emphasizing school programs, enables Montgomery County to achieve gender parity and diverse participation in FCS programming.
Queen Anne County
FCS Educator is working with two organizations that are predominantly African-American, including the State Highway Administration where Health Fairs and "Lunch and Learn" programs (attracting males) have been offered. FCS has also offered low literacy materials. Small Farm and Master Gardener programs attract female participants. Offered a Landscaping Conference using the Chesapeake College Spanish Department to do translation (print) and interpretation (voice). Working with migrant program to reach Hispanic youth. Hired a Native American to work with a grant-funded reading program.
Somerset County
Emphasis on partnerships with Seton Center has enabled Somerset 4-H to offer programs to Latino youth (including riding camp for underserved youth). Partnerships with other community entities support 4-H camp scholarships. Program Assistant is Hispanic and speaks some Spanish: this has enabled positive relationships to be established with the local Latino community. Somerset 4-H partners with Worcester county and Horn Point Environmental Center to offer an environmental science camp. 4-H clubs host each other to encourage interaction between mostly white /male and mostly black /female clubs. Low literacy and large print materials have been developed.
Note: Somerset Program Assistant and 4-H Educator Assistant have received several awards for their work with Latino and African-American youth.