Kentucky Cooperative Extension Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate Program
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate Program
The purpose of this program is to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive Cooperative Extension system throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We are establishing teamwork among the two land-grant institutions in Kentucky by building programs that are inclusive and equitable to all, and focusing on the organizational culture to better understand and value diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as social justice in our extension programs. These will serve as the building blocks of excellence for our extension system.
Program Objectives
- Increase knowledge around systemic and institutional racism and oppression.
- Define anti-racism and identify examples of how it is practiced by Extension agents in diverse regions and program areas
- Increase knowledge of the history of institutional racism within USDA and Cooperative Extension
- Recognize how race is constructed to support long-standard community power dynamics
- Identify ways to create a more inclusive and equitable culture in your local community
- Equip extension agents to help their communities engage in civic dialogues around racial issues.
- Identify when civic dialogue is needed
- Develop skills to facilitate civic dialogues in your community
- Apply knowledge and skills to a final project in the agent's local community or in support of change at the institutional level.
2022 Kentucky Cooperative Extension Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Cohort #2 Participants
Cohort #2 Participants:
Alethea Bruzek: Boyle, UK Family and Consumer Sciences
Chad Conway: Knott, UK Agriculture & Natural Resources
Ashlie Smoot-Baker: Franklin, KSU 4-H Youth Development
Kristy Porter: Pike, UK Fine Arts
Rachel Young: Jefferson, KSU Urban Agriculture
Lena Mallory: Marshall, UK 4-H Youth Development
Lawrence Caudle: Multi-Counties, KSU 4-H Youth Development
Sharon Flynt: Scott, Horticulture
Kim Lane: Morgan, UK 4-H Youth Development
Sherry Baird: Harlan, UK 4-H Youth Development
Kendal Bowman: Owen, UK Agriculture & Natural Resources
Program Curriculum
Unit One
The first part of the curriculum (unit 1) will be focused on knowledge-building. This will help us develop a common language and understanding of history as well as how historical events shape present-day systemic racism.
Unit Two
The second part (unit 2) will shift toward applying key concepts to our programs of work and to address issues/conflicts in our local communities.
Unit Three
The final unit will center around a final project where the agents can become active learners and move from thinking, discussing and analyzing to applying their knowledge toward social action. This final project can be an individual or team effort and can be applied within an agent’s local community or region or develop recommendations for our Extension system.
- Cohort #1
- 2021 Kentucky Extension Conference Poster Session
Cohort #1 Participants:
Lynette Allen: Breckinridge, 4-H Youth Development
Courtney Brock: Lincoln, 4-H Youth Development
Keenan Bishop: Franklin, Agriculture & Natural Resources
Catherine Croft: UKY CAFE, Office of Diversity
Latoya Drake: Barren County, Family and Consumer Sciences
Ryan Farley: Woodford, 4-H Youth Development
Carla Jordan: UKY College of Social Work, TRC Training Specialist
Kevin Lindsay: Fayette, 4-H Youth Development
Mary Mccarty: Menifee, 4-H Youth Development/Agriculture & Natural Resources
Alexandra Popham: Breckinridge, 4-H Youth Development
Bethany Pratt: Jefferson, Horticulture
Casey Townsend: KSU 4-H Youth Development
Cathy Weaver: Jessamine, 4-H Youth Development
Madalyn Wells: Fayette, 4-H Youth Development
Cohort #1 of the Kentucky Extension Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate Program showcased their final projects during the poster session held at the Kentucky Extension Conference. The purpose of the project is to apply the knowledge and skills obtained during the program in the participant's local community and/or institution.
Need More Information? Contact Us!
Dr. Mia Farrell
Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
antomia.farrell@uky.edu
(859) 257-3050
