Author: Patricia Whitener

As the 4-H Natural Resources program Leader with South carolina 4-H Youth Development with the Cooperative Extension service, my focus is educating and connecting youth with our state's natural wonders. My responsibilities include working closely with state extension specialists and researchers located on campus and at the various research and education centers located across the state. Together, we provide expertise in topics including animal agriculture and veterinary science, natural resources and the environment, gardening, leadership and citizenship, personal growth and development, and science, engineering, and technology. In addition to school enrichment programming that focuses on STEAM learning, 4-H agents across the state host several summer day camps and partner with numerous other organizations to build sustainable school and community gardens. Independent projects are based in the hands on learning of environmental science, ecology, conservation biology, and Natural Resource careers.