• About Cooperative Extension and Outreach Programs
• E (Kika) de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research
• Horticulture and Agronomy
• 4-H Youth Development
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Early Childhood Center and Laboratory (ECCL)
• Community and Economic Development
• Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
• Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program)

About Cooperative Extension and Outreach Programs

Cooperative Extension and outreach programs in LU SAAS synergistically link the university to communities throughout Oklahoma and beyond. A strong Cooperative Extension program is central to the mission of a Land Grant University. The aim of extension and outreach programs is to disseminate research-based educational information in response to the needs of producers and consumers. Limited resource household/small-scale beginner farmers/ranchers are LU SAAS natural stakeholders. Small-scale producers and businesses are empowered to improve their production systems, accounting, record keeping, and marketing systems to increase profitability and economic sustainability. Consumers are informed about decision-making that maximize their quality of life and overall economic well being. Making consistent outreach to rural and urban elderly, youth, and families continues to be a rich tradition of LU SAAS Cooperative Extension Program.

Contact Information:
Wesley L. Whittaker, Ph.D.
Dean and Director, Land Grant Programs
wlwhittaker@langston.edu

E (Kika) de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research

The E (Kika) de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research sponsors several extension/education activities. It supports farmers, small businesses, and local communities by providing various kinds of services related to goat production and marketing channels. The annual Goat Field Day, scheduled for the last Saturday in April, is a very popular event. Other popular, hands-on workshops include: Cheese making, Tanning Goatskins, Sustainable Internal Parasite Control, and Artificial Insemination. Due to workshop popularity, producers are encouraged to reserve their places as soon as a workshop registration form becomes available.

For more information or registration refer to:
http://goats.langston.edu

Contact Information:
Terry A. Gipson, Ph.D.
Research Scientist/Extension Leader
tgipson@langston.edu
(405) 466-6126

Tilahun Sahlu, Ph.D.
Director/Res. Professor
sahlu@langston.edu
(405) 466-6148

Horticulture and Agronomy

Highly trained Extension specialists and educators provide a network of gardening and other crop related programs and horticultural activities to educate the public and enhance the quality of life in rural and urban communities.

Contact Information:
Wesley Whittaker, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
wlwhittaker@langston.edu
(405) 466-6155

4-H Youth Development

The 4-H Youth Development Program at Langston University is designed specifically to respond to the needs of Oklahoma’s youth. The various components of the 4-H program at Langston University, focus on initiating success by empowering the young minds of our youth to embrace a higher level of thinking through leadership development, life skills, science-based educational activities, entrepreneurship, and importantly, activities to build good social skills for youths and teenagers. Supporting youth development in both rural and urban settings and continue to ensure that we train large numbers of youth in underserved populations around Oklahoma.

4-H Youth Development Program offers youth the chance to develop life skills, acquire knowledge and form attitudes that will enable them to become self-directed, productive and contributing members of society. Through hands-on educational experiences, members develop practices designed to prepare them for the “real world.”

Target Audience:

• Youth Ages 5-7 (Clover Buds)
• Ages 8-19 (4-H Members)

National 4-H Mission Mandates:

• Healthy Living
  • Healthy food preparation; Food Safety; Exercise; Drug and Alcohol Prevention; and Bullying Prevention etc.
• STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology)
• Agriculture; Animal Science; Food Science; Plant Science; Robotics; GIS/GPS; Drone Technology; Computer Science; and much more.
• Citizenship/Leadership:
• Public Speaking; Social Etiquette; Civic Engagement on Local, State and National levels of Government; Community Service and much more.

Contact Information:
Dorothy Wilson, M.S., M.Ed., Ed.D
Director/4-H YD/FCS/EFNEP
dwilson@langston.edu
(405) 466-6146

Family and Consumer Sciences

Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) provides research based solutions via education, applied research methods, and outreach programs in the following areas:

• Health and Wellbeing
• Parenting
• Life Skills
• Nutrition

Contact Information:
Dorothy Wilson, M.S., M.Ed., Ed.D
Director/4-H YD/FCS/EFNEP
E.L. Holloway, Room 327B
dwilson@langston.edu
(405) 466.6146

Early Childhood Center and Laboratory (ECCL) The Early Childhood Development Laboratory offers a quality-learning environment for the sound fundamental growth of children. The Early Childhood Laboratory is licensed by the Oklahoma State Department of Human Services (OKDHS) and is a 3-Star facility accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Contact Information:
Sonya Moore-Davis, B.A., DCoC, CoM
Director of the Early Childhood Laboratory
sydavis@langston.edu
(405) 466-3465

Community and Economic Development

Community and Economic Development Extension program at LU SAAS provides educational programs that assist individuals, local governments, and community organizations. The program collaborates with local businesses, communities, organizations and is dedicated to improving the economic, social and financial well being of consumers and their families.

Contact Information:
Wesley Whittaker, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
wlwhittaker@langston.edu
(405) 466-6155

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a federally funded program with a trademark for quality. Conducted by Langston University’s Cooperative Extension Service, EFNEP paraprofessionals work with groups, individuals and children to select more nutritional diets and increase their ability to manage a food budget. EFNEP makes a difference in the lives of Oklahoma families.

EFNEP provides nutrition education, cooking tips, recipes and money-saving ideas. Hands-on activities include: plan for savings, menu planning, label power, feeding children, breakfast makes a difference, food safety, and heart healthy choices. Participants earn a Certificate of Completion.

Contact Information:
Dorothy Wilson, M.S., M.Ed., Ed.D
Director/4-H YD/FCS/EFNEP
dwilson@langston.edu (405) 466-6146

Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program)

The primary purpose of the 2501 Program is to enhance the coordination of outreach, technical assistance, and education efforts, to reach socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in an appropriate manner and to improve their participation in the full range of USDA programs.

Contact Information:
Vernon Jones, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
vjones@langston.edu
(405) 466-6151

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