UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Two new endowments initially totaling $80,000 will benefit educational programs in Berks County focusing on 4-H youth development and consumer horticulture, Penn State Extension has announced.
A contribution of $50,000 recently created the Penn State Cooperative Extension 4-H Endowment in Berks County. Proceeds from the endowment will provide supplemental funds to help with 4-H operational expenses, salaries and wages, and 4-H member recognition for outstanding achievement. Funds also may be used to support awards or scholarships to college-bound or college-enrolled 4-H members.
An additional contribution of $30,000 has endowed support for consumer horticulture educational programs, including the Penn State Master Gardener program in Berks County. Funds generated from this endowment will help defray operational expenses, salaries and wages, and recognition and support for Master Gardener volunteers, including continuing-education workshops, classes and conferences.
"4-H and the Master Gardener program are two of the most recognizable programs administered by Extension throughout the state," said Greg Gnatt, Penn State Extension district director for Berks and Schuylkill counties.
"These programs also require the commitment and expertise of many volunteers, who help our young 4-H members develop valuable life skills and who extend the scientific knowledge generated by Pennsylvania's land-grant university to the citizens of Berks County. In an era of scarce financial resources, these endowments will help ensure the continued success of our local 4-H and Master Gardener programs."
Gnatt noted that interested residents can enhance the impact of these endowments by making tax-deductible contributions to the funds. To give to either endowment, donors can write a check payable to The Pennsylvania State University, indicating either the Berks County Extension 4-H Endowment or Berks County Extension Consumer Horticulture Endowment in the memo line.
Checks should be mailed to Penn State Extension, 1238 County Welfare Road, Suite 110, Berks County Ag Center, Leesport, PA 19533-9709. For more information, the office can be reached by phone at 610-378-1327.
Penn State's alumni and friends are invaluable partners in fulfilling the University's land-grant mission of education, research and service. Private gifts from alumni and friends enrich the experiences of students both in and out of the classroom; expand the research and teaching capacity of faculty; enhance the University's ability to recruit and retain top students and faculty; and help to ensure that students from every economic background have access to a Penn State education.
The University's colleges and campuses are now enlisting the support of alumni and friends to advance a range of unit-specific initiatives.