2007.05.21: May 21, 2007: Headlines: COS - Panama: Agriculture: 4H: The Daily Astorian: Panama RPCV Shannon Brooks is Oregon State University Extension Agent

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Panama: Peace Corps Panama : Peace Corps Panama: Newest Stories: 2007.05.21: May 21, 2007: Headlines: COS - Panama: Agriculture: 4H: The Daily Astorian: Panama RPCV Shannon Brooks is Oregon State University Extension Agent

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Panama RPCV Shannon Brooks is Oregon State University Extension Agent

Panama RPCV Shannon Brooks is Oregon State University Extension Agent

She studied to become an anthropologist and earned a bachelor's degree in the subject from Texas State University in 1994. After graduation, she joined the Peace Corps, even though her grandfather, a lieutenant general who had served during the Kennedy administration, told her it would be a waste of time. She learned Spanish and was sent to Panama, where her assignment was to teach sustainable agriculture in a rural "slash-and-burn" area. Although she wasn't able to encourage big changes in their farming practices during her two years there, she says just by being there she opened up possibilities, especially for the women in the village. "To see a woman who could live on her own and do a man's work made a big impact on some of the women," Brooks says. The experience marked the beginning of Brooks' interest in women's education - and even changed her grandfather's mind about the Peace Corps.

Panama RPCV Shannon Brooks is Oregon State University Extension Agent

It's 'fair' to say, small town 4-H, agriculture make perfect fit for OSU agent

By SANDRA SWAIN
The Daily Astorian

Caption: Oregon State University Extension Agent Shannon Brooks in her office at the Duncan Law Seafood Consumer Center Thursday. Photo: Sandra Swain, The Daily Astorian

With the Clatsop County Fair just a couple of months away and the Master Gardener program in full swing, this is the busy season for Shannon Brooks, the county's Oregon State University Extension faculty member for 4-H and agriculture since March 2005.

"Spring and summer are very busy. It quiets down in winter," Brooks says, taking a momentary breather from her crowded schedule. Her tiny office on the second floor of the Duncan Law Seafood Consumer Center is crammed with files, books and pamphlets. "Seventy percent of what I do is 4-H, 30 percent is agriculture - small farms and Master Gardener." She jokes that at this time of year it all adds up to 150 percent.

She's spending a lot of time with 4-H kids, helping them get ready for this year's fair, which runs from July 29 through Aug. 4. Raising farm animals to exhibit at the fair is a popular activity for 4-H members, who hope their pig or pigeon will catch a judge's eye and garner a blue ribbon. Members also work on projects such as clothing, cooking, art, gardening and archery. About 400 youth from fourth grade through high school participate in the county's 4-H program, which continues year round.

Brooks enjoys her job, and considers working with the 4-H program especially satisfying and worthwhile. "It has proven impact; it's been around for a long time," Brooks says, pointing out that a recent study conducted by a Montana researcher concluded that 4-H members typically stay off drugs, don't use alcohol illegally, do better academically and go on to get better paying jobs after high school.

"I believe strongly enough in it to base my career on it. I feel happy doing it," Brooks says. "It's a good feeling."

Brooks' career path took a couple of turns before it led her to her present position on the OSU agriculture faculty.

A self-described "Army brat" with three older brothers, Brooks is fourth-generation military. But she wasn't tempted to continue the tradition, especially after her late father "suggested I could find a better career," Brooks recalls.

She studied to become an anthropologist and earned a bachelor's degree in the subject from Texas State University in 1994. After graduation, she joined the Peace Corps, even though her grandfather, a lieutenant general who had served during the Kennedy administration, told her it would be a waste of time.

She learned Spanish and was sent to Panama, where her assignment was to teach sustainable agriculture in a rural "slash-and-burn" area. Although she wasn't able to encourage big changes in their farming practices during her two years there, she says just by being there she opened up possibilities, especially for the women in the village.

"To see a woman who could live on her own and do a man's work made a big impact on some of the women," Brooks says.

The experience marked the beginning of Brooks' interest in women's education - and even changed her grandfather's mind about the Peace Corps. It also steered Brooks toward a career in agriculture. She landed a job with the Foreign Agricultural Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, working with diplomats and setting up conferences.

After five years in Washington, D.C., Brooks again changed course. She decided to leave the 45-minute commutes and international conferences behind and go back to school. In 2005 she received a master's degree in Agricultural Education from Montana State University and was hired for the OSU position in Astoria.

It may be the perfect fit for the former Peace Corps volunteer, who missed "the interaction with families" she had enjoyed in the small Panamanian village. "I wanted to have that again," Brooks says.




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: May, 2007; Peace Corps Panama; Directory of Panama RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Panama RPCVs; Agriculture; 4H; Oregon





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Story Source: The Daily Astorian

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Panama; Agriculture; 4H

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