Published: December 24, 2007 05:56 pm      

Extension agent focuses on youth development

Education and community service are equally important to Susan England-Lord. For the past 26 years, she has served as a West Virginia University Extension agent and is a WVU faculty member. During that time, she has also earned two degrees and is close to completing the third, a master’s in counseling.

“My job is 4-H youth development,” she explained, which includes teaching, research and service.

“I just fell in love with the whole concept,” she said of her job. “It’s something I really enjoy. Most people don’t understand that because it consumes your life. This is not a 9 to 4 job. There are a lot of weekend activities. To do a quality job, you have to invest that extra time.”

Young people who participate in 4-H range in age from 8 to 21.

“I love watching a young person develop, watching how they change over the years,” England-Lord explained.

Through the program, youngsters learn independence, as well as the significance of belonging to a group, along with the importance of generosity.

Youngsters may enter the 4-H program timid and shy, and emerge, through the years and projects, as a confidant leader.

“It’s wonderful to see that progression,” she emphasized.

Keeping the children interested in 4-H programs through their teens is increasingly difficult.

“You have to find something constantly to keep them involved,” she noted. One of the latest projects was a trip through 17 counties in the state, including a bear sanctuary.

“They got to see an eagle in the wild ... It was wonderful,” England-Lord said.

She is quick to point out, however, that none of the projects would be possible without the volunteers and active leaders — some of whom are former 4-H members — who assist with the program.

She also teaches volunteer leadership and character education, through which England-Lord provides training to organizations that work with volunteers as well as other teachers.

Her name is also synonymous with the annual Mullens Dogwood Festival, where she works to make a service to the community and a means for economic development.

Visitors who come to the festival get to see the type of people who live here and the hometown atmosphere. The festival also awards a scholarship each year.

Again, England-Lord emphasizes she could not carry on the enormous project without the assistance of numerous volunteers.

To relax, England-Lord writes. She has a children’s book, “The Adventures Of Andrew,” available from Publish America. Though the characters are animals, the book teaches that people are all basically the same and the differences make each one special.

She wrote the book while enduring some health problems.

“That’s my way of keeping it together — I write,” she emphasized.

The book was illustrated by local artist Sarge McGhee.

England-Lord knows firsthand the importance of friends and family. Early last year, her mother’s home burned. Over the course of following months, her brothers, Jeff and Larry England, along with numerous family friends rebuilt the house.

“The house burned Jan. 18 and she was back in by the middle of October, all because people helped us,” she said.

England-Lord credits her mother, Norma England, with her love of service.

“I do the things I do because Mom taught us to ... What I am is because of my mom.”