Extension Diversity and Inclusion Series was created as a result of attending the Tri-State Diversity Conference (now known as the National Land Grant Diversity Conference). https://diversity.ca.uky.edu/national-land-grant-diversity-conference  Sarah Stolz and Ronda Rex attended the conference and found much needed work to be done in Campbell County on diversity and inclusion.  They also realized that not everyone either in Extension or community member could attend the conference due to possible financial restrictions.  Therefore, in 2017, the Extension Diversity and Inclusion Series was created and conducted in Campbell County with the first year focusing on Living Authentically: A Transgender Perspective.  Due to the Living Authentically training, Boone has since conducted the same training for their staff, leaders and volunteers.  In November 2019, a second training was conducted in Campbell County focusing on cultural competency and intercultural conflict style inventory.  This training is a component of the Navigating Difference Training from Washington State University. http://ext.wsu.edu/diversity/

As a result of our work and leadership with Diversity and Inclusion programming, Ronda and Sarah were recommended in July 2018 for membership of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment Diversity Advisory Committee at the University of Kentucky. Dean Nancy Cox, approved our membership and we both are committed to serve a three-year term. We have attended quarterly meetings held in Lexington to offer thoughts and recommendations to improve Diversity and Inclusion programming and policy for the College and for the University.

 “Navigating Difference is a cultural competency training for professionals who work in communities.  Certified trainers offer interactive training workshops on cultural awareness to groups who are interested in working more effectively with others.  The interactive training helps participants explore personal and cultural values, biases, prejudices and views.  Through conversation and activities, participants learn how culture shapes us, how cultures are different and similar and how we can recognize our own culture(s), including our organization’s culture.”

https://www.cdext.purdue.edu/collaborative-projects/navigating-difference/

Sarah and Ronda attended a three-day training in Indianapolis, IND conduct by Purdue University Extension.  

“The training is based on the Washington State Extension Cultural Competencies and is designed using key adult education theory and practices that create a safe and welcoming environment for all learners.  The learning activities respect and support individual learning styles, and the participants’ life experiences are viewed as an important source of knowledge.  The intent of the program is to gain knowledge and skills that can be used when engaging in a new situation/culture, rather than focusing on specific cultural 

knowledge.” http://ext.wsu.edu/diversity/

The second annual Extension Diversity and Inclusion Training was conducted by Sarah Stolz, Ronda Rex, Ashley Holt and Mia Farrell from the University of Kentucky CAFE Office of Diversity and Nancy Calix, MPA, Director of County Operations and State Extension Specialist College of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment Cooperative Extension for Kentucky State University.  The training focused on Cultural Awareness and Intercultural Conflict Styles with seventeen participants.  The training was offered to Extension staff as part of the Kentucky Extension Reporting System (KERS) In-Service Catalogue to allow staff to earn credit hours as part of the career ladder promotion system.  It was also offered to community leaders and program volunteers.  

Ashley Holt, Office of Diversity (OOD), made opening remark, brought greetings from the OOD and introduced Nancy.  Nancy taught an interactive workshop to help participants explore personal and cultural values, biases, prejudices and views.  Through conversation and activities, participants learned how culture shapes us, how cultures are different and similar and how we can recognize our own culture(s), including our organization’s culture.  https://www.cdext.purdue.edu/collaborative-projects/navigating-difference/

Ronda Rex, Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences Education, and Sarah Stolz, Agent for Horticulture Education conducted the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory and assisted Nancy with various other hands-on activities.  Ronda and Sarah provided a healthy lunch by collaborating with Brighton Center’s Center Table which is a part of the State’s Recovery Kentucky Initiative to help end chronic homelessness and combat substance abuse.   WWW.CENTERTABLE.COM

Through the evaluation process conducted with seventeen participants, 100% stated that as a result of the training, they are able to identify with the values of their own culture and have the framework to help them understand cultural differences.   One hundred percent of the participants, through the activities conducted in the training, know people who can help them understand cultures that are different than their own.    Ninety-four percent of the participants now understand how their organization’s values affect participation in programs and service in the community.  

Participants made the following comments about the training:

1.  “Diversity is a complex issue.”
2. “It has been humbling to meet women who come from different backgrounds, but vulnerable enough to share their experiences with me.”
3. “I will make a strong effort to wait to hear another’s point of view before I speak, i.e. more patience and more open-minded approach.
4. “The most important thing I learned is knowing my intercultural conflict style.”
5. “Don’t judge people” is what I want to change.
6. “I need to keep in mind how we impact others and how we can change ourselves which in turn can change others.  Very eye-opening, caused me to look at diversity in an entirely different way.   It is so very complex.”
7. “To embrace the other person—listening, observing and sharing” is the most important thing I gained.
8. “How diversity touches all areas of life.  Prejudice can be anywhere.  We all have biases” is the most important thing I gained.
9. “This needs to be throughout the entire Extension system.”
10. “I would love to see this training offered at the other counties or at the CHI Epsilon Sigma Annual Meeting.”