Coming&going

Agriculture

A Chico State agriculture business graduate has been named the new director for the California Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Program. Sarah Mora started work March 12 in Sacramento after having managed the Contra Costa County Farm Bureau, where she had worked since 1996. The YF&R program oversees those ages 18 to 35 who are active in agricultural leadership. Mora said she’s looking forward to working with young people, helping to develop their skills. “I’m very excited to be here,” she said.Butte College this month sent a dozen “Ag Ambassadors” to a statewide student leadership conference in Visalia. The college’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Ambassadors club members competed in several categories of public speaking, and agriculture science major Alice Parks garnered a second-place award for extemporaneous speaking. Also attending were: Drew Becker, Megan Brown, Kipp Ford, Aaron Goff, Kandi Manhart, T.J. Martin, Lisa Norfolk, Todd Quist, Dana Rouse, Bobbi Jo Smith and Lindsay Willadsen.

Media

KIXE, the Northstate’s public television station, has hired Heather Rardin to serve as both the Ready to Learn coordinator and the administrator of the Preschool Education Project, which teaches child-care providers how to use PBS programming in class and at home. Rardin is from Corning and holds a bachelor’s degree in child development and program administration.

Education

Dozens of Chico students and classrooms garnered awards in the 2001 Science Fair held March 7-11 at the Silver Dollar Fair Grounds. The Dean’s Award— chosen by Chico State’s Roger Lederer—went to Nadine Montoya‘s first-and-second-grade class at the Four Winds of Indian Education school. There were also winners at each grade level.Patricia Smiley, who teaches Introduction to Dance at Chico State as a member of the physical education and exercise science department, has had the class nominated as an “exemplary WebCT course.”

Donations

The Paradise Community Foundation has announced the distribution of $12,700 to area nonprofit organizations. The Penny Fund, targeted to help meet human needs and support animal welfare, provided money to 18 groups this month, with gifts ranging in size from $200 to $2,000.