Posted: November 19, 2017

Bethany Bickel will assist state equine specialists with both adult and youth extension programs.

Bethany L. Bickel has been named Equine Extension Associate, Eastern Region, in Penn State's Department of Animal Science. She will assist the state equine specialists with extension programs, which include both youth and adult equine programs.

Bickel graduated from Penn State in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Extension Education, and has served as 4-H Horse Program Equine Extension Associate for the past nine years, where she provided support to the Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Program across the state through the development, management and coordination of programs. Earlier in her career she had been an agricultural sciences teacher and FFA advisor.

Dr. Terry Etherton, Head of the Department of Animal Science, said, "We are pleased to welcome Bethany to the Extension Equine Team. Her leadership in the state 4-H horse program has been outstanding, and will be invaluable as she works with both adults and youth in our very visible and successful equine program."

Bickel said, "I look forward to continuing to provide leadership with Pennsylvania's extensive 4-H horse program, and am eager to work with the adult equine extension programs, providing guidance to the state's important equine industry.

A resident of Huntingdon County, she owns three Quarter Horses which she enjoys riding and showing with her son, who also owns a pony. She serves as 4-H leader of a market hog club, along with helping other 4-H/FFA young people with project animals. Firmly committed to 4-H's "learning by doing" motto, Bickel is appreciative of the impact the 4-H program had on her life as she was growing up in south-central PA on a small horse farm and as an active member of the Huntingdon County 4-H Horse Club.