Douglas Steele Recognized for Outstanding Service

Douglas Steele, assistant director of Colorado State University Cooperative Extension director of 4-H youth development, was recognized Oct. 16 with the F.A. Anderson Distinguished Service Award, which is given each year to a Colorado State Cooperative Extension professional at the state level for outstanding service.

Steele has created an environment for others to be successful by adopting an administrative philosophy based on enabling the staff to perform their duties to the best of their abilities, empowering volunteers to provide assistance for the delivery of quality educational experiences and enhancing all program and staff development activities through the effective use of available resources.

"Doug enables staff to be successful by holding open discussions annually with Colorado State Cooperative Extension staff, the Colorado Association of Extension 4-H agents, the Colorado 4-H Leaders Association and the Colorado 4-H Senate to determine the direction and priorities of the state 4-H program," said Milan Rewerts, Colorado State Cooperative Extension director. "In addition, he enhances the effective use of resources which is critical to the continuation and expansion of the 4-H program."

Steele adapted an expanded philosophy for 4-H by incorporating culturally diverse pictures, receipts and examples within 4-H curriculum, allocating more than $25,000 annually for 4-H expansion and outreach programs that address the needs of underrepresented populations and providing funding for special projects, such as Adams County’s Urban Farm program and Weld County’s project that specifically targets minority youth populations.

He has been or is a member of many Cooperative Extension committees and boards including the State 4-H Horse Committee, State 4-H Livestock Task Force, Directors Administrative Council, Colorado 4-H Youth Fund Board of Trustees, National 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System, National 4-H Strategic Directions Team, National 4-H Sportsfishing Program and the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee.

Steele has lead regional 4-H shooting teams by empowering them to provide workshops that have resulted in more county leaders being certified and an additional 225 4-H shooting sports members participating at the State Fair 4-H shooting sports contest.

In addition, Steele has served as a current or former member of the Larimer County 4-H Volunteer Leader, Colorado Kids Ignore Drugs, Colorado Asset Initiative, Colorado Association of Fairs and Shows and the National Western Stock Show.

Steele also has been recognized with the Outstanding New Agent Recognition Award in 1983, 4-H Recognition Award in 1985, first place from the State Turfgrass Communications Award in 1986, Regional winner from the Horticultural Information Series in 1987, second place state newsletter in 1988, National Model Program Recognition in 1992, first place state newsletter in 1992, Recognition Award in 1993, National Award Winner for promotional video in 1993, National Award Winner for educational video in 1994, North Central Region Collegiate 4-H Club of the Year in 1995, Group Award for Excellence in 1996, Superior Service Award in 1996, Distinguished Service Award in 1999, 20 Years of Service Recognition in 2001, National 4-H Leadership Trust in 2002, and the Epsilon Sigma Phi Visionary Leadership Award in 2002.

The Colorado 4-H and Youth Development Programs impact 110,000 Colorado youth each year.

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Colorado State University Cooperative Extension brings the resources of the university to you. As part of a nation-wide system, we call upon the latest research to help Coloradoans learn more about gardening and commercial horticulture, healthy eating, personal finances, community resources, agricultural technology, food safety, dealing with changes in their community, family relationships and managing small acreages and natural resources. Our youth development program annually reaches more than 115,000 children in Colorado. Our 57 county offices, serving 59 Colorado counties, help people use university expertise on the job, at home and in their community.