Getting acquainted New extension educator Andrea Brown is becoming aware of who is who in the county by addressing and stuffing envelopes for a routine mailing at the Delphi office. Brown said she is ready to meet community members and hear their feedback about the programs offered by the extension office. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe The position that former Purdue Extension Agent Paul Marcellino occupied in the Delphi office was filled last week by a new educator who arrived in Carroll County from Pennsylvania. Andrea Brown comes to the area with a degree in animal science and perhaps a slightly new perspective about how her position can integrate into the current agricultural scene.

Brown was raised on a farm in Maryland and in 2004 graduated from Pennsylvania State University. She developed an interest in all things agricultural while attending Penn State and has chosen positions which fulfilled her desire to work in the field.

She was a member of a junior livestock association, as well as the 4-H program in Maryland, as a youth. Before moving to Indiana, she worked for the American Association of Meat Processors, a not-for-profit, grassroots organization for small and very small meat processing businesses.

“I am interested in working with producers,” the new extension educator said Friday. “I enjoy the education activities of the program.”

“I really want to learn about the community,” Brown continued. “I want to meet people and learn how the office fits into the whole community.”

Brown said she has kept busy evaluating current programming offered by the county extension office since beginning her Carroll County duties. She said she will be working directly with the Carroll County Agriculture Association, will serve on the area plan commission, and will be involved with the county economic development corporation.

Brown said she “wants to have an open door policy” and invites all interested community members to visit her at the office on US421 south of Delphi.

“I am really excited about this position,” Brown concluded. “This job seems like a good fit for my interests. I wanted to move to the Midwest because my husband and I want to raise our son with the values and lifestyle you find in this area.”

Brown can be reached by E-mail at ahbrown@purdue. edu or by telephone at (765) 564-3169.