Media advisory issued January 15, 2003, effective immediately.
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Noble Foundation Hosting 4-H Biotechnology Conference

ARDMORE — Oklahoma 4-H is holding its first-ever youth biotechnology conference at the Noble Foundation's campus in Ardmore. Foundation scientists will educate attendees about current developments in biotechnology and how those developments will lead to improvements in agriculture.

"Through focus groups, we have discovered a need for 4-H to establish a stronger educational base in the fields of science and technology. We have been looking for programs which help us teach youth about science, technology and its application to real life," said Jeff Sallee, state 4-H assistant Extension Program Specialist in science and technology.

"Oklahoma 4-H has always taught through hands-on projects. Since the Noble Foundation does real life hands-on research, applying biotech to everyday problems, we thought it would only be natural for us to work together on this program," he said. "Youth enjoy seeing the benefits of the application of technology, and Noble Foundation researchers can show them those benefits."

Dr. Bob Gonzales, administrative manager in the Foundation's Plant Biology Division, has been working with Sallee on the conference.

"We [Foundation staff] were asked for our involvement because of our expertise in biotechnology," Gonzales said. "The Noble Foundation strives to educate the public as to the benefits of biotechnology and wants to dispel misinformation about genetically-modified plants. This conference gives us a chance to reach young people who will then return to their communities and educate others."

Plant Biology Division director Dr. Rick Dixon, staff scientists Dr. Greg May and Dr. Rick Nelson, and Gonzales will be making presentations to the conference attendees.

The best methods for learning a subject are to apply it or to teach it, said Sallee, so the post-conference requirements for the attendees include teaching the national 4-H curriculum "Field of Genes — Making Sense of Biotechnology in Agriculture" to at least 100 other youth through school science classes or 4-H meetings.

"They will be sharing the information they have acquired and also learning the subject more in-depth," Sallee said.

Youths between the ages of 13 and 19 (must be 13 as of Jan. 1, 2003) who are interested in participating in this project should contact their local county Extension office for an application. Applications are due to their county Extension office by Feb. 1, and space is limited to 30 attendees.

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The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a non-profit organization conducting agricultural, forage biotechnological, and plant biology research; providing grants to numerous non-profit charitable, educational and health organizations; and assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs.

To learn more, visit the Noble Foundation Web site at http://www.noble.org.

More news releases available at www.noble.org/Press_Release