Mark Manno’s 40-year career in Cooperative Extension included 26 years as a County Agent in Virginia (2 yrs.), Maryland (3 yrs.) and Delaware (21 yrs.). He then served as County Director (12 yrs.), State Specislist (9 yrs.) and State Program Leader (5 yrs.) in Delaware. He reached 15,000-20,000 youth annually in a variety of settings that included community clubs, afterschool clubs, school enrichment, day and overnight camps, Embryology Science and Ag in the Classroom, and initiated the first 4-H day camps in Delaware. As state specialist, Mark had statewide responsibility for expanding efforts to deliver programs to non-traditional and hard to reach audiences.
Mark was responsible for writing grants to secure extramural funding for 4-H programs, securing over $10 Million to fund and support afterschool programs, composting education, military programs, USDA CYFAR projects, International Youth Leadership programs, Department of State programs and initiatives of National 4-H Council including Health Rocks, Botvin LifeSkills, ODJJP Mentoring Programs, EYSC, ConAgra and many others. As state leader, he provided administrative oversight of 4-H Program. Mark was an active community member and volunteer on boards and committees for Delaware Public Allies, Friends of the Newark Library, Knights of Columbus, Newark American Little League, PTO, Newark Welfare Committee and others.
