Leslie N. Firth Named 2004 Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus
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Leslie N. Firth, former senior extension agent and director of cooperative extension in Mercer County, is the recipient of the department of dairy and animal Science, 2004 Distinguished Animal Science Alumnus Award.
UNIVERSITY PARK -- Leslie N. Firth, former senior extension agent and director of cooperative extension in Mercer County, is the recipient of the department of dairy and animal Science, 2004 Distinguished Animal Science Alumnus Award.
After receiving a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry in 1958, Firth earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in agricultural economics, all from Penn State. Firth has held numerous positions with the Penn State Cooperative Extension system, culminating in his appointment as Mercer County extension director from 1985 until his retirement in 1995. He then served in Poland as an agricultural economist for the Polish American Extension Project. Currently, he is owner-operator of Firth Farms in Mercer County.
Firth has received many honors and awards. The Leslie N. Firth Scholarship in Agricultural Science at Penn State was established and endowed by the Mercer County Extension Association and Friends in 1997. The Mercer County Cooperative Extension Center was named the Leslie N. Firth Learning Center by Mercer County government in 1994 to recognize and honor his contributions. In 1992 he received the Distinguished Service Award from Pennsylvania County Agents Association.
In 1988 he received the Extension Service Award from Penn State Cooperative Extension, in 1981 he received the Distinguished Service Award, Epsilon Sigma Phi and in 1981 he was given the Service to Agriculture Award by the Mercer County Farmer’s Association. He is an honorary member of the Sharon, Pa., Rotary Club and is president of the Pennsylvania Council of Extension Organizations.
Firth is a past president of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, a past president of the Pennsylvania Association of County Agricultural Agents and former chairman of Extension Report to America for the National Extension Committee on Organization and Policy.
Firth has served on many public, community and governmental agencies. Currently, he serves on the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society Board of Directors, development committee and is president of the executive committee. He is also president of the Pasto Agricultural Museum advisory board; treasurer of the International Society Antique Scale Collectors; has served on the Mercer County USDA Farm Service Agency board, the Mercer School District board, the Mercer County Vo-Tech School advisory committee and the Mercer County Rural Development committee.
Firth will be honored by the department of dairy and animal science as the 2004 Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus on April 16 and 17 during the Penn State Stockmen’s Club Banquet and the 2004 Little International Show and Dairy Exposition. Leslie’s wife, Elaine, and his three daughters will accompany him during the events.
