Capri Stiles-Mikesell

Capri’s lifelong agriculture background and Masters degree in Education Administration from Duquesne University are combined to build curriculum and market the biosecurity and animal well-being message to 4-H livestock producers, equine enthusiasts and young agricultural entrepreneurs.   Her goal is to make the biosecurity campaign "Be WISE - Be Biosecure" as well known as "stop, drop and roll". 

Her role as an extension educator is to help troubleshoot biosecurity challenges on the farm and public livestock facilities used for youth events.  Providing education and evaluation of facilities and equipment where practical improvements help improve best management practices. Biosecuriy educators teach youth to recognize visible characteristics of animals in various stages of disease, their responsibility in preventing spread of a bacteria and virus at public events and practical measures in their daily routine that will reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Be WISE = Watch, Isolate, Sanitize, Educate was recently expanded to Be WISER!  Adding the R to the acronym, which stands for Report.  Applying Biosecurity measures to everyday life is necessary to increase your chances of avoiding disease on your farm.  Biosecurity is not just for larger farms.  It is just as important to small farms and agricultural endeavors.

Capri serves as the co-chair of the 4-H Animal Science Working Group, on the Executive Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Equine Council (PEC), serves on the Cambria CART (County Animal Response Team), on the board of directors for a local therapeutic riding center and is the president of the local Cambria County Saddle Club.

Capri and her husband Bob manage a small herd of Maine-Anjou beef cattle and breed quarter horses for ranch work and barrel racing on a 94-acre farm in Cambria County.