Lora Lee Frazier HowardLora Lee Frazier Howard has been empowering Kentuckians to lead fuller, healthier lives since 1981 as a University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension agent for family and consumer sciences in Clay County. Recently, she received recognition for those efforts when the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences named her the 2014 Educator of the Year.

“I was very humbled to receive this honor,” she said. “I share this award with the businesses, organizations and individuals that work cooperatively and volunteer their time to provide successful programs to improve the well-being of families in Clay County.”

To be eligible for the award, the recipient must already have earned the association’s Distinguished Service Award, which Howard accepted in 1983, and the Continued Excellence Award, which she earned in 2009.

Through the years, Howard has spearheaded many programs and services from her Clay County base and held many officer positions in professional development organizations. She’s also won numerous awards throughout her tenure in Cooperative Extension.

“Every educational program that Lora Lee presents is focused on improving not only the life of the individual participant, but the family as a whole,” said Louise Moore, UK Cooperative Extension District 2 director. “Whether it is teaching about nutrition, the importance of taking care of your health, increasing your physical activity or making handmade gifts, her programs provide tips on including the family in the activity, saving the family dollar or increasing family communication.

She is the ultimate professional, and has served as a mentor to many new agents in the district. Her role as president of the Kentucky Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences allowed her to serve as a role model to all agents across the state.”

Howard has a long list of county programs she has initiated, many in health and nutrition. She has long encouraged her clients to take part in cancer screening, exercise programs, family financial health programs and many others. Recently, she also played a key role in creating the program Green Gardening.

“We are often told to find a job that we love, and we will not work a day in our life; that happened to me,” she said. “My career as a family and consumer sciences agent has allowed me to work with many different individuals in a variety of roles to impact my community. I like to think that the work I am doing today will live on in the lives of the families and women impacting our community tomorrow, and for years to come.”

The National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences educates and recognizes extension professionals who impact the quality of life for individuals, families and communities.


Author: Aimee Nielson
Contact: Lora Lee Frazier Howard, 606-598-2789
Terms: FCS