The National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) held their 2016 annual session at the Big Sky Resort in Montana on September 12-15. The session included presentations highlighting the research and success of Family and Consumer Sciences Extension professionals. Many of Kentucky’s Extension Agents for Family and Consumer Sciences Education were recognized as award recipients due to their outstanding implementation and involvement in projects. These projects are aimed at improving the quality of life across the Bluegrass.
The following awards were presented to Kentucky Extension Agents for Family and Consumer Sciences Education:
Distinguished Service: The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is one of the highest awards presented by NEAFCS, recognizing members for leadership, educational program efforts and professional development. Kenna Knight, Pendleton County, and Edith Lovett, Pulaski County were recognized with the NEAFCS DSA.
- Kenna proactively works to encourage individuals to improve individual health and well-being, whether choosing a low fat, nutritious diet, increasing health literacy for chronic disease prevention, or increasing physical activity.
- As part of her FCS programming, Edith works with all age groups and genders to improve their health and life style.
Continued Excellence: The Continued Excellence Award recognizes members who have previously received the Distinguished Service Award and continue to be actively involved in professional improvement programs. The 2016 Kentucky recipients were Ruth Chowning, Bullitt County, and Tracy Cowles, Butler County.
- Ruth brought together leaders and resources from across the county to establish a Workforce Reentry Achievement Program (WRAP) for inmates recently released from the County Detention Center.
- Tracy is a twenty-year NEAFCS member who has participated on the local, area, state and national levels. She maintains her professionalism by staying up-to-date and expands her knowledge base through reading and personal study.
Communications Awards: These awards recognize FCS professionals for outstanding work in communications. NEAFCS presented Kentucky agents with communications awards in four of the nine categories.
- Educational Curriculum Package: Sherri Broderick, Gallatin County, was recognized as 3rd Place in the Southern Region. Sherri’s “Pastabilities” educated participants about the health benefits and concerns of pasta, how pasta is made, proper pasta preparation techniques, recipes, and the variety of pasta shapes and sauces.
- Written Press Release: Kenna Knight, Pendleton County, was recognized as the 2nd Place recipient for the Southern Region and also as the 2nd Place National Winner. Gina Noe, Madison County, was awarded 3rd Place for the Southern Region and was the 3rd Place National Winner.
- Knowing the role of small businesses in a rural community, Kenna works through Pendleton County Extension to promote shopping local through the “Shop Like a Local” Challenge.
- Gina works to show how a few simple lifestyle traits can improve our chances of living a long, vibrant, and active life. She insists that a positive attitude and a strong social network are two of the keys.
- Educational Technology: Donna Fryman, Fleming County, and Brenda Cockerham, Johnson County, were awarded 2nd Place in the Southern Region. Their presentation entitled Sauces, Dips and Dressings reached over 200 leaders. Participants reported saving money, increasing the quality of their food, having better control of their nutrients, increasing food safety and enhancing basic food preparation knowledge.
- Internet Educational Technology: The 2nd Place Southern Region award went to Pam York, Russell County, for her work on Plate It Up!, Kentucky Proud. Pam conducts a cooking show featuring recipes from the Plate It Up!, Kentucky Proud curriculum. Select segments from the show were uploaded to YouTube.
Food Safety Award: This award is presented for an outstanding educational program conducted by one or more NEAFCS members who have been innovative in developing, delivering, and/or determining the impact of a food safety program that makes a difference. Lora Lee Howard, Clay County, was recognized as the Southern Region 3rd Place Winner. Lora Lee teaches families kitchen safety, basic culinary skills and correct measuring techniques to prepare easy nutritious recipes in a fun environment in Cooking 101.
Early Childhood Child Care Training Award: This award recognizes outstanding childcare professional training that addresses the needs of young children. The 3rd Place Southern Region award was presented to Jill Harris, Todd County. Jill offered “5-2-1-0 Healthy Numbers for Kentucky Families” to child care providers to help them prepare children for school readiness in health and well-being.
Human Development/ Family Relationships: This award recognizes innovative human development/family relationships educational efforts including child care, parenting, relationships through the life span, marriage enrichment, communications (parent/child), retirement, aging, stress management, and related issues. The 3rd Place Southern Region award went to Lora Lee Howard, Clay County for her project involving food preparation. In the Cooking 101 course, families are able to bond as they prepare and share the dining experience together.
School Wellness: This award recognizes outstanding school-based programs to promote and improve physical, emotional, and/or social wellness of students, staff or families of students in the school community. Programs may include nutrition, fitness, garden-based nutrition education, health, character education, self-esteem, farm-to-school and more. Katie Alexander, Webster County, was awarded 3rd Place for the Southern Region. Katie provided monthly lessons on nutrition, physical activity and agriculture literacy to over 500 students in kindergarten, first and second grades.
Congratulations to all of the Kentucky Extension Agents for Family and Consumer Sciences Education that were recognized by NEAFCS!