AgriLife Extension names Martin to lead in East Region
Will guide family and community health and 4-H youth development programs
Brittany Martin has assumed the role of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service regional program leader for family and community health and 4-H youth development programs in the East Region.
Martin began serving the 44 counties of AgriLife Extension’s District 4, headquartered in Dallas, and District 5, headquartered in Overton, on May 19.
As regional program leader, she will guide AgriLife Extension agents in planning, implementing and evaluating successful community health and 4-H youth development programs, introducing new programming and expanding their skills through professional development opportunities, said Courtney Dodd, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension associate director for health, families and youth programs.
Martin joined AgriLife Extension in 2013 and has served as an AgriLife Extension assistant for the Better Living for Texans program and as a family and community health agent in Dallas and Collin counties.
As an agent, she led a broad range of programs, including the Dinner Tonight Cooking School, Cooking Well for a Healthy Blood Pressure, Master Wellness Volunteer Program, Walk Across Texas, Passenger Safety and KidSafe Initiatives and Food Handlers Certification.
“Brittany’s background in innovative leadership, successful partnerships and impactful programming will help enrich the quality of life of families and communities throughout the region,” said Dodd.
Targeting communities’ unique needs
Martin’s experiences growing up in rural Central Texas and her 11 years as an AgriLife Extension agent in urban counties will help guide programs in the East Region.
“The counties range from urban and suburban to one of the smallest counties, by population, in the state,” Martin said. “A fun part of my role will be helping tailor our programs to meet the needs of the people in each county.”
Another goal is to develop strategic partnerships with community partners, such as nonprofit groups and faith-based organizations, to address community needs and to implement programs.
Recognition and accolades
Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in adult education from Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Awarded several professional development scholarships from AgriLife Extension and the Texas Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, she is now pursuing a doctorate in family and consumer sciences with a concentration in nutrition. She is a recipient of the AgriLife Extension Superior Service Award, as well as additional professional development awards from state, region and national family and consumer sciences professional organizations recognizing her outstanding work in volunteer development and community partnership.
