Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service county agents from across the state brought home honors from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, NEAFCS, which is the national professional development association for Extension professionals within the family and consumer sciences discipline.

Four national award winners were recognized at the NEAFCS conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Additionally, there were three national distinguished service award winners and eight southern region award winners from Texas.

“The innovative leadership and impactful programming of these and all our agents enrich the quality of life of families and communities across the state,” said Courtney Dodd, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension associate director for health, families and youth programs. “These honors represent our commitment to connect in meaningful and impactful ways with our communities.”

National award winners

Four programs from across the state won national awards:

Tree-mendous Teachers

The program, “Tree-mendous Teachers” Early Childhood Educator Professional Development Program, was the first-place national Early Childhood Child Care Training winner. The program also won the first-place Southern Region and state-level Texas Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences awards.

The award recipients are Caroline Cruz, program lead, AgriLife Extension; Jodi Nerren, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension; Ted Stevens, Texas Forestry Association; and Jaden Kelly, Texas A&M Forest Service.

Tree-mendous Teachers was created to incorporate nature-based learning in early childhood settings, using Project Learning Tree’s Trees and Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children curriculum for ages 1-6. Since its development in 2022, the Tree-mendous Teachers Early Childhood Educator Professional Development Program has trained 237 educators, granting 515 clock hours to childcare professionals.

Out of the Blue: Expecting the Unexpected

The AgriLife Extension team of Kaci Scott, Lynn County; Rhonda White, Scurry County; Julie Smith, Borden County; and Xane Reiter, Garza County, earned the first-place National Extension Disaster Education Programming Award for their Out of the Blue: Expecting the Unexpected program.

The program also picked up the first-place Southern Region Extension Disaster Educational Programming Award, and the third-place Southern Region Excellence in Teamwork Award.

Out of the Blue: Expect the Unexpected, a four-session program presented in Borden, Garza, Lynn and Scurry counties, addressed preparing for natural disasters, handling emergencies, legalities, recordkeeping and end-of-life planning.

Youth Quilting Camp

Joanne Ureste-Armijo, Prairie View A&M University Extension family and community health agent in Hidalgo County, earned a second-place national Innovation in Programming Award for her From Field to Fabric: Youth Quilting Camp.

The program also won a second-place Southern Region Innovation in Programming Award

The annual summer quilting camp underwent a significant transformation with the introduction of “From Field to Fabric,” an initiative designed to educate young participants on the journey of cotton from its agricultural origins to the vibrant quilts they would create.

Growing Healthy: Cultivating Wellness

Sanci Hall, AgriLife Extension Better Living for Texans Extension agent, Tarrant County, also earned a second-place national SNAP-ED/EFNEP Educational Program Award with her Growing Healthy: Cultivating Wellness in Tarrant County’s Youth with Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go! Program.

The program also received the Southern Region second-place award.

The Better Living for Texans program in Tarrant County, in collaboration with Junior Master Gardener, successfully implemented the Learn, Grow, Eat and Go! curriculum, impacting 200 youth by promoting healthy habits, nutrition and physical activity.

Distinguished Service Award national winners

The following AgriLife Extension family and community health agents were recognized with Distinguished Service Awards at the national level:

  • Ureste-Armijo was recognized with the award after marking a decade of dedicated service and consistently striving to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and families in Hidalgo County.
  • Tonya Poncik, Lee County, an agent since 2002, was recognized for programming efforts focused on health and wellness, food safety, strengthening community partnerships and youth development.
  • Shea Nebgen, Gillespie County, earned the award after building a distinguished career through a variety of excellent programs she has developed as well as the personal and professional growth she has achieved in her career.

Additional Southern Region award recipients

Jasmine Carey, AgriLife Extension Better Living for Texans agent, Harris County, won the third-place Southern Region SNAP-ED/EFNEP Educational Programming Award for her Healthy Carbohydrate program. The Healthy Carbohydrates series provides residents with the knowledge to make healthy food choices to prevent and manage chronic diseases.

Micah Holcombe, family and community health agent, Milam County, brought home the third-place Southern Region Communications Newsletters Award. Her Walk Across Texas Battle of the Bell newsletters have impacted the competition and walking program, increasing miles by 50% since 2022.

Natalie Snowden, family and community health agent, Floyd County, picked up a third-place Southern Region Florence Hall Award for her Floyd County Safe Driving Expo. The event was created to educate teens on the dangers of distracted driving and driving under the influence.

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