The National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, NEAFCS, and the Texas Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, TEAFCS, recently celebrated Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service family and community health agents from across the state.

Both NEAFCS and TEAFCS recognized AgriLife Extension agents who have improved quality of life for individuals, families and communities through outstanding educational service and programming.

Awards presented during the annual conference in Galveston to individual family and community health agents and teams, along with information from their nominations, are as follows:

NEAFCS – Texas Affiliate Award winners

Communications — Newsletter Award

Andrea Brooks, Erath County

The Living Healthy in Erath County e-newsletter delivers research-based health education, linking residents to extension programs, timely topics and practical wellness resources.

Human Development/Family Relationship Award

Andrea Brooks

Brooks’ program, Garden Fit, helps limited-resource older adults combine nutrition education, physical activity and community gardening to improve health, food access and independence.

Community Partnership Award

Joanne Ureste Armijo, Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension Program, Hildalgo County

Ureste was recognized for the partnerships she developed between AgriLife Extension, community organizations, agencies and local leaders to successfully oversee two community events as part of the Beat the Heat: A Collaborative Response to Extreme Heat Vulnerability initiative. Through education, resource distribution and coordinated outreach efforts, the initiative provided residents with practical tools and information to stay safe during extreme weather conditions while strengthening community resilience. Ureste also placed first regionally and second nationally.

Marketing Package Award

Joanne Ureste Armijo

As part of her Beat the Heat initiative, Ureste launched a comprehensive public awareness campaign including educational programming, resource distribution and media outreach to help residents recognize and prevent heat-related illnesses.

Distinguished Service Award

Angela Fiedler, Kerr County

Fiedler has distinguished herself through her commitment to delivering high-quality educational programs that meet critical community needs. She provides impactful childcare, food safety and food preservation education while leading health-focused initiatives designed to improve community well-being. Through her collaborative approach, she has strengthened partnerships, expanded access to valuable resources and enhanced the quality of life for those she serves. Her dedication to excellence, leadership and service has made a meaningful and lasting impact on her community.

Continued Excellence Award

Jennifer Trufan, Wilbarger County

With over 20 years of AgriLife Extension service, Trufan consistently provides leadership and innovation to address local needs. Throughout her career, she has built strong community partnerships, developed impactful educational programs, and remained committed to improving the lives of individuals and families across Wilbarger County.

Micah Holcombe, Milam County

Holcombe has 20 years with AgriLife Extension, leading with a heart for service while mentoring fellow professionals, strengthening families, and advancing health and consumer education across Texas and beyond. Through her leadership, commitment to professional development, and passion for serving others, she has made a lasting impact on both the profession and the communities she serves.

Early Childhood Care Training Award

Alexis Cordova, project specialist, Jodi Nerren, Ph.D., specialist and assistant professor, and Anna Raumaker, project specialist, all in the Family and Community Health unit; Kim Miles, agent, and Dawnyel Luckie, county program assistant and volunteer coordinator, both in Taylor County; Tara Kinslow and Chrystal McCutchen, both with Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District; Alyssa Western, Hendrick Health, Abilene; Carrie Wright, Jacqueline Lee and Liz Throckmorton, volunteers, and Jackie Sledge, Big Country Master Gardner Association, all of Abilene; and Jahana Deadmon, Texas Department of State Health Services

The team was recognized for its DIG Into Gardening program, which equips educators to implement edible gardens as teaching tools, supporting farm to early childhood education practices, regulatory alignment and sustainable health-focused environmental change. The team also placed first regionally for this program.

Excellence in Teamwork Award

Joanne Ureste Armijo and Rina Castillo, Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension Program

The team’s Beat the Heat initiative brought together the expertise of the AgriLife Extension county director and family and community health programming to address the challenges of extreme summer temperatures. Through a multidisciplinary approach that combined health and wellness education with financial literacy, Ureste and Castillo provided residents with valuable resources and practical tools to stay safe, healthy and financially prepared during periods of excessive heat. This collaborative effort highlighted the strength and effectiveness of extension teamwork in meeting critical community needs.

Environmental Education Award

Megan Glidden, Aransas County; Emilee Deforest, 4-H youth development agent, Calhoun County; and Amy Nowlin, coastal marine resources agent, Matagorda County

The team’s two-day program, Grit and Tide: Girls for the Texas Coast, allowed participants to explore coastal ecosystems, engage with environmental professionals and gain a deeper understanding of the critical role they can play in protecting natural resources. By connecting environmental education with career exploration and leadership opportunities, the program empowered girls to become informed advocates and future leaders in conservation and environmental stewardship. The team also placed first regionally with this initiative.

School Wellness Award

Carrie Ross, McCulloch County

Through a successful partnership Ross established between AgriLife Extension and Brady Independent School District, the Brady Elementary School ACE After-School Program made health and wellness a priority for students in second through fifth grade. By incorporating hands-on nutrition education, gardening activities and cooking lessons into the after-school curriculum, the program empowered students to develop healthy habits while building practical life skills.

Family Health and Wellness Award

Carrie Ross

Ross was recognized for her grassroots initiative, Health Fair, which brought health screenings, educational opportunities and vital community resources directly to underserved populations. With a focus on serving individuals of all ages and stages of life, the program provided accessible health information, encouraged preventive care and connected residents with services that support lifelong wellness.

SNAP-ED/Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Educational Program, EFNEP, Award

Sanci Hall, Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension 4-H youth development agent, Tarrant County

Hall’s “Growing Healthy Futures: A Multi-Curriculum Nutrition and Gardening Initiative for Tarrant County Youth” exemplified the impact of innovative nutrition education and hands-on learning experiences. By integrating multiple evidence-based nutrition and gardening curricula, the program engaged youth in learning about healthy eating, food production and physical activity. Over three years, the initiative expanded its reach to more than 1,400 Tarrant County youth, helping participants develop healthier eating habits, increase physical activity and gain practical skills that support lifelong wellness. Hall also placed second regionally and second nationally for this initiative.

Innovation in Programming Award

Joanne Ureste Armijo

Ureste’s program, Heritage and Health: Celebrating South Texas Foodways, blended the rich culinary heritage of South Texas with contemporary nutrition principles, creating a meaningful connection between cultural traditions and healthy living. The program celebrated and preserved cherished foodways while providing practical strategies for building sustainable, health-conscious lifestyles. Through its unique approach, it engaged participants in a relevant and impactful learning experience that bridges the past and the future. Ureste placed second regionally and third nationally.

The following members were also recognized for placing first regionally and second nationally in the Innovation in Programming team category:

Hall and Jordan Peldyak, 4-H youth development agents with Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension in Tarrant County; Courtney Davis, county director, and Alaina Woolsey, Christa DeStefano-Malik, Jay Caddel and Kate Marshall, agents, and Karen Scott and Melanie Earley, administrative assistants, all with AgriLife Extension in Tarrant County; Amanda Salinas, agent, Hood County; Brenna Wolfskill, Maddie Jacobs and Natalie Deaton, registered dietitians, all in Tarrant County.

TEAFCS State-only award winners

4-H and Youth Development Award

Courtney Mercer, Jackson County

Mercer’s program, Foodie Camp, encouraged young people to explore new foods and develop lifelong healthy habits. Hands-on learning opportunities inspired curiosity, nutrition awareness and confidence in making healthy choices. The program empowered Healthy Texas Youth Ambassadors to take an active leadership role by planning and delivering educational experiences. Through Foodie Camp, youth from across Jackson County learned, explored, made new friends and developed skills that will benefit them for years to come.

Healthy Texas Award

Racheal Oeleis, Hutchinson County

Oeleis was instrumental in the success of Healthy Hutchinson County Walk Across Texas, a program that united community members with the shared goal of improving health through physical activity. Through the Walk Across Texas initiative, participants embraced healthier living habits while building meaningful connections with friends, family, coworkers and neighbors. The program encouraged individuals to take positive steps toward better health, fostering both personal wellness and a stronger sense of community.

Interdisciplinary Programming Award

Joanne Ureste Armijo and Rina Castillo

Through a coordinated team approach led by Ureste and Castillo, Extension professionals and community partners came together to develop and implement educational programs, resource distribution efforts and community outreach initiatives designed to increase awareness of heat-related illness prevention and preparedness after Hidalgo County experienced two tragic heat-related fatalities. The program addressed community vulnerability, particularly among seniors and families without adequate access to air conditioning or cooling resources. The initiative provided residents with practical tools and life-saving information while strengthening community resilience during extreme weather events.

Innovation in Texas Programming

Louraiseal McDonald, Harrison County; Twana Wilson, Jasper County; and Clarissa Moon, Panola County

McDonald, Wilson and Moon were recognized for their collaboration on two programs this year. Their initiative, My Well Being, created inclusive learning opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, empowering participants to improve their overall well-being while fostering independence and lifelong healthy habits. Their adult gardening and nutrition education program, Growing and Nourishing Healthy Communities, has emerged as an exemplary self-sustaining model for promoting healthy lifestyles. Through a six-lesson, hands-on curriculum, participants learned the fundamentals of gardening, healthy eating strategies, and cooking skills that support long-term health and food security.

Special Recognition Awards

TEAFCS Professional Development Scholarship

Amber Lambright, 4-H youth development agent, Hockley County

Lambright has more than four years of AgriLife Extension experience across Andrews and Hockley counties. Funds from this scholarship will aid in her post-graduate work.

County Judges and Commissioners Award

Floyd County Judge and Commissioners – Judge Marty Lucke, Commissioners Clint Bigham, Tanner Smith, Tanner Young and David Martinez

The Floyd County Judge and Commissioners Court have consistently demonstrated their commitment to the well-being of their community through their support of AgriLife Extension programming and the work of family and community health agent Natalie Snowden. Their encouragement, advocacy and investment in educational outreach have helped make it possible to deliver programs that improve the health, wellness and quality of life of Floyd County residents.

Friend of Extension Award

Elizabeth Sommerfeld, community volunteer, Jackson County

For more than a decade, Sommerfeld has been a trusted leader, passionate volunteer and steadfast advocate for youth, families and community initiatives. Her willingness to serve, ability to bring people together and commitment to making a difference have helped strengthen programs, expand opportunities and build meaningful partnerships throughout Jackson County.

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