Cooperative Extension Service
Departments
Administration
2006 Extension Excellence Awards Report
Diversity • Issue
Team • County Team •
Unit Team •
Innovation •
Early Career •
Other Nominees
Third Annual Excellence Awards to be Presented
In 2003, Dr. Ivory W. Lyles wanted to acknowledge the excellent people
and programs of Extension. He came up with the idea for the Extension Excellence
Awards, realizing that there is excellence in Extension that goes unrecognized
every day.
"I wanted a forum for recognition on all levels, state and county; team and
individuals," said Dr. Lyles. "I also wanted to recognize teamwork, innovation
and diversity."
The first Extension Excellence Awards were presented in 2004. This is the
third year for the program.
The Bank of America in Arkansas and its national Foundation makes the Early
Career and Innovation Awards possible. Extension shares its sincere gratitude
for Bank of America’s support.
There are six award categories:
Diversity: acknowledges accomplishments that support diversity, pluralism
and the promotion of an Extension culture that values and respects employee and
clientele differences with regard to national origin, race, color, age,
disability, gender, socioeconomic class, urban/rural location or religion.
Winner receives $5,000 in program enhancement funds.
Issue Team: acknowledges success in addressing challenging issues, money
saved or resources gained for Extension, organizational changes resulting from
the effort and the connection of the initiative to other Extension goals.
Winning team receives $5,000 in program enhancement funds.
County Team and Unit Team: acknowledges demonstration of a consistent and
cohesive team approach to county office programs and departmental operations.
Each winning county and unit team receives $5,000 in program enhancement funds.
Innovation: acknowledges dynamic new thinking or processes that enhance
the Extension mission and/or operations. Can be awarded to an individual or
team. A winning individual receives a $2,000 award (gross), and a winning team
divides the $2,000 award (gross) among team members.
Early Career – Agent, Non-classified and Classified: acknowledges
employees with five years or less of Extension service who have demonstrated
career initiative by taking advantage of professional development opportunities,
evidence of involvement in professional organizations or civic activities,
demonstration of excellence in assigned duties and peer recognition of
leadership ability. The recipient in each category receives a $1,000 award
(gross).
Awards will be presented during the Employee Recognition Luncheon Friday,
July 14, in the Donaghey Student Center on the University of Arkansas at Little
Rock campus. Awards for Length of Service, Employee of the Quarter and Promotion
in Rank also will be given at the luncheon.
And the winners are…
Diversity
Team: Phillips Co. Staff
Project: Diverse Staff for a Diverse Community
The Phillips Co. Extension staff is making great strides to
promote diversity in Phillips Co., a traditionally polarized area of the Delta
with a population roughly 60 percent African American and 40 percent white. The Phillips Co.
staff is committed to leading by example. The diversity of the staff reflects
the diversity of the community and is a model of how individuals of varying
backgrounds can come together to work for the benefit of their audiences. The
staff chair believes that an informed staff is an empowered staff, so
communication is open and responsibilities are shared. Classified and
non-classified staff in the county work together as a team and support each
other across program lines, as for example in their efforts to form an
integrated community 4-H club and an integrated Extension Homemakers' Club and
in securing funding for a retreat for minority youth. Also leading by example,
Phillips Co. boasts the first male FCS agent hired in the state as a member of
its pacesetting county team.
Issue Team
Team: Rick Cartwright, Cliff Coker, Kim Hurst, Terry
Kirkpatrick, John Rupe, Ples Spradley, Steve Vann and Yinong Yang (Plant
Pathology)
Project: Arkansas Working Group on Introduced Plant
Diseases (AWGIPD)
AWGIPD was established in June 2004 as an innovative and
on-going collaborative program to assure the safety and security of the food
supply for Arkansans. The AWGIPD is addressing concerns about crop security and
the growing threat of invasive plant diseases to the state. The timing for the
group’s formation was excellent since Asian soybean rust, a potentially
devastating disease to soybean production, was discovered in nine southern
states (including Arkansas) just a few months later. Since then, AWGIPD team
members have worked diligently to educate producers about the disease. Some
examples of the team’s work include conducting "First Detector" training
sessions at key locations across the state, developing new electronic and
printed educational materials, establishing crop monitoring and soybean rust
alerts using sentinel plots, and upgrading the Plant Disease Clinic to better
respond to the expected surge of soybean samples. In addition, team members have
actively participated in state, regional and national meetings regarding soybean
rust.
County Team
Team: White County
A team that has shared joys, sorrows, programming efforts
across program lines and many changes—this describes the White County Extension
Service team. One such change in 2005 was the 12-month appointment of Staff
Chair Brian Haller to the LRSO administrative team. Sherri Wesson and Keith
Martin each took a turn as interim staff chair in Haller’s absence. Moreover,
the entire White Co. staff pulled together during this time and continued to
produce excellent programs for the county. One specific program was the
Farmer-for-a-Day event. Through this event, more than 100 youth and volunteers
learned how their food travels from the farm to the table through hands-on
activities ranging from shelling peas for their lunch to milking goats to making
financial and management decisions for a simulated farm. White County is truly a
team. The group works together across program lines to deliver the absolute best
for the citizens of White County. All staff members attend and help at each
other’s events. That cooperative spirit is the essence of the White County staff
and what makes the office a real team.
Unit Team
Team: Organizational, Staff and Leadership (OSLD)
Department
The spirit of teamwork is alive and well in OSLD. As a fairly
new section within Extension, basically every program and educational product
has been created by this team. Classified employees are encouraged to
participate and be an integral part of the creative process from planning to
implementation. All members of the department are seen as joint stakeholders in
all facets of the unit and its products. For example, facilitating and providing
leadership for the development of the Division of Agriculture Strategic Plan and
the 2007-2011 CSREES Plan of Work took input from all department members,
classified and non-classified alike. Additional examples of team programs and
products from OSLD include the Faculty Leadership Program, New Employee
Orientation, the Arkansas Information Management System (AIMS), Extension Focus
Programs, the CSREES Report of Accomplishments, LeadAR and the CES In-service
Training System, which now includes a web-based registration and instructor
management system. OSLD also is working to develop core competency training in
non-subject matter areas. OSLD ongoing programs and projects depend on the
creative synergism and input from classified, non-classified and volunteer
employees alike. Collaboration, teamwork and empowerment are key elements for
the OSLD team.
Innovation
Team: Wally Goddard, Jennie Hubbard, Sherry Jones, Traci
Johnston, James Marshall, Katy Randall and Lindsey Smith (Family and Consumer
Sciences)
Project: The Parenting Journey
The Marriage, Parenting and Family Life team was looking for
an innovative and effective way to reach Arkansas parents with engaging and
practical parenting information. The Parenting Journey was the result. The
project is made up of the following elements: 1) a colorful printed map showing
Arkansas sights and summarizing the key elements of parenting into six
communities; 2) a 30-minute DVD including a five-minute segment about each of
the six communities; 3) a printed travel guide for each of the communities
providing more detailed information and practical ideas for using the key points
from the Parenting Journey maps; 4) extensive online resources; 5) training for
county agents and community collaborators on how to use Journey materials; and
6) an evaluation of the project (planned to focus on one Arkansas county). Based
on agent feedback, flyers, displays, public service announcements, news releases
and radio scripts are being created to enhance the program. All of these
resources will build a sturdy bridge allowing old and new Extension clientele to
access the best family information in innovative and effective ways.
Early
Career Agent (candidates with 0-5 years’ service with ACES)
Name:
Lisa Gilmore (Garland Co.)
Since joining Extension in 2001, Lisa Gilmore has worked in
two counties and garnered over $50,000 in external grants to support Extension
programs. She was chosen by administration to participate in a multi-county FCS
pilot project for her district. In addition to sustaining and expanding
traditional Extension programs, she brought the StrongWomen program to Arkansas.
This community-based strength-training program has recruited and trained
numerous volunteers across the state. Gilmore has presented the program at three
national conferences and provided training to Mississippi FCS agents on using
the program. In addition, her StrongWomen program was featured in the
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Health and Fitness section in 2004.
StrongWomen is just one example of Gilmore’s skills at managing volunteers.
Since joining the Garland Co. staff, three new EHC clubs have been formed and
membership has increased by 76 percent.
Early
Career Non-classified (candidates with 0-5 years’ service with ACES)
Name:
Julie Thompson (Communications)
Julie Thompson, an award-winning graphic artist, has made a
significant impact on the quality of Extension and Division print and electronic
materials using her design, marketing and project management expertise. These
skills are illustrated by the redesign of the Extension home page, rolled out in
2005. Division administration was so impressed with Extension’s new design they
asked a team from Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station to work
together to create a look that would work for all three sites. Thompson headed
up this effort. The three new sites were unveiled this spring. Another example
of Thompson’s talents can be found in the redesign of Arkansas Land & Life
magazine. Again, she headed up a team to revamp the magazine with not only a new
look but also new departments within the publication. Thompson also excels in
the area of leadership. She serves on numerous Extension and Communications
committees and coordinates special events, including the Employee Recognition
Luncheon.
Early
Career Classified (candidates with 0-5 years’ service with ACES)
Name: LaDonna Turpin (APAC)
LaDonna Turpin works tirelessly to find and post
opportunities on APAC's bid board, and helps clients find the drawings and
specifications they need for bidding. She conducted APAC’s biennial data survey,
which involved comparing multiple computer screens, and corrected the errors she
found in the client database. She shares responsibility for maintaining that
database and serves as administrator of the Management Information System and
the Local Area Network. She is the liaison to the CES Webmaster* for maintaining
the program's website. She writes a weekly column in APAC’s newsletter,
Turpin’s Tips, which reaches 650 clients.
Also
nominated were…
Issue Team
Team: Iris Phifer (Ashley Co.); Hazelene McCray (Desha
Co.); Donna Francis (Drew Co.); Jackie King (Monroe Co.); Keith Cleek (Phillips
Co.); Terrie Treadway (Lafayette Co.); Judy Riley (Delta District); Alberta
James (Ouachita District); and Rosemary Rodibaugh (Family and Consumer Sciences)
Project: Delta H.O.P.E.
The Delta H.O.P.E. (Healthy Options for People through
Extension) is a multi-state effort involving faculty from the University of
Arkansas, Mississippi State University and Louisiana State University. The
project is funded through a Kellogg Foundation grant. Its purpose is to reduce
the prevalence of overweight among children in participating schools by teaching
good nutrition practices and promoting physical activity. The program, in 129
classrooms in the 2004-05 school year, integrates physical activity and
nutrition education into core subject areas. The project expanded to four more
counties in the 2005-06 school year and will expand to four more in 2006-07,
thanks to a grant from the Blue and You Foundation. Parent surveys in year 2
showed that parents positively changed family nutrition and physical activity
practices as a result of what the children learned. Changes included serving
more fruits, vegetables and dairy foods and less fat, soda and junk food.
Team: Randy Chlapecka (Jackson Co.); Mike Hamilton
(Crittenden Co.); Steve Kelley (Desha/Drew Co.); Susan Matthews (Mississippi
Co.); Don Plunkett (Jefferson Co.); Bob Scott and Ken Smith (Crop, Soil and
Environmental Sciences)
Project: Herbicide Resistance Management
Herbicide resistant weeds continue to increase across the
state. In late 2005, a new Extension and industry committee was formed
(Herbicide Resistance Committee). This group is leading the fight to make
growers and industry personnel more aware of the need to save glyphosate for
weed management programs in Roundup Ready crops. Team members have started the
Wanted: Dead Not Alive program for resistant horseweed in Northeast Arkansas.
The focus of this program has been to combat known herbicide resistance (to
glyphosate) in horseweed.
Team: Debbie Still (Greene Co.); Gayla Taylor (Yell Co.);
Romona Thieme (Mississippi Co.); and Earlene Brecheen (Van Buren Co.)
Project: 4-H Build-A-Body Camp
Agents, with help of teen leaders and other volunteers,
conducted a two-day, 12-hour camp for 120 Cloverbud 4-H’ers from three counties.
Participating counties included Greene, Clay and Mississippi. Goals for
participants included making five-a-day bracelets as reminders to eat five a
day, learning the importance of handwashing and how to wash properly and
learning to choose foods low in fat, sugar and sodium. The impact of the program
showed that 37 percent of participants learned the importance of eating low-fat
and low-sugar breakfasts and how to choose low-fat and low-sugar snacks. They
also learned about the importance of dairy and how to make other healthy food
choices. Agents used a Sue Marshal 4-H grant to conduct the program.
Team: Gerald Alexander (Hempstead Co.); Mike Daniels
(Environmental and Natural Resources); Sherry Eudy and Sherry Wenta (Howard
Co.); Joe Stuart (Little River Co.); and Vicky Wright (Sevier Co.)
Project: Millwood Lake Water Quality
The Lower Little River Grant of over $200,000 provided funds
to continue three years of the Millwood Lake Water Quality Education Project for
the youth of this four-county area. All schools in the four-county area were
contacted, and the agents and program assistants conducted training using the
Water's Edge curriculum. Those schools were then invited to attend a water
carnival at Millwood Lake at the end of the school year. Over 500 youth
participated each of the three years. Agents located and grid-sampled a high
phosphorous field to use as a demonstration field. Tours were conducted to
measure progress in using Extension recommendations to deal with high nutrient
areas.
Team: Craig Allen (Poinsett Co.); Mike Hamilton (Crittenden
Co.); Susan Matthews (Mississippi Co.); Ken Smith (Crop, Soil and Environmental
Science); and Rick Thompson (Poinsett Co.)
Project: Horseweed: Wanted Dead Not Alive
Glyphosate-resistant horseweed was first confirmed in
Arkansas in 2003. Extension agents and specialists recognized the potential
impact of losses associated with this pest could be millions of dollars if
effective control measures were not identified and communicated through
educational programs. More than 1,000 small replicated research plots were
established in a three-county area to identify effective control measures.
Horseweed: Wanted Dead or Alive was selected as the theme for an educational
program about the issue. Awareness was created by use of brochures handed out a
meetings and wanted posters at all agricultural centers in the counties. In
addition, a CD featured producer testimonials and Extension control
recommendations, as well as cartoon poems and Western-theme horseweed shootouts
and arrests. It also included videos of small plot research data. Information
was picked up by radio stations and newspapers in the area. Approximately 90
percent of the 350,000 acres in the three-county area adopted Extension
strategies for horseweed control. This represents a direct impact on one-third
of the cotton acres in the state. It is estimated that the program has made a
positive $475 million impact in the three-county area. In 2006, the program is
being expanded to other parts of the state where this weed has spread.
Team: Mike Daniels and Melony Wilson (Environmental and
Natural Resources); Leo Espinoza (Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences); John
Jennings (Animal Science); Michele Steele (Washington Co.); Karl VanDevender
(Biological and Agricultural Engineering); and Susan Watkins (Poultry Science)
Project: Water Quality-Nutrient Surplus Area
This team has designed, developed and organized the
educational program support for a controversial new regulatory program focused
on preventing water quality degradation from agricultural nutrient sources in a
14-county area of Northwest Arkansas. They have developed and conducted
introductory educational programs for farmers and land managers in the region,
assisted citizens with information about the regulatory process and their
opportunities to have a voice. The team has designed training materials for
nutrient applicators and nutrient management planners. They also have designed
and trained county agents on the use of the educational materials for general
use in the region. These activities and educational products have been produced
in the very unstable circumstance of regulatory controversy and civil lawsuits
that made every aspect of the program subject to the highest level of public
scrutiny.
Team: Janie Hipp and Rebecca McPeake (Environmental and
Natural Resources); Sayeed Mehmood (Forest Economics); Chris Meux and Kevin
Quinn (Communications) and Ron Rainey (Agricultural Economics and Agricultural
Business)
Project: Developing a Wildlife Enterprise–Is it for You?
This team project provided farmers and landowners with
information about developing a wildlife enterprise on their property. They
developed an interactive web module including information on wildlife management
concepts and practices, legal aspects, marketing and developing a business plan.
Module development was supported by a competitive grant from the University of
Tennessee. They also produced fact sheets and plan to offer an in-service
training to agents using program materials.
Team: Nina Boston and Susan James (Information Technology);
Martha Brothers, Tamieka Forte-Daniels, Elizabeth Fortune, Gloria Mayhugh, Chris
Meux, Kevin Quinn, Bob Reynolds and Donna Rinke (Communications); Janet Carson
and Jim Robbins (Horticulture); Bill Dodgen (Faulkner Co.); Ron Matlock (Saline
Co.); Carly Meins (Arkansas Co.); Beth Phelps (Pulaski Co.); and Jeff Welch
(Lonoke Co.)
Project: 2006 Horticulture Highlights CD
The idea for this CD was developed in response to a
communications retreat, the focus of which was generating methods to better
market Extension in the central Arkansas urban area. It was decided that
Extension’s horticulture program would be one of the best venues for this
effort. A committee made up of specialists, support specialists and county staff
was formed to explore the best marketing practices for horticulture. The group
decided that a CD comprised of news articles, photos, video clips, fact sheets,
newspaper columns and gardening calendars would be an excellent way to promote
horticulture. The team developed a CD concept, designed the CD look, determined
the content, contacted specialists for information and converted all articles
and fact sheets to an appropriate format. The CD has been sold at various garden
shows and via the Web and printed publications. Since the primary goal of the CD
is to promote Extension, the CD also links to our Web site to guide consumers to
additional gardening information and to increase traffic to the site. The
project is unique in that it is designed to allow counties to raise funds by
selling this product. Revenue raised is used at the state and county levels to
further promote horticulture and provide horticulture information.
Team: Sherry Eudy (Howard Co.); Rex Herring (Sevier Co.);
Carla Vaught (Polk Co.); and Tamara Walkingstick (Environmental and Natural
Resources)
Project: Cossatot Forestry Clinic
In 2002, the Polk Co. Extension Council identified the need
for training of local landowners in forestry management. The purpose of the
clinics is to provide education for private landowners in Polk, Sevier and
Howard counties in forestry management, wildlife management, alternative uses
and income potential for wooded lands. The first two years the program was
funded by grants from the Arkansas Forestry Resource Center-UAM. The past two
years it has been funded through corporate sponsorship (Weyerhaeuser and
Domtar), Arkansas Forestry Commission, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and
Natural Resources, CES. The program has grown from initial attendance (in 2003)
of 78 to more than 175 persons.
County
Team
Team: Greene County
Greene County Extension is working to grow 4-H. They recently
created a scholarship program for 4-H’ers. Proceeds from a prospect market
animal sale, along with a concession sale and pizza sale, funded a $1,000
scholarship for a senior 4-H’er and paid expenses for all who attended State
O-Rama in 2004. A new 4-H Shooting Sports Project Club has also been initiated.
The county now has eight community clubs and six project clubs.
Team: Clark County
Along with their dedicated FCS and agriculture work, the
Clark County office is making a concerted effort to develop and improve the
county 4-H program. Each team member brings their own skills and expertise to
the table when it comes to planning and conducting 4-H activities. Kris Elliott
is great with leading foods and nutrition activities. Jerry Clemons lends his
livestock knowledge, and Amy Simpson concentrates on natural resources
education. Rebekah Beene is instrumental in keeping all the loose ends tied.
This leads to a well-rounded 4-H program. In the past few years, this county
team has helped each other in numerous ways. For example, summer day camps have
been and continue to be developed in which each staff member takes part. The
team has also worked to develop a 4-H Afterschool program. Clark County 4-H
enrollment grew by 70 percent from 2004 to the end of the program year in 2005
as a result of many of these efforts.
Innovation
Team: Angie Blacklaw-Freel (Saline Co.); Judy Bloesch
(Scott Co.); Candace Carrié (Ouachita Co.); Diane Clement (Cleveland Co.);
LaVetta Davis (Hempstead Co.); Kris Elliott (Clark Co.); Lisa Gilmore (Garland
Co.); Carla Haley (Miller Co.); Susan Hecke (Grant Co.); Shirlye Hopkins
(Columbia Co.); Kim Hughes (Polk Co.); Jean Ince (Howard Co.); Terrie James
(Sevier Co.); Cheryl Maxwell (Hot Spring Co.); Liz McKay (Union Co.); Robbie
McKinnon (Pike Co.); Rebecca Reynolds (Little River Co.); Kaye Shrout
(Montgomery Co.); Terrie Treadway (Lafayette Co.); Lucy Williams (Perry Co.);
and Bridgette Youngblood (Pulaski Co.)
Project: 3-2-1 Project
The 3-2-1 project was designed to empower participants to
improve positive health behaviors through increased exercise and the adoption of
healthier eating habits initiated and sustained by social support. The project
has involved 21 FCS agents initially who have adopted healthy behaviors to
model, thereby increasing the potential success of future programs implemented
to clientele in the Ouachita District. A component of the program was to develop
a Web-based reporting system with links to other health programs. Newsletters
and leader outlines were placed on the Web and available for other FCS agents to
use. Agents participated in four district trainings and presented the newsletter
and leader outline based on their subject.
Team: Mike Klumpp and Connie Phelps (4-H Youth Development)
Project: U.S. Air Force (USAF) 4-H Adventure Camps
In 2003, the USAF approached 4-H Youth Development about
hosting two camps for the children of active military personnel. The camps, held
at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center, are designed around an adventure theme
which introduces participants to a wide variety of outdoor educational
experiences. More than 200 youth of active USAF personnel from air force bases
in the U.S. and around the world have participated each year; 2006 marks the
third year for the camps. Two summer technicians and eight counselors are hired
each year to conduct the camps, along with faculty support from Klumpp and
Phelps. More than $400,000 in grants has been brought into the system through
this project.
Team: Paul Ballantyne and John Boyd (Crop, Soil and
Environmental Science); John Hopkins (Entomology); Jim Robbins (Horticulture)
and Steve Vann (Plant Pathology)
Project: Green Industry Spring Tune-Up 2005 CD
In 2004, this interdepartmental team developed a CD program
useful in training a variety of audiences (garden center and landscape
maintenance employees, as well as Extension agents) in current disease, insect
and weed topics related to the home garden. The CD accompanies and enhances the
popular annual workshop, Green Industry Tune-Up. The CD can be accessed in a
linear fashion (good for training others) or by using the hundreds of hyperlinks
to quickly answer a specific question on an insect, disease or weed topic. The
CD also includes current images of actual chemical and biological products
likely recommended or used in the consumer market.
Team: Van Banks and Robert Seay (Benton Co.); Mike Hamilton
(Ozark District); Suzanne Hirrel and Tom Riley (Environmental and Natural
Resources); Joe Ivy and Don Plunkett (Jefferson Co.); Berni Kurz and Katie
Teague (Washington Co.); Kent Rorie (Delta District); Steven Stone (Lincoln Co.)
and Joyce Whittington (Crawford Co.)
Project: Storm Water Education
This team has developed new partnerships with city and county
governments, with university administrations in three counties (Benton,
Jefferson and Washington) and with their regional authorities to develop and
conduct Extension Stormwater Education Programs supported entirely by these new
management coalitions. These programs have produced external program support
that employs three new Extension professionals for four to five years. They also
provide over $1 million in new financial support for Extension programs over
that time period and establish a basis from which other programs may be
developed. The partnership addresses stormwater education in an efficient,
effective and cost-saving manner for the involved cities and counties. It also
uses materials, audiences and volunteers available to Extension in new and
productive ways. This and other programs can reduce the negative water quality
effect of urban landscapes while reducing the risk of environmental liability to
the construction industry in each community.
Early
Career Agent (candidates with 0-5 years service with ACES)
Name: Terrie James (Sevier Co.)
Terrie James has worked to promote Extension in all phases of
FCS and 4-H in Sevier County. She implemented the Eating and Moving for Life
Program, which provides nutrition and fitness education for the Hispanic
population in Sevier County. She worked with local community organizations to
create the County Coalition, which is now adding the Hometown Health Initiative
2005. Under her leadership, EHC continues to train and add new members. 4-H has
also grown with her help. She is active in many community organizations
including Rotary Club, Southwest Arkansas Domestic Violence Committee and
District Boy Scout Training Committee. She is also a member of NEAFCS and
AAE4-HA.
Name: Georgia Oldenstadt (Conway Co.)
Since her arrival less than three years ago, the 4-H program
has continued to grow exponentially. More than 100 youth have signed up as new
enrollments and around 65 of those are active on higher than club level. Three
new clubs are active. Oldenstadt has increased Record Book entries from 13 in
2003 to 27 in 2005. District O-Rama participation has tripled and State O-Rama
attendance has dramatically increased. Under her guidance, the Conway Co. 4-H
program is heavily promoted through radio, newspaper and television.
Name: Michele Steele (Washington Co.)
Michele Steele works specifically with water quality issues
associated with livestock agriculture. Steele has done a great job of building
her own and Extension’s credibility with both agriculture and non-agriculture
audiences in the region. She has developed educational and demonstration
projects and materials for use in a four-county area and led training on the use
of the materials. Her work is very complementary to that of other agents in
Washington Co. and the surrounding counties. She is an excellent team player and
is supportive of and well respected by her peers.
Early
Career Non-classified (candidates with 0-5 years service with ACES)
Name: Stacey McCullough (Agricultural Economics and
Community Development)
Stacey McCullough works in Community and Economic Development
and with policy issues education efforts initiated by the Policy and Issues
Education Center. She began her career in 2004 but has provided outstanding
support for pressing issue-based Extension efforts. She coordinated the
production and distribution of materials and training for the 2004 and 2005
Ballot Issues Education Programs and assisted agents with local ballot education
programs. She followed that effort with material development and support for a
series of tax study circles, including writing and overseeing the design and
production of a Citizen's Guide to Arkansas Taxes and other tax publications. In
addition to these efforts, McCullough worked with Monroe County officials to
help them better understand the county's fiscal situation, provided leadership
in conducting in-service trainings for county agents on community and economic
development and actively promoted Extension through poster presentations at
various conferences. Her professional service to the organization in 2004 and
2005 included serving on several state committees (Community Development, 4-H
O-Rama Review, Obesity-Environment, Obesity Think Tank, Division Nutrition),
working to improve reporting in AIMS and active involvement in AACES, including
serving as treasurer.
Information in this special issue was taken from Extension Excellence Awards
Recommendation forms, as well as interviews with nominees.
Extension Excellence Awards Committee team members gathered additional
information. Team members include Donna Rothberg (Human Resources), chair; Berni
Kurz (Washington Co.), Tom Riley (Environmental and Natural Resources); Laura
Goforth (Communications); Kaye Shrout (Montgomery Co.); Easter Tucker (Family
and Consumer Sciences); Jeff Welch (Lonoke Co.), Jennifer Vickery (Division of
Agriculture), Brenda Watson (Garland Co.) and Sherri Wesson (White Co.).
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