Several New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service Family and Consumer Science agents and specialists were recognized at the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences annual session in Tucson, Arizona, in September.
Two NMSU staff members received individual national awards. Karim Martinez, Extension family life and child development specialist, was presented the Continued Excellence Award. Rick Griffiths, San Juan County Extension FCS agent, was presented the Distinguished Service Award.
Martinez and her team won the national Communications Television/Video Award for their video and social media campaign, “On Common Ground – Mental Health in Rural New Mexico,” which focuses on the topics of farmer and rancher mental health and suicide prevention. Team members include Jeffery Buras, senior multi-media specialist, Matheus Cezarotto, Extension educational technology specialist, Barbara Chamberlin, department head, Amy Muise, editor, Arturo Ruiloba, TV producer, and Tomilee Turner, instructional designer, from Innovative Media Research and Extension; Charlene Carr, Southern Pueblo agricultural and 4-H agent; Tom Dean, Extension Southwest District director and Southwest Border Protection and Emergency Preparedness Center co-director; Donald Martinez, Rio Arriba County Extension program director and agent; and Marshal Wilson, Southwest Border Protection and Emergency Preparedness Center co-director.
Dianne Christensen, Bernalillo County Extension FCS agent, and her team earned third place in the nation for the Communications Internet Education Technology Award for the Living Well with Inflation series that aimed to provide practical strategies to manage the impacts of inflation and leverage them towards positive growth. Team members include Griffiths, Bryce Jorgensen, family resource management specialist; Joy Czmyrid, Rio Arriba County Extension FCS agent; Desaree Jimenez, Los Alamos County Extension FCS associate; and Susann Mikkelson, Guadalupe County Extension agent.
Jorgensen received four individual awards at the state and regional level including the Communications Radio or Podcast Award for “Financial Advice with Bryce” on KRWG Public Media; Program Excellence Through Research Award for Financial Socialization and Spending Behaviors: From Research to Practice; Dean Don Felker Financial Management Award for Empowering Agents to Teach on Estate Planning Program; and Communications Television/Video Award for Improving Financial Literacy through Radio Program.
“The awards showcase the abilities, quality program efforts and collaborative teamwork that Extension professionals bring to the FCS profession, NMSU and their communities,” Otero County Extension FCS Agent Kelly Knight said.
Additionally, Griffiths was honored as outgoing NEAFCS president and Christensen started her term as president-elect at the NEAFCS annual session.
NEAFCS annual session offers a professional development experience for participants to gain resources and skills to help them succeed in their Extension roles.
“During the event, attendees gained knowledge of Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum and competencies that they will apply to meet the needs of the individuals, families and communities they serve in their Extension work,” Knight said. “Extension professionals attending also had the opportunity to connect with fellow FCS colleagues from other states to allow information sharing for growth of the overall FCS program.”
NEAFCS educates and recognizes Extension professionals who improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities. They provide education in food preparation, food safety and nutrition, financial management, healthy lifestyles, home and work environment and safety, relationship and parenting skills.
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CUTLINE: New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service Family and Consumer Science agents and specialists were honored at the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences annual session. (Courtesy Photo)