Nat’l association recognizes extension teams for community support

Eight WSU Extension faculty members and their teams were honored this fall for their efforts supporting Northwest communities, at the annual session of the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences.

Women, farms and food

Margaret Viebrock, WSU Extension director in Chelan and Douglas Counties, Janet Schmidt, WSU Extension director in Whitman County, and Debra Hansen, WSU Extension county director in Stevens County, with other team members, received the second place Western Region Marketing Package Award at the conference, held Sept. 24 in San Antonio, Texas.

This award recognizes “Women, Farms & Food,” a five-state project that helps women farmers reduce business risk and improve profitability. The Marketing Package Award recognizes association members for outstanding marketing efforts addressing concerns and needs of children, families or communities.

Helping families with special needs

Gina Ord, WSU Extension director and Health & Nutrition Extension Educator in Yakima County, was awarded the second place Western Region Florence Hall Award for “Caring for Yourself,” an interactive program for parents of children with special healthcare needs. Ord’s program offers targeted workshops and serves as a gateway to connect special-needs families with extension programs.

Gateway to service for Latino communities

AnaMaria Diaz Martinez, family specialist with Franklin and Benton Counties; Drew Betz, Whatcom County director; Rebecca Sero, extension evaluation specialist; and Ord received the second place Western Regional Award for Program Excellence through Research Award. Martinez was recognized for her work in amplifying the voices of Latino immigrants and the need for collaboration in extension research, evaluation and programs supporting families.

Farm fresh nutrition

Diane Smith, WSU food access and health promotion specialist in Skagit and Whatcom Counties, and her team received the second place Western Region Multi State Collaboration Award for outstanding work in the implementation of the Farm Fresh Food Box (F3B) project. In this pilot project, farmers and rural retailers partner to offer boxes of fresh local produce to local consumers, promoting new markets and increasing access to nutrition.

Learn more about these and other programs on the WSU Extension website.