Members of Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Extension Program received awards and recognition from the Georgia Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (GEAFCS) during the annual conference in Savannah.
Cooperative Extension helps educate large and small farmers and communities to utilize the latest technology and methods needed to make their operations more efficient. Educational programs promoting food safety, health and nutrition, environmental protection, natural disasters and other emergencies are also available to these constituencies.
GEAFCS, a state affiliate of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS), is an association for professionals working in the Georgia Cooperative Extension System.
Phillip Petway, FVSU Extension 4-H agent for Twiggs County, Kena Torbert, FVSU family life specialist and Leslie Weaver, former FVSU 4-H program assistant all received plaques or certificates in their respective fields.
To be nominated for an award, the recipient must be an active member of the GEAFCS and the NEAFCS.
Petway, Torbert and Weaver earned recognition for programming connected to the USDA’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program-Educational (SNAP-Ed), Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), and the 4-H Program.
“Winning these awards shows that the work we’re doing working with youth is being recognized in the different communities we work with,” Petway said. The Twiggs County 4-H agent added that winning the awards is the result of teamwork between EFNEP and the 4-H Program in putting programs such as Chef’s Camp.
Petway said that it’s an honor to play a part in FVSU’s 4-H and EFNEP programs earning honors on a statewide basis. “It shows that the education we’re putting out there is right on par with the national standards of Extension education,” Petway said.
For more information about the GEAFCS, visit https://www.fcs.uga.edu/extension/geafcs.
Below are the winners and categories:
SNAP-Ed and EFNEP Educational Program Award
First Place Team: Leslie Weaver, Kena Torbert and Phillip Petway - “Chef Camp”
Alva Youngner FACS Programming for 4-H and Youth
Second Place Team: Leslie Weaver, Phillip Petway - “Summer 4-H Clinics”
Third Place: Phillip Petway - “Youth Financial Management”
Innovative Youth Development Award
Phillip Petway, Kena Torbert, Leslie Weaver - “Chef Camp”
Written Press Release Award
Phillip Petway - Local Newspaper Column; “4-H Healthy Teens”