November 23, 2009

Professional organization honors Purdue Extension educators

* Sharon Lawson of Crawford County received the 4-H Youth Development Individual Award. Lawson was recognized for her role in the Crawford County Project LEAD, a program in which students learn about local and state laws and the judicial system.

* Ricky Kemery of Allen County was presented the Agriculture and Natural Resources Individual Award. Kemery has established programs for consumer horticulture through mediums such as the local PBS television station, radio stations, newspapers and magazines.

* John Hancewicz of Vigo County was presented the Economic and Community Development Individual Award for his role in the Ivy Tech and Purdue Extension Partnership. Hancewicz created a position with Ivy Tech for the Agriculture Associates Degree Program.

* Georgia Wagner of Wayne County received the Consumer and Family Science Individual Award for her program Caring for the Caregiver. Wagner partnered with the Area 9 Agency on Aging to organize a one-day workshop to provide participants with proper caregiving tools, coping skills and knowledge of community resources.

* Genise Huey of Posey County was presented the CFS Career Award. For 16 years, Huey taught the Have a Healthy Baby program that resulted in a decline in the percentage of low-birthweight babies. Huey also has been involved in the Posey County Reality Store, ServSafe, Family Resource Management programs and Dining with Diabetes.

* Rena Sheldon of Morgan County received the Bob Amick Award. Sheldon was part of the Mini 4-H Camp Program that introduced 4-H and included activities in group recreation, project work, singing, camping, hiking, goal setting and healthy eating.

* Lana Frazier of Vigo County was presented the Diversity Award for her program Seeds of Change. Frazier introduced the program to two fifth-grade classes in Vigo County to help expose youth to diverse cultures. The elementary students increased their ability to identify countries and their flags and were able to identify foods from specific countries.

Writer: Elizabeth Fritz, 574-595-5154, libby.fritz@gmail.com

Source: Chuck Hibberd, associate dean of agriculture, 765-494-8489, hibberd@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Steve Leer, sleer@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

Note to Journalists: Photos of the winners will be available at noon on Monday (Nov. 23) at https://www.ag.purdue.edu/extension/awards/

To the News Service home page