N.C. Cooperative Extension honored outstanding employees and county-based teams on November 15 at the 2018 Extension State Conference awards dinner. Twenty-three awards were presented by NC State Extension Director Dr. Richard Bonanno, and Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T State University Director Dr. Rosalind Dale. Several donors were also on hand to present awards that they sponsor.

“We are grateful to our donors for recognizing and rewarding the important efforts of our team through agriculture, food and nutrition, and 4-H youth development,” said Bonanno. “I am so proud of the work these individuals do to help North Carolina grow and prosper.”

Following the awards dinner, donors and awardees joined Extension leadership for a celebratory reception.

Jean Woodley Balance Award
Mary Morris
Chowan CED/FCS Agent
Chowan County

Carol Birckhead – Outstanding Award for County Extension Directors
Art Bradley
County Extension Director
Edgecombe County

Dr. Chester & Mrs. Lucy Black 4-H Professional Development Scholarship
Lori Stroud
Extension Assistant
Animal Science, CALS

Charles M. Brickhouse Award
Martha Mobley
Extension Agent, Agriculture
Franklin County

Lois G Britt Award
Chrissy Haynes
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
Montgomery County

Dr. Edgar & Mrs. Ethel Boone Award
Gene Fox
Area Agriculture – Consumer Horticulture Assistant Extension Agent
Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell, Washington Counties

Dr. Billy & Mrs. Wilma Caldwell – Leadership Award for County Extension Directors
Dalton Dockery
County Extension Director
Columbus County

Ada B Dalla- Pozza Professional Development Award – $1000
Olivia Jones
Currituck County

Extension Leadership Award
Dustin Adcock
County Extension Agent – Field Crops and Horticulture
Stanly County

NCCE Search for Excellence Awards (Sponsored by NC Grange) –
Administrative Professional Award
Jessica Griffin
Administrative Assistant
Lenoir County

NCCE Search for Excellence Awards (Sponsored by NC Grange) –
South Central District Team Award
NC Agritunity
Team Members
Matt Lenhardt, Iredell County
Nancy Keith, Iredell County
Lenny Rogers, Alexander County
Der Holcomb, Alexander County
George Place, Catawba County
Elina Snyder, Caldwell County
April Vigardt, Catawba County

NCCE Search for Excellence Awards (Sponsored by NC Grange) –
Southeast District Team Award
Vacation Vittles
Team Members
Mark Blevins, Brunswick County
Becky Bowen, ANR/CRD
Duarte Morais, Tourism Extension
Susan Jakes, ANR/CRD
Bruce McLean, Bladen County
Bruno Ferreira, Tourism Extension

NCCE Search for Excellence Awards (Sponsored by NC Grange) – South Central District
Overall State Winner Team Award
NC Agritunity
Team Members
Matt Lenhardt, Iredell County
Nancy Keith, Iredell County
Lenny Rogers, Alexander County
Der Holcomb, Alexander County
George Place, Catawba County
Elina Snyder, Caldwell County
April Vigardt, Catawba County

NCCE Search for Excellence Awards (Sponsored by NC Grange)
Agriculture Agent Award
April Vigardt
Local Food Agent
Catawba County

NCCE Search for Excellence Awards (Sponsored by NC Grange)
Agriculture Agent Award
Martha Mobley
Extension Agent, Agriculture
Franklin County

NCCE Search for Excellence Awards (Sponsored by NC Grange) –
Overall State Winner – Agents Award
April Vigardt
Local Food Agent
Catawba County

NCCE Search for Excellence Awards (Sponsored by NC Grange)
Program Assistant/Associate/Technicians Award
Linda Semon
N.C. A&T 4-H Program Associate
Yancey County

Dr. John Richardson – Study Abroad Award
Martha Mobley
Extension Agent, Agriculture
Franklin County

Lathan F. Smith, Jr. – Award of Excellence in 4-H Award
Louise Hinsley
Extension Agent, 4-H
Beaufort County

Dr. R. Marshall & Mrs. Jan Stewart 4-H Leadership
Spring Williams-Byrd
County Extension Director
Burke County

Ila McIIwean White – Family and Consumer Sciences Program Endowment Award
Elizabeth (Dee) Furlough
FCS Extension Agent
Dare and Tyrrell Counties

Dr. Sandra Zaslow Professional Development Award
Emily Troutman
FCS Agent
Burke County

Dr. Joe & Mrs. Lise Zublena – Program Impact Award
Brittany Whitmire
Extension Associate
Agricultural & Resource Economics, CALS