Agriculture agents receive communications awards

A North Carolina Cooperative Extension agriculture agent and an agent team have received communications awards from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. Shawn Banks of Johnston County won first place in the feature story category. A team of agents in the Successful Gardener program won in the fact sheet category.

The agents’ team included John Vining, Cyndi Lauderdale, Danny Lauderdale, Donna Teasley, Jan McGuinn, Mark Blevins and Michelle Wallace. The team won first place for their entry, “Showstopper Plants.” Showstopper Plants and accompanying educational materials are featured at Successful Gardener exhibits during winter home and garden shows in Raleigh and Charlotte.

Banks’ award was given for the feature story, “Vegetable Gardening: Getting Started,” which ran in the March/April issue of The Triangle Gardener magazine.

National winners will be recognized at the annual meeting of NACAA, to be held in August in Overland Park, Kansas.