Released: January 28, 2004

Award Winners Cited for Going the Extra Mile

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Alpha Rho Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi recently honored K-State Research and Extension professionals for providing exceptional service to the citizens of Kansas. The awards were given at the K-State Research and Extension Annual Conference banquet held in Manhattan Jan. 8.

Epsilon Sigma Phi is a national organization of Extension professionals.

Daryl Buchholz, K-State Research and Extension Assistant Director, received the State Meritorious Service award. Buchholz’ was commended for his leadership as assistant director for Agriculture and Natural Resources (since 1992) and a willingness to accept additional responsibilities as assistant director of 4-H Youth Development.

In 2002, Buchholz served as co-director of a Horticulture Study Tour to Mexico that resulted in educational programs encouraging cultural understanding. He has helped develop Extension programs and collaborations such as the Kansas Environmental Leadership Program.

Bev Dunning, Sedgwick County Extension Director, received the County Meritorious Service award. Dunning’s Extension career began as an assistant 4-H agent. She was honored for her innovative educational methods and an ongoing commitment to mentoring others to help them develop their strengths and abilities and improve the effectiveness of their programs.

During her 39 years of service to Extension, Dunning has participated in – or led – numerous initiatives, including the grant team that established the Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK).

Jean Clarkson-Frisbie, family and consumer science Extension agent in Pratt County, was presented with the Distinguished Service Award. Clarkson-Frisbie was cited for leadership and vision in planning programs that meet needs yet also expand interests and abilities for Pratt County and others. She introduced a strength training program for women and currently is the chair person for the 2004 Pratt Area Women’s Conference.

Clarkson-Frisbie is the past president of the National Extension Association of Family Consumer Sciences, and, as such, provided leadership for the development of “Living Well,” a national public relations effort for education in family and consumer sciences. She recently completed a three-year term on the National Agriculture Research Economics, Education and Extension Advisory Committee to U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture Glickman and Veneman.

Linda Carr, family and consumer sciences Extension agent in Montgomery County, was presented the International Service Award. Carr will retire as an agent this year after more than 42 years of service. She grew up on a farm near Smolan, Kan., and, said that her interest in travel was sparked by family vacations. Her international interest began to grow during a visit to Spain with the International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) program in 1962. Since then, she and her husband Dale have opened their home to 35 students from other countries. At one time, they hosted four students from four different countries.

Carr said that their extended family reaches around the world, and that she firmly believes in peace through understanding.

Evelyn Neier, associate 4-H youth development Extension specialist, received the State Horizon Award, which honors professionals with five or less years of experience. Neier wears two hats in the Extension system. She promotes healthy eating and physical activity through the Family Nutrition Program and also is developing the state’s Junior Master Gardener program.

“The two go hand-in-hand,” she said, “Children are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables they grow.”

Gardening adds physical activity as well, said Neier, who is based in Sedgwick County.

Andrea Schmidt and Amy Terrill each received County Horizon Awards.

Schmidt, who is a Riley County 4-H youth development agent, recently earned a master’s degree in family life education. She was honored for adding educational value and enthusiasm to her programs. She is a frequent presenter at 4-H Discovery Days, 4-H Ambassador training, and other leadership sessions. And, though a relatively new 4-H agent, she is a willing mentor.

Terrill, Smith County family and consumer sciences Extension agent for three years, is credited with developing programs that serve audiences of all ages. She organized a County Health Fair and has provided effective leadership for the Family Nutrition Program, which included securing funds to underwrite nutrition education programs in the county. She wrote a successful grant that funds an inter-generational program with county 4-H clubs and elder adults.

Sandra Wick, who also serves Smith County, earned the mid-career award recognizing service and new ideas. She has been the agriculture and natural resources Extension agent in the county for 14 years, and has organized and implemented 31 wheat, grain sorghum, alfalfa forage sorghum, sunflower, corn and soybean test plots. Ninety percent of the plots have been harvested, and the data has been distributed to local producers to assist them in selecting varieties that perform well in the county. She also helped secure a $70,000 grant to fund a county recycling project: “Smith County Project Recycle.”

A team award honored the Southwest food safety team, which included Belinda Oldham, Wichita County; Becky Wallace, Hamilton County; Linda Walter, Finney County; and Doris Welch, Kearny County. The family and consumer science agents credited the revival of interest in food preservation, safety and storage in preparation for Y2K for bringing them together “to work in new ways.

“We complement and support each other, and, by working together, we have been able to expand our educational efforts,” said Walter.

The southwest food safety team was featured in National Geographic.

Naomi Simmons-Bradshaw, from Neosho County, was presented the State Friend of Extension Award.

Simmons-Bradshaw was introduced to Extension as a 4-H member. She joined an Extension homemaker’s unit (as a bride in 1954) and continues to remain active with the group. She later earned a degree in Communications, Journalism and Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University, and, in 1979, accepted a writing and reporting position with “Farm Talk,” a weekly publication that reaches 10,000 farm families and businesses in a four-state area that includes Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

As a wife, mother, and career journalist, Simmons-Bradshaw has retained her connection with Extension services and programs. She also has remained active in 4-H youth development as a parent, project leader, and member of county and state committees.

In nominating Simmons-Bradshaw for the award, Lois Carlson, longtime Neosho County Extension coordinator and family and consumer sciences agent, said: “Simmons-Bradshaw was introduced to Extension as a 4-H member, and has continued to value the educational opportunities that Extension provides throughout her life. She continues to help others make the connection so that they, too, can benefit.”

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson, Communications Specialist
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News