Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-6342 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

 

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor

Phone: (307) 766-6342

E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu

Archived News Site www.uwyo.edu/agadmin/news/news.htm

 

Date: October 3, 2006 

UW Cooperative Extension Service educators around state honored

            University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (UW CES) educators were recently presented awards for excellence, leadership and creativity.

            The awards were presented during the Extension Professional Improvement Conference Sept. 25-28 in Worland.

            Phyllis Lewis, CES educator for Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties, received the Jim DeBree Excellence in Cooperative Extension Award.

            Dallas Mount, CES educator for Platte, Goshen and Laramie counties, received the Newer Employee Recognition Award.

            The CES Small Acreage Issue Team, which produces Barnyards&Backyard magazine, received the Creative Excellence Recognition Award.

             “I am delighted by the exceptional accomplishments of the educators honored,” said Glen Whipple, associate dean of the College of Agriculture and director of UW CES. “Their dedication and the quality of their work provide a standard to which each of us in extension can aspire.”

            The Jim DeBree award is the most prestigious honor in the UW CES. DeBree was a 33-year member of extension in Montana and Wyoming and served as associate dean and director of UW CES from 1988-1995.

            Lewis was recognized for her dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to excellence.

            "Being the recipient of the Jim DeBree award is a career highlight for me, and I appreciate the support of my peers in deeming me worthy of receiving it this year,” said Lewis, whose office is in Worland.

             Mount was cited for providing exceptional leadership, guidance and insight for his work with producers and within CES.

             “What an honor to receive the newer employee award,” said Mount, who is based in Wheatland. “There are so many high-quality extension employees who have been hired over the last several years it makes it special to be recognized in such great company!”

            The Small Acreage Issue Team members are Mount; Ron Cunningham, Fremont/Wind River Area educator; Cole Ehmke, business development specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics; Tom Heald, educator for Natrona, Converse and Niobrara counties; Hudson Hill and Eric Peterson, educators for Teton, Sublette and Lincoln counties; Scott Hininger, educator for Sheridan and Johnson counties; and Jennifer Jones, CES grants coordinator.

            The group produces Barnyards&Backyards magazine, a quarterly publication for small-acreage owners that offers suggestions from land resource experts.

            Small acreage managers are an increasingly important part of Wyoming, and the Small Acreage Issue Team has realized that, to reach them, expert information needs to be provided in an accessible way, said Ehmke, leader of the group.

            “So all our efforts – the one-on-one interactions, our workshops and our magazine – are designed to attract these managers and show them how to be good stewards.”

            Presenting information appealingly has been a focus, he said. “For instance, with our Barnyards&Backyards magazine, the team has created a professional and glossy magazine that focuses on introducing management concepts, then we make sure it is widely distributed. We're thrilled the team’s efforts have received this award – it validates our approach to education.”

            On the Web: www.uwyo.edu/UWces/

 

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