1998 State Epsilon Sigma Phi Awards

State Meritorious Support Service Award
	Rodolfo Alaniz has served as Farm Demonstration Assistant for the Texas Agricultural Extension Service since 1981. He is able to address every facet of demonstration field work from establishment to harvest and can review a protocol or plot plan precisely, initiate and bring the project to full completion. Specialist staff in Districts 11 and 12 consistently rely on Rudy Alaniz to assist in turn-row meetings, multi-county seminars, and special events requiring spray, tillage or field equipment.
	Bev Kellner is an Administrative Secretary for the Passenger Safety Education Project within the Family Development and Resource Management Unit. Ms. Kellner is the primary staff support person for the Coordinated Campaign Safe and Sober grant and supports the Family Passenger Safety in Rural Texas grant. She provides leadership in desktop publishing, web page design, graphic design and edits a statewide newsletter.
	Marcella L. Martin has served Extension continuously for 29 years as District Office Manager for Panhandle District 1. Her working knowledge of agriculture, family and consumer sciences, 4-H, youth development and community development supports the critical issues addressed in the district. Mrs. Martin is a tireless worker and has the ability to recruit, employ, train and maintain an outstanding secretarial staff. She has given leadership to professional development and training for secretarial staffs in a 21-county area to improve their efficiency.
	Elizabeth Ryan has been employed by Extension since 1973 starting as a 4-H and Horticulture secretary in Harris County. She was promoted to Administrative Secretary after 10 years of service. She supervises 9 support staff members, serves as liaison with other county departments in District 9 and manages all aspects of the Harris County office. She serves on the committee of Urban Office Managers to plan for training and professional improvement.

State Early Career Service Award

Angela B. Burkham is an Extension Program Specialist in 4-H and Youth Development for Districts 1 and 2. Ms. Burkham has authored and implemented volunteer programs, coordinated leadership events and exhibits for the 4-H reunion, served as advisor to the West Texas A&M Collegiate 4-H Club, and secured over $150,000 in donor contributions. She recently conducted a pilot project, Exploring Texas, where youth authored web pages on environmental and cultural resources.

Dale Dunlap Since 1989, Mr. Dunlap has served Extension as a County Extension Agent- Agriculture, first in Tom Green County and presently in Collingsworth County. He has excelled in water-use efficiency, disease control and risk management programming. Working with the agriculture program area committee, private industry and other agencies, Mr. Dunlap has developed a water-use curriculum resulting in more efficient LEPA systems.

F. Scott Edmonson has been employed by Extension since 1991. He has worked with the Guadalupe County staff and Extension Program Council officers in restructuring the Extension Program Council and securing resources to technologically update the office. He increased 4-H volunteer leadership participation in Pecos County by 400%, junior and teen leader participation by 20%, and minority youth participation by 30%. Mr. Edmonson developed the District 6 4-H Council's Enrichment Guide.

Dorothy E. James is an Assistant Professor and Extension Family Life Specialist with Family Development and Resource Management. Mrs. James coordinated the development and implementation of the statewide collaborative program, Partners for Parenting: A Comprehensive Effort; established a state parenting curricula library; developed a nationally recognized Master Parent Volunteer Program: Building Healthy Families; conducted training workshops; provided agents with assistance and developed publications.

State Early Career Service Award
	Angela B. Burkham is an Extension Program Specialist in 4-H and Youth Development for Districts 1 and 2. Ms. Burkham has authored and implemented volunteer programs, coordinated leadership events and exhibits for the 4-H reunion, served as advisor to the West Texas A&M Collegiate 4-H Club, and secured over $150,000 in donor contributions. She recently conducted a pilot project, Exploring Texas, where youth authored web pages on environmental and cultural resources.
	Dale Dunlap Since 1989, Mr. Dunlap has served Extension as a County Extension Agent- Agriculture, first in Tom Green County and presently in Collingsworth County. He has excelled in water-use efficiency, disease control and risk management programming. Working with the agriculture program area committee, private industry and other agencies, Mr. Dunlap has developed a water-use curriculum resulting in more efficient LEPA systems.
	F. Scott Edmonson has been employed by Extension since 1991. He has worked with the Guadalupe County staff and Extension Program Council officers in restructuring the Extension Program Council and securing resources to technologically update the office. He increased 4-H volunteer leadership participation in Pecos County by 400%, junior and teen leader participation by 20%, and minority youth participation by 30%. Mr. Edmonson developed the District 6 4-H Council's Enrichment Guide.
	Dorothy E. James is an Assistant Professor and Extension Family Life Specialist with Family Development and Resource Management. Mrs. James coordinated the development and implementation of the statewide collaborative program, Partners for Parenting: A Comprehensive Effort; established a state parenting curricula library; developed a nationally recognized Master Parent Volunteer Program: Building Healthy Families; conducted training workshops; provided agents with assistance and developed publications.

State Mid-Career Service Award

Beverly K. Harder, County Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, has been with Extension since 1970. She has addressed Texans' health concerns with programs on changing nutrition, diet and health including "A Change of Heart," "Living Life," "Treat Your Body Better Clinic," and "Wellness at the Worksite." Additional efforts by Mrs. Harder have resulted in improved food safety, family disaster preparedness and increased seat belt use with adults and children.

Vincent Mannino has served Extension as a County Extension Agent-Horticulture since 1984. He has done extensive media work in radio, television and newspapers and has held seminars and workshops in herb gardening, southeast Texas fruits and nuts, pecan grafting, vegetable gardening and landscaping.

Larry A. Stein, is an Associate Professor and Extension Horticulturist in Uvalde. He has implemented an applied research program focused on solving immediate or current production problems in vegetable, fruit and nut production in the Texas Winter Garden. He started a cultivar evaluation and development program that has enabled producers to maximize yield and quality and become more competitive. He contributes to gardening magazines, radio programs, television news segments and newspapers.

State Mid-Career Service Award
	Beverly K. Harder, County Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, has been with Extension since 1970. She has addressed Texans' health concerns with programs on changing nutrition, diet and health including "A Change of Heart," "Living Life," "Treat Your Body Better Clinic," and "Wellness at the Worksite." Additional efforts by Mrs. Harder have resulted in improved food safety, family disaster preparedness and increased seat belt use with adults and children.
	Vincent Mannino has served Extension as a County Extension Agent-Horticulture since 1984. He has done extensive media work in radio, television and newspapers and has held seminars and workshops in herb gardening, southeast Texas fruits and nuts, pecan grafting, vegetable gardening and landscaping.
	Larry A. Stein, is an Associate Professor and Extension Horticulturist in Uvalde. He has implemented an applied research program focused on solving immediate or current production problems in vegetable, fruit and nut production in the Texas Winter Garden. He started a cultivar evaluation and development program that has enabled producers to maximize yield and quality and become more competitive. He contributes to gardening magazines, radio programs, television news segments and newspapers.

State Team Award--"Workforce 2000"

Alby Peters - Potter County Extension Agent-Family and Consumer Sciences,
Leesa Wood Calvi - Randall County Extension Agent-Family and Consumer Sciences,
Jim Allison - Potter County Extension Agent-Agriculture
and not pictured Robert Devin - Randall County Extension Agent-Agriculture
"Workforce 2000" was a training program for teens implemented in a southeast Amarillo school, Caprock High School, known for its low literacy and low income. Over 30 business partners were recruited annually to serve as job shadowing mentors with the targeted youth. Career interests were as diverse as the student participants — criminal justice, computer technology, graphic arts, veterinary medicine, journalism and medical technician positions. The 1997-98 post test data indicated a significant increase in knowledge of interviewing skills, social skills and goal setting skills. Based on the program's success, a second Amarillo campus will be included in 1998-99.

State Team Award--"Workforce 2000"
	Alby Peters - Potter County Extension Agent-Family and Consumer Sciences, Leesa Wood Calvi - Randall County Extension Agent-Family and Consumer Sciences, Jim Allison - Potter County Extension Agent-Agriculture and not pictured Robert Devin - Randall County Extension Agent-Agriculture "Workforce 2000" was a training program for teens implemented in a southeast Amarillo school, Caprock High School, known for its low literacy and low income. Over 30 business partners were recruited annually to serve as job shadowing mentors with the targeted youth. Career interests were as diverse as the student participants — criminal justice, computer technology, graphic arts, veterinary medicine, journalism and medical technician positions. The 1997-98 post test data indicated a significant increase in knowledge of interviewing skills, social skills and goal setting skills. Based on the program's success, a second Amarillo campus will be included in 1998-99.

State Retiree Service Award

Lee A. Wilson served as a County Extension Agent-Agriculture for 31 years and retired in 1985. He is the only the third CEA-Agriculture named to Emeritus status. In 1985, Mr. Wilson was asked to manage the Texas A&M University Demonstration Farm in Brazoria County. He is continually supportive of current Brazoria County Extension Service programs and assists in raising funds for agricultural related educational programming.

State Retiree Service Award
	Lee A. Wilson served as a County Extension Agent-Agriculture for 31 years and retired in 1985. He is the only the third CEA-Agriculture named to Emeritus status. In 1985, Mr. Wilson was asked to manage the Texas A&M University Demonstration Farm in Brazoria County. He is continually supportive of current Brazoria County Extension Service programs and assists in raising funds for agricultural related educational programming.

State Distinguished Service Award

Harvey Buehring has been a County Extension Agent - Agriculture in Nueces County since 1982 and has been employed by Extension since 1971. Mr. Buehring has been featured by the Southwest Farm Press and other media in agricultural events and weather anomalies impacting agriculture in South Texas. He is a leader in the 4-H and youth development program, providing extensive support to livestock shows. He is widely recognized for his result demonstration documentation.

Shirley M. Brown has been a County Extension Agent in Family and Consumer Sciences in Fort Bend County since 1981 and an Extension employee since 1976. Ms. Brown has provided leadership for the planning and implementation of programs benefitting schools, food service programs, and summer youth employment programs. She has acquired grants resulting in employment for limited resource youth and adults. Ms. Brown's leadership to several communities and schools for community wide health fairs has resulted in family savings of $200 - $500 for health screenings.

Bouche Mickey has been County Extension Agent and Urban Development Program Leader in Fort Bend County since 1995 and has been employed with Extension since 1974. Mr. Mickey serves on several business/industry boards in Fort Bend County. He has organized several Community Development Groups, procured grants for special projects, developed a Christmas Tree Recycling program resulting in thousands of composted trees, and has graduated over 180 Master Gardeners in 3½ years.

Teresa L. Smith has been an Extension employee for 21 years. She has been an Extension Associate in Cancer Prevention and Water Quality with Family Development and Resource Management and the Department of Agricultural Engineering since 1992. Her work with "Stretching Your Dollars" resulted in over 1800 participants improving consumer skills, organizing financial records and avoiding fraud. She has been the project coordinator for two major Extension grants with the Texas Cancer Council focusing on reducing risk behaviors and preventing cancer in youth and adults. Mrs. Smith is responsible for ten publications in the area of water quality.

State Distinguished Service Award
	Harvey Buehring has been a County Extension Agent - Agriculture in Nueces County since 1982 and has been employed by Extension since 1971. Mr. Buehring has been featured by the Southwest Farm Press and other media in agricultural events and weather anomalies impacting agriculture in South Texas. He is a leader in the 4-H and youth development program, providing extensive support to livestock shows. He is widely recognized for his result demonstration documentation.
	Shirley M. Brown has been a County Extension Agent in Family and Consumer Sciences in Fort Bend County since 1981 and an Extension employee since 1976. Ms. Brown has provided leadership for the planning and implementation of programs benefitting schools, food service programs, and summer youth employment programs. She has acquired grants resulting in employment for limited resource youth and adults. Ms. Brown's leadership to several communities and schools for community wide health fairs has resulted in family savings of $200 - $500 for health screenings.
	Bouche Mickey has been County Extension Agent and Urban Development Program Leader in Fort Bend County since 1995 and has been employed with Extension since 1974. Mr. Mickey serves on several business/industry boards in Fort Bend County. He has organized several Community Development Groups, procured grants for special projects, developed a Christmas Tree Recycling program resulting in thousands of composted trees, and has graduated over 180 Master Gardeners in 3½ years.
	Teresa L. Smith has been an Extension employee for 21 years. She has been an Extension Associate in Cancer Prevention and Water Quality with Family Development and Resource Management and the Department of Agricultural Engineering since 1992. Her work with "Stretching Your Dollars" resulted in over 1800 participants improving consumer skills, organizing financial records and avoiding fraud. She has been the project coordinator for two major Extension grants with the Texas Cancer Council focusing on reducing risk behaviors and preventing cancer in youth and adults. Mrs. Smith is responsible for ten publications in the area of water quality.

State Friend of Extension

State Representative Warren Chisum, District 88 (Panhandle and Rolling Plains counties), is a strong Extension advocate at the local, state and national level. He is a proponent of Extension's work with families including parenting education, rural health and family financial management. He has spent countless hours talking to 4-H groups throughout the Panhandle embracing youth leadership, citizenship and responsibility. Representative Chisum continues to support base funding for Extension and initiative funding for Families and Youth, Precision Agriculture, Risk Management and IPM.

State Friend of Extension
	State Representative Warren Chisum, District 88 (Panhandle and Rolling Plains counties), is a strong Extension advocate at the local, state and national level. He is a proponent of Extension's work with families including parenting education, rural health and family financial management. He has spent countless hours talking to 4-H groups throughout the Panhandle embracing youth leadership, citizenship and responsibility. Representative Chisum continues to support base funding for Extension and initiative funding for Families and Youth, Precision Agriculture, Risk Management and IPM.

Regional Mid-Career Service Award

Thomas W. Fuchs has effectively addressed agricultural and urban entomology needs. His trademark is carefully designed and well planned programs that use a variety of methods for demonstration and training. He is one of the leading entomological spokespersons on crop pest management in the United States. The Texas IPM program involves twenty-six Pest Management Programs, with 2,500 participants producing eleven different crops on 900,000 acres. The annual impact of the Texas IPM program is estimated at $340 million.

Regional Mid-Career Service Award
	Thomas W. Fuchs has effectively addressed agricultural and urban entomology needs. His trademark is carefully designed and well planned programs that use a variety of methods for demonstration and training. He is one of the leading entomological spokespersons on crop pest management in the United States. The Texas IPM program involves twenty-six Pest Management Programs, with 2,500 participants producing eleven different crops on 900,000 acres. The annual impact of the Texas IPM program is estimated at $340 million.

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