The National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) held its 2016 annual meeting September 12-15 in Big Sky, Montana. NEAFCS educates and recognizes Extension professionals who improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities. Originally known in 1933 as the National Home Demonstration Agents’ Association, NEAFCS has a rich history of educating people in the area of Family and Consumer Sciences. Today, members in the organization provide education in a variety of topics directly related to:
• Food preparation, food safety and nutrition
• Financial Management
• Healthy Lifestyles
• Home & work environment and safety
• Relationship and parenting skills
• Discover new frontiers in research and information.
• Engage with colleagues to expand program impacts.
• Connect to strengthen the vitality of individuals, families and communities.
This year’s theme was “Network, Grow, and Succeed.” Concurrent and in-depth sessions and exhibit forums reinforced the theme. The opening keynote speaker, Waded Cruzado, President of Montana State University, inspired the audience with her speech on the role of the public university. President Cruzado presented a brief history of her in-depth understanding of the Morrill Act, which created the land-grant university system 150 years ago. She championed the land-grant’s tripartite mission of education, research and public outreach, as well as the important role higher education plays in the development of individuals and the prosperity of the nation. Cruzado gave clear examples of how Montana State benefits from the work of Extension.
The 2016 Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) State Program Leaders met with Caroline E. Crocoll, Director of the Division of Family & Consumer Sciences at USDA NIFA. In addition, updates on Family Well-Being and Community Vitality were provided by Beverly Samuel, National Program Leader. Updates were also given by partners from other FCS constituents including the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, Board of Human Sciences, Council of Administrators of Family & Consumer Sciences, Alliance for Family & Consumer Sciences and Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). This year, 55 conference participants from Texas attended “State Night Out” hosted by Doug Steele, Director Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Conference attendees from Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension included: County Agents Kashara Shelton and Stephanie Salinas, Program Specialists Sabrina Simon and Dawn E. Burton, and Program Leader Jacquelyn White.
Dawn Burton
Health Coordinator
deburton@pvamu.edu
(713) 797-7032