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The North Carolina Cooperative Extension West District Conference has recognized several agents at the Henderson County Cooperative Extension office for their exceptional customer service. Betsy Hooker, an Extended Food and Nutrition Education Program educator, and Chris Just, a Farmworker Health and Safety Educator Area Agent, were among those awarded the N.C. Grange Search for Excellence Award. Other honorees included Hannah Worrell Peeler, a 4-H Youth Development Agent, Karen Blaedow, a Commercial Vegetable and Small Fruit Agent, Steve Pettis, a Consumer and Commercial Horticulture Agent, and Terry Kelley, the County Extension Director and Tree Fruit agent.
Farm agents earn accolades for customer service
The Henderson County Cooperative Extension office agents received recognition for excellent customer service at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension West District Conference on Dec. 7.
Betsy Hooker, an Extended Food and Nutrition Education Program educator, was honored with the N.C. Grange Search for Excellence Award. In addition to this, Hooker, along with Amy McEntire of Hillandale Elementary School, received the New EFNEP Educator Award, Over the Mark-Silver Award, and Golden Star Award.
The Farmworkers Health and Safety Education Program’s Chris Just received the N.C. Grange Search for Excellence Team Award. In 2023, his team carried out workshops for farm labor contractors, coordinated Spanish language Pesticide Applicator Schools and hosted a Farmworker Fair.
Hannah Worrell Peeler, a 4-H Youth Development Agent, was honored with the Victoria Jean Cope Award for substantial professional development growth. In the past year, all of her district level presentation competitors won gold or silver medals, with 34 of 54 youth who completed project records proceeding to district competition and placing.
Commercial Vegetable and Small Fruit Agent Karen Blaedow earned the Lois G Britt Award for Outstanding Extension Agent. Recognized for her indispensable role among growers in Henderson County, Blaedow continues to help both producers and patrons across local farmers markets.
Steve Pettis, a Consumer and Commercial Horticulture Agent, won the N.C. Grange Search for Excellence Award for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Pettis is known for his popular program that includes nursery tours, a weekly radio show, Gardening in the Mountain on WTZQ, Farm City Day, Master Gardener training, and more.
County Extension Director and Tree Fruit agent Terry Kelley was given the Dr. Joe and Mrs. Lise Zublena Award for his efforts in securing disaster relief for fruit growers in Henderson County. Kelley managed to obtain roughly $8 million in disaster relief for growers affected by the April 2021 freeze event.
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