Louisiana 4-H Association Recognizes Outstanding Agents

By Karol Osborne, LSU AgCenter

VIDALIA, La. — LSU AgCenter youth development professionals were recognized for achievement in service at the Louisiana Association of Extension 4-H Agents (LAE4-HA) annual meeting held Aug. 16-18 in Vidalia.

LSU AgCenter Associate Vice President for Youth Development Mark Tassin (far left) and AgCenter Youth Development Department Head Janet Fox (far right) presented outstanding service awards to members of the Louisiana Association of Extension 4-H Agents at the annual meeting in Vidalia. The recipients, starting second from left, were AgCenter extension agents Chris Pearce, of Sabine Parish; Hannah Duvall, of St. Martin Parish; Beth Putnam, of Washington Parish; Ashley Powell, of Catahoula Parish; and Jeannie Crnkovic, of Bossier Parish.

The annual convention offers youth development training and updates, leadership development and collaborative support for AgCenter extension agents conducting 4-H programming in all 64 Louisiana parishes.

The Louisiana 4-H program currently supports nearly 286,800 youth members in grades K-12 and 8,961 youth and adult volunteers.

Seven association members received awards for outstanding service.

Chris Pearce, of Sabine Parish; Beth Putnam, of Washington Parish; and Hannah Duvall of St. Martin Parish received the Achievement in Service award, which recognizes association members who have served with the AgCenter for three to seven years.

The Distinguished Service Award, which acknowledges members with more than seven years of service, was presented to Ashley Powell, of Catahoula Parish; Jennifer Ducote, of St. Mary Parish; and Silas Cecil, of LaSalle Parish.

Executive board members serving the Louisiana Association of Extension 4-H Agents for 2017-18 are treasurer Brittany Bourg, of Cameron Parish; president-elect Kim Jones, state 4-H instructor; past president Amy Long-Pierre, of St. Tammany Parish; president Esther Boe, of Avoyelles Parish; reporter Lanette Hebert, southwest region 4-H coordinator; and secretary Hannah Duvall, of St. Martin Parish.

Bossier Parish extension agent Jeannie Crnkovic received the Meritorious Service Award, which is presented to one member per year selected from previously recognized Distinguished Service Award recipients.

The association also elected Kim Jones, state 4-H Youth Development instructor, as president-elect; Hannah Duvall, St. Martin Parish extension agent, as secretary; and Lanette Hebert, southwest region 4-H coordinator, as reporter.

Other members of the 2017-2018 executive board are president Esther Boe, Avoyelles Parish extension agent; past president Amy Long-Pierre, St. Tammany Parish extension agent; vice-president Katherine Pace, Caddo Parish extension agent; and treasurer Brittany Bourg, Cameron Parish extension agent.