CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF EFNEP IN ALABAMA

Auburn, August , 2004---Alabama’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) will celebrate its 40th year of existence with a two-day conference in Auburn this week.

Wed., Aug. 11, participants will attend various workshops that will help them conduct the programs in their regions and counties. A leadership luncheon is also scheduled and leadership service awards will be presented to 50 women who have worked in the program. If years of service were combined, the ladies represent 747 years of nutrition education experience.

On Thurs., Aug. 12, the celebration continues with the introduction of a 26-week nutrition course and a discussion on current trends in nutrition.

At 11 a.m., several state and national dignitaries will be on hand to honor 40 outstanding EFNEP leaders at a celebration luncheon and awards program. Dignitaries include Dr. Anna Mae Kobbe, national program leader, USDA/CSREES; Alabama Congressman Artur Davis; Alabama Representative Mike Hubbard; and Jeanne Preister, retired national EFNEP leader and Alabama pilot leader. Hubbard will present a proclamation on behalf of Governor Bob Riley. There will also be greetings from Congressman Mike Rogers.

EFNEP, a program used to teach homemaking skills and provide nutritional education to limited-resource families, began in Alabama in 1964 as a pilot project in five counties. When money was appropriated for a nationwide nutrition program in 1968, Alabama’s study was used as the model.

Today, EFNEP is in 31 Alabama counties. Last year its programs reached more than 23,400 limited-resource Alabamians in more than 7,400 families.

Many people cooperate to make EFNEP successful. Program coordinators and specialists at the state level prepare training and resource materials for county programs. At the county level, Extension agents and agent assistants conduct the training program. They provide on-the-job training and supervise program assistants and volunteers who teach clients and youth.

Posted by Jim Langcuster at August 10, 2004 05:00 PM