AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — The Alabama Cooperative Extension System received national acclaim at the 2026 Association for Communication Excellence conference June 15–17 in Billings, Montana.

The Extension Does That! campaign won multiple awards in the Marketing, Graphic Design and Social Media categories.

From website design and video production to written and visual storytelling, the Communications, Strategic Marketing and Client Relations team representing Alabama Extension at Auburn University received 12 awards for outstanding communication products.

“These awards reflect the creativity, professionalism and dedication our staff brings to every project,” said Mike Clardy, communications and marketing director. “We are proud to represent Alabama Extension and Auburn University among some of the best communications professionals in the country.”

The Association for Communication Excellence is a professional organization for communicators in agriculture, natural resources and life and human sciences. Many of the country’s land-grant institutions and Extension services are represented among the association’s membership.

Winning Projects

Alabama Extension won three Gold, four Silver and five Bronze awards this year. These awards represent a wide range of Extension program areas and marketing efforts. The following are Alabama Extension’s 2026 award-winning projects:

This photograph of Extension Commercial Horticulture Agent David Lawrence won the Silver Award in Photography: Environmental portrait or personality photo.

Gold Award

• Graham Farm & Nature Center Website, Educational Technology & Design
• Simply Southern TV Series, Electronic Media, Video & Audio
• Extension Does That! Campaign, Social Media

Silver Award

• Agriculture & Forestry Grow Alabama, Graphic Design
• On the Heir Podcast, Electronic Media, Video & Audio
• Extension Does That! Campaign, Marketing
• David Lawrence: A Powering Performance, Photography

Bronze Award

• Extension Does That! Street Banners, Graphic Design
• Alabama 4-H Entomology Project, Publishing
• Talking It Out: Building Better Relationships, Publishing
• Out to Eat, Electronic Media, Video & Audio
• Looking Past Limits: Will Burgess Proves 4-H is for Everyone, Writing

“These honors are also a reflection of the strong partnerships we have with Extension specialists, agents and program teams across the state,” Clardy said. “Our most successful projects happen when communications and marketing are integrated with program expertise from the beginning. We are grateful for the collaboration and trust of our colleagues who help us tell Alabama Extension’s story and connect our work with audiences who need it most.”