Foss was specifically recognized for her work on the Groundwater Festival in April, which taught hundreds of fourth graders about the water cycle. Her nomination forms highlighted how she kept county operations running smoothly, joined several organization boards, won several sponsorships for the office, and attended professional development classes for additional training in her job areas.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System congratulates Zandi Foss on her recognition as a 2023 Auburn Spirit of Excellence winner. Foss, an Alabama Extension administrative assistant in Dale County, was honored by Auburn University as an employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty. Dale County Extension Coordinator Melissa Voynich said this award is given to an employee with a performance evaluation rating that meets or exceeds expectations at the time of nomination.
“I love to be able to talk to and help our stakeholders, and I love being able to serve in any way that I’m needed,” Foss said. “Working with our different committees and organizations to strengthen our community is rewarding.”
“The old saying that if you find a job that you love, that you never have to work a day in your life really rings true for me,” Foss said. “I look forward to coming to work every day, and I am so blessed and grateful to call Dale County Extension my home.”
More Information
Each Spirit of Excellence award recipient is eligible for the Employee of the Year Award. All recipients are honored at a reception on the Auburn University campus in the spring.
Find other ACES Accolades at www.aces.edu/go/ACESAccolades.
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Melissa Voynich, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System coordinator for Dale County, received the 2023 Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce Community Involvement Award Feb. 22, at the Ozark Business Excellence Awards.
Voynich said the award is indicative of the work Dale County Extension does in the community.
“We were so excited to receive this award because it reflects the amazing contributions of our whole team,” Voynich said. “We are all proud to serve this area.”
In the past calendar year, Dale County Extension professionals helped thousands of youths and adults in at least two to three programs per week. The office reaches 3,000 each month with newsletters and newspaper articles, as well as interacting with residents every day through phone or walk-in services. While assisting more than 750 youths in grades 4 through 6, they visited every school in Dale County, one Ozark City School, the Boys and Girls Club, and other community gatherings as requested.
Pictured from left to right: Dale County Administrative Associate Zandi Foss, Miss Ozark and Chamber Ambassador Savannah Pedroza, Dale County Extension Coordinator Melissa Voynich, and EFNEP agent Abigail Shehee.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System congratulates Scott Graham for his recognition as Specialist of the Year by the Alabama Agricultural Consultant Association. Graham received the award among peers and producers at the Alabama Row Crops Short Course Dec. 15. in Auburn, Alabama.
This award reflects Graham’s growing contributions to cotton, peanut, and soybean producers across Alabama, as well as the network of contacts he has established with consultants, agricultural dealers, farmers, and college personnel.
Donna Gilbert is the recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Council Member Award from the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (AARCD). Gilbert received the award during the Alabama Mountains Rivers and Valley Resource Conservation and Development’s annual meeting in Guntersville, Alabama.
Gilbert, a long-time council member, was recognized for her exceptional contributions to various projects and programs, such as her planning and problem-solving skills.
“Congratulations to Donna for her outstanding achievement and her service to the state of Alabama,” said Majed El-Dweik, interim Extension 1890 administrator.
Gilbert serves as the assistant manager at Alabama A&M University’s Agribition Center which is managed by Alabama Cooperative Extension System staff.
About AARCD Councils
Mission
The mission of the AARCD Councils is to “promote, protect, and develop the natural and human resources to secure and enhance the social and economic benefits for people across the state of Alabama.”
Nine councils serve the state of Alabama.