The Alabama Cooperative Extension System congratulates Matt Ulmer on his recognition as the 2023 Bonnie Teater Community Development Early Career Achievement Award winner. Ulmer, an Alabama Extension Community Workforce, Leadership, and Economic Development Specialist, was honored by the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) with this achievement. SRDC is an organization that looks to address critical rural development issues in the South by strengthening the region’s land-grant institutions. The center’s early-career achievement recognition is awarded every other year to professionals that are early in their careers and have made great contributions in the area of community development.
“Dr. Ulmer’s body of work has made an incalculable impact on Alabama Extension and the citizens of Alabama.” – Paul Brown, Alabama Extension Associate Director
Ulmer has been a part of Alabama Extension since 2015, when he began his position as a family resource management and workforce development specialist. Since that time, Ulmer’s role has developed where his responsibilities now focus on community resource development. These responsibilities include serving as the priority program team coordinator for community development and collaborating with Alabama Extension’s 67 county coordinators to address challenges facing Alabama residents.
“Dr. Ulmer has made many commendable contributions to the community development field as both a leader and change agent in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Auburn University and through his regional and national contributions to the land-grant system. Dr. Ulmer has been an exemplary partner to Alabama Extension’s co-affiliate institution, Alabama A&M University.” – Kimberly Sinclair-Holmes, Alabama Extension Assistant Director
More Information
To read more about Ulmer’s work with Alabama Extension, read the full press release from SRDC at srdc.msstate.edu/.
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.