Clemson Extension Service recognizes exemplary service

Published: February 19, 2010

CLEMSON — Six individuals and two teams have been recognized for their exemplary service with Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service in 2009.

First-place team award went to members of the Confined Animal Manure Managers Program: Jesse Adams, retired agent; Brian Beer, extension agent in Lancaster County; John Chastain, biosystems engineering professor; Julie Helm, veterinarian at Clemson Livestock-Poultry Health Programs in Columbia; Stephen Henry, graduate teaching assistant; Lisa Marshall, extension agent in Aiken County; Tonya O’Cain, Agriculture Compliance Manager in Laurens County; Bryan Smith, extension agent in Laurens County; and Lee van Vlake, extension agent in Florence County.

Carroll Culbertson, senior extension director in Laurens County, said that the team has had a beneficial impact on the producers of South Carolina and works to protect the environment.

Second-place team award went to members of the Food Safety and Nutrition Cooking Healthy-Eating Smart (CHES) program: Angela Fraser, food science and human nutrition associate professor; Kimberly Baker, extension agent in Greenville County; Rhonda Mathews, extension agent in Abbeville County; Elaine Amella and Martina Mueller at the Medical University of South Carolina; Angela Forbes, extension agent in Chester County; Robert Guinn, extension agent in Beaufort County; Nancy Harrison, extension agent in Clarendon County; Deon Legette, extension agent in Kershaw County; Christine Patrick, extension agent in Bamberg County; Marilyn Peters, extension agent in Colleton County; Pamela Schmutz, public information specialist at Clemson’s Home and Garden Information Center; Gayle Williford, extension agent in Berkeley County; and Kate Beaver of the South Carolina Research Authority.

“The CHES project illustrates how the team members have worked (and will continue to work) together to develop resources to allow them to target critical state needs in the area of food safety and nutrition,” said Susan Barefoot, program leader for food safety and nutrition.

Receiving individual Extension Service awards are: John Mueller, director of the Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville; Steven Jeffers, entomology, soil and plant science professor; Rhonda Matthews, extension agent in Abbeville County; Kimberly Baker, extension agent in Greenville County; Susie Groomes, administrative assistant for 4-H youth development; and Susan Hastings, administrative assistant in the Georgetown County Extension office.

John Mueller received the Alumni Award for Cooperative Extension Distinguished Public Service.

“As a former graduate student and now county extension agent, I have seen first-hand the hard work and dedication that Dr. Mueller puts into his research and extension programs for the agriculture producers in South Carolina,” said Jonathan Croft, extension agent in Dorchester and Berkeley counties.

“His dedication and devotion to research, extension and the people of the Southeast and South Carolina are without parallel,” said Stephen Koenning, plant pathology associate professor at North Carolina State University.

Steven Jeffers, Rhonda Matthews and Kimberly Baker received Superior Performance Awards.

“Dr. Jeffers is a hard-working, intelligent researcher and extension specialist”, said Patricia Zungoli, interim department chairwoman of entomology, soils and plant sciences. “His programs are an important contribution to slow the spread of diseases that will impinge on the health of forests throughout the United States.”

“Rhonda Matthews is enthusiastic, energetic, capable and represents herself and Clemson extension professionally,” said Susan Barefoot. “She looks for and finds multiple opportunities to develop and deliver food safety and nutrition programming that target the needs of extension clientele.”

“Kimberly Baker is a top-notch food safety and nutrition extension agent who rapidly has become one of Clemson extension’s best, said Barefoot. “She pursues professional excellence while serving as a mentor to students and other agents.”

Susie Groomes and Susan Hastings received the Outstanding Service Award.

“Susie Groomes is an outstanding Cooperative Extension Service employee,” said Diane Smathers, director of the Emeritus College and former SC 4-H State Program Leader. “She exemplifies the essence of the service mission through her untiring efforts, her obvious passion for the 4-H program, her commitment to ethics and excellence and her steadfast belief that 4-H makes a difference in the lives of young people and adults,”

Susan Hastings “has excelled in every way possible as an administrative assistant for the Extension Service. We are truly blessed to have her in our organization and in the Georgetown office,“ said Carlin Munnerlyn, lead agent in Georgetown County.

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