Extension Today

As individuals and families face rising financial challenges, Cooperative Extension staff are there to provide support. People like Family and Child Development Specialist Dr. Dorothy Brandon are on the front lines, offering hope and a way out of current economic challenges.

With more than 12 years of experience at Alabama Extension, Brandon uses her expertise in family and consumer sciences to help individuals and families strive for financial stability through programs like Financial Literacy in Progress. Today, people across the state request her by name to come and deliver money management programs. Thanks to Brandon and her team, thousands of Alabamians have taken control of their personal finances, established spending plans and set new monetary goals like reducing debt, buying a home or starting a business.

Older adults, however, continue to be one of Brandon’s favorite audiences. Over the years, she has empowered them with skills to navigate the digital divide, highlighted the importance of establishing an estate plan, taught them how to prevent falls in their homes, and advised them on how to age successfully in their own homes.

This month, Alabama Extension is proud to feature Brandon, who exemplifies the 2025 Women’s History Month theme of educating and inspiring generations as we work together to build a better Alabama and a better world.

Margeria Smith, an agriculture associate with Alcorn State University’s (ASU) Extension Program in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, is using drone technology to transform how farmers and students engage with agriculture.

As a licensed drone pilot, she is committed to helping others see how technology can support more efficient farming practices. A native of Port Gibson, Mississippi, Smith’s roots in agriculture run deep. She grew up on her grandparents’ farm, where she developed a firsthand understanding of both the challenges and rewards of farming.

“Farming was more than just hard work — it was a way of life,” Smith said. “I saw how much care went into tending the land, and that shaped my commitment to helping others make the most of their resources.”

Her passion for agriculture led her to Alcorn, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in plant and soil science and a Master of Science in agronomy. After furthering her education and gaining experience in the field, she made the intentional decision to return home.

“Alcorn gave me the foundation I needed to succeed, and coming back was an opportunity to make a difference in the place that made me who I am,” Smith said.

Through ASU's Extension Program, Smith provides hands-on demonstrations at farms, schools and community events, introducing farmers and students to the benefits of drone technology in agriculture. She also works on the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant, helping implement agricultural practices that benefit both small-scale and commercial farmers.

This Women’s History Month, we shine a spotlight on Renita Porter, a trailblazing leader whose work as the family and consumer sciences (FCS) program leader at Central State University Extension exemplifies dedication, innovation and community impact. Porter’s contributions reflect her passion for creating programs that empower individuals and transform communities, highlighting the vital role women play in shaping our society.

A proud native of Xenia, Ohio, and an alumna of Central State University, Porter is deeply committed to improving lives through health, wellness and financial literacy initiatives. After earning her Bachelor of Science in psychology in 1994, she pursued dual master's degrees in business administration and public administration at Keller Graduate School. In December 2023, she was appointed FCS program leader, bringing more than a decade of teaching, administrative and program development experience to the role.

Porter’s leadership has been instrumental in creating and implementing life-changing programs addressing diverse community needs, such as Sewing with Swag: A youth program blending creativity with essential life skills, and the Community Health Worker Program: Accredited by the Ohio Board of Nursing (welcomed its first cohort in February 2025).

Porter lives by the motto, "Live every moment, laugh every day, love beyond words," and it truly reflects how she approaches everything she does. As the FCS program leader, she's been making a real difference — not just in her work but in the lives of so many people. Her efforts during Women’s History Month are a reminder of how one person's dedication and vision can inspire positive change.

Dr. Rose Ogutu, a horticulture specialist at Delaware State University (DSU), has significantly contributed to the Outreach Extension program. Known as Dr. Rose, she earned her Master of Science in horticulture from Cornell University and her Ph.D. from Kansas State University. Her career began at Egerton University College in Kenya, and she later worked at Cornell as a greenhouse assistant and served as assistant greenhouse manager at Kansas State. She then joined Lincoln University of Missouri as a postdoctoral researcher, focusing on hydroponics for small-scale farmers.

Ogutu felt at home as the new horticulture specialist at DSU, welcomed by the agriculture department and Outreach Extension. She brought extensive knowledge and motivation, securing more than $1.5 million in grants and collaborating with leading universities nationally and internationally. Currently serving as the northeast coordinator for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program and a member of the Philanthropic Education Organization (P.E.O.), which supports women through grants and scholarships.

Ogutu has received several scholarships, including those from the American Association of University Women and the Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund. As she states, “I am giving back by being a member of P.E.O. to help see other women reach out for the stars.”

Ogutu finds her work in Outreach Extension rewarding as it allows her to educate students and mentor aspiring farmers. Through grant funding, she has mentored 14 students from various majors, providing hands-on experience in different farming methods while highlighting stakeholder outreach. DSU’s Farm School Program, supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has been instrumental in her efforts.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we recognize the outstanding contributions of Vonda Richardson, director and associate administrator of Florida A&M University (FAMU) Cooperative Extension. A trailblazer in her field, Richardson made history as the first female Extension administrator at FAMU.

A 1992 graduate of Fort Valley State University, she earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics before beginning her career at FAMU in 1995 as an Extension specialist. Her leadership and commitment to community engagement led to her appointment as interim Extension administrator in 2012, a position she officially assumed in 2014. In this role, she has overseen FAMU's Cooperative Extension Program, including the FAMU Research and Extension Center in Quincy and the Brooksville Agricultural and Environmental Research Station.

Her impact extends beyond FAMU. In September 2024, she was appointed chair of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) for the 2024-25 term, further solidifying her influence in national Extension leadership.

Through her dedication, Richardson has played a pivotal role in expanding outreach programs, fostering agricultural education and empowering communities. Her visionary leadership continues to shape the future of Extension services, ensuring that FAMU remains a driving force in agricultural innovation and community development.

Carrying the torch may best describe the farming career of Dr. Darlene Williams.

Williams owns Roberts Vinyard, a muscadine farm located in Byron, Georgia. More than 20 years ago, she began planting and harvesting crops with her late husband, James.

“Muscadines were my husband’s hobby. He was the visionary, but he passed away. Now, I’m carrying on the vision,” Williams said.

For the past four years, she has managed the vineyard on her own. However, in 2021, Williams found out that to remain in business, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the state of Georgia required that she pass a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audit. GAP audits are a voluntary process that certifies fruits and vegetables are safely produced, handled, packaged and stored in a manner that minimizes the development of hazardous microbes that cause food-borne illnesses.

Williams was at a loss as to how to acquire the GAP certification. She knew Fort Valley State University’s (FVSU) Cooperative Extension could provide some guidance, so she turned to former FVSU Extension employee Joy Moten-Thomas for advice.

Moten-Thomas told her about the FVSU program made possible through a grant secured from the USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. John E. Simmons, who serves as a GAP consultant for FVSU Cooperative Extension, advised Williams through her certification process.

Williams said with GAP certification, her business has thrived and achieved a historical milestone.

“I am honored to have the first USDA Good Agriculture Practice certified vineyard in the state of Georgia that’s owned and operated by a Black female,” she exclaimed.

When a young Turquoise Brown’s mother observed her attempting to perfectly balance a stack of homecooked meatballs on her plate, she thought Brown would end up an engineer. Little did she know that her cooking would eventually inspire her daughter’s career in nutrition education.

“I didn’t realize that this would be what I really desired to do for the rest of my life… I come from a home where my mom cooks, and I always had the experience of cooking from scratch. My mom would make homemade biscuits, dumplings and fresh fruit pies,” said Brown. “It’s those things I can remember that always pointed me to nutrition education that I look back at. My mom would always incorporate and try to introduce fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Brown, now the interim program leader for family and consumer sciences at Kentucky State University (KSU), oversees nutrition education grants and provides classes that teach people how to cook, food safety skills and nutritious recipes. She began her career in this field in 2011 as a nutrition educator at KSU, her alma mater.

“The beautiful thing was, we grew up in underserved communities, receiving SNAP benefits, so I’m familiar with what that looks like, growing up as a child. So, it allows me to have a different type of insight and compassion and empathy for those whom we serve,” she said.

In her role, Brown also develops programs that aim to help families beyond nutrition. This includes programs in consumer education, family and human development, and financial literacy.

Annie Peters Hunter, a native of Alabama, made history as the first federally appointed African American female home demonstration agent two years before the passage of the 1914 Smith-Lever Act, which formally established the Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with land-grant institutions.

In 1912, Hunter began her groundbreaking role in Boley, Oklahoma, serving the predominantly Black communities of Okfuskee and Seminole counties. Her mission was to educate African American farmers and their families on food preservation techniques, especially canning, to ensure year-round access to safe and nutritious food. Her work was essential in promoting conservation and improving farm profitability during a time when resources were scarce and agricultural practices were rapidly evolving.

Hunter dedicated 12 years to this pioneering role, helping families enhance their food preservation methods and boost farm productivity. Her efforts not only improved food security but also empowered Black farmers to thrive in a system that often marginalized them.

Research by Charlotte (Shar) Carter, MHR, from Langston University’s Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, including insights from The Secret History of Home Economics, revealed how deeply segregated home economics and Cooperative Extension services remained during the Depression era. This segregation prompted the National Association of Teachers in Colored Schools to establish its own Cooperative Extension programs, which significantly advanced African American women’s roles in agricultural education.

Hunter’s legacy exemplifies the resilience and innovation of African American women in Cooperative Extension and agricultural education. Her pioneering work not only uplifted rural communities but also laid the groundwork for future advancements in food preservation, home economics and agricultural research.

Izula Maximillen is a small farm and garden outreach worker for Lincoln University Cooperative Extension’s Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program. Maximillen is dedicated and passionate about helping small farmers and ranchers. Passionate about supporting small farmers and ranchers, Maximillen played a key role in developing an $8.5 million Land and Capital Market Access Grant with the Kansas Black Farmers Association (KBFA).

The grant is part of the KBFA’s Reclaiming the Heritage of Farming for the Underserved: A Regional Agricultural Partnership to Access Land, Capital, Markets and Education program. The program strives to empower underserved farmers and ranchers by offering down payment assistance, education and technical assistance. Maximillen said approximately 60% of the funding is dedicated to these services. The KBFA also hopes to improve land access, increase capital availability, enhance market opportunities, and provide innovative education and technical support.

“I’m very excited for it,” Maximillen said. “It’s significant to me. Missouri has the second largest number of small farmers in the country. I want to see all our agricultural needs taken care of so we can be that community and show it’s viable to have a life as a farmer.”

Maximillen is heavily involved, not only with KBFA, but also with several other organizations and community outreach projects within the Kansas City area, including Kansas City Farmers and Ranchers for Mentoring, Education and Resource Sharing, Hip Hop is Green KC, Herbalists Without Borders and the Agroforestry Speakers Coalition.

Midway through her term leading an association dedicated to supporting community development, Cooperative Extension professionals and programs, Michelle Eley, Ph.D., sees visibility and partnership at the core of her mission.

“We’re much more effective and powerful because of the things that we do as a collective body and unit,” said Eley, board president of the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP). A community and economic development specialist with Cooperative Extension at North Carolina A&T State University, Eley was elected to the position last spring.

NACDEP, which has about 450 members, hosts an annual conference in June, NACDEP New Year — a virtual event in January, webinars and access to best-practice community development programming. It also has a “buddy program,” where seasoned professionals can mentor those new to the field.

“One of the things that I have been working on this year is looking at opportunities for us to partner with groups that didn't know about us,” Eley said. Developing relationships with nonprofits and other entities that share common goals can be mutually beneficial, as well as raise awareness of Extension programs.

“But I feel like our goal is to encourage Extension professionals — people who have not been a part of NACDEP — to look at us, to consider us,” said Eley. “Being a member of the 1890 (land-grant university) system, whatever I can do to help elevate and promote NACDEP to my 1890 peers has been a focus of mine.”

Eley received the association’s 2024 Trailblazer Award and was part of the Southern Rural Development Center team at Mississippi State University given the 2024 NACDEP Diversity Award.

Megan Rodriguez has made an extraordinary impact on Willacy and Cameron counties, earning her the 2025 Community and Economic Development (CED) Employee of the Year Award. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in their dedication, innovation and leadership in community development. Rodriguez's work has significantly contributed to economic growth, workforce development and small business empowerment in the region.

Through her leadership in the Businesses in Development Academy, she has helped more than 76 small businesses secure government contracts, enhancing economic opportunities for Historically Underutilized Businesses over the last three years. Her efforts in financial investment programs have facilitated more than $8.49 million in loans and grants, generating an estimated $16.98 million in total economic impact across both counties from 2022-24.

Rodriguez’s dedication extends to youth development, where she spearheaded Youth Ag Day and Entrepreneurship Programs, educating more than 1,200 students on business and agricultural sustainability. She has also played a vital role in Women in Agriculture initiatives, Small Business Development Workshops and Grow with Google trainings, ensuring local entrepreneurs have the skills and resources needed to succeed.

Her work ethic, passion for economic equity and commitment to collaboration and innovation have inspired both colleagues and community members. Rodriguez’s ability to drive transformative change has not only strengthened local economies but has also set a benchmark for excellence in the CED field.

South Carolina State University Public Service and Agriculture (SC State PSA) has awarded Shena Scott, administrative coordinator for the Upstate region, the Commitment to Service in Excellence Award. Announced at the agency’s Winter All-Hands training meeting in January, the award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to serving the community and organization.

“[Shena] Scott exemplifies the values of service, dedication and professionalism at the core of SC State PSA’s mission,” said Dr. Louis Whitesides, vice president of SC State PSA. “Her tireless efforts supporting our programs and colleagues reflect her deep commitment to serving others.”

As administrative coordinator for Anderson, Greenville, Pickens and Spartanburg counties, Scott supports Extension staff and programs, handles communications, manages budgets and prepares reports. She serves as key liaison between regional offices, the university and external agencies, ensuring seamless operations.

Scott also assists 4-H Youth Development summer camps, providing youths with opportunities to explore agriculture, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, leadership and life skills.

Through the Emerging Extension Leadership Initiative at Clemson University, Scott continues to expand her leadership skills and strengthen her impact on the communities she serves.

“[Shena] Scott’s work ethic and dedication are unparalleled,” said Boyd Owens, Extension director for the Upstate region. “She proactively ensures our programs run smoothly, making her an invaluable team member.”

Carolyn Robinson is an area agent and a regional supervisor for the Southern University Ag Center’s Family and Human Services/Nutrition Education in East and West Carroll, Madison, Richland, Morehouse and Union parishes.

During her 32 years working in Cooperative Extension, she has served as an assistant and associate field agent for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed). Robinson began her career in Extension at Louisiana State University on June 1, 1993, where she served as an EFNEP program supervisor. She became employed with Southern University in 1997, as both the EFNEP supervisor at LSU and the supervisor of Southern University’s FF-News, currently called SNAP-Ed.

Robinson said she selected the field of agriculture after exploring several majors.

“I started in social work, and that kind of gave me what I wanted to be able to help people in the community, but it limited me in what I wanted to do,” she remembered. “I was informed that Extension had a position, and I applied for it. I could see from the first day I started working in Extension that it was exactly what I wanted to do. My passion was to help people, and I don’t think I could have picked any other occupation that would give me the justification to help individuals improve their lives and have a better quality of life."

Dr. Arvazena (Zena) Clardy is an Extension specialist in ornamental horticulture from Nashville. A proud graduate of Tennessee State University with a B.S. and M.S. in plant science and agriculture, Clardy has dedicated the past 19 years to working for Tennessee State’s College of Agriculture in the Cooperative Extension Program, where she continues to educate producers and the community in the field of ornamental horticulture.

Clardy’s expertise lies in international, alternative, and niche vegetables, herbs and fruit crops. She works closely with small vegetable producers, equipping them with the knowledge and resources to grow specialty crops, increase their profits and develop new market opportunities in the Tennessee region.

In addition to supporting small-scale farmers, Clardy leads a specialty program that empowers Tennessee women in agriculture. Through targeted programming and education, this initiative helps women expand their agricultural knowledge and develop strategies to enhance their profitability. By providing access to valuable resources and innovative techniques, Clardy aims to create opportunities for long-term success in the industry.

Clardy’s passion for horticulture extends beyond technical expertise. She is committed to fostering community engagement, supporting sustainable practices and promoting economic growth within the agricultural sector. As she continues in this field, Clardy looks forward to expanding her impact, advocating for diverse growers, and strengthening the connection between research and real-world application in horticulture.

Dr. Velma Blackwell was a native of Whistler, Alabama, and graduated from Tuskegee Institute in 1956. She graduated with a master’s degree from Temple University in Philadelphia and a Ph.D. from Florida State University. She was the first African American teacher at B.C. Raines High School in Mobile, Alabama. She would join her alma mater in 1969, where she would serve until her retirement in 2008.

Blackwell had a stellar 39-year career at Tuskegee University that varied among positions of leadership, as she was a visionary and productive leader. She was a trailblazer for the Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Service, serving as Tuskegee University’s first female Extension administrator. Her position as Extension administrator opened her up to other administrative roles and positions that included vice president for development affairs, assistant to the president for state relations and community affairs, associate provost/director of the Center for Continuing Education, coordinator of the Department of Student Personnel Services, director of the Student Relations, Human Resources Development Center, and associate director for federal and international programs.

In her leadership roles at Tuskegee Institute, Blackwell pursued funding and educational grants, such as funding for The Kellogg Conference Center and Hotel (the only one at a historically Black college and university), the General Daniel “Chappie” James Center for Aerospace Science and Health Education and the Basic Principles of Business Training. She is also credited with founding the Booker T. Washington Economic Development Summit in 1995, as a commemoration of 100 years of the economic empowerment vision espoused by Booker T. Washington at the Atlanta Exposition.

Dr. Tracy V. Dunbar began her career at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) as an undergraduate student in the Department of Agriculture. Dunbar has come full circle at her alma mater – she has served as chair of that department now for more than five years.

Dunbar is responsible for academic programs, curriculum development and the supervision of faculty and staff for the Department of Agriculture. She manages the instructional budgets and collaborates with associate deans in oversight activities related to agricultural teaching, research and Extension.

In addition to supporting faculty members seeking extramural funding for teaching and outreach projects, Dunbar serves as a liaison with high schools, community colleges and various agricultural agencies and organizations to strengthen academic programs and provides service to clientele.

She has worked for the UAPB Department of Agriculture in various capacities since 1997. Most recently, she served in the role of professor, teaching graduate courses in ecological economics and environmental policy analysis and undergraduate courses in farm management and agricultural finance, policy and marketing.

While an associate professor, Dunbar was instrumental in developing the Master of Science program in agricultural regulations. She collected data on the program and co-authored and presented the program proposal to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

She has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from UAPB, a master’s degree in agricultural economics-agricultural production and marketing from Pennsylvania State University and a doctoral degree in resource development-community economic development from Michigan State University.

If you are familiar with the Delmarva Peninsula, encompassing parts of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, you know there are probably more chickens than people. One of the biggest challenges for the commercial poultry industry, one of the region’s top economic drivers, is attracting new employees. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), with its rural setting, abundant acreage and expertise of agricultural faculty members like Dr. Jennifer Timmons, is addressing the needs of the region, state and nation.

The associate professor of poultry science has taught animal and avian nutrition and poultry production and management to students at UMES since 2012. She also involves them in hands-on research activities and introduces them to related careers through tours of hatcheries, feed mills, chicken farms and processing facilities. Timmons imparts the financial value poultry brings to the region, helping to create a pipeline of fresh talent to the industry.

Her career exemplifies the land-grant mission of teaching, research and Extension. Prior to UMES, Timmons served five years as the poultry specialist with the University of Maryland Extension. There, she supported the state’s poultry industry through programs promoting sustainable practices that minimize environmental impacts and improve biosecurity awareness and education.

At UMES, Timmons holds a dual appointment with UMES Extension and partners with UMCP and the University of Delaware faculty to conduct educational workshops for chicken growers on Delmarva. The workshops are held bimonthly and cover topics such as poultry health, generator maintenance, industry regulations and litter management — all of vital importance with the outbreak of avian influenza in the region and nation.

Dr. Janine P. Woods embraces Cooperative Extension’s history of serving communities with actionable, research-based information, and Virginia State University’s College of Agriculture's spirit of "Greater Grows Here," bringing innovation and leadership so Extension can continue to grow.

"The mission of Cooperative Extension is to take science-based information solutions to the common person," Woods explains why she focused her career on Extension. She brought her "work ethic and millennial spirit to try new things" and a vision for how Extension could become even greater to her position at VSU. "I knew we could create an environment of empowerment and continue to improve people's lives," she says.

In phase one of her vision, she grew her team of specialists from nine to 29 in just three years. Next, she expanded her team’s capacity to build relationships and work within the VCE community. Now in phase three, she wants to increase Extension's impact by building and strengthening partnerships and relationships in the community, which she sees as the heart of Cooperative Extension.

Woods holds leadership roles across the national Extension landscape as well. And while managing multiple leadership roles is a lot of work, she believes it's all worth it. "I love what I do and the ability to work in the community, whether it's on campus or off, domestic or global," she says. "Every day, I go home knowing I've made a difference, and I can't ask for anything more than that."

Virginia Cooperative Extension extends the resources of Virginia's two land-grant universities, Virginia State University and Virginia Tech, to solve problems facing Virginians every day.

Vathani Amarasingham is a notable leader in the intersection of engineering and education. With a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and completion of graduate studies in education at Monash University, Australia, Amarasingham’s academic and personal journey reflects a deep-rooted passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and the arts. Initially torn between a career in music or teaching, a high school physics teacher inspired Amarasingham to embrace engineering, recognizing it as a path where math skills could shine; this led to a rewarding 10-year career in the water treatment industry before she transitioned into the education profession.

In January 2022, Amarasingham joined West Virginia State University Extension as a STEM educator, driven by her love for teaching. She believes education is a powerful tool for transforming lives and improving job prospects. Working with youths energizes her as they challenge assumptions and inspire her through their curiosity. Amarasingham aims to nurture critical thinking and a love for learning among her students, encouraging them to explore the unknown and ask questions.

Her message to youths in STEM is clear: “Keep exploring; don’t be scared of the unknown.” With her unique blend of skills and passion, Amarasingham is impacting her students’ lives and the community.