Current Recognition Recipients
Horizon-- County/District
Wendy Hughes
Extension Agent, Rice County
As a single county agent and director in Rice County, Wendy Hughes manages many priorities. She has provided test plots for producers, organized Walk Kansas programs, initiated the First Impressions program in two communities, and increased 4-H membership, including the number of 4-H campers and counselors who attended camp. In addition to Epsilon Sigma Phi, Wendy is also a member of the 4-H and Ag Extension Professional Associations. She also actively pursues professional development and has attended the National ESP meeting that was held in Manhattan in addition to attending the National Volunteer Association meeting that was held in Billings, Montana.
Nominated by: Jodi Besthorn
Early Career
Dr. Jared Hoyle
Associate Professor, Horticulture and Natural Resources
Dr. Jared Hoyle is a Kansas State University Extension Turfgrass Specialist. He has established a program on use and management of buffalograss in turfgrass systems for reduced water consumption and applied turfgrass weed management. Knowledge generated from Dr. Hoyle’s Extension programming has impacted stakeholders at regional, national, and international levels. He effectively disseminates Extension information through traditional as well as digital methods. Dr. Hoyle has published many extension publications, written trade and popular press articles, authored digital media releases and blog posts, and reaches a wide audience through social media.
Nominated by: Cheryl Boyer
Mid-Career
Sheryl Carson
Extension Agent, Thomas County
Sheryl Carson is an Extension Agent in Thomas County and provides educational programs in the areas of Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development, and Community Vitality. Examples of her extension programming have included Walk Kansas, ServSafe, “You Might be an Entrepreneur If…,” Art of Facilitation, and Board Leadership Training. Sheryl is also a SHICK counselor and a successful grant writer. She has worked on the regional, state, and multi-state levels to bring Extension education to diverse groups of all ages. As a community leader and facilitator, Sheryl works as a team member in community coalitions, Extension program teams, and curriculum development.
Distinguished Service
Dr. Fran Rickmond
Director, Frontier Extension District
Over her 40-year career, FranRichmond has developed and presented educational programs on a variety of topics in the areas of Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development, and Community Vitality. Highlights of her career have included leading a delegation of 4-H youth to Finland for six weeks through the IFYE Ambassador program and starting the Citizenship Washington Focus program in Osage County, which has given 570 4-H youth the opportunity to travel to Washington DC. She has developed and organized the Leadership Osage County program and has also worked with community coalitions to receive grant funding to support safe, healthy, and drug free communities. Fran has served as state president of KEAFCS and ESP professional associations and as a certified True Colors presenter, she regularly presents the program during new agent training.
Presented by: Chelsea Richmond
