COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension hosted its annual Extension & Engagement Week Oct. 21-23. The event brought together community leaders, educators and administrators from across Missouri to celebrate and strengthen the university’s mission of public engagement and outreach. This year’s theme, Excellence in Extension & Engagement, emphasized the creative solutions used to address some of the state’s most pressing challenges, including agriculture, health, economic development and environmental sustainability.

During Extension & Engagement Week 2024, MU Extension also celebrated the outstanding contributions of its faculty, staff and community partners by presenting several distinguished awards. The awards recognize exceptional work in areas such as service, programming and community impact, highlighting the dedication and innovative efforts that continue to shape the extension’s outreach and educational missions. These recognitions reflect the ongoing commitment to fostering community engagement and delivering high-quality programs across the state.

Northwest Missouri had multiple awards at this event. Awards from the University of Missouri Extension Association (UMEA) included:

Jessica Trussell, field specialist in human development, won the Meritorious Service Award for demonstrating five-plus years of dedicated program accomplishments, service and leadership within MU Extension.

Jackie Spainhower, field specialist in community development, along with her statewide team, won the Outstanding Program Award for the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference, which exhibited exceptional quality and impact in meeting community needs.

Emily Bergsieker, field specialist in 4-H youth development, won the Connection and Engagement Award as an individual who has fostered significant partnerships and engagement with local communities.

Shelby Bargfrede, youth program associate, won the Staff Programming Award, which is presented to staff members who have excelled in developing and delivering innovative programs that advance the mission of MU Extension.

Awards from MU Extension included:

Debbie Bennett, field specialist in nutrition and health, won the Pat & Tom Buchanan Endowment Professional Development Award for her proposed professional development opportunity and plan.

Emily Bergsieker, field specialist in 4-H youth development, was jointly nominated by her county Farm Bureau board and county extension council in recognition for outstanding performance in 4-H.

Danielle Ferguson, Buchanan County office manager, won the Junior County Clerical Award for her outstanding performance with the University of Missouri, MU Extension and county extension councils.

State Sen. Rusty Black was awarded the Gordon Warren Land-Grant Award, which recognizes an individual who sees universities as a community resource and who embraces the land-grant mission of MU Extension to provide knowledge and research to improve the lives of Missourians.

Additional awards for program associations were also presented for excellence in agriculture, nutrition and health, family and consumer sciences, business, and youth development.

Extension & Engagement Week 2024 highlighted University of Missouri Extension’s continued commitment to connecting university resources with the needs of Missouri’s communities. The week featured a diverse lineup of keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops and community-led projects designed to inspire action and foster partnerships that make a lasting impact. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with MU faculty, staff and students as well as statewide experts to explore new strategies for building resilient communities. Whether through innovative agricultural practices, addressing public health disparities or fostering economic growth, University of Missouri Extension demonstrated its dedication to empowering individuals and organizations to thrive through learning, networking and collaboration.