VAAEA Professional Improvement Awards and Recognition Programs

VAAEA Wall of Fame

The VAAEA Wall of Fame was created in 1999 to recognize Virginia Cooperative Extension professionals for "outstanding contributions to Virginia agriculture and meritorious service to Virginia Cooperative Extension." Each year one retiree and one current employee are recognized. Nominations are taken from the current VAAEA membership and winners are selected by an appointed committee.

Click HERE to see photos from the VAAEA Wall of Fame unveiling ceremony, held on November 7th, 2003, at Virginia Tech.

Honorees by Year:

1999 - Delbert O'Meara, retiree and Jim Myers, active

2000 - Larry Blair, retiree and Dick White, active

2001 - Dick Cockrell, retiree and Jack Dunford, active

2002 - Roy Heltzel, retiree and Jim Riddell, active

2003 - Jim Smith, retiree and Tom Covey, active

2004 - Charlie Curry, retiree and Sam Johnson, active

2005 - Fred Diem, retiree and Jimmy Osborne, active

2006 - Alvin Thomas, retiree and Jim Orband, active
 

Responsible Committee: Wall of Fame (appointed by President)

Communications Awards

The purpose of the NACAA Communications Awards program is "To recognize NACAA members who excel in communicating programs and ideas to their clientele." Entries are received and judged by the Virginia Communications Committee and State winners are selected. All entries are then submitted to the regional chairs for consideration. Agents are responsible for submitting their own materials for competition. Winners are selected at State, Regional and National levels. National finalists receive a cash award, and are expected to attend the National AM-PIC to attend the awards luncheon.

Responsible Committee: Communications

Link to complete rules and forms (also available in the annual Awards edition of The County Agent)

Other National Awards

There are other numerous awards available through the NACAA awards program. Most are closely tied with the Annual Meetings and Professional Improvement Conference, and consist of special workshops, seminars, opportunities to present and poster sessions.

Search for Excellence

The purpose of the search for excellence is to recognize an NACAA member who has developed and carried out an outstanding extension educational program in specific categories. State, regional and national award winners receive cash awards. National award winners are expected to attend the AM-PIC and in most categories will have an opportunity to present their winning program during a workshop.

2003 Search for Excellence Categories:

	Remote Sensing and Precision Agriculture
	Crop Production
	Environmental Protection Through Responsible Use of Pesticides
	4-H & Youth
	Farm & Ranch Financial Management
	Livestock Production

Details on the 2004 Search for Excellence will appear in the next Special Awards edition of The County Agent

Pre-Conference Workshops & Tours

Several pre-conference workshops and tours are held each year in conjunction with the Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference. The specific focus and topic areas of the individual tours and workshops vary from year to year. Interested members must apply to participate in these workshops. All expenses are usually paid by the sponsoring entity. Application and selection criteria vary by workshop / tour. The state committee chair for each available opportunity is contacted by the regional chairs to solicit applications.

Workshops held in Conjunction with 2003 AM-PIC in Green Bay, WI

	Agricultural Explorer Workshop
	Remote Sensing & GIS Decision Support Seminar
	Animal Science Committee Pre-AM/PIC Seminar & Tour
	NACAA Pre-AM/PIC Horticulture Workshop & Tour
	NACAA/RISE Horticulture/Turfgrass Study Tour
	NACAA Pre-AM/PIC Coastal Aquaculture/Seafood Industry Tour
	NACAA Cotton Marketing Seminar
	NACAA/BASF Forestry & Range Management Study Tour

NACAA Service to American/World Agriculture Award

Pinnacle Award for Outstanding Humanitarian Service

Poster Session at Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference

Link to complete rules and forms (also available in the annual Awards edition of The County Agent)

Call for Presenters at AM-PIC

The purpose of this program is:

	To provide NACAA members an opportunity to make an oral presentation at a recognized national professional improvement meeting.
	To provide NACAA members an opportunity to share successful Cooperative Extension educational programs.
	To provide to the NACAA membership professional improvement presentations that will enable them to be a more knowledgeable Cooperative Extension professional.

Applications are submitted directly to the national chair for the Professional Improvement Committee/Extension Development Committee that administers the professional improvement session in which the proposed presentation would be made. Refer to Committee list.