UW Extension Celebrates Outstanding Educators

At an annual professional development conference in Sheridan earlier this month, the University of Wyoming Extension honored employees who go above and beyond to serve their communities.

Sheep Task Force Receives Team Excellence Award

A group picture of four women and five men in semi-formal outfits. Several people are holding small circular glass awards. — Several members of the Sheep Task Force. From left to right, Brenna Litynski, Makayla Getz, McKenna Julian, Jedidiah Hewlett, Sara Fleenor, Micah Most, Dagan Montgomery, Rob Ziegler, Dan VanderPloeg.

The UW Extension Sheep Task Force launched in October 2023. The task force is designed to give Wyoming producers information and tools to address current issues in the sheep industry.

The task force conducts in-person meetings and needs assessments to understand the needs of Wyoming producers, and has developed infographics, fact sheets, in-person trainings, and virtual webinars to disseminate information about these issues. “The UWE Sheep Task Force is your one-stop-shop for all things sheep across the nation,” says one nominator.

Members of the task force include UW Extension agriculture and natural resources educators Sara Fleenor of Crook County, Makayla Getz of Park County, Jedidiah Hewlett of Converse County, McKenna Julian of Lincoln County, Brenna Litynski of Albany County, Dagan Montgomery of Sublette County, Micah Most of Johnson County, and Dan VanderPloeg of Washakie County. Other members include Lindsay Conley-Stewart, senior project coordinator for the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources; Dylan Laverell, UW Extension sheep program assistant; Brian Lee, research scientist at the James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center; Whit Stewart, UW Extension sheep specialist; and Rob Ziegler, UW Extension livestock production and marketing specialist.

To learn more about the Sheep Task Force, visit https://bit.ly/uw-sheep.

Most Named JR Broadbent Newer Employee

A group of three men and a woman in semi-formal outfits. A young man wearing a gray suit jacket, glasses, and jeans is holding a small circular glass award. — From left to right, associate director of UW Extension Bridger Feuz, director of UW Extension Mandy Marney, Micah Most, and associate director of UW Extension Matt Helie.

The JR Broadbent Newer Employee Award recognizes an exceptional employee who has worked for UW Extension for no more than six years.

Micah Most, agriculture and natural resources educator in Johnson County, joined Extension in 2022. In that time, he has gotten involved in a myriad of projects across UW Extension, from helping lead the Sheep Task Force to writing articles for Barnyards & Backyards magazine to hosting pesticide applicator education programs.

“Micah Most wears his heart on his sleeve, never says no, always lends a helping hand, has an extensive library of knowledge at his fingertips, and what he doesn’t already know he figures out,” says one nominator.

Campbell County 4-H Educator Wins Extension’s Highest Honor

A group of three women in semi-formal outfits. The woman in the middle has bobbed, curled brown hair and is wearing a jean jacket and a long dress with a yellow floral pattern. — From left to right, Makala Riley, Kim Fry, and Sara Olsen, Campbell County Extension educators.

Kim Fry received the 2024 Jim Debree Excellence in Extension Award for her welcoming attitude, dedication, and effective educational programming. The award recognizes an employee who has worked for UW Extension for at least five years and has demonstrated a high level of professional performance.

Kim Fry has been a Campbell County 4-H youth development educator since 2013. She goes out of her way to reach out to new hires and other members of her community. “Kim is very good at making our office a welcoming place for anyone who enters,” comments one nominator.

Due to Fry’s commitment to hands-on education, her county’s 4-H programming has flourished. For example, Campbell County 4-H camp is the largest 4-H camp in the state. In 2022, she created a user-friendly manual that has helped revitalize Wyoming 4-H wool judging programs, which received recognition from the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals.