Recently, the University of Wyoming Extension honored employees and partners who go above and beyond to serve the communities of Wyoming.
Awards were presented Wednesday, Nov. 5, at an annual conference held in Laramie.
John P. Ellbogen Foundation receives inaugural Heart of Extension Award
This year, UW Extension created a new award to honor exceptional partners who advance Extension’s mission to engage people, strengthen communities and improve lives. The John P. Ellbogen Foundation, a valued and long-time partner, is the first recipient of the Heart of Extension Award.
“[The Ellbogen Foundation] has set the standard for supporting our efforts and sustaining the outward expression of the mission, vision, and values of Extension,” says Mandy Marney, director of UW Extension. “By standing with Extension, [the foundation] helps us reach further and do more.”
Since 2015, the Ellbogen Foundation has awarded more than $400,000 to UW Extension educators through the Wyoming Communities, Agriculture, and Rural Living Project Fund. These grants enable educators to implement programming that helps the people of Wyoming thrive. Funded projects have focused on everything from helping livestock producers recover from wildfires to teaching youth how to balance a checkbook.
Stam earns UW Extension’s highest employee honor
Barton Stam, a UW Extension educator based in Hot Springs County, received the 2025 Jim Debree Excellence in Extension Award for his 21 years of service. The award recognizes an employee who demonstrate a high level of professionalism, performance, and leadership.
Throughout his career, Stam has helped lead many of UW Extension’s most iconic and impactful programs. For example, he co-founded UW Extension’s annual Ranch Camp, a weeklong program that provides eligible applicants with practical ranch management experience.
“What sets Bart apart is his remarkable ability to build relationships,” says Gretchen Gasvoda-Kelso, Big Horn County 4-H educator. From local livestock producers to federal agencies like the USDA’s National Resources Conservation Service, Stam has a talent for gaining trust. As the program leader of UW Extension’s agriculture and natural resources team, he mentors educators across Wyoming.
Recently, Stam mobilized support for Wyoming residents impacted by the Red Canyon Fire, which burned more than 114,000 acres in Hot Springs County this summer. Nominators highlighted his ability to stay calm and inspire others to think things through, particularly in challenging situations.
WORTH educator wins Newer Employee Award
In recognition of her enthusiastic attitude, ability to connect with the public, and aptitude for creative problem solving, Hailey Sorg received UW Extension’s JR Broadbent Newer Employee Award. This honor recognizes innovation, initiative, and collaboration in employees with no more than six years in UW Extension.
Sorg is Wyoming’s Jay Kemmerer Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Institute extension educator. “As the only WORTH educator in the state, Hailey manages a tremendous workload and covers a unique topic area that had not previously been represented within [University of] Wyoming Extension,” says McKenna Julian, Lincoln County extension educator. “I can’t imagine anyone better suited for the role; her dedication and effectiveness are unmatched.”
Since joining Extension in 2023, Sorg has helped brainstorm, design, and lead innovative programs that fulfill community needs, including Wyoming Walks, Ag & Art tours, and Ready, Set, Explore. Though she is based in Natrona County, she regularly travels to help other extension educators with local events. Her presence, knowledge and bright personality have enriched programs across the state.
Harvest Bucks Team recognized for perseverance, meaningful programming
The UW Extension Team Excellence Recognition celebrates groups who have gone above and beyond to create innovative, high-impact programs. This year, the Harvest Bucks team received the award for expanding access to fresh produce, supporting local food producers, and helping build stronger, healthier communities across Wyoming.
The Harvest Bucks program was led by Cent$ible Nutrition Program (CNP) Manager Kali McCrackin Goodenough, with community vitality and health educator Vicki Hayman and CNP educators Stephanie Anderson, Tanya McCoy, Angela Michel, and Mary Evans. Through the program, Wyoming residents with limited resources received “harvest bucks” that they could use to buy fresh produce at local farmers markets in Evanston, Ranchester, Sheridan, and Thermopolis. Many participants had never attended a farmers market before.
“The Harvest Bucks program didn’t just help produce vendors, but helped the market overall,” says Thermopolis market manager Kim Bartlett. “Some people who came with Harvest Bucks spent additional monies at other vendors… It seemed the more produce we could bring in, the more we could sell.”
Despite recent changes in federal legislation that eliminated significant funding for CNP, the team remained dedicated to strengthening local communities and increasing food security across the state.
The Harvest Bucks program was funded by a grant from Farm Credit Services of America.
Cent$ible Nutrition Program celebrates Debbie Kelly
Debbie Kelly, a long-time Cent$ible Nutrition Program (CNP) educator, received CNP’s highest honor, the Linda Melcher award. This award, named for CNP’s first director, recognizes educators who excel at helping individuals with limited resources make healthier nutrition and physical activity choices.
“Debbie shows compassion and empathy for people experiencing food insecurity,” says CNP Director Mindy Meuli. “She has been an advocate and champion for people with limited resources to help improve access to healthy foods.”
Due to the cessation of SNAP-Ed funding, Kelly retired from UW this fall after working as a CNP educator for more than two decades. Since her retirement, she has remained involved with Wyoming’s food security efforts through First Lady Jennie Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative (WHI). She serves as a regional director, helping WHI effectively address food insecurity in northwest Wyoming.
As a CNP educator, Kelly taught youth, adults, and families about nutrition; built community partnerships; encouraged physical activity for youth; and helped connect people with limited resources to local produce and meat.
“Debbie has been an integral part of the CNP team,” says Meuli. “She provided humor and levity over the years with her positive outlook. We will miss having her as part of our team.”
