LSU AgCenter Communications

115 Knapp Hall

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803

Phone: (225) 578-2263

Distributed 03/24/09

LSU AgCenter nutrition educator receives national USDA award

JoAnn Smith, an LSU AgCenter nutrition educator in Richland Parish, has been awarded a certificate of recognition from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service for her contributions to the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

EFNEP, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, is a federally funded program in all 50 states established during President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty.

Smith was presented the award during a conference for LSU AgCenter nutrition educators. Smith was commended for many accomplishments, including a collaborative partnership with the Richland Parish School System. Beginning in 2006, she began monthly nutrition education programs for all fifth-grade students at Delhi Middle School.

Smith also began nutrition programs to physical education students at Delhi Elementary School this school year.

“She encourages students to include daily physical activity in their lives and actively participates in jump-roping and basketball herself,” said Heli Roy, nutritionist and coordinator of the LSU AgCenter’s EFNEP. “To further motivate the students to be active, she personally solicits donations of prizes and awards from local businesses to use as enticements.”

Smith believes in and personally implements the healthy lifestyle recommendations she teaches to her clientele around the workplace, according to her supervisor Danna Gillett, extension agent in Richland Parish.