URBANA, Ill. – Illinois Extension recognizes individuals who go above and beyond and show commitment to their teams through support, initiative, and new challenges. Two local staff members received individual excellence awards, and another was honored with a team excellence award.

Landon Chandler, a SNAP-Ed community worker for Perry and Randolph counties, received the Individual Excellence Award. He established crucial partnerships and rebuilt trust with former partner sites in his first year, expanding local SNAP-Ed programming. Working with Extension for five years, he actively participates in program meetings, offering insights and maintaining a positive attitude, particularly in promoting the CATCH curriculum. Chandler has proven to be a valuable resource to the team, handling challenging situations with grace and adaptability.

Maggie Ray, local foods and small farms program coordinator, also received the Individual Excellence Award. With eight years of service, Ray has built strong relationships with community agricultural partners, educators, and specialists, as she maintains a dedicated following of program participants. She initiated a vital response during the 2020 pandemic, creating a successful Modern Homesteading Series, addressing homesteading needs and peer learning. She collaborates with various educators and volunteers, empowering hundreds of individuals to enhance self-sufficiency and sustainability through her programs.

Robin Ridgley, family life educator, helped with the assessment process for the Wits Workout program, which received the Program Evaluation Excellence Team Award. The program is a holistic curriculum designed to boost brain health for individuals aged 50 and older. With an emphasis on cognitive health factors such as physical activity, stress management, social engagement, and sleep, the interactive program features themed modules to enhance well-being. Results indicated significant improvements in self-efficacy among older participants and highlighted the program's impact on social interaction, knowledge gains, and the adoption of healthy habits.

Staff awards are a way to recognize staff for their personal commitment to professional development and continued learning to better serve the organization. Team awards showcase exceptional performance, collaboration, and achievement in Extension work. The awards were presented at Extension's annual conference held in November in Springfield.