UMaine Extension’s Gayton, Savoie receive national honors for social media efforts, innovation

Falmouth, Maine — Alex Gayton, assistant EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) coordinator and social media coordinator and Kathy Savoie, Extension educator, were recently honored at the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences 90th Annual Session. 

Gayton received the first place Eastern Region and the second place National Social Media Education Awards. She was recognized for providing nutrition education to the public from a trusted science-based resource. The NEAFCS Social Media Education Award was established in 2018 to recognize innovative social media efforts. 

Savoie received the first place Eastern Region Innovation in Programming Award. This award emphasizes the use of research to improve existing programs or to develop new programs. Savoie was recognized for her work in delivering the Building Agricultural Literacy through an Immersive Culinary Experiences project. This project provided novel and innovative professional development experiences for Maine high school career and technical education (CTE) culinary arts Instructors and impacted student outcomes through the creation of a skilled and educated workforce that will increase usage of Maine grown, processed and produced foods.

Gayton and Savoie‘s commitment to meeting the needs of individuals, families and communities was cited as exemplary.

For more information, contact Kate McCarty, 207.781.6099; kate.mccarty@maine.edu. Learn more about Extension’s nutrition education programs on the EFNEP website. Details about the Building Agricultural Literacy project can be found at UMaine News.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension 

About University of Maine Cooperative Extension:  As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.