Communications Committee Report

In 2002, a total of 29 County Agents from North Carolina submitted 80 entries in the NACAA Communications Award Program. Every entry consisted of communications materials of exceptional quality that County Agricultural Agents used during the year to market and deliver quality Extension programs.

Communications entries compete at the state level against similar entries from North Carolina. At the state level, NCACAA provides financial support for the awards program. State winners in each of the thirteen categories receive a plaque and $100, while the second place entry in each category is awarded $50. The first place entry from North Carolina goes on to compete at the NACAA Southern Region competition. The top three regional winners are then forwarded to the NACAA national level competition, where one national winner and three national finalists are selected in each category. This year there was no sponsor for the national awards program. National category winners and finalists will receive a plaque. In addition, regional category finalists receive a plaque and a certificate. The complete list of national winners by category can be found on the NACAA website: http://www.nacaa.com/.

The Communications Award Program provides County Agricultural Agents an excellent opportunity to be recognized for the outstanding materials that they develop to market and deliver Extension programs. Agricultural Agents are encouraged to submit entries for this awards program every year. Entry information is included in the "County Agent Magazine" each year in the December issue. When submitting entries, it is highly important to read and follow all entry guidelines so that materials will be properly formatted. Points are automatically deducted from entries that are not properly formatted. Improper abstracts are the primary formatting error for most entries. Abstracts should adhere to the guidelines and examples set forth in the "County Agent Magazine."

It has been a pleasure to serve as Communications Chair for the past two years. I encourage all Agricultural Agents to continue working with the new chair and continue submitting outstanding program materials.

Respectfully Submitted,

Bryant M. Spivey, Communications Awards Chair

*Denotes Southern Region Winners

+Denotes National Finalist

++Denotes National Winner

Submitted by: Bryant Spivey 7/02/2002.