The WSU Colville Reservation Extension Team was recently awarded, in Washington DC, the top USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Partnership Award for Effective and Efficient Use of Resources.
Linda McLean, Colville Reservation WSU Extension Director, and Dan Fagerlie, Tribal Liaison, made the trip to Washington DC to receive the award for the team. While there, they were able to tour the USDA building and meet with National USDA leaders and Researchers.
The year 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of Extension. This award adds to the momentum of the Colville Reservation office. To prepare for the next 100 years, WSU recognized and appointed the Colville Reservation office as a self-directing Extension office. This means that they can now focus educational efforts and outreach on the issues and needs of the reservation residents. Along with this recognition, Linda McLean was appointed as the first-ever Tribal Extension Director in the state of Washington. With this appointment, the Colville Reservation WSU Extension office has become the 40th Extension office in the state of Washington.
Team Members and their role:
Charlie Moses: Chairman, Colville Reservation Tribal Extension Advisory Committee; Participant in National Federally Recognized Extension Program meetings and National Intertribal Ag Council meetings as Advisory Committee representative, bringing ideas and suggestions to the advisory committee.
Gary Kohler: Tribal Extension Advisory Committee member from Inchelium district and former County Commissioner; also participates in National Federally Recognized Extension Program meetings and National Intertribal Ag Council meetings as Advisory Committee rep, bringing ideas and suggestions to the advisory committee.
Barb Herman: Tribal Extension Advisory Committee member from Keller district and former school teacher; volunteer on many outreach projects for youth.
James McCuen: Tribal Extension Advisory Committee member, Omak District; former Tribal Council member, BIA Range Department; NW representative on National Intertribal Agricultural Council; and partner on invasive weed projects.
Robert Compton: Tribal Advisory Committee member; BIA Land Operations Director; Nespelem District Representative; and partner on many range and weed projects.
Storey Neal: Tribal Advisory Committee member, Keller District Rep; 4-H volunteer and alumna; works at Tribal Credit. Newest member, providing ideas in youth outreach.
Linda McLean: WSU Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Agent and Tribal member; 4-H alumna; and WSU Colville Reservation Extension office Director.
Kayla Wells: WSU Colville Reservation Extension Family and Consumer Science educator and lead on many food preservation, health and nutrition programs for Tribal members.
Dan Fagerlie: Team Leader and WSU Extension Tribal Relations Liaison, Project Director on all Extension partnership projects with the Colville Confederated Tribes since 1980. Has worked to develop and carry out partnership projects across the reservation for the last 34 years.
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