Awards

As we start the New Year, it is time again to start thinking about recognizing individuals who have reached accomplishments through their hard work and dedication.  The following are the three award categories available through NASCOE.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - This program encourages recognition of NASCOE-WASCOE members who make outstanding contributions in one of three areas NASCOE; FSA-Agriculture; or Community Service.

PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT AWARD- There is no competition for a PI Award. These awards are to recognize eligible NASCOE members who take sufficient advantage of educational opportunities available to them. The activity must be outside the usual job requirements but have a definite relationship to our profession.  Accomplishments can be through short courses, correspondence courses, seminars, group research, reading, etc. A minimum of 20 hours of instruction with an investment of personal funds (tuition, books, annual leave, transportation, etc.) are required to qualify.

 EXTRA MILE AWARD- Members or their children who have “gone the extra mile” for their community, their church, their school, or their state, area, or national association may be nominated at anytime during the year. Any member of the Association may make a nomination. Parents may submit their children, IF they are NASCOE members.  Nominations may be made at any time during the year. Members of the association who are in good standing or children of the members are eligible to receive this award. 

Submitting Nominations: Additional information is available at WASCOE’s website (www.wiwascoe.org) or by contacting Teresa Zimmer P. O. Box 423 Monroe WI 53566. All Award nominations are due by February 1^st, 2010.

WASCOE Nice Job Nominations:

If you know of an individual or a group of people, such as an entire County Office, doing something a little more out of the ordinary or special, please feel free to write up just a short narration on their activities.  All of these nominations are put into a special drawing to be held at our annual convention. These nominations can be submitted by e-mail directly to Teresa Zimmer.

Nice Job Award Nominations- 2010

Every year the Polk County staff decides to do a community service type activity. This year the food pantries of Polk County have been hit extremely hard by area families. In conjunction with the holiday party, everyone was asked to bring 5 food pantry items. Not only was FSA involved but the holiday party included the County Committee, District Director, NRCS, DNR, and spouses.  A car loaded with goodies was delivered to the St. Croix Falls food pantry right before the holiday.  After donating the goods, the staff braved the frigid temperatures to ring cow bells at the local Wal-Mart for the Salvation Army.  The Polk FSA staff includes: Charlotte Gudmunsen, Karen Isaak, Karen Peper, Linda Peterson, and Jody Pratt.  - Nominated by Aaron Moore

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I would like to recommend the staff of the Racine Kenosha Milwaukee County FSA Office for the Nice Job Award.

Linda Feldkamp, Evelyn Pizzala, Angie Drews, and Jeanette Held all pitched in to help a local family for the Christmas season. The Racine and Kenosha County UW-Extension agent recently adopted 3 children; ages 3, 6, and 11.  She was their foster parent prior to the adoption. This is a huge job for a single parent, let alone a single parent dealing with the struggles of older children being adopted. The Racine Kenosha Milwaukee Office staff chipped in money, pajamas, and crocheted scarves and hats (made by the office staff) for the kids and gave them to their mom to help celebrate Christmas. This was a very humble gesture and embodies the spirit of Christmas.  Great job ladies! - Nominated by Kimberly M. Iczkowski

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For the past few years, the Farm Service Agency staff of Vernon County has shown great community support by participating in a "Toys for Teens" collection drive during the holiday season.  We all think of "Toys for Tots" as a great way to help out our community during the holidays, but often forget, that children ages 12 to 16, like to receive gifts as well.  Often times, they are the forgotten ones. Donations consisted of an assortment of sport balls, games of all kinds, CD players with earphones, jewelry making kits, and makeup items.

Vernon County FSA staff  has also participated in a collection for our troops overseas twice in 2009. This joint effort collected numerous amounts of supplies for troops in Afghanistan. Supplies consisted of such items as baby wipes, chap stick, sunglasses, magazines, candy (not chocolate), pens, paper, envelopes, nonperishable food items, and hand sanitizer.  This was a great way to show our support for the men and women who serve our country and are away from their friends and families during the holidays.  Donations were received from the Vernon County FSA, NRCS, LWCD, and DNR. Vernon County FSA staff includes: Cheryl Johnson, Christine Leer, Peggy Leum, Rebecca Marks, Kay Yanske, Amy Houtakker, Joseph Reuter, Mildred Wilder, and Ardene Wirts. - Nominated by Katharine Lewison, CED

NASCOE -WASCOE Distinguished Service Awards

WOW… how fast 2009 went and with 2010 here, it is time again to start thinking about recognizing someone that has made an outstanding contribution in areas of NASCOE-WASCOE; FSA-Agriculture; or Community Service.  This program encourages recognition of NASCOE- WASCOE members in one of three areas. Any member of the Association may make a nomination. Only members of the association who are in good standing, who are serving under a permanent appointment, or who have voluntarily retired during the current year are eligible to receive these awards.

When ever you talk to past recipients of these awards, they will tell you how much it means to them. The nomination process is relatively simple and if you do need help or

have questions, please feel free to contract Teresa Zimmer, WASCOE

Awards Chair.

Nominations need to be received no later than February 1^st, 2010.

Service to NASCOE: Years of NASCOE membership; committee activity; offices held; contributions to the organization; special activities or appointments; FSA background; and any other pertinent information can also be included.

Service to FSA – Agriculture: How long has the nominee worked for FSA?; what program or special projects have they worked with?; any outstanding contributions to FSA and / or Agriculture?; has nominee received any special awards or promotions?; and any other pertinent information can also be included.

Community Service: What organization (s) has nominee worked with?; do they hold an office or any special committee assignment?; their church affiliation, family status, children, etc.; what has nominee done to improve the community he/she lives in?; any special awards or recognition received; FSA and NASCOE-WASCOE background and any other pertinent information can also be included.

Nominations should be brief, factual and specific!  There are new nomination forms available on the WASCOE website www.wiwascoe.org     Specific examples and details should be given to support the nomination.

Submitting Nominations:

Mail the original nomination to along with a cover sheet (available at NASCOE’s website www.nascoe.org) to Teresa Zimmer P. O. Box 423 Monroe WI  53566 by February 1^st, 2010.