Exceptional achievements by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program agents and associates were recognized at the Texas Extension Specialist Association, TESA, professional development conference recently in Alpine.
In addition to Distinguished Program Achievement awards within the agency, TESA honored Staci Schoenfeldt with the West of the Pecos Cattle Women and Mary Santos and the West Texas Pecan Association with the Outstanding Friend of Extension Specialists awards.
Distinguished Program Achievement awards
TESA recognizes county agents for their development of outstanding educational programs using the support of specialist faculty to jointly deliver programs to their county clientele. Individual agents and support staff were recognized in the following categories.
Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent of the Year Award
Stacie Villarreal. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agriculture and natural resources agent in Austin County, and Sierra Stephens, 4-H youth development agent in Lynn County, were presented awards from the Texas Extension Specialist Association, represented by Philip Shackelford, Southeast regional program leader – agriculture and natural resources and 4-H youth development. (Texas A&M AgriLife)
Stacie Villarreal, Austin County, was honored with the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent of the Year Award. Recognized for her impactful partnership and collaboration with AgriLife Extension specialists, Villarreal has hosted 73 educational programs with 26 specialists. Through these events, she has facilitated 31,191 educational hours for 7,163 contacts in Austin County since January 2023. Three of her programs highlighted include the Mill Creek Watershed Protection Plan, the Multi-County New Landowner Program and water education programs.
4-H Youth Development Agent of the Year
Sierra Stephens, Lynn County, was presented with the 4-H Youth Development Agent of the Year Award. She was recognized as an impact partner for the Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Short Course hosted at West Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University. Stephens was also selected as one of three AgriLife Extension county agents statewide to assist in rewriting the Quality Counts program. Her selection demonstrates the high level of respect and confidence placed in her expertise by agency leadership. Beyond her statewide contributions, Stephens consistently goes the extra mile for livestock exhibitors under her leadership and supervision, investing countless hours to ensure their success both in and out of the show ring.
Joel Pigg, with the Texas Extension Specialists Association, presented the Family and Community Health Agent of the Year Award to Joy Self, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service family and community health and 4-H coordinator in Baylor County. (Texas A&M AgriLife)
Family and Community Health Agent of the Year
The Family and Community Health Agent of the Year Award was presented to Joy Self, Baylor County. Self, a family and community health and 4-H coordinator, helped develop materials that empower senior‑level 4‑H members to serve as mentors and ambassadors for younger students, while also strengthening the adoption of Every Kid Healthy Week best‑practice tools. Innovative contributions like these make her a trusted voice for agents across the state and a frequent presenter at events such as the Extension Health Summit. She has served on several statewide committees and task forces, including the Balancing Food and Play Revision Team, Every Kid Healthy Week State Planning Team, and most recently the 100th anniversary Texas Extension Education Association Conference Planning Committee.
Community and Economic Development Agent of the Year
Courtney Redman, family and community health agent in Tom Green County, received the Community Development Agent of the Year Award. When flooding occurred in Tom Green County in 2025, Redman reached out to Joel Pigg, Ph.D., Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, program specialist, to bring the well screening program to residents in San Angelo. She got the word out to the community to bring in water samples and attend the educational meeting that is part of the water screening program. Redman faced an emerging issue head-on and brought action and results to the community, including assisting with sample processing and coordination of meeting locations. The TWON program held two events in San Angelo and had over 100 samples each time.
Joel Pigg, representing the Texas Extension Specialists Association, presents the Specialty Agent of the Year Award to Perla Flores, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service health agent in Willacy County. (Texas A&M AgriLife)
Specialty Agent of the Year Award
The Specialty Agent of the Year Award went to Perla Flores, health agent in Willacy County and with Healthy South Texas. Over the past three years, a strong and intentional partnership between Flores and six Healthy South Texas program specialists resulted in the successful implementation of three iterations of the Dinner Tonight Healthy Cooking School Program in Willacy County. These highly visible, educational cooking events reached a total of 212 participants, exceeding the program’s goal. The Dinner Tonight Healthy Cooking Schools are designed as interactive live cooking demonstrations where participants learn practical nutrition and food preparation skills while sampling healthy recipes.
Outstanding Administrative Support
The Outstanding Administrative Support Award was presented to the team of Michelle Coffman, district office manager; Angie Clarkson, administrative associate; and Ginger Parnell, administrative associate, District 2 office staff who support specialists at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in Lubbock and around the South Plains.
Michelle Coffman, district office manager; Ginger Parnell, administrative associate; and Angie Clarkson, administrative associate; all at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in Lubbock, were recognized by the Texas Extension Specialists Association. (Texas A&M AgriLife)
They have been instrumental in the planning and hosting of programs in agricultural economics and risk management, such as Master Marketer Program and profitability workshops. This team helps with logistics and scheduling to make the program a success, including catering, printing and preparing materials, and setting up and tearing down meeting spaces. The programs hosted at the center are successful because of their support.
Friend of Extension Award
West of the Pecos Cattle Women – Staci Schoenfeldt
The West of the Pecos Cattlewomen have been a large part of AgriLife Extension and especially the Kids and Kows and More program for the past 33 years. As this group’s leader, Schoenfeldt has been a part of the Kids and Kows and More program for over 19 years, and The West of the Pecos Cattlewomen have taught about beef and beef byproducts at a majority of these programs. Schoenfeldt has recruited speakers for a multitude of programs and served as a presenter across West Texas, including Midland, Odessa, Monahans, Alpine, El Paso and Fort Stockton. She has promoted AgriLife Extension and the Kids and Kows and More Program statewide and nationally.
Mary Santos, center, and the West Texas Pecan Association received the Texas Extension Specialists Association Friend of Extension Award. (Texas A&M AgriLife)
West Texas Pecan Association – Mary Santos
The West Texas Pecan Growers are a large supporter of AgriLife Extension in every area — from integrated pest management programs to Kids and Kows and More. The organization paid for bus scholarships allowing students to participate in programs and sponsored lunches for participants. The organization helped both financially and by providing land to conduct applied research and demonstrate results. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they assisted with video presentations beyond pecans to include cotton, vegetables and dairy. Because of their help, AgriLife Extension was able to reach youth in schools and homes to teach agriculture. This outreach continues today.
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