Henderson County Extension Agent named

OVERTON - Alyson M. Hoffman of Athens, Texas has been named Texas AgriLife Extension Service's County Extension Agent-FCS Henderson County, effective January 14, 2008, according to a joint announcement by Henderson County Judge David Holstein, the Henderson County Commissioners Court, and Dr. Ramona Kellam, District Extension Administrator for Texas AgriLife Extension Service headquartered at the Agricultural Research & Extension Center at Overton. As a new county Extension agent, Mrs. Hoffman will participate in the 30-day FIRST STEP For Success program in Smith County prior to beginning her career in Henderson County.

FIRST STEP provides the new agent an opportunity to develop a basic understanding of the role of a county agent and gives them the opportunity to observe and experience the day-today operations of a typical county Extension Office.

"I am pleased to have Alyson join our County Extension Faculty in Henderson County. She will be a great asset for Henderson County and Texas AgriLife Extension Service," says Kellam. "I feel certain Alyson will do an excellent job because of her prior work experiences, her enthusiasm and leadership skills."

In May 2007, Mrs. Hoffman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health with a Community Health Option from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. While attending Texas A&M University Mrs. Hoffman received the Head Student Athletic Trainer Award and the TAMU Verizon Scholar Award. She was a member of the Aggie Athletic Trainers Association and the Southwestern Athletic Trainers Association. During her senior year at Texas A&M University, Mrs. Hoffman completed a 520- hour internship with the Lake Country Area Health Education Center in Tyler, Texas where she organized an employee-wide health fair, assisted in grant writing and presented health education programs.

Most recently Mrs. Hoffman has worked parttime as the County 4-H Program Assistant and part-time as the Better Living for Texans Program Assistant with Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Henderson County where she presented health education programs, supervised and supported 4- H participants and assisted the County Extension Agent-FCS.

While attending Texas A&M University, she worked as a Student Athletic Trainer and supervised athletic practices, assisted in diagnosis and treatment of injuries, and trained new student athletic trainers.

Prior to attending Texas A&M University, she attended Trinity Valley Community College and worked as a Student Athletic Trainer. Other employment included working as an Assistant Manager for Ken's Pizza in Athens while attending Athens High School and Trinity Valley Community College.

Mrs. Hoffman has volunteered at the East Texas Arboretum and with Keep Athens Beautiful. Currently, she serves on the School Health Advisory Committee in Athens and is working with the committee to educate students about nutrition and health.

Mrs. Hoffman and her husband John reside in Athens.

Mrs. Hoffman fills the position formerly held by Kristin DeLong. As County Extension Agent-FCS she will work with all aspects of Family Consumer Sciences in Henderson County.

The County Extension Office in Henderson County is part of Texas AgriLife Extension Service, an agency of the Texas A&M University System.

Local Extension programs extend university resources to local residents by providing practical information and education in the four areas of agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H and youth development, and community development.

Extension is a cooperative effort of the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of Texas through Texas A&M University, and the Henderson County Commissioners' Court.

Mrs. Hoffman commented, "I am extremely excited to return to Athens. I grew up in this community and I know how great it is. I appreciate the opportunity to return to Athens and bring back what I have learned. This gives me a great opportunity to repay the community that helped me succeed and I believe that Extension is a great place for me. I hope to work with as many members of the community as possible. My door is always open."