Ann Hall Honored with Cooperative Extension Award

Ann Hall, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension 4-H consumer and family agent in El Paso County, was recognized for her service to the program on Sept. 26 with the Mid-Career Service Award at the annual Cooperative Extension awards banquet.

The Mid-Career Service Award is given each year to people who have served Colorado State Cooperative Extension exceptionally well for 10 to 20 years. Recipients of the award exhibit continuing leadership and excellence in program planning, delivery and evaluation.

Through her extensive efforts, Hall has received grants for after-school programming and summer school programming totaling well over $1 million.

"Ann’s creative programs that use the 4-H curriculum are especially relevant for the unique audiences she is reaching," said Milan Rewerts, Colorado State Cooperative Extension director.

After writing the program proposal including budget, curriculum and administrative personnel descriptions, Hall started the 4-H Fort Carson program in 1995. In the summer of 1997, Fort Carson hosted the Teen Discovery Camp at Sanborn Camps. With Hall’s help and leadership ability, specific curriculum workshops with presenters, activities, guest speakers, leadership seminars and evaluations were designed to educate the 129 youth-at-risk in attendance.

Over the past 11 years, Hall has designed numerous workshops teaching various subjects including demonstrations and speech, officer training, woodworking, cake decorating, sewing, food, rockets, fishing and outdoor activities.

In the intern program designed for 4-H graduates to have hands-on experience in Cooperative Extension and in 4-H, every aspect of experience is covered including working with volunteers and 4-H’ers through many activities, as well as planning numerous events, administrative duties, developing Power Point presentations, slide shows, posters and flyers, developing a Web page and working with local partnering agencies.

Before Hall took over the El Paso County 4-H program in 1991, the yearly enrollment was between 600 and 700 youth per year. Since 1992, the enrollment in El Paso County has averaged between 800 and 1,400 youth yearly. The overall program has expanded to all corners of the county and has included youth from all types of diverse backgrounds.

Hall demonstrates her dedication to the program through her representation on numerous state and local governing boards and committees. In 1999, Hall was awarded the Team promotional Package Communicator Award as well as the Woman of Distinction Award and Alumni Distinction Award through Alpha Xi Delta. In 2000, Hall received the Communicator Award for Educational Package (Region and State).