Kristi Willard, the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Camden County, has been awarded the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Award of Excellence for Public Service. The award recognizes Willard’s significant impact on the community since joining the Extension staff in June 2025.

Willard was nominated by her colleague, Amy Twiddy, the County Extension Administrative Assistant. In her nomination, Twiddy highlighted Willard’s ability to rebuild the county’s FCS program, which had been without a dedicated, single-county agent for an extended period. Despite being new to the role, Willard has quickly established a comprehensive suite of programming focused on nutrition, youth development, and financial literacy.

"Kristi has not only met but consistently exceeded the expectations of our local citizens, stakeholders, and organizational leadership," Twiddy noted. "She has handled this transition with exceptional poise and effectiveness."

Within her first month on the job, Willard played a critical role in coordinating the annual three-day 4-H Culinary Academy. This signature program teaches young participants foundational cooking techniques, kitchen safety, and food handling principles. Following this success, Willard expanded her outreach by partnering with the public library to host healthy cooking classes for families and providing demonstrations for a local homeschool 4-H club.

Beyond nutrition, Willard has focused on improving financial literacy among Camden County youth. She recently implemented the "Real Money Real World" simulation at a local high school. This reality-based exercise provides students with practical experience in budgeting and managing the actual costs of running a household.

Even though she is new in her position, Kristi has also applied for and been awarded a $5000 Judy Mock Grant for Excellence in Extension Programming to implement parenting programs in Camden County, in partnership with 4-H.

Willard’s service extends into her personal time, where she is active in her church, organizing community service projects and fundraisers. She also produces a monthly newsletter to keep the congregation connected.

The CALS Award of Excellence recognizes employees who go above and beyond their standard job descriptions to serve the public. Willard’s rapid implementation of essential programming and her commitment to the health and education of Camden County residents served as the primary drivers for her selection.

As Camden County Extension Director, Austin Brown shared, “In her first year, she hit the ground running, expanding our outreach to entirely new audiences. Kristi is a natural community-connector; she excels at identifying local needs and building the partnerships necessary to address them. Her research-based programs are well-attended and highly regarded by participants.”

Through her unwavering dedication and innovative leadership, Kristi Willard is not just shaping the future of Family and Consumer Sciences; she is empowering the next generation to lead with both heart and purpose.