July 25, 2023
Rural Grocery Initiative Named Award Winner at National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) Conference
The Rural Grocery Initiative (RGI), with K-State Research and Extension, was recently recognized as a national award runner-up by the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) at their 2023 Annual Conference on May 2, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The RGI team and several partners received two national runner-up awards: the Excellence in Teamwork Award for the 2022 National Rural Grocery Summit and the Excellence in Community Development Work Award for the Rural Grocery Succession Planning Webinar Series.
- The Excellence in Teamwork Award recognizes outstanding Extension programming or projects conducted by a team that involves a NACDEP member or group of members that demonstrates effective performance and significant results (impact) at the community, region, state or multi-state level.
- The Excellence in Community Development Work Award – Team recognizes a NACDEP group of members for outstanding programs in any aspect of community development work or for program accomplishments relative to scholarly and creative activities, teaching and/or research effectiveness, and to show evidence or collaboration with others who help meet community development needs.
The NACDEP awards create a platform for community development work to be showcased in a professional setting beyond the state level and creates a pathway toward national distinction.
“Through NACDEP, Extension professionals from across the country learn from each other and collaborate on community development programming. We love to highlight and elevate outstanding work by our members,” said NACDEP President Rebekka Dudensing of Texas A&M University. "These award winners represent the best of what Community Development Extension has to offer.”
The Rural Grocery Initiative is housed within K-State Research and Extension and aims to sustain locally-owned rural grocery stores to enhance community vitality and improve access to healthy foods by identifying, developing and sharing resources that support grocers and rural communities.
“Our team created the Rural Grocery Succession Planning Webinar series and hosted the 2022 National Rural Grocery Summit in an effort to serve rural grocers nationwide. We are thankful for the support of our many partners who brought their experience and expertise to strengthen these two programs. We are honored to have received these national awards.” says Erica Blair, Program Manager, Rural Grocery Initiative.
Created in 2003, The National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals is an organization dedicated to improving the visibility, coordination, professional status and resource base of community and economic development Extension programs and professionals.
NACDEP has over 350 individual memberships, serving in about 40 states and territories. Active members are currently employed as Extension professionals at 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-Grant institutions or have a strong interest in community and economic development Extension work.