N.C. Cooperative Extension would like to congratulate the newest graduates of the Extension Master Food Volunteer (EMFV) Program. On March 14, 2022, Sherry Bedsole from Currituck County and April Valentine from Chowan County were presented with their signature black aprons from Veronica Martin-Dowdy a 2020 pre-pandemic graduate. These volunteers have completed 30 hours of training and are beginning their 20 hours of shadowing to officially become Certified Extension Master Food Volunteers. This volunteer training offered in the Northeast is a combined effort of Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank, and Chowan counties. 

The EMFV program is designed to support Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) agents in the delivery of food and nutrition programs by providing a formalized training and volunteer management system. By working with trained volunteers, FCS agents can expand the number of programs that they offer, thus increasing their community impacts through programs that teach healthy eating and cooking skills. N.C. Cooperative Extension’s FCS agents traditionally serve families at risk of food insecurity and teach people how to cook nutritious meals at home through evidence-based programs. However, many FCS agents are now covering two counties, which presents challenges for their ability to expand programming that can improve community health outcomes.

The EMFV program has been operating in Currituck County since 2016. Sherry Bedsole joins a dedicated network of volunteers who serve the county including Evelyn Henley, Susan Zimmerman, Dottie Milstead, and Alice Strigham.  

If you are interested in becoming an Extension Master Foods Volunteer please contact Olivia Patchel via email at olivia_patchel@ncsu.edu or phone at 252-232-2261.