Northwest Alabama RC&D Council holds annual meeting

Vanessa King, Lauranne James, Amelia Mitchell and Katernia Cole-Coffey are on stage as Cole-Coffey receives a Superhero Award for Franklin County.

Caleb Beason, FFA instructor at Phil Campbell High School, receives a 2020 award for Outstanding Youth Involvement.

Pat McGuire accepts an award for NASANA during the program.

Jaren Carter of Alabama Mountains, Rivers and Valleys speaks regarding North Alabama Trails and Recreation.

Alabama Rep. Proncey Robertson speaks to attendees.

Commissioner Rick Pate of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industry

Lauranne James, Ginger Eatmon, Amelia Mitchell, Jennier Hier, Lucy Edwards, Paul Vining, Shirley Jimenez, Katernia Cole-Coffey, Zach Brannon and Vanessa King are among those speaking or being recognized.

Drayton Cosby of the Cosby Company speaks to attendees.

Dr. William Hodge, chairman of the National Association of RC&D councils, is a featured speaker.

Alabama Rep. Jamie Kiel attends the RC&D meeting.

Mike Roden, executive director of the Alabama Association of RC&D, is among the speakers.

Lauranne James, executive director of the Northwest Alabama RC&D, is among the speakers at the annual meeting.

Roger Hayes, chairman of the RC&D regional chapter, speaks during the meeting.

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The Northwest Alabama Resource Conservation and Development Council held its annual meeting Oct. 15 at the A.W. Todd Centre in Russellville.

“Northwest RC&D is a wonderful organization,” said Franklin County Extension Coordinator Katernia Cole Coffey. “The meeting was very refreshing. With their dedication and funding efforts, they help to create solutions to meet the unmet needs in Franklin, Colbert, Lauderdale, Marion and Winston counties. This makes northwest Alabama a better place to live, work and play.”

“We appreciate everyone that attended, especially our guest speakers and our legislators that support this program,” said Franklin County Probate Judge and RC&D Council board member Barry Moore, who gave the welcoming remarks. “RC&D is all about people doing things for others to improve the quality of life for their fellow citizens.”

Other speakers included Mike Roden of the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils; Dr. William Hodge, chairman of the National Association of RC&D Councils; Drayton Cosby for the Cosby Company; Commissioner Rick Pate of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industry; and Jaren Carter of Alabama Mountains, Rivers and Valleys, regarding North Alabama Trails and Recreation.

“RC&D is one of the greatest volunteer organizations in this country,” said Hodge. “When I travel across the country, I talk about people, projects and progress, and to me, that’s the essence of RC&D.”

As part of the meeting, the council recognized the following award winners for 2020 and 2021.

2020 Alabama Association of RC&D Council Awards:

• Outstanding Supporting Partner: Northwest Alabama Spay and Neuter Assistance
• Outstanding Project of the Year: ACES, Lauderdale County Farm Tours
• Outstanding Youth Involvement: Phil Campbell FFA, Caleb Beason.

2021 Alabama Association of RC&D Council Awards:

• Outstanding Supporting Partner: Colbert EMA
• Outstanding Youth Involvement: Main Street Ministry and Haleyville Center of Technology

2021 Southeastern RC&D Council Award

• Outstanding Project of the Year: ACES, Lauderdale County Farm Tours
• Outstanding Supporting Partner: Colbert EMA

Superhero Awards, all employees of the Extension:

• Colbert County, Jennifer Palmer
• Franklin County, Katerina Cole-Coffey
• Lauderdale County, Heidi Tilenius
• Marion County, Ginger Eatmon
• Winston County, Zack Brannon