Wick named "Communicator of the Year" by Kansas Extension

Sandra Wick, Post Rock District, Crop Production Agent was recently recognized as one of two Communicators of the Year for K-State Research and Extension. The purpose of the Communicator of the Year award is to recognize extension faculty who uses multiple forms of communication, is available to media, and reaches out to the community through Facebook postings, newsletters, Twitter, Instagram, and other forms of communication. Blaire Todd, Post Rock Extension District, livestock agent and co-worker, nominated Sandra and commented she is always willing to try something different to distribute information to producers!

Wick's major accomplishments include "social media" posts and newspaper articles; informational displays and presentations; individual consultations along with recorded videos posted on the Post Rock Extension District YouTube and Crops page. Wick uses her unique approaches to reach new audiences, develops educational programs that showcase the work of K-State, uses communication tools to build partnerships in the community, effectively uses social media to communicate with the farm community and public along with increases public understanding of science and technology.

She was also selected as the Visionary Leadership Award winner from the Alpha Rho Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi of K-State Research and Extension. She was nominated by Jeanne Falk-Jones, Multi-county Agronomist with the Sunflower Extension District. The Visionary Leadership Award is for those Extension faculty whose significant accomplishments have led Extension forward in new directions. According to Jeanne, Sandra is always willing to try new ways of engaging producers, farm families and youth in the area of crop production along with encouraging Agriculture Agents, new and old, to use the NEW tools and methods that are available.

Wick is a member of the Stress and Resiliency Team and her team was recognized for outstanding work during the year. Some of the activities included displays and information at events and activities, informational graphics on different sites with Wick including some in her weekly Ag News Roundup newsletter along with presentations for other agencies on farm/work stress management.

Wick attributes her program success to her co-workers along with great producers in the district that attend programs and volunteer as cooperators for the demonstration test plots as well as with Post Rock Extension District's Agriculture program development committee members.