County extension agency appoints VanDevender

VanDevender

Cindy Lou VanDevender of Orange, Texas has been named Texas Cooperative Extension’s County Extension Agent-Family and Consumer Sciences for Jasper County, effective Dec. 1, according to a joint announcement by Jasper County Judge Joe Folk, the Jasper County commissioners court, and Dr. Ramona Kellam, district extension administrator for Texas Cooperative Extension headquartered at the Agricultural Research & Extension Center at Overton.

“I am pleased to have Cindy Lou joins our County Extension Faculty in Jasper County. She will be a great asset for Jasper County and Texas Cooperative Extension,” Kellam said. “I feel certain Cindy Lou will do an excellent job because of her leadership skills, previous experience as a 4-H agent, her enthusiasm and professionalism.”

VanDevender has served as county extension agent-4- H and youth development for the past eight years. She began her career as a county extension agent-4H and youth development in Matagorda County in August 1998 and in 2003 transferred to the county extension agent-4-H and youth development position in Orange County where she has served for the past three years.

In her career as county extension agent, VanDevender has presented numerous educational workshops for a wide variety of audiences including 4-H and youth, Texans building character, Texas extension education association, better living for Texans and family consumer sciences.

VanDevender earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics — Interior Design from Sam Houston State University in August 1997. In January 2006 she received her Master of Arts in Education - Adult Education and Distance from University of Phoenix.

VanDevender will fill the position formerly held by Cassandra Coleman. As county extension agent-family consumer sciences she will work with all aspects of family and consumer sciences in Jasper County.

The county extension office in Jasper County is part of Texas Cooperative Extension, an agency of the Texas A&M University System.

Local extension programs extend university resources to local residents by providing practical information and education in the four areas of agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H and youth development, and community development. Extension is a cooperative effort of the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of Texas through Texas A&M University, and the Jasper County commissioners court.

VanDevender commented, “I am excited to join the Jasper County extension staff. I encourage anyone who has questions about the family and consumer science activities or 4-H program to give me a call. I look forward to serving the fine people of Jasper County.”