By Stephanie Schupska
University of
Georgia

Sandra F. McKinney, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension coordinator for
Crisp County, received the D.W. Brooks Faculty Award for Excellence in Public
Service Extension Oct. 3 in Athens, Ga.

The award, which includes a framed certificate and $5,000, is given in honor of D.W.
Brooks, founder of Gold Kist Inc. and Cotton States Mutual Insurance Companies.
Brooks was an advisor on agriculture and trade issues to seven U.S. presidents.

McKinney has excelled in Cooperative Extension 4-H youth development. Her
innovative educational programs have garnered state, national and international
recognition.

Under McKinney’s direction, Crisp County 4-H was one of five youth groups in the
world selected to receive the Albert Schweitzer International Youth Group of the
Year Award for their environmental work in waste management, beautification and
education.

She developed the “Survive and Thrive in the World of Work” program for youths in
rural counties. This work force development curriculum was selected as a national
U.S. Department of Agriculture Program of Excellence.

Another Crisp County project, “Taking the Sting Out of the Mosquito Threat,” was
the only 4-H project in the nation selected to appear on a video showcasing
exceptional after-school programming. As a result of her work, the 4-H’ers working
on the mosquito control project received more than $12,000 in college
scholarships.

Leading youths to accept differences was the concentration of her “Down Syndrome
Support” program, which received regional and state diversity awards.

McKinney has worked with UGA Extension for almost two decades with
appointments in Jeff Davis, Dooly, Wilcox and Crisp counties and on the West
District and Georgia 4-H staffs. She and her husband Lonnie have three sons.

Other D.W. Brooks honorees this year were Allan M.
Armitage, teaching; Joseph F.
Frank, research; John P.
Beasley, extension; and
Anna V.A.
Resurreccion, international agriculture.