EFNEP's Ngaire van Eck Award was originated in honor or Dr. Ngaire van Eck who served as NC EFNEP’s Coordinator from 1989 through 1997. Before coming to NC she taught abroad in New Zealand, her native land, and Uganda. In West Virginia, she was a state specialist with Cooperative Extension for 17 years. Her focus of interest was maternal and infant health. While at NC State University, she helped establish two special EFNEP projects with the WIC program, nutrition education for pregnant adolescents, using the “Hey, What’s Cookin?” curriculum and the In-Home Breastfeeding Support Program. After retirement in 1999, she established an endowment fund that she rolled over to the EFNEP Endowment that began in December 2005. This award specifically honors outstanding EFNEP Educators who have a desire to enhance their programming through professional development. Funds are used in support of approved professional development opportunities.

This year’s Ngaire van Eck Award recipient is Chrissy Barbrey of Halifax County.
Chrissy Barbrey is planning to take courses as part of her professional development and provide credits toward an Associate’s degree. Chrissy’s outstanding EFNEP programming with youth, program leadership with the Fuel for Life pilot, as well as her own personal development plan to improve and enhance her education and skills, deserve recognition and the award for the Ngaire van Eck Professional Development Award.

Congratulations Chrissy!