Colombia RPCV Elaine Kaye Fries' bilingualism and knowledge of the Hispanic community important in new position as CFS Agent
FRIES NAMED CFS AGENT IN BEXAR COUNTY
Writer: Jorge A. Ramirez, (210) 208-9311,jaramirez@tamu.edu
Contact: Elaine Kaye Fries, (210) 467-6575
SAN ANTONIO - Elaine Kaye Fries, a 19-year Texas Cooperative Extension veteran, is the new county extension agent for family and consumer science in Bexar County.
She most recently served as program manager for the South Texas AmeriCorps Initiative (STACI) based in Weslaco, where she coordinated activities in 16 South and West Texas counties.
Fries, who received a doctorate in agricultural education from Texas A&M in 2001, brings a vast and varied experience to the Bexar office, including a stint as a Peace Corps volunteer in Colombia. She holds a master's degree in adult education from A&M and a bachelor's degree in consumer and family science from Purdue.
Prior to her STACI position in the Valley, Fries served as Extension county agent in Cameron County. Before that she worked in Bexar as an Extension agent for the Expanded Nutrition Program and as an ENP agent in Cameron and Maverick/Dimmitt counties.
Early in her career, she was a bilingual resource specialist for a high school in South Bend, Ind.
"I am very excited to be in San Antonio, and I see many exciting opportunities," Fries said. "One of my goals is to continue the work done by my predecessor with the very successful Family Alliance Council. I also want to try to expand the Master Volunteer concept to other topic areas."
During Fries' tenure in Cameron County, ENP volunteers moved on to clothing and sewing and eventually to income-generating projects. Now, some of those volunteers are doing diabetes awareness and environmental issues education.
While working in Bexar County previously, Fries initiated a community garden project in coordination with the horticulture agent which provided the model and vision for the urban youth gardens in San Antonio, an active program today. Another of her projects was a migrant housing development beautification project for youth, who also received pesticide safety training to share with their parents for agricultural fieldwork.
"We are obviously elated at Dr. Fries' decision to work with us in Bexar County," said Kaye Woodward, director of the Bexar County office. "Her achievements in expanded nutrition and family and consumer science speak for themselves, as do her experiences working with Hispanic populations. Her bilingualism and knowledge of the Hispanic community will be especially welcomed."
