Dave Francis and Ellen Serfustini
Since 2000, Dave Francis has worked for Utah State University Extension completing a variety of assignments and projects. He began his career as the Youth and Environmental Education Manager at Thanksgiving Point. He was responsible for starting a summer day camp program and expanding the field trip program. Currently Dave works for the Utah State 4-H Office with responsibilities for the 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology Mission Mandate. This work takes on many forms for teaching how to run a robotics camp to extracting DNA from a strawberry.
One of Dave’s most recognized programs is 4-H Aggie Adventures for Kids, this experience provides a thematic, hand on camp experience in a variety of science topics including the popular “Owls, Spells and Potions” camp. As part of his SET work he serves as the State Coordinator for Junior Master Gardener program. In his time with Extension he was received over $500,000 in grants and awards to support a variety of programs.
Dave believes in the mission of the Land Grant University. Whether teaching youth about pond ecosystems in an environmental science workshop, giving 4-H leaders the 1st time coaching on GPS or helping afterschool providers discover how to get kids exploring science he finds great satisfaction in his work. He recognizes the impact that youth can have as agents of change in their community. Dave looks forward to continuing his work with Utah State University Extension 4-H.
Ellen Serfustini joined Utah State University Extension as a Family and Consumer Science Extension agent in Carbon County in 1997. She brought with her a career in teaching having taught home economics at Cyprus High School in Magna for 11 years before moving to the Price area. During most of her career she has also been a mom and advisor to youth and adults in her church.
Her career has included constant and consistent skill upgrades including certifications as a Master Preserver, Food Safety Manager, Home Buyer educator and as a certified Family and Consumer Science Agent. Ellen continues to serve her alma mater of the College of Eastern Utah as an adjunct professor and regularly lectures on volunteering and service opportunities and providing insight into the 4-H Youth and Families with Promise program. During her career as a 4-H/FSC agent she has made more than 800 presentations on 4-H youth and leadership development; food safety, storage and preservation, nutrition, diet and health; finance, budgeting and home buyer education and 4-H Youth and Families With Promise.
Ellen’s leadership with 4-H programs, workshops, camps, activities and fairs demonstrates her on-going desire to improve the lives of rural families and rural economies in her area. She is a statewide mentor for faculty and professionals who are working with youth and families at risk. She is noted for her work in youth development and has been instrumental in writing youth asset curriculum for the state program and also for establishing 4-H mentoring programs in Carbon County.
She has been a tireless writer of grants and has obtained contracts and grants funding programs in her community with over $500,000 in financial support. Ellen goes about her good work in serving Utah families and youth with research based programs and is recognized by her peers as a Family and Consumer Science/4-H agent of distinction.