JASPER — Joei Phillips is the new family and consumer science agent assigned to the Newton County Cooperative Extension Office in Jasper. A welcoming reception was held Thursday, Aug. 1, from 1-2 p.m. at the county extension office on 504 West Court Street, located in the Newton County Annex A building (aka the former Newton County Nursing Home).
Phillips is a native of Deer. She graduated from Deer High School.
After working eight years for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, she returned to the Deer School where she taught third grade and later worked as a student couselor for a total of 18 years. She then was hired as school counselor by the Jasper School District working four years on the Kingston School campus.
She said while at Deer she was a 4-H club leader and was mentored by former county FCS Agent Marsha Horton.
Phillips said she will now oversee the current four county 4-H clubs and will begin recruiting new members including parents at upcoming open house events prior to the start of classes at the county public schools. She will also be working with the Newton County Extension Homemakers Council comprised of clubs around the county.
Phillips is already involved in preparations for the Newton County Fair. Check-in of exhibits begins Sunday, Aug. 18 and the fair concludes with check-out on Sunday, Aug. 25.
