Lauren Morris

As the Regional Nutrition Extension Associate (RNEA) for part of the Northeast and Southeast NC State Extension Districts, I represent both the EFNEP state office and the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences. I work closely with County Extension Directors (CEDs) to hire, evaluate, and support EFNEP educators, providing onboarding, training, and feedback to enhance teaching and outcomes. I clarify EFNEP policies and reporting requirements, and I assist county Extension agents with EFNEP-related Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) initiatives. I promote communication by sharing priorities and updates with counties and conveying local needs and successes to the EFNEP state office. Additionally, I ensure program fidelity while encouraging collaboration that broadens reach and impact, helping limited-resource families and youth develop practical skills to plan, shop, fix, and eat healthy foods, thereby reducing their risk of chronic disease. My content area expertise is nutrition and physical activity. The EFNEP counties in my region are Halifax, Northampton, Edgecombe, and Johnston. My duty station is in Halifax County.