On April 22, 2026, Jennifer Badger, Area Specialized Agent, Agribusiness with North Carolina Cooperative Extension and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems’ (CEFS) EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS) team, received one of the 2026 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Values Awards for Integrity during the CALS Celebration of Excellence held at the StateView Hotel. The CALS Values Awards honor individuals who demonstrate one or more of the college’s core values—excellence, inclusion, integrity, sustainability, community, freedom and collaboration—in their daily work.
Badger was recognized for her commitment to transparency and ethical stewardship through the creation of a comprehensive metrics dashboard that ensures project activities are auditable and grant-compliant. Developed as a five-tab shared tool for the EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS) team, the dashboard tracks grant objectives, training events and client data. Its primary tab provides a real-time visual representation of progress, automatically updating as new granular data is entered, helping to guide decision-making and maintain accountability across the team.
She was nominated by Laura Lauffer, Western Regional Director for CEFS, Extension Associate and Project Director for EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems, along with additional supporting colleagues who specifically highlighted Badger’s leadership in directing critical resources to farmers in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Lauffer’s nomination emphasized Badger’s dedication to ethical governance and responsible management of funds during a time of urgent need.
Badger and the EMFS team serve 12 counties in Western North Carolina, along with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, providing business education and support to farmers and food entrepreneurs. She brings nearly a decade of experience in specialty food marketing and corporate grocery retail management to her role, along with a deep-rooted passion for agriculture and business.
A graduate of NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with a degree in Agricultural Business Management, Badger is also a first-generation college student. Her interest in agriculture began early. As a child, she spent summers picking wild blackberries to sell at her local tailgate market, running her own small stand and earning her first $100. That early experience sparked a lasting interest in the intersection of agriculture and entrepreneurship.
Badger’s work reflects a strong commitment to integrity, ensuring that programs and resources are managed transparently and effectively in service to North Carolina’s farming communities. We are proud to work alongside Badger and congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.
