Key People in EFNEP's History

Since its inception in Tennessee in 1969, many faculty at The University of Tennessee have worked to make EFNEP the nutrition education program it is today. In November 1968, Virginia Boswell, associate dean of home economics, Nazza Noble, nutritionist and department leader, and Reba K. Hendron, nutritionist, participated in a meeting to begin developing guidelines and procedures for program implementation. Nazza Noble served as state leader of EFNEP from inception until 1974. 

Additional state specialists were employed to lead the program: Marion Mariner, nutrition, Ester L. Hatcher, youth development and Janice Hurst Williams, communications. As a county home economist, Marion Mariner, professor emeritus, led one of the first county programs in Roane county in 1969 and then served as a state nutrition specialist from 1970 to 1972.  Etta Mae Westbrook, Professor, was employed as a state specialist in EFNEP from 1973 to 1986. Ester L. Hatcher, Professor Emeritus,  worked in EFNEP from 1978 to 1990. She served as youth development specialist  and state coordinator.

Janie Burney, Associate Professor, became a nutrition specialist in EFNEP in 1989 and has served as state coordinator since 1990. Betty Greer, Professor, has been a nutrition specialist in Tennessee EFNEP since 1995.

In memory of Ester Hatcher, Reba Hendron, Marion Mariner and Nazza Noble.