Deanna Karmazin named Ag in the Classroom coordinator

Deanna K. Karmazin of Lincoln is the new coordinator for Nebraska Agriculture in the class room program.

Agriculture in the classroom is a nationwide educational program to help students understand that agriculture is the source of food, clothing and shelter and other essentials of life. In Nebraska it is organized and funded by the Nebraska Foundation for Agricultural Awareness with headquarters at the Nebraska Farm Bureau office in Lincoln.

Her appointment was announced March 10th in Lincoln at the annual meeting of the foundation by Eric Brown, foundation president and General Manager of KRVN Radio in Lexington.

"Deanna brings a wealth of education and agricultural experience to this critical position and the leadership skills to move it forward." brown said "She has given dozens of presentation that help children and adults understand agriculture and its importance to them and to our state.

Karmazin has been an extension associate with UNL Extension in Lancaster County since 1996. In that position she designed and taught and evaluated 4H programs in many areas and developed education curricula to supplement 4H activities.

Karmazin grew up in Webster County with a broad background in agriculture and in both the 4-H and FFA programs. She is the daughter of Duane and Connie Lienemann of Blue Hill, where she attended high school. She is married to Steve Karmazin originally from Lawrence. Deanna and Steve reside in Lincoln, Nebraska with their twin children Christopher and Lauren (10 yr).

Karmazin earned a B.S. degree in Agricultural education from UNL in 1996 and a M.S.degree in agricultural leadership education and communication in 2000. She is a Nebraska certified teacher and is a certified grant writer. She is a graduate of the Nebraska LEAD program and serves on the boards of the Nebraska agricultural relations council and the Nebraska Cooperative Extension Association.

From 2000 to 2005 she was an elected member of the Lancaster Agriculture Society. (Landcaster County Fair Board.)

Karmazin will assume her responsibilities on April 11. She succeeds Ellen Hellerich of Valparaiso who is retiring at the end of March.