West Virginia University
Extension is happy to welcome Adriana Renner as the new Family and Community
Development agent for Berkeley and Jefferson Counties.
Renner has previous experience as an Extension agent in Maryland and graduated from Frostburg State University with a degree in early childhood elementary education. Although she wasn’t born in West Virginia, Renner grew up in Washington County, Maryland, just across the border from West Virginia’s eastern panhandle.
During her time as a SNAP-Ed project leader and nutrition educator, Renner said she
“fell in love” with Extension, and today, she couldn’t imagine working anywhere
else.
“I wanted to work within extension, I wanted to work with those in the community,” Renner said. “I wanted to share knowledge and still be able to teach a wide range of individuals, from youth to adults.”
The tip of West Virginia’s eastern panhandle represents one of the state’s most densely populated areas, but Renner says her prior experience and familiarity with the area has prepared her to step into the role.
“It could be a little scary to come into this position without having any background in Extension, not knowing what you're dipping your feet into, but I'm really eager to hit the ground running,” Renner said.
Although Renner is still relatively new, she and her fellow WVU Extension agents haven’t wasted any time thinking about new programs they can create for the community. Growing up on a farm, one particular area of interest for Renner is food preservation.
“I live on a small farm and grew up on a small farm, so we've always had some type of garden,” Renner said. “We've done water bathing, food canning, and it’s a memory that stands out from my childhood in Hedgesville with my grandparents. I genuinely feel it’s one of those skills that is slowly fading from our communities and area.”
As the area’s Family and Community Development agent, Renner wants to emphasize collaboration with community leaders and residents by focusing on the programs they want the most. For example, a topic like food preservation is personally relevant to Renner, but it’s also something that residents have already expressed interest in.
“When you think about my role, it's really about meeting people where they are and listening to them,” Renner said. “They need someone in their corner, someone they can express their needs to.”
With time, Renner hopes further engagement will continue to shape her programming going forward. Luckily, Renner believes that community involvement and passion are two things that set Berkeley and Jefferson Counties apart.
Tony Michael, program director for WVU Extension Family & Community Development, said he is excited to see what Renner’s experience will bring to Berkeley and Jefferson County residents.
“Ana brings a strong background in community health programming and a genuine passion for making a meaningful impact within a team setting. We look forward to supporting her as she integrates into already strong offices that continue to deliver exceptional community‑based programming,” Michael said.
If you want to learn more about WVU Extension, visit extension.wvu.edu or follow @WVUExtension on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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