PSO In Action 2
Faculty from PSO units showcase projects across the state. Projects include Small Business Development Center’s mother-daughter trio catapulting to stardom with Elf on the Shelf; Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s We Recycle Shell; State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Georgia Native Seed Network; and the Archway Partnership’s workforce development initiatives in Newton County.
Learning Outcome:
- Identify PSO projects across the state
Target Audience: PSO faculty and staff
Format: Presentation with Q&A
Small Business Development Center
Project: Mother-daughter trio catapulting to stardom with Elf on the Shelf
The famous Elf of the Shelf is the epitome of an SBDC success story. Drew Tonsmeire, area director of the UGA SBDC at Kennesaw State and Elf on the Shelf business owners recently presented the story at the America’s SBDC National Conference.
Presenter:
Drew Tonsmeire, area director, UGA SBDC at Kennesaw State University
With more than 28 years of experience within the UGA SBDC Network, Drew consults small business owners in strategic marketing and business management. His background includes serving as president and CEO of a local Chamber of Commerce, as well as experience in retail, manufacturing and service environments. He is an experienced digital marketer with expertise in search engine optimization and marketing. Drew has been awarded the UGA SBDC Professionalism Award, Consultant of the Year, Project of the Year, and Best Education Programming Award within the UGA SBDC. He previously served as chair for the national SBDC annual conference, which is the premiere education programming for SBDC professionals across the country. Drew holds a bachelor’s degree in business from UGA and a master’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University.
Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
Project: We Recycle Shell
This is a relatively new program that is encouraging oyster shell recycling statewide. Working closely with the State Department of Natural Resources and the Shell to Shore NGO, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant has established a network that collects shell around the state and brings it to the coast to use in restoration efforts.
Presenter:
Erin Arneson, seafood specialist, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
Erin works with the local seafood industry to provide technical support and education. With technical knowledge of biology, ecology and aquaculture, she acts as a subject resource and connects people based on their needs and goals. She is certified to teach the Seafood HACCP Training. In her previous position, Erin coordinated field work at the Shellfish Research Lab on Skidaway Island, setting up research sites and managing data collection in order to research topics like oyster reef restoration and aquaculture. Prior to joining UGA in 2022, she completed her master’s research on ocean acidification and the resilience of the coral Oculina arbuscula at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Erin earned a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in biology from Georgia Southern University.
State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Project: Georgia Native Seed Network
The new Georgia Native Seed Network is a State Botanical Garden initiative funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to solve the problem of native seed scarcity for restoration purposes. The paucity of native seed and plant material hinders wildfire recovery work, and habitat restoration on federal, state, local municipality, and private lands. The networks’ mission is to collect seeds of relevant species from wild populations and create seed production sites across the state.
Presenter:
Zachary Wood, Georgia Native Seed Network manager, State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Zach has served as the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s grassland coordinator since 2021 and was recently named manager for the Georgia Native Seed Network, a new initiative to create a supply of native seeds for restoration projects in Georgia. He received his bachelor’s degree in natural resources management from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
Archway Partnership
Project: Newton County Workforce Development Initiatives
Newton County began its engagement with Archway Partnership as a Connected Resilient Community participant in 2022. Later, it became Archway’s newest community at the time. Workforce development was identified as a priority area from the start. The presenter will share the evolution of Newton County’s workforce development efforts and how the county has leveraged multiple resources from the university to move the community forward.
Presenter:
Jeffrey Burke, Archway professional, Archway Partnership
Jeffrey joined the Archway Partnership in 2024 after working with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, where he began as an Extension Agent and continued into various roles at the state level. His passion for community development is deeply rooted in the mission of the land-grant university. The focus on practical education, research and outreach to address the needs of communities aligns closely with Jeffrey’s values and he is dedicated to seeing Georgia communities and industries thrive, viewing the land grant system as a beacon of community empowerment and innovation. Jeffrey holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s degree in public administration and is pursuing a PhD in public administration from Valdosta State University.
