Iama Price Retires From UT Extension but Leaves Lasting Impact on the Community
By: Hannah Thompson
For the past six years, Iama Price has been a devoted UT Extension Agent and health advocate in Hardeman County, persevering through her own health challenges and inspiring others. She is a testament of faithfulness and purposeful living. Ms. Price recently retired, but her contributions have made a lasting impact on the community.
”Iama’s work as our UT Extension Service agent has been instrumental in growing our healthy living classes. She provided instruction for cardio drumming, beginner tai chi, chair yoga for arthritis, healthy eating, diabetes awareness and so much more. Her smile, kindness and enthusiasm are contagious! The life-changing outreach classes she led are still going on today at our library. She will be greatly missed by us here in Middleton,” said Cynthia Scott, Library Director at Middleton Community Library.
Ms. Price faced many challenges in her career, but she says the biggest challenge was in the beginning. “My biggest challenge was moving to Tennessee alone on faith, not knowing anyone, during the pandemic in a time of extreme uncertainty. My faith in God has never failed me and it ended up being the best decision of my life. I was able to work my final years in the job market in the career of my dreams. Everything happens for a reason when you trust the Creator and Writer of your story.”
Helping the residents of Hardeman County grow stronger and fostering partnerships are the achievements Iama is most proud to have done in her career. “I am proud to have been a part of the Farmer Suicide Prevention Grant and program spearheaded by Human Development Department, Dr. Heather Sedges, and Sage TN. I am also proud to have partnered with Sabrina Parker and Helping Hands TN in creating the Clean Meals curriculum.”
Iama will miss her colleagues dearly. “I have worked in so many areas, states, and social circles. The UT Extension office has the BEST PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS! The school and the people are so full of integrity.”
When asked how she believes her colleagues will remember her, Iama is uncertain. “You either love me or you don’t!”
However, director of the office, Gary Rodgers, has a different answer. “Iama brought a new vision for Family Consumer Science programming to Hardeman County. She was instrumental in starting the cardio drumming exercise program to the county and had trained several volunteers to carry on the program after her retirement. We wish her the best in future endeavors.”
Iama’s career has taught her several things. “Honesty gets you farther than brown nosing, nothing matters more than your integrity, and what God has for you is for you.” If she could go back and advise herself on her first day at the office, she would encourage her past self to have more fun and not to stress about things that cannot be controlled.
Iama is excited to have more time to be present in life, reflect on her blessings, and spend more time with her son, Elijah. Iama and her son recently spent his winter break at the beach riding horses and going on a dolphin cruise. In August, she has another beach trip planned that includes a hot air balloon ride and tandem parasailing. Iama also plans to focus on her hobbies including making tonics, canna butter, and prepping healthy meals.
“Iama was more than an instructor. She was an inspiration of positivity and joy,” said Deborah Carrier, who attended multiple classes hosted by Ms. Price at the Bolivar-Hardeman County Library and Middleton Community Library. “No matter what she was teaching – chair yoga, drums alive, healthy eating – her upbeat energy was felt by everyone in the room. Hardeman County has been fortunate to have her.”
If you would like to stay connected with Iama, she would like to be friends on Facebook @Iama Price.
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