Brenda Derrick earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food and Nutrition from Northeast Missouri State University (now known as Truman State University) in 1983. She received a Master of Science Degree in Human Nutrition, Foods and Food Systems Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1990. A Registered Dietitian (RD), her professional background includes 12 years in public health nutrition,and health promotion. She is also a graduate of the Western Illinois Leadership Academy. Locally, Derrick is a member of the Brown County Action, serving as a facilitator, Brown County Wellness Advisory Committee, Alliance for Building Community in Adams County, and the Adams County All Our Kids Network.

Derrick is a member of the Illinois Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (IEAFCS). Derrick is also a member of the American Dietetic Association, and the Society of Nutrition Education. She received a University of Illinois Extension Individual Award of Excellence in 2002 and a Team Award of Excellence in 2004.

Serve It Safely - For those who volunteer their time at their church'a annual ice cream social, club's Bar-B-Que, or organization's soup supper.

Family Nutrition Program (FNP) - A program providing basic nutrition, food budgeting and food safety information to low-income consumers.

Other programs include preparing salsa or jams and jellies safely, cooking with herbs, women and heart disease, calcium and osteoporosis, holiday diabetes, heart healthy eating, breads workshop, cooking for one or two, and healthy moves for healthy children.