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2025 NACDEP Fall Newsletter
From The Editor
NACDEP Colleagues: Greetings and welcome to the autumn 2025 edition of the NACDEP newsletter. We have a lot of great material in here that I know you are going to want to read. We are very fortunate to have a membership that is so eager to share news with everyone and to take the time to write up articles to fill the newsletter with so much useful content.
I would like to take this opportunity to review newsletter procedure. We publish four issues a year: winter (January), spring (April), summer (July), and fall, or autumn -we use the terms interchangeably (October). For each newsletter we make two calls for submissions. The first is usually about two weeks before the publication deadline, with the second following up about a week later. The submission deadline is about a week after the second call. It is our policy not to accept submissions after the deadline because as soon as the deadline arrives we are working on reviewing, revising and editing the draft we create from the submissions. We then send the draft to Ricky Atkins who puts it into publication format and sends it back to us to re-review. Once we have completed the review in the publication format, we send it back to Ricky, who then publishes the completed newsletter, and it arrives in your email inbox. With the exception of the winter issue, the dates of publication are generally around the middle of the month. In the case of the winter newsletter, it is usually published near the end of January, as everything is pushed back a little from the holidays.
Previous issues of the newsletter are archived on the NACDEP web site. Just go to www.nacdep.net and look at the row of items at the top. Hover over “resources” near the right side of the page. Just scroll down to the third item where is says “newsletters” and click. Take the time to review some of the older newsletters. You can learn a lot about the history of the organization and some of its members’ activities and accomplishments that way. It will also give you a better idea of what typical entries look like and therefore answer some of the questions you have about a submission you might like to make.
If you have questions, comments, or would like to discuss any aspect of the newsletter with me, please feel free to get in touch by email at [email protected] or by phone at 330-466-7877. I have served as editor since August 2011, so naturally I always enjoy discussing it with members and encouraging them to publish in it.
On the topic of publishing in the newsletter, we have in this issue an array of articles that cover a diverse range of topics. Special thanks to all who submitted. You really enrich the organization with your contributions to the newsletter.
And to all of you – happy reading!
Sincerely,
Thomas W. Blaine, PhD
Associate Professor
Ohio State University Extension
NACDEP Newsletter Editor
President's Column
Submitted by Jaime Menon
Kansas State University
NACDEP President
Flowing Through Uncertainty: Practicing Wu Wei in
Community Development
Jaime Menon, President, NACDEP
Let me pose a question: Have you ever noticed that sometimes, when you’re facing intense challenges, the moment you let go (usually feeling like you can’t go on) everything seems to fall into place?
I’ll admit, I’ve experienced a lot of that, especially in my work life.
I think that in times of turbulence and uncertainty, it feels natural to push harder—striving to control outcomes, race ahead of challenges, and shoulder the weight of responsibility for our organizations and those we serve. Yet, as many of us know, this often leads to stress, anxiety, and burnout.
During my own health journey, I came across a philosophy that has been both grounding and inspiring: the Taoist principle of Wu Wei, often translated as “effortless action” or “non-forcing.” Wu Wei does not mean passivity; rather, it is about moving with the natural flow of circumstances—acting with intention and skill, but without unnecessary struggle.
The late martial artist and philosopher Bruce Lee captured this beautifully:
“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.
Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot; it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
As community development professionals, we face shifting policies, limited resources, and community tensions. It’s easy to want to resist or control every change, but the wisdom of Wu Wei—and Lee’s reminder—invites us to respond with adaptability and presence, conserving energy for when it truly matters. Like water, we can bend, flow, and adapt, while still shaping even the hardest stone over time.
Practicing Wu Wei in our work might look like:
- Pausing before reacting. Allowing clarity to surface rather than rushing to control a situation. Even in crisis, stepping back and inviting others into that space can open better paths forward.
- Meeting resistance with flexibility. Finding alternate routes instead of exhausting ourselves in head-on collisions. Be the wave that moves through sand, not the beach eroded by the tide.
- Trusting collective wisdom. A mentor once asked me: “Who can do my job better than I can?” It wasn’t meant as flattery, but as a reminder to consider, “Who knows more about this than I do?” Reaching out to those individuals often lightens the struggle, strengthens relationships, and builds confidence. When you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, lean on colleagues and communities for insight rather than carrying the full burden alone. Sometimes a confidential conversation with a peer—especially a NACDEP colleague—can provide the perspective needed to chart a stronger course.
In moments of anxiety, it may help to remember: like water, we can both flow and persist. We can meet turbulence with grace while sustaining long-term impact. Wu Wei reminds us to save our strength for when it’s time to paddle harder—and to welcome others into the boat when navigating rapids.
As we move forward together, perhaps the invitation is not to fight the current but to move skillfully within it. May we each find ways to “be water” in our work—meeting change with resilience, flexibility, and quiet strength. Then, in calmer waters, may we pause to reflect on what went well, and how we might navigate the next set of rapids with confidence and expert focus.
If you’re finding yourself in a time of angst or need a moment of mindfulness to calm the waters, here’s a little Gift for You. Enjoy, and as always, take some time to take care of yourself!
Take Flight with Drones: New Fact Sheet and After-School Drone Club Help Students Earn FAA Certification
Submitted by Meghan Thoreau
Ohio State University Extension Educator,
Community Development & STEM
Pickaway County
Have you ever looked up at a drone flying overhead and thought, “I want to do that!”
The Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate allows individuals to operate small, unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones. Illustration generated on the Meta AI platform.
The FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate allows individuals to operate small, unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones. They are more than just cool gadgets—drones are powerful tools used in farming, construction, public safety, film, journalism, and even environmental science. From capturing stunning aerial shots to helping first responders during emergencies, drones are shaping the future of work. And the best part? You don’t have to wait until college to start your journey
That’s why OSU Extension is excited to announce two new resources for students in Pickaway County and beyond:
Why the FAA Part 107 Certificate Matters
If you want to fly drones for work or business in the U.S., you need the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. It’s like your official driver’s license for the skies! Earning this certificate shows you understand the rules of safe flight and opens doors to awesome opportunities—whether you’re still in high school, heading to college, or already thinking about your future career.
Our new Ohioline fact sheet, Introduction to the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, is the first in a five-part youth drone education series. The first fact sheet walks students through who can take the test, what’s on the exam, how to sign up, and why preparing early can give you an edge. Future fact sheets will dive deeper into aviation maps, weather, safety rules, and STEM career pathways for drone pilots.
Introducing the Westfall After-School Drone Club
To complement the fact sheet series, OSU Extension has launched the Westfall High School After-School Drone Club—a hands-on program designed to help students practice flying, prepare for the Part 107 exam, and explore career opportunities in drone technology.
As a pilot program, the club will initially accept up to 10 students who show genuine interest and commitment. Meetings will take place on Wednesdays from 2:45–4:15 p.m. and will focus on:
- Gaining hands-on experience with drones and flight practice.
- Developing skills in engineering, programming, and problem-solving.
- Preparing for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam.
- Exploring careers in aviation and other STEM fields.
Students in the pilot club help shape the program’s future by providing feedback on activities and curriculum as the program expands.
The Sky is Calling
Learning to fly drones isn’t just fun—it’s a steppingstone to exciting STEM careers that are growing fast in Ohio and across the world. Whether you dream of designing technology, supporting agriculture, saving lives with emergency response, or capturing breathtaking aerial views, drones can get you there.
Your drone journey starts now—and the sky is the limit.
Receiving the Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is a first step that can lead to exciting careers in aviation, technology, and STEM fields. Illustration generated on the Meta AI platform.
Save the Date!
Submitted by NACDEP 2026 Sessions Committee
2026 Annual Conference
Wichita, Kansas
June 15–18, 2026
We’re excited to announce that the Call for Proposal Submissions opens November 17, 2025!
Join us in Wichita to share your work, explore new ideas, and learn from colleagues at the 2026 NACDEP Conference.
We invite proposals for presentations, workshops, and posters in the following areas of Community Development:
- Community Engagement
- Economic Development & Tourism
- Leadership
- Community Planning & Assessment
- Local Government
- Entrepreneurship
- Workforce Development
- Other Emerging Topics
All proposals will undergo peer review by NACDEP members to ensure high-quality, relevant programming.
Mark your calendars and start preparing your submissions—we look forward to seeing you in Wichita!
Proposal Submissions Open: November 17, 2025 – An email blast with more details and instructions will be sent out at that time.
Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing Train the Trainer in Indy
 Submitted by Kris Parker
Regional Community Development Educator
Purdue Extension
Do your community partners write grant proposals to help fulfill their mission? Could they benefit from training and support? Would you like to help them without reinventing the wheel?
There are still a handful of spots left for the Train the Trainer for Purdue Extension's award-winning Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing (BGGW) workshop on November 18-19 in Indianapolis. Come join us! BGGW is a 2-day in-person workshop in which nonprofit and local government agency staff learn about the grant process, the basic components of a proposal and tips for building relationships with funders; they draft their idea into a proposal outline, practice making a pitch, search for funders, and give and receive feedback on a draft proposal during the workshop. Many professionals in nonprofits, education and the public sector find themselves in positions in which grant writing is a required or valued skillset, yet they lack formal training to write proposals. Communities benefit from grant funds leveraged to provide vital services and resources to advance their quality of life.
The Train the Trainer is open to Extension educators and specialists interested in piloting the program in your state. Attendees of the Train the Trainer will experience most of the workshop and receive resources to prepare for teaching it. Attendees should have some experience with grant writing as well as teaching experiential workshops. BGGW is taught in pairs, so your state may want to send two people to the Train the Trainer. Your institution may adapt the materials and train additional staff in your state, provided that you purchase the Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing manuals for your workshop participants and follow the branding guidelines. The cost of the registration is $595 and includes two lunches, a manual, a trainer guide, and a trainer materials kit. See the attached flier for more information. Register here: https://cvent.me/x9v9er . Contact Kris Parker with any questions at [email protected] 219-386-5232.
Ag Progress Days
Submitted by John Turack
Penn State Extension
At this year’s Ag Progress Days, Pennsylvania's largest outdoor agricultural exposition, Penn State Extension’s Leadership and Community Vitality program team showcased a new geospatial analysis tool designed to support decision-making in agriculture, community, and food systems. The interactive mapping platform allows users to explore county-level data across Pennsylvania and neighboring state boundaries, offering insights into food access, production, infrastructure, demographic, economic, and other indicators. Developed with input from community stakeholders, the tool emphasizes usability and relevance for farmers, other business owners, landowners, local planning entities, Extension programming, and both local and regional development efforts.
The demonstration highlighted how spatial data can inform strategies for improving food system resilience and equity. Attendees engaged with real-world scenarios, such as identifying underserved areas or locating potential sites for aggregation and distribution, and/or for new value-added business (like agritourism or agritainment) placement possibilities. The tool’s layered visualizations and customizable features make it a valuable resource for Extension professionals, planners, and educators working at the intersection of agriculture, community resource economic development, and public health.
Read the full article
New Dashboard Highlights Outdoor Recreation Trends Across Regions
Submitted by Xinyi Qian, Ph.D.
Director, University of Minnesota Tourism Center
In fall 2024, the North Central, Northeast, and Southern Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDCs) conducted a household survey in their respective regions with demographically representative samples. The survey included a suite of questions on outdoor recreation.
Using data from the household survey, the University of Minnesota Tourism Center has created a new interactive dashboard that highlights outdoor recreation trends across these regions of the U.S. The tool offers rare opportunities for state- and region-level comparisons on participation, access, motivations, and barriers to outdoor recreation, thanks to the demographically representative samples. With over 14,000 respondents, the dashboard provides valuable insights for professionals, researchers, and communities invested in outdoor recreation. Explore the dashboard to see how your state or region compares.
Check out the Dashboard: https://prayash106.shinyapps.io/dashboard/
Accessible Rural Communities Solutions Roundtable
SAVE THE DATE!
Submitted by Kathryn Leach
Western Rural Development Center
On behalf of
Paul Lewin, Director
Western Rural Development Center
The Accessible Rural Communities Solutions Roundtable is coming Nov. 18, 2025 (12:30–3:30 p.m. MST | 11:30–2:30 p.m. PST) co-sponsored by the Western Community Assessment Network (WeCAN) and the Western Rural Development Center.
Join us and rural changemakers from across the West to share ideas, hear solution stories, and explore strategies that make small towns and rural communities more accessible and prosperous.
Featuring keynote speaker Jeremy Maxand, Independent Living Advocate.
Learn more & sign up for registration updates: westerncan.org/accessible-communities-solutions
National Farm to School Month: Growing Futures at The Hill Farm
Submitted by: Robin Perry-Smith, MHA | Urban Extension Educator
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Program Area: Youth Development, Urban Agriculture, Community Engagement
Introduction
October is National Farm to School Month—a time to celebrate the powerful connections between youth, local farms, and fresh food. In Harrisburg, this celebration comes to life through the inspiring partnership between Penn State Extension and The Hill Farm, where learning grows alongside vegetables, and community roots run deep.
Program Description
This past summer and fall, students from the Harrisburg School District participated in immersive field trips to The Hill Farm. These visits offered hands-on learning in gardening, plant science, and environmental stewardship—transforming the farm into a living classroom.
“These field trips to The Hill Farm are more than just time outdoors—they’re immersive experiences where students connect with nature, explore the roots of our food system, and discover their potential changemakers in their own communities.”—Robin Perry-Smith, Extension Educator
Visual Highlight
Figure 1: Steele Elementary Field Trip
 
Photo Credit: Robin Perry-Smith| Extension Educator
Students actively engaged in observing plant growth, recording data, and exploring the garden during their visit to The Hill Farm.
Outcomes and Impact
- Over 376 students engaged in farm-based learning since January 2025
- Increased awareness of food systems and environmental science among inner-city youth
- Strengthened partnerships between Penn State Extension, Harrisburg School District, and community organizations
- Enhanced youth empowerment through experiential education
Conclusion
As we honor National Farm to School Month, we celebrate the seeds of knowledge and hope being planted in Harrisburg—one student, one field trip, one harvest at a time. The Hill Farm continues to serve as a beacon of community resilience and educational innovation.
National Extension Tourism Awards
Submitted by: Ann E. Savage
Tourism Extension Associate
College of Natural Resources
North Carolina State University
The National Extension Tourism Network (NET) recognized the impacts and accomplishments of several of its members during an awards banquet held during its biennial national conference, held in partnership with the Northeast Travel and Tourism Research Association (NETTRA) earlier this month in Meredith, NH. This year’s NET Awards program honored four deserving teams and individuals with four awards.
“This year we were blown away by the applications we received. It is inspiring to learn about the innovative partnerships, programs, and leadership our NET colleagues are engaged in around the country,” said NET’s Chair, Xinyi Qian. “Having an opportunity to share and celebrate our colleagues' valuable work in their communities is a special part of the conference.”
This year’s awards included:
- The NET Excellence in Tourism Collaboration Award – Developing a 10-Year Strategy for Maine’s Outdoor Recreation Economy
- NET Excellence in Tourism Programming Award – MSU Extension Regional Tourism Assessment for Roscommon County
- NET Local Champion Award – Janel Lawton, Director of the New Hampshire Office of Outdoor Recreation, Department of Business and Economic Affairs
- NET Emerging Leader Award – Jason Entsminger, Assistant Professor & State Extension Specialist at the University of Maine
For more information about these winners, visit: extensiontourism.net/.
Key Findings from Local Sourcing Innovation in Independent and Locally-Owned Groceries Research Project Available Now
Submitted by Clara Misenhelter
Program Manager
Rural Grocery Initiative
Kansas State University
The Rural Grocery Initiative team presented early findings from our research on independent and locally-owned groceries at the last NACDEP conference. The final research deliverables from this project, including five case studies, a comparison chart, a final report, a catalog of local sourcing innovations, and a recording of our recent webinar highlighting key findings, are all available on our website now. Reach out to [email protected] with questions.
Upcoming NCRCRD Webinars
Submitted by Mary Breidenbach
Communications Specialist
Purdue University
October Webinar
Strong Communities Start Here: Introducing Missouri’s Civic Muscle Index
Tuesday, October 28, 2025• 1:00 pm ET
Presenters from the University of Missouri Extension’s Community Development and Regional Economic Development program and the Center for Applied Research and Engagement (CARES) will explore their new online digital tool, the Civic Muscle Index.
November Webinar
Food Security, Access, and Health Outcomes in Rural America: Challenges and Policy Pathways
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 • 2:00 pm ET
This webinar will focus on the everyday challenges rural communities face in accessing healthy and affordable food, and how these challenges affect health and well-being.
December Webinar
Did the Rural Health Infrastructure Break Down During the Pandemic? Evidence from the 2020 Meatpacking Plant COVID-19 Outbreaks
Friday, December 5, 2025 • 1:00 pm ET
This webinar will present findings from a recent study examining the strain that COVID-19 outbreaks in meatpacking plants placed on rural healthcare systems. Discussion will highlight implications for strengthening rural health infrastructure and workforce resilience in future crises.
For more information and registration:
https://ncrcrd.ag.purdue.edu/webinars/
Outdoor Recreation Case Studies Shared by National Extension Tourism Network
Submitted by Gwynn Stewart, MS, Ohio CED, 
Assistant Professor, Community Development
Ohio State University Extension
with Artwork by Kristen Devlin, Communications Specialist, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development
The National Extension Tourism Network (NET) Outdoor Recreation Case Study Series was shared by the NET Outdoor Recreation Work Group at the recent biennial national conference, held in partnership with the Northeast Travel and Tourism Research Association (NETTRA) this October in Meredith, NH. The following is an example case study. View NET Case Studies at: extensiontourism.net/outdoor-recreation-working-group/
Building Entrepreneur-Friendly Communities for the Outdoor Recreation Sector Case Study
This case study shares a new curriculum developed by a team from Ohio State University and the University of Minnesota Extension with funding from a USDA-funded grant from the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development's Small Grants Program.
Why This Matters:
Outdoor recreation is a major contributor to the U.S. economy, larger than oil and gas development, vehicle manufacturing, air transportation and the film industry (Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, 2021). Both Ohio and Minnesota boast a variety of assets and activities in the outdoor recreation landscape, representing an opportunity for entrepreneurs in these states to meet the growing
demand for outdoor recreation experiences, goods, and services, which in turn will create jobs, support local businesses, and enhance opportunities for residents and visitors.
Outcomes, Impacts, and Practical Implications
The team has published an online self-paced version of the outdoor recreation sector curriculum at go.osu.edu/orbefc. This course provides community leaders and elected officials the resources, training, and tools to develop, grow, and sustain community capacity. With a focus on the outdoor recreation sector, it helps leaders understand the contribution of entrepreneurs to the local economy, to identify and plan strategies to grow and sustain local entrepreneurs, and to help leaders position their community entrepreneurial ecosystem for success.
About the Curriculum: Key Components and Methodology
The team adapted an existing Ohio State University Extension Entrepreneurship curriculum for the outdoor recreation sector, tailoring the program for leaders and stakeholders from communities with an interest in small business development strategies supportive of the outdoor recreation economy.
Available both online and in-person, the curriculum includes a short introductory session to help communities decide if they want to continue with the full 12-hour program. Communities that choose to continue will identify and engage key leaders to complete three additional modules.
Designed for building the capacity of local community leaders, not just entrepreneurs, the curriculum builds leaders’ understanding of how to support a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Key learning areas include:
• Entrepreneurs’ role in the local economy
• Strategies for fostering local business growth
• Tools for creating supportive environments for entrepreneurs
Program Deliverables:
• Entrepreneurship Wellness Profile: Identifies gaps and opportunities in the local economy through sectoral and demographic data.
• Community Support Team: Establishes a local community support team for entrepreneur development and encouragement.
• Strategic Plan Development: A community-informed strategic plan developed by participants through all four curriculum modules to guide ongoing entrepreneurship support.
• Grants Resources Tool: A curated list of outdoor recreation grant opportunities.
Ohio State University Extension Curriculum Team:
• PI: Gwynn Stewart, MS, OhioCED, Assistant Professor & Educator, Community Development
• Co-PI: Nancy Bowen-Ellzey, CEcD, Assoc. Professor & Field Specialist, Community Economics
• Co-PI: Myra Moss, MS, MBA, Professor and Educator, Community Development
• Kyle White, MS, Educator, Community Development
University of Minnesota Extension Curriculum Team:
• Ami Choi, Ph.D., Statewide Tourism Specialist, Tourism Center
• Neil Linscheid, MS, Statewide Rural Entrepreneurship Specialist, Extension Community Development
The National Extension Outdoor Recreation Working Group, a NET effort, seeks to develop a shared strategy and collaborative network for Extension programming related to the outdoor recreation economy and is co-chaired by Jake Powell, [email protected], and Doug Arbogast, [email protected]. NET and NEORWG receive administrative support from the Regional Rural Development Centers. Visit extensiontourism.net and extensiontourism.net/outdoor-recreation-working-group.
From the Recognition Committee:
As we enter the Fall season the Recognition Committee hopes you all are thinking about which programs you’ve conducted in 2025 might be a good fit for a NACDEP award nomination this year. We will be opening up the awards portal in early December, and hope many of you will consider nominating your work or a colleague’s for an award. NACDEP awards are not only a great way to celebrate excellent community development work, but also a way to share work that others may find valuable and learn from!
We also love to celebrate our award winners from this year’s conference. Read below for some highlights from a couple of our award winners as they share about their work, and the value they find in NACDEP.
- Eric Walcott, Recognition Committee Chair
From Greg Davis, Distinguished Career Award Winner
Not really knowing what Extension was about and growing more desperate every day for some sort of career start, I applied for a county 4-H agent position 30+ years ago. Offered an ‘Agent-in Training’ position focused on CD in a county 60 minutes away, I said yes and have enjoyed every minute since. The career has provided the opportunity to hold a variety of roles over the years focusing on reinvention, re-development, preservation, and professional growth. I’ve have particularly enjoyed facilitation, applied research, data analyses, and collaboration with others. Seeing people identify and accomplish personal, professional, organizational and community goals has made this truly the most rewarding career that I never knew existed!
The ability to be creative is one of the many things I appreciate about Extension work. Being a part of NACDEP’s beginnings, working with others to help lay the early foundations, and watching it grow over the past 20+ years has been and continues to be so satisfying. Knowing that together we can help support and advance the profession is wonderful and look at the good we can help create! As I reflect on what feels like the fastest 30+ year career, I can think of no higher honor than to be recognized by my Extension CD peers from across the country. Thank you!
From Xue “Alice” Dong, Educational Technology Award Winner
I’m Xue “Alice” Dong, and an Extension Regional Specialist at Colorado State University, specializing in AI and Machine Learning. Since joining CSU Extension in 2023, I’ve been serving 10 rural counties across Colorado’s Eastern Plains, providing expertise that blends technology innovation with community development. In this role, I’ve reached more than 700 people through educational workshops and technical consultations, built 46 partnerships, developed 31 projects, secured three competitive grants, published three journal articles, and received three national and state awards.
I’m honored to be recognized as the 2025 National Winner and Western Regional Winner in Educational Technology by the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) for my AI-Powered Agritourism Toolkit, a Python- and HTML-based web application designed to support rural agritourism businesses. The Toolkit includes an interactive chatbot and five functional modules. Together, they deliver personalized, actionable guidance tailored to the needs of farmers, ranchers, and agritourism stakeholders.
The idea grew directly from my work with rural communities, where I saw recurring challenges for small and mid-sized agritourism businesses: limited access to business development tools, difficulty navigating regulatory requirements, and a lack of tailored marketing and risk management resources. The chatbot was envisioned as an accessible, tech-driven solution to close these gaps and strengthen rural entrepreneurship. This work led to a peer-reviewed case study, Revolutionizing Agritourism with AI and Machine Learning: A Case Study of Prairie Ridge Buffalo Ranch in Colorado, published in CABI Tourism Cases (https://doi.org/10.1079/tourism.2025.0029).
For me, these awards from NACDEP represent something far greater than personal achievement; they represent a shared commitment to rural communities. These recognitions inspire me to push further in applying AI and machine learning to ensure Extension remains at the forefront of progress. It’s a validation of CSU's mission to not just study rural issues, but to actively partner with communities and provide them with cutting-edge tools for their success.
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