By TIM ALEXANDER

Illinois Correspondent

URBANA, Ill. — The new interim associate dean and director of extension in the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) has been tasked with carrying forth the vision and recommendations of the Extension 3.0 Task Force, created to chart the opportunities and challenges the U of I’s Cooperative Extension System faces.

Fortunately, Dr. Shelly Nickols-Richardson is familiar with these aspirations – she is a five-year task force member and the former head of the U of I Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN).

Nickols-Richardson, who took over for Dr. George F. Czapar on March 1, hopes to continue his work in creating new opportunities and maintaining funding for the extension program during her interim appointment. “My hope is that opportunities are developed so that extension staff and campus-based faculty have additional incentives to work together on research-based programs that help individuals, families and communities thrive,” she said.

“This may be through enhancement of existing programs or development of new initiatives. Funding for extension continues to be a challenge, and I look forward to ideas and opportunities that will generate revenue so that extension services may continue to be available in our communities across Illinois.”

She described seven key action items presented by the task force. Several of the items focus on communications to ensure timely access to the latest applied research findings, including making translation and dissemination of knowledge, information and technology faster and in digital formats for easy access.

“Enhancing the connection between campus-based research faculty and extension staff across our 27 units has been identified as important to broadening the awareness and understanding of the mission-critical and essential nature of University of Illinois extension in the College of ACES.

“This also will facilitate the sharing of important issues identified by individuals and communities that we serve, so that together, we investigate, translate and disseminate evidence-based information that changes lives, our conditions and society for the better,” said Nickols-Richardson.

“We will continue to support and offer programs included in the five major areas of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H and Youth, Community and Economic Development and Special Initiatives that bring additional partners to extension programs. Program vibrancy is critical to a relevant extension service.

“Through creative thinking and visioning for the future, agricultural and horticultural programs may be delivered by new platforms, to new audiences and with innovative partners.”

The task force was not charged with restructuring extension and, as such, recommendations included in the report do not address consolidation of county extension offices. Funding for extension has been and will continue to be in the forefront, as resources are required to offer innovative and sustainable extension programs, she explained.

Czapar, who led the reorganization of U of I extension amid an extremely challenging budget climate, said he was proud to have been given an opportunity to serve dedicated professionals all around the state of Illinois.

“In October of 2013, we had just gone through a massive reorganization and some staff were still trying to understand their new roles. However, their commitment to helping people use the resources of the University of Illinois never wavered,” said Czapar. He also cited extension’s “Cross Campus Initiative” grant program as one of the highlights of his five-year tenure.

“One project involved a computer science professor who worked with 4-H staff to offer programming workshops for 4-H robotics clubs. They also developed a curriculum on computer programming that was approved by the National 4-H Council and is now available across the country.

“Another highlight was our ability to respond to emerging issues. My research and extension programs focused on water quality, so I was glad that extension and the College of ACES had the opportunity to contribute to the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. We were part of the science assessment team and recently, were awarded a $1.5 million grant to help implement management practices in two priority watersheds,” he said.

Nickols-Richardson joined ACES Dean Kim Kidwell in thanking Czapar for his years of service to extension. “Czapar’s dedication, compassion and commitment to extension and 4-H are unwavering,” said Kidwell. “The persistence and resiliency with which he has fought for the cause and supported his personnel is truly impressive.”

“I thank Dr. Czapar for his leadership during these past several years. He has worked tirelessly and passionately to maintain an outstanding U of I extension in the College of ACES as part of the national Cooperative Extension System,” added Nickols-Richardson.