How do we expand employment opportunities and community leadership capacity as well as strengthen and leverage an area’s agricultural and natural resource-based economy within a three-county region? We marshal resources necessary to create three county-based Extension educator positions where the impact of the ‘full on’ Extension network and its collaborative efforts can be immediately felt.
James Morris and Brooke Beam recently joined long-time OSU Extension educator Dave Dugan in a three-county cluster in southwestern Ohio. James started most recently (May 29) in Brown County. Brooke Beam started March 26 and is based in Highland County. They will be working closely with Dave Dugan who will can now focus on Adams County; a welcome relief from his previous task covering all three of these counties. Brooke, James, and Dave bring a wide variety of experience and formal training in the areas of agronomy, agri-business, direct marketing, agricultural communication and Extension.
As a team, they will aim to address rural development needs in the three-county area. Specific areas of emphasis include: farm management, innovative ag-business enterprise development, and community leadership development, for example. A key program goal is to cultivate systems that support new rural economic development and business development opportunities.
Extension work is collaborative work. We are excited about the various ways that Brooke, James and Dave can work together and also in collaboration with community stakeholders, long-time partners and the many Extension colleagues that exist across the system.
How can you reach them?
Brooke Beam
OSU Extension – Highland County
119 Governor Foraker Place; Suite 202
Hillsboro, OH 45133
937-393-1918
beam.49@osu.edu
Dave Dugan
OSU Extension – Adams County
215 North Cross Street, Room 104
West Union, OH 45693
937-544-2339
dugan.46@osu.edu
James Morris
OSU Extension – Brown County
325 West State Street, Bldg B
Georgetown, OH 45121
937-378-6716
morris.1677@osu.edu
Interested in learning more? Go to https://adams.osu.edu, https://brown.osu.edu/ and https://highland.osu.edu/
Greg Davis is a Professor and Assistant Director, OSU Extension-Community Development.