Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) convened its annual conference on January 14 at the Busch Student Center. Focused on the theme, “Cultivating Connection: Building a Culture of Communication,” the 2025 conference attracted more than 230 attendees from all NJAES units.
RCE Director Brian Schilling welcomed conference participants and outlined the day’s goals for professional development, information sharing, networking, and collegiality. “Being here today is an investment in yourselves and our organization. Today we step away from our day-to-day demands and responsibilities to build energy around several broad organizational goals and priorities, and invest in the relationships needed to achieve them,” said Schilling.
He called 2024 a very strong year for RCE, noting the sustained advocacy and support for extension across the state, sharing that “people across New Jersey value what we do to better their lives and communities.” He also highlighted the growing appreciation for RCE across the university, offering particular thanks for the support of NJAES Executive Director Laura Lawson and the championing of extension and community engagement issues by both the Chancellor and President.
Schilling commended the dedication of extension professionals across all program areas and applauded the impacts of their programs. “It is deeply gratifying to see your efforts—your excellence—recognized.”
He noted examples of several prestigious recognitions, including the Rutgers Gateway Award won by RCE Associate Director Kathleen Howell; the Rutgers Outstanding Service Award won by the FCHS SNAP-ED Team; the Hall of Fame induction of FCHS Educator Karen Ensle by the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences; the National Excellence in Multistate Research Award received by Extension Specialist RCEI affiliate A.J. Both and team at the recent APLU annual meeting; and the close to $10 million awarded to Extension Specialist RCEI affiliate Christopher Obropta and team for several projects related to stormwater management and neighborhood resilience.
Despite the challenges facing RCE through retirements and the loss of institutional knowledge, Schilling expressed optimism about the current fiscal year. He noted timely faculty approvals, with NJAES Board of Managers input, and credited the investment in RCE’s onboarding process with “helping to maintain an essential culture of service.”
Schilling also highlighted results of a 2024 assessment of Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s reach in New Jersey, which encompassed the direct delivery of services, resources and educational programs to more than 258,000 individuals across New Jersey. He underscored the impact of volunteerism, noting that 9,254 volunteers contributed more than 554,000 volunteer hours that translated to an economic impact of $19.7 million.
“I am in awe of our volunteers. There is simply no greater testament to the value and impact of what we do than to see the selfless dedication of so many volunteers to the good work of cooperative extension,” remarked Schilling.
Rutgers Vice Provost for Experiential Learning Chuck Keeton, who was appointed in 2024 to this inaugural role, was a featured speaker in the morning session. He spoke on “Facilitating Student Experiential Learning,” in keeping with his new role that includes collaborating with universitywide partners to help create new high-impact experiential learning opportunities that will best prepare students for future success.
Keeton praised the wide range of existing community-engaged learning opportunities for students across the New Brunswick campus and indicated his plans to conduct an inventory of such opportunities as well as facilitate increased collaboration across units, as well as track and measure impact.
The day-long conference featured a range of learning and networking opportunities, including a panel discussion led by Extension Specialist A.J. Both that highlighted examples impactful cooperative extension program development and delivery. The panel included presentations on:
- Rutgers Environmental Stewards by Michele Bakacs, County Agent/Associate Professor, RCE Middlesex County.
- 4-H Urban Farm Club by Marissa Staffen, 4-H Agent, RCE Essex County; Gabrielle Bromfeld, Program Associate, RCE Hudson County; and Claudia Urdanivia, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, RCE Essex and Hudson counties.
- College Student Food Security by RCEI affiliate Cara Cuite, Associate Extension Specialist, Department of Human Ecology.
Rounding out the program were two series of professional development workshops, a well-attended and informative poster session with more than 25 entries, and an overview of the services of the Office of Continuing Professional Education. NJAES Executive Director Laura Lawson joined the conference in the afternoon to share her appreciation for the work of cooperative extension and its alignment with broader Rutgers University goals.
A special segment of the conference included heartfelt recognition of the careers of several RCE faculty who have recently retired or approach retirement, including Mike Westendorf (Specialist in livestock/animal science), Karyn Malinowski (Specialist in equine science), and Joel Flager (Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in Bergen County).
“These are truly bittersweet moments,” remarked Schilling, “as we see dear friends and valued colleagues who have contributed so much to RCE and to our state move on to very well-deserved retirements. I wish them all much health and happiness for many years to come.”
The conference culminated with the highly anticipated announcement of the winners of several 2024–2025 RCE Awards:
Mary Jane Willis Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award – Laura Bovitz, 4-H Youth Development, Middlesex County
Excellence: Program Associate/State Program Coordinator Category – Carrie Mansue and Belinda Chester, RCE of Atlantic County
Excellence: Paraprofessional/Program Assistant Category – Jill Brochinsky, RCE of Somerset County
Excellence: Administrative/Support Category – Deborah Blain, Department of Family and Community Health Sciences
Excellence: Volunteer Category – Sue Tarr
RCE Faculty of the Year Award – Meredith Melendez, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, RCE of Mercer County
Wilbur M. Runk Award – Yahel Ben-Zvi, Entomology doctoral student
Merle V. Adams Award – Ming-Yi Chou, Jr., Extension Specialist in Turfgrass Pathology, Department of Plant Biology
Best of the Best Team Award – RU Ready to Farm program: William Hlubik, Linnea Eberly, Bill Errickson, Lauren Errickson, Meredith Melendez, Megan Muehlbauer, Peter Nitzsche, Brendon Pearsall, Nick Polanin, Alex Sawatzky, Trevor Styles, and Paris Parker
This article was originally published by the SEBS/NJAES Newsroom.