is pleased to announce that Jacob DeDecker has been appointed chairperson of the Western Extension Directors Association’s executive committee, a partnership that advances Extension programs across the Western U.S. and its territories.
In addition to his role as the University’s Extension director and associate dean for engagement for the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, DeDecker will oversee the regional association’s strategic direction, ensuring that it effectively addresses shared challenges, while elevating its priorities in federal discussions. His immediate focus is setting the agenda for upcoming meetings to address critical challenges facing communities served by member Extension programs. He will also organize leadership conferences to strengthen skills and foster partnerships within member groups and across the region.
"I’m excited to help guide the work of our Western Extension leaders as we continue to address the unique needs of our region,” DeDecker said. “By fostering collaboration and leveraging resources, we can make a lasting impact on the communities we serve.”
Association’s agenda and membership
The association’s ongoing agenda includes strengthening food systems, conserving natural resources and managing the region’s wildfires, exploring alternative energy, promoting nutrition and health, and advancing community and economic development. Its membership comprises Extension directors of 13 Western states, as well as American Samoa, Guam, the freely associated states of Micronesia and the Northern Mariana Islands. It also collaborates with other Western 1994 Land-Grant institutions.
In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture, the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, and other regional and national partners, the association tackles widespread societal challenges such as mental health, nutrition, climate change, water scarcity and food insecurity. It also advocates federal policies and resources to support these efforts and improve Extension programming across the region.
Strengthening regional food systems through Extension partnerships
Extension alliances have been pivotal in bringing change to underserved communities. Last year, the USDA launched 12 regional food business centers, in collaboration with Extension programs and state agencies, and allocated $420 million through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program. The centers provide training and resources to help small and mid-sized farmers, and farm businesses diversify their produce, access federal support and meet regulatory requirements. DeDecker and his Extension unit at the University will be among the leaders guiding this initiative in the .
DeDecker, who previously served as WEDA’s secretary, will serve a one-year term as executive committee chair, having assumed the role in September from Jon Boren, associate dean and director of New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service.
