John Fulton named multi-county Extension director for Logan, Menard and Sangamon

[December 02, 2010]  URBANA -- John Fulton has been in his new position as multi-county director for the University of Illinois Extension unit comprised of Logan, Menard and Sangamon counties for a month. Fulton has worked in Extension offices since 1980, first as an agricultural adviser and then as county director in Logan County until his new role began Nov. 1. The change in leadership came as the result of a restructuring of Extension due to a reduction in state funding.

"Extension's focus has always been to help citizens solve problems and improve their lives, and that help will continue," Fulton said. "The reorganization has already given council members and stakeholders an opportunity to define their local programming."

Horticulture, small farms and local foods, nutrition and wellness, and youth education were identified as the top needs of Illinois citizens.

According to Fulton, the addition of local educators to each unit will help Extension to provide quality programs that address these needs.

"Even though units are larger, we want to reassure everyone that the help you need from Extension will be just as accessible as it has been in the past," said Robert Hoeft, interim associate dean for Extension and outreach. "People can still call the same phone numbers or use the same e-mails they have in the past to reach their local Extension staff."

According to Fulton, he has already worked with council members in Logan, Menard and Sangamon counties to determine the needs of each county.

"Program desires were very similar for the three counties, which will be very advantageous for providing programming in the new unit," he said. "My main goal is to develop a unified program that offers a good value to citizens of all three counties."

Educators who have been named for Logan, Menard and Sangamon counties are Virginia Kuo, working with 4-H youth and 4-H youth metro; Jennifer Fishburn, horticulture; and Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, local food systems and small farms. An educator in nutrition and wellness has yet to be named.

For more information about how to find your local Extension office or personnel, visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/.

[Text from file received from University of Illinois Extension]