The first way it’s important is my location. I base here, at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff, because of a longstanding philosophical belief in Extension that we need to be where the people are. We have held that belief since the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established Cooperative Extension. That has been the spirit of the experiment college for our land-grant university.

Second, because I am here, I know my environment, I understand my clientele and their needs, so I can be responsive.

Third, the importance of my position being located here is so I can have some foresight. I can look at the cropping systems we have today and look down the road for the next cropping system that is going to make the farmer’s operation more sustainable. I want to make sure I am here to look out for the pests that are causing a challenge; for beneficial insects that might bring some benefit. To me, that is the importance of this position. There is a lot to know, so being here, and having someone to take on that complexity of life, is important.

“America’s jazz is to music as Extension is to science communication.” - Jeff Bradshaw