UA System Division of Agriculture professor recognized for Excellence in Extension
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Nov. 13, 2019
Fast facts
- Mark Peterson, professor of community and economic development, received Southern Region Excellence in Extension Award.
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service professional has been recognized for his contribution to national Cooperative Extension programs and the impacts of those programs.
Mark Peterson, professor of community and economic development, has been named the recipient of this year’s Southern Region Excellence in Extension by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Cooperative Extension, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.
Peterson was selected for his many years working to build vibrant, sustainable communities and regions through community leadership education programming. Peterson is the program coordinator for Breakthrough Solutions, a strategic planning and development program of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, with partners in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
“Dr. Peterson is well-respected for his programs and enthusiasm in working with people, organizations, communities and regions,” said Division of Agriculture’s Stacey McCullough, assistant director for community, professional and economic development. “His work has taken him beyond state lines, including a trip to Ukraine where he helped create a strategic visioning toolkit for cities there.”
Peterson is among three other regional and two national award winners who were honored Nov. 10 in San Diego, California during the Association of Public Land-grant Universities’ annual meeting.
“We applaud this year’s Excellence in Extension and National Extension Diversity Awards winners,” said Ed Jones, associate dean and director of extension at Virginia Tech and chair of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy. “Their work stands as an exceptional example of the impact of Cooperative Extension for the people in all 50 states and five U.S. territories where more than 32,000 Cooperative Extension professionals serve.”
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Tracy Courage
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
tcourage@uada.edu