H.C. Russell joins MU Extension’s APLU delegation

COLUMBIA, Mo.– H.C. Russell, chair of the University of Missouri Extension State Council, has been named a delegate for MU Extension to the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET).

Russell will join Edwin Turner, who has been MU Extension’s delegate to CARET since 2005.

As a national grassroots organization created by the APLU’s Division of Agriculture, CARET advocates for greater national support and understanding of the land-grant university system’s food and agricultural research, extension and teaching programs that enhance the quality of life for all people.

“The federal budget and the process surrounding it are increasingly complicated,” said Michael Ouart, vice provost and director of MU Extension. “The addition of H.C. Russell to our CARET delegation will not only benefit CARET, but provide a greater opportunity for information exchange within MU Extension and the State Extension Council he chairs.”

CARET delegates are typically end users of the state land-grant university’s food and agricultural research, extension and/or teaching programs. They are knowledgeable about the land-grant university system and interact with members of Congress and others involved in policy as they provide credible insight on recommendations and legislative proposals affecting the agricultural research, extension and teaching programs of the land-grant university system. 

Russell, an area credit manager for MFA Inc., has served on the MU Extension State Council since 2005 and as its chair since 2009.

“Under his leadership, extension council members from across the state have become a cohesive advocacy group that has been successful in communicating about the value of MU Extension for Missouri citizens with legislators, county commissioners and the governor’s office,” Ouart said.

Russell also represents MU Extension as a member of the University of Missouri Alumni Alliance and is the 2012 recipient of the Gordon Warren University Extension Land-Grant Award, given each year to “an individual who sees the universities as a community resource and who accesses knowledge and research to improve the lives of Missouri citizens.”