The Elkhart County Extension board annual meeting was held last Thursday on the 4-H fairgrounds in Goshen. The annual meeting honors the "Friends of Extension," recognizes retiring board members, elects new board members by the Extension Advisory Council, and highlights program impact and accomplishments from the Purdue Extension educators.
Each year, the staff recognizes individuals or organizations who have been supportive of Extension's efforts. The 2017 Friend of Extension award was given to retiring judge Terry Shewmaker and Exchange editor Jerry Goshert.
The Extension Team chose to recognize Shewmaker, who retired last year as Elkhart County Circuit Court judge, as a result of his assisting the staff and making sure that elected officials knew the Extension story and the impact the programs have on the community. He served on the Extension board the past six years and also served as president.
Goshert was recognized not only for his work helping Elkhart County Extension staff, but Extension programming throughout the Midwest. One of his most recent accomplishments of his working with Extension educators and agricultural organizations was the 2016 Northern Indiana Dairy Trail.
The Elkhart County Extension Council members are appointed leaders who elect five board members to the 15-member board. Elected to their first term on the Extension board were Dan Hummel, Jeff Kitson and Regina Morehouse.
Re-elected to a second term were Tracy Byler and John Leer.
Retiring from the Extension board after six years of service are Bill Mattern and Terry Shewmaker.
Retiring after three years of service is Kent Yoder.
Last Thursday, there were 90 people in attendance to celebrate the accomplishments of Purdue Extension in Elkhart County. Guest speaker Fred Whitford, Purdue Extension specialist and clinical engagement professor of Purdue Pesticide Programs, presented the "Historical Story of Extension in Indiana."