Extension 360

The Extension 360 podcast highlights the programs of Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the people that make them possible. Through engaging interviews with faculty and staff—including agents, educators, and researchers—the podcast explores the impact that RCE has on the daily lives of the citizens of New Jersey. The wide-ranging conversations explore topics around agriculture, natural resources, food systems, nutrition, health & wellness, youth development and more.

Episodes

1. Introduction

   In this episode, show hosts Kathleen Howell and Rachel Lyons, explain what you can expect from future episodes of Extension 360. (Transcript)
   

2. Leading Extension with Dr. Brian Schilling

   In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Dr. Brian Schilling, Associate Professor/Extension Specialist of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics. Brian has been serving as the Director of Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE)/Senior Associate Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station since July 1, 2018.
   

3. Extension Excellence with Matt Newman

   In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Matthew Newman, Monmouth County 4-H Agent. Matt was the 2021 winner of the RCE Excellence Award for Faculty. Rachel and Kathleen talk with Matt about what led him to a career in Extension, and how he ended up in NJ at Rutgers.   Matt shares his thoughts and philosophies on excellence in Extension programming.  He shares his own personal 4-H story and how he approaches his work and creates opportunities for youth in Monmouth County and beyond. (Transcript)
   

4. Extension Excellence with Lauren Errickson

   In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Lauren Errickson, the recipient of 2020 RCE Excellence Staff Award. Lauren currently serves as a senior program administrator with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, overseeing food access programs in New Jersey. She leads both the New Brunswick Community Farmers Market and Rutgers Against Hunger, initiatives focused on improving healthy food access and reducing both campus and community food insecurity. Rachel and Kathleen talk with Lauren about her current work. Lauren shares her philosophies and strategies for Extension programming. She shares her own personal 4-H story and her past professional experiences (including running a horse-powered farm in Maine with her husband and RCE colleague Bill Errickson).
   

5. Extension Icons with Dr. Don Schaffner

   In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Dr. Don Schaffner is Extension Specialist in Food Science and Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University. Don is an Extension Icon. Rachel and Kathleen talk to Don about his research interests including- handwashing, cross-contamination and quantitative microbial risk assessment. Don shares his thoughts and strategies related to Extension scholarship as well as career advice for early and mid-career Extension professionals. Don is an experienced podcaster. In his spare time, he co-hosts the Food Safety Talk and Risky or Not podcasts.
   

6. Extension Icons with Dr. Bruce Clarke

   In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Dr. Bruce Clarke is Extension Specialist focused on Turfgrass Pathology and Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University. Bruce is an Extension Icon. Rachel and Kathleen talk to Bruce about his research interests, his career highlights, his love of travel and his family.  Bruce shares his thoughts and strategies related to Extension scholarship as well as career advice for early and mid-career Extension professionals.      
   

7. Extension Icons with Dr. Karyn Malinowski

   In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Dr. Karyn Malinowski.  Dr. Malinowski is an Extension Specialist focused on Equine Science, the Director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center, and former Extension Director.  Karyn is an Extension Icon.    Rachel and Kathleen talk to Karyn about her start with Extension (as a 4-H horse club member), her research interests, her career highlights, and some of the amazing 'firsts' she has had in her Extension career.   Karyn shares advice and encouragement for early and mid-career Extension professionals. 
   

8. Extension Excellence with Sara Elnakib and the Food Waste Team

   In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Dr. Sara Elnakib, one of the recipient of 2020 RCE Excellence Team Award.  Sara currently serves as a faculty member in the department of Family Community Health Sciences and has provided leadership to the interdisciplinary team looking at food waste in school settings. 
   

9. Extension Icons with Carol Ward

   In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Carol Ward. Carol served as a County 4-H Agent in Warren and then Somerset Counties. She provided leadership to the equine and dairy project areas. Carol is an Extension Icon. Rachel and Kathleen talk to Carol about her start with Extension (as a 4-H club member), her career highlights, and some of the amazing 'firsts' she has had in her Extension career. Carol shares advice and encouragement for early-career Extension professionals.
   

10. Leading Extension with Ben Clawson

    In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Ben Clawson, the Director of LG Cook 4-H Camp. Did you know Rutgers has its very own sleepaway camp located deep in the woods of Stokes State Forest? LG Cook 4-H Camp has been welcoming campers for over 70 years and continues to provide a traditional, tech-free, camping experience to youth from New Jersey and beyond. Rachel and Kathleen talk with Ben about what led him to a camp career and ultimately his role as the Camp Director. Ben shares his thoughts and philosophies on what makes sleepaway camp such an important opportunity for youth. Ben shares his thoughts on what make the LG Cook 4-H Camp experience especially magical.
    

11. Leading Extension with Stephen Komar

    In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Stephen Komar, the Sussex County Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent. In addition to his traditional role as a County Agent, Stephen also co-leads the CCCF Agribusiness Scholars Program at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. This intensive program for undergraduate students, developed by Komar and Extension Director Brian Schilling, works to cultivate the next generation of agri-business leaders.
    

12. Leading Extension with Michele Bakacs

    In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Michele Bakacs, a Environmental & Natural Resources Agent serving Middlesex and Union counties. In addition to her role as a County Agent, Michele also co-leads the statewide Rutgers Environmental Stewards program
    

13. Extension Icons with Dr. Mark Robson

    In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Dr. Mark Robson.  Mark Robson is Rutgers Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor and Distinguished Professor of Plant Biology. His research includes the study toxic effects pesticide and exposure reduction here in New Jersey and globally.  In addition, Mark currently serves as the Director of the Office of Continuing Professional Education (OCPE) a unit of Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
    

14. Extension Excellence with Cecilia Diaz

    In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Cecilia Diaz, the recipient of 2021 Mary Jane Willis Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Award.  Cecilia currently serves as a program associate with Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Passaic County, overseeing home horticulture and the local Master Gardeners program.   Rachel and Kathleen talk with Cecilia about her current work.  Cecilia shares her philosophies and strategies for Extension programming.  She shares her own personal journey to Extension story and her past professional experiences.
    

15. Meet Me at the County Fair!

    Summer is quickly approaching and that means that agricultural fairs across the state are right around the corner!   Learn more about NJ's tradition of county agricultural fairs and be encouraged to get out to a local fair this summer.
    

16. Extension Excellence with Joan Healy

    In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Joan Healy, the recipient of 2021 RCE Staff Excellence Award.  Joan currently serves as a program associate with Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Mercer County, overseeing home SNAP-Ed program.  Rachel and Kathleen talk with Joan about her current work and her career experiences that brought her to this role.  Joan shares her philosophies around Extension programming and her advice for an effective and rewarding Extension career.
    

17. Leading Extension with Dr. Peggy Brennan-Tonnetta

    In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Peggy Brennan-Tonetta. Peggy is the Director of Resource and Economic Development for the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. In this role, she is responsible for all NJAES off-campus facilities including research farms, marine research stations and business incubators.  Rachel and Kathleen talk with Peggy about her distinguished record of developing and leading economic development initiatives at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University, and the state.  Peggy shares about her career at Rutgers and provides advice to others looking to get started on a similar career path. 
    

18. Leading Extension with Dr. Laura Lawson

    In this episode of Extension 360 we meet with Dr. Laura Lawson.  Dr. Lawson is the Executive Dean of the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station here at Rutgers University.   Her scholarship focuses on urban agriculture, community open space, and community-based participation in planning and design.  Rachel and Kathleen talk with Dean Lawson about the Rutgers Academic Master Plan and how it applies to RCE and the NJAES.  Laura shares about her career and provides advice to faculty and staff. 
    

19. Extension Excellence with Janice McDonnell

    In this episode of Extension 360, we talk to Janice McDonnell about the 2022 National 4-H STEM Challenge designed by the Rutgers University team she lead over the past year.  The challenge, Explorers of the Deep, aims to improve young people's ocean literacy while learning about the glider technology used by Rutgers scientists to better understand the oceans and our planet. Rachel and Kathleen talk with Janice about her work as the STEM Agent for New Jersey 4-H and how Janice's background in marine science and her ability to connect with researchers across disciplines has resulted in a wide array of unique opportunities for 4-H youth in New Jersey and beyond.  Janice shares about her career at Rutgers and provides advice to others looking to get started on a similar career path. 
    

20. Extension Excellence with Shailja Mathur

    In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Shailja Mathur, the recipient of 2020 Mary Jane Willis Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Award.  Shailja currently serves as an FCHS senior program coordinator with Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Middlesex County.  Rachel and Kathleen talk with Cecilia about her current work.  Shailja shares her philosophies and strategies for Extension programming.  She shares her family connection with Extension and her personal journey to an Extension career.  
    

21. Extension Excellence with Laura Bovitz

    In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Laura Bovitz, Middlesex County 4-H Agent. Laura's Project GIFT program is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! Rachel and Kathleen talk with Laura about two of Laura's signature programs - Project GIFT and EWeek.  Laura shares her thoughts and philosophies on excellence in Extension programming.  She shares how she approaches his work and creates opportunities for youth in Middlesex County and beyond.
    

22. Leading Extension with Dr. Brad Hillman

    In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Dr. Bradley Hillman.  Brad served as the Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station for nearly 15 years until 2015.  He has been a professor in the Department of Plant Biology for 35 years. Over the course of his career, his research has focused on virus diseases of blueberry and cranberry, two of New Jersey's most important crops.  Rachel and Kathleen talk with Brad about his work and what led him to this field of study and to a career at a land-grant university.  Brad also shares his knowledge about the land-grant university system as well as his personal philosophy and advice for success.
    

23. Future of Extension with Kate Brown

    In this episode of Extension 360, we chat with Kate Brown.  Kate is a Program Associate in the Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources stationed in Burlington County.  She shared about her work with farm safety and other related projects. Rachel and Kathleen talk with Kate about her work and what led her to Cooperative Extension.  
    

24. Future of Extension with Claudia Urdanivia

    Rachel and Kathleen talk with Claudia about her work and what led her to a career with RCE in the area of 4-H Youth Development.