Purdue Extension honors outstanding service to the state of Indiana

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - John Baugh, Purdue’s director of Agricultural Services and Regulations, and two Purdue Extension professionals were honored for outstanding service to the state as part of Extension’s annual Professional Development Conference.

Baugh received the Director’s Award in recognition of more than two decades of outreach and service as a liaison between Purdue Agriculture and various legislative and regulatory bodies across Indiana and the nation.

“John’s insight into the legislative process at all levels – from county to federal – is vast and indispensable,” said Jason Henderson, Extension director and associate dean of Purdue Agriculture. “When it comes to helping us navigate relationships in the realm of agricultural policies, legislation, and regulation, there is none better than John.”

Baugh became Purdue’s Director of Agricultural Services and Regulations in June 1995. He serves as Purdue Agriculture’s primary contact with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, interacts with such Indiana regulatory agencies as the State Board of Animal Health, and – in collaboration with Purdue’s Office of Governmental Regulations, is directly involved with state-level legislation that impacts Purdue Agriculture.

Baugh also coordinates the activities of the Purdue Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (PCARET) – a group of Indiana residents who advocate on behalf of Purdue Agriculture activities.

An Armed Forces veteran, Baugh received his Bachelor of Science degree in animal sciences from Purdue University in 1972. He previously worked for Indiana Farm Bureau’s legislative department.

Other award recipients were:

Paul B. Crooks Award: Kris Parker, regional community development Extension educator, northwest district.

The Paul B. Crooks Award honors an outstanding Extension educator. Parker was recognized for her robust facilitation and leadership skills, her championship of development opportunities in Indiana communities of all sizes, and her pioneering work in shaping Indiana’s next generation of community leaders.

Parker was instrumental in identifying and implementing the Navigating Difference Extension program in Indiana – which helps participants embrace a welcoming, and understanding, of difference to improve their communities and leadership qualities. She also oversees Purdue Extension’s Community Leadership Program and the Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing Program - the latter of which is responsible for $140,000 in Indiana grants in the last year. Parker also is a foundational contributor to the Hometown Collaboration Initiative, in which Purdue Extension helps jumpstart growth in Indiana communities and counties of 25,000 people or fewer.

Outstanding Extension Faculty/Specialist Award: Barb Beaulieu, human development Extension specialist, Department of Human Development and Family Studies.

An active, dynamic voice of insight for Indiana’s families, children and Extension educators, Beaulieu’s work with human development addresses everyday needs in parenting, youth development, and eldercare.

She spearheaded the adoption of two existing Extension programs in Indiana - Co-Parenting for Successful Kids and Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14. Beaulieu has also expanded participation in, and research results from, Block Party, a program in which young children develop crucial skills through playing with blocks. As a result of her efforts, the program has grown from 13 counties in 2013 to more than half of all Indiana counties – with 4,000 people participating since 2015. Beaulieu also helped arrange a grant to develop a toolkit of educational programs on aging and elder caregiving to Extension educators throughout Indiana and the North Central Region of the Cooperative Extension Service.

Writer: Nick Rogers, 765-496-0108, rogersn@purdue.edu

Source: Jason Henderson, 765-494-8489, jhenderson@purdue.edu 

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Photos of the winners are posted at https://ag.purdue.edu/extension/awards/Pages/2017.aspx

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Shari Finnell, Manager/Media Relations and Public Information, sfinnell@purdue.edu  
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