WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A Lexington, Neb., native will soon grab the reins of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. Charles Hibberd, district director of the Panhandle Research and Extension Center and Panhandle extension district for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will replace David Petritz as director of Purdue Extension on Nov. 1. Petritz retired in June.

“This was a wonderful personal and professional opportunity for me. I was looking for an opportunity to grow with an organization,” said Hibberd about the move to West Lafayette, and added that Purdue extension’s “tremendous reputation across the country” was one of the main reasons he sought the directorship. He sees it as his main role to further the success of the organization.

“I think the best organizational strategy is to build on your strengths, and Purdue extension has some great programs that we will remain committed to,” he said.

Hibberd said the extension services at UNL and Purdue have a lot in common, which will help in his new position. “Both Nebraska and Purdue are focused on their clientele, on being relevant and responsive, and on providing high-quality programs,” he said. “The culture of the extension service in Nebraska is not much different from that at Purdue, and that was very appealing to me.”

In Nebraska, Hibberd cultivated relationships with corn and soybean producers, local and state government, the Farm Bureau and private citizens, and he looks forward to building similar relationships in Indiana.

“I think the most important experience I’ve had as a district director of 17 counties with the Panhandle extension is that I know what it’s like to live in a rural area,” he said. “I come into this position from the ground up. I interact with local folks and hear about their aspirations and hopes, and I try to respond to that.”

Hibberd holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska and master’s and doctoral degrees from Oklahoma State University. Prior to his nearly 14-year career in university administration at UNL, he was a professor of animal sciences at Oklahoma State, focusing his research on cattle nutrition and management.

“I have a strong interest in livestock, but as director of the extension I need to be fluent in all areas,” Hibberd said.

Some of the diverse issues he expects to address are the growth of organic production, the environmental impact of agriculture and the effects of the renewable fuels boom.

Randy Woodson, dean of agriculture at Purdue, said the great reputation of the university’s extension service attracted a competitive pool of candidates for the position. Hibberd emerged as the favorite because of his overall experience with working in extension and university administration, and with managing multiple county offices.

“We’re really thrilled that we were able to attract (Hibberd) to Purdue. He has a great understanding of American agriculture and extension, and we look forward to his arrival,” Woodson said. One of the challenges facing Hibberd at Purdue will be catering to a wider spectrum of clients than ever before. “Our grassroots are still in agriculture and 4-H but we’re increasingly being asked to help communities with economic development and to be an educational force in all counties,” Woodson said.

In addition to the directorship of extension, Hibberd will serve as the associate dean of agriculture and associate vice provost for engagement. His main focus, however, will be the extension service. “(Purdue extension’s) unique role is to provide research-based information – the truth as best we know it – to people, to help them make good decisions,” Hibberd said. “We can’t make decisions for them – that’s not our job – but we can be facilitators and partners. I want to be a leader in that regard.”

This farm news was published in the Oct. 10, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.