Shana Forster, director of the North Central Research Extension Center and Extension district director, attended the Extension Public Issues Leadership Development conference held in Washington, D.C., recently.

Also attending were Naeem Kalwar, Extension soil health specialist at the Langdon Research Extension Center, and Acacia Stuckle, 4-H youth development, and family and community wellness agent in Emmons County. Kalwar and Stuckle were nominated by their state Extension professional organizations to represent North Dakota at the conference, and Forster was selected by NDSU Extension’s leadership team.

The Extension Public Issues Leadership Development conference brings together Extension professionals from across the country to engage with each other and learn about Extension from a national perspective. Participants learn how to engage with stakeholders and elected officials in advocating for Extension at the local, state and national level.

A highlight of the conference for the North Dakota participants was a visit to Capitol Hill to share the impacts of NDSU Extension with the state’s congressional delegation.