Tara Buerster

Tara Buerster is the County Director for Illinois Extension serving Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, and Wayne counties. Tara oversees all Extension and 4-H programs within the five-county unit as well as 18 staff members. She serves as a key connection to local governments, organizations, and stakeholders to ensure local programming is meeting the needs of each community.

Tara earned her master’s degree in human resource development from the University of Illinois and her bachelor’s degree in health services from the University of Southern Indiana. Buerster has an extensive background in higher education and human resources, serving as the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Director of Human Resources for 18 years before joining Extension. She is a member of the Edwards County Health Office board, chair and member of the board of directors for SWAN, and is a member of the Illinois Alpha Nu chapter and national Epsilon Sigma Phi, a professional organization for Extension employees.

Tara grew up in Edwards County and was a member of the Bone Gap Cardinals 4-H club. She and her husband Jayare have three daughters, Sydney, Hayley, and Jaycey; two sons-in-law, Josh and Austin; one grandson, Sawyer; and a mini aussiedoodle, Mia. After work, she enjoys quilting, hiking, boating, bike riding, singing with the worship team at church, and spending time with family.