ALBION, Ill. – Illinois Extension serving Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, and Wayne counties congratulates Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator Katie Bell for receiving the Individual Extension Excellence Award. Bell was recognized at the Illinois Extension annual conference in Champaign for her work with the local food systems and small farms program.
Bell joined Extension in 2020 and transferred to the five-county unit in 2023, which introduced the local food systems and small farms program to the area. Since then, Bell has introduced numerous programs and developed partnerships to connect the local food systems and small farms program with communities. She has established herself as a go-to resource and expert for agricultural-related needs. Bell’s professionalism, leadership, and willingness to assist in other program areas when needed have been instrumental to the unit's success.
“Katie is an incredibly smart and dedicated educator who consistently goes above and beyond for her colleagues and our communities,” says Tara Buerster, Extension county director. “She is always eager to lend a hand, share her expertise, and find new ways to improve the lives of those we serve. We are fortunate to have her on our team, and this recognition is truly well-deserved.”
Bell is Extension’s local expert regarding small and medium-scale farm management, specialty crop production, backyard gardening, pasture management, and more. She provides technical assistance to commercial farmers, specialty growers, and homeowners alike. Bell earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agribusiness economics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
To learn more about the local food systems and small farms program within the five-county unit, visit extension.illinois.edu/elrww or contact Katie Bell at the Richland County Extension Office by calling 618-395-2191.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.