SDSU Extension recently welcomed Kara Harders as a community vitality field specialist to the Community Vitality programming team. Located in the Watertown Regional Extension Center, Harders will provide resources and guidance to create stronger communities across South Dakota.
"The SDSU Extension Community Vitality team is thrilled to add Kara's enthusiasm and skills to our program," said Kari O'Neill, SDSU Extension Community Vitality program manager. "She will be focusing on helping rural communities find their unique place in South Dakota and coaching them through the actions needed to market that uniqueness."
Harders comes to South Dakota from Longmont, Colorado, holding a bachelor's degree in agricultural education from Colorado State University and a master's degree in agricultural education and communication from the University of Florida.
She previously worked as a small acreage specialist with Colorado State University Extension and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). In that role, Harders conducted workshops and on-site visits with landowners, while helping develop an online land stewardship program, providing resources for small acreage landowners.
Harders says her new position with SDSU Extension was appealing, because it aligns with a lot of the aspects she enjoyed in her previous role, and it allows her to expand her horizons outside of Colorado.
"I look forward to working with a great team and getting involved with the Marketing Hometown America and placemaking programs," said Harders. "I hope, by working with communities, I can help facilitate conversations and create plans to solve some of the complex issues facing rural and small-town communities in South Dakota."
To learn more about programs and resources offered by SDSU Extension's Community Vitality team, visit the Community page. For more information or questions, contact Harders at 605-882-5140 or kara.harders@sdstate.edu.
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, Education