Jed Colquhoun, Extension fruit and vegetable production specialist at University of Wisconsin-Madison, has been named the interim College of Agricultural and Life Sciences associate dean for Extension and outreach and UW-Extension program director of Agriculture and Natural Resources. In this 50-50 role, Colquhoun will report jointly to the dean of CALS and the dean and director of Cooperative Extension. He will oversee and provide leadership for both CALS Cooperative Extension and the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension (ANRE) program area.

NEW EXTENSION LEADER: Jed Colquhoun, Extension fruit and vegetable production specialist at UW-Madison, has been named the interim CALS associate dean for Extension and outreach and UW-Extension program director of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“I am excited to have Jed lead our ANRE program area,” says Rick Klemme, dean and director of UW-Extension, Cooperative Extension. “Jed is exceptional at conducting high-quality applied research while building and maintaining partnerships with the agricultural community. His leadership of the ANRE program area will be critical for the future success of Cooperative Extension.”

Because the interim associate dean position is a 50% appointment, rather than 100%, Brian Holmes will continue to provide program support and work on special projects. Dave Williams, in his ANRE associate program director role, will continue to provide leadership in county and tribal-related matters.

Colquhoun says, “I’m honored by the appointment and most importantly, look forward to working with all of my colleagues and our stakeholders. There are many opportunities to work together in support of Wisconsin’s $88.3 billion agricultural and horticultural industries.”

Colquhoun’s work is centered at the crossroads of productive agricultural systems and natural resource management. He has served as co-director of the Environmental Resources Center and the Integrated Pest Management Program for several years, providing leadership for staff on multiple UW System campuses and in county offices statewide. Colquhoun also serves as an adviser for a number of agriculture- and food-related organizations. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cornell University and his doctorate from UW-Madison. Prior to returning to UW-Madison, he was a faculty member at Oregon State University.

Colquhoun replaces John Shutske, who left the associate dean position to return to a faculty role earlier this year. A search committee charged with identifying a replacement for Shutske recommended that the search be suspended pending the outcome of ongoing reorganizational planning within Cooperative Extension.

Source: UW-Extension