WEDA aspires to build thriving, empowered, catalysts among and within member institutions and the communities they serve.
Thriving
Members experience the excitement of learning and developing, the anticipation of application, and the pride and energy of successful accomplishment
Empowered
Members develop the confidence to take action, knowing and trusting those who support the effort, and have the freedom to choose how to fulfill individual and collective goals.
Catalysts
Members become change agents who utilize knowledge, skill, and experimentation to change the world around them for the better.
WEDA Members
Those invited to be members of the Western Extension Directors Association (WEDA) include the institutions that host the 1862 Land-Grant Cooperative Extension organizations located in the 13 Western most U.S. states and 4 Pacific territories and U.S. protectorates. In addition WEDA works collaboratively with the Western located 1994 Land-Grant institutions.
Regional Highlights
2026 WEDA Awards of Excellence
2026 Excellence in Extension Programming - Individual
2026 Excellence in Extension Programming - Team
University of Hawaii and Auburn University’s Agricultural Team: Advancing Sustainable Sweet Potato Production.
The efforts of Hawaii and Auburn Universities have achieved the Excellence in Extension Programming – Team Award for outstanding work in advancing sustainable sweetpotato production through innovative research, impactful outreach, and effective collaboration across institutions.
Team Members:
- Koon-Hui Wang, Ph.D., Professor, UH at Manoa (Primary contact/submitter)
- Kathy Lawrence, Ph.D., Endowed Professor, Auburn University
- Brent S. Sipes, Ph.D., Professor, UH at Manoa
- Roshan Manandhar, Ph.D., Associate Extension Agent, Kauai County, UH at Manoa
- Jensen Uyeda, Extension Agent, Oahu County, UH at Manoa
- Sharon Wages, Extension Agent, Hawaii County, University of Hawaii
- Roxana Myers, Plant Pathologist/Nematologist, USDA PBARC Hilo
- Thao Le, Ph.D., M.P.H. (Director for Hawaii SOW program) Professor, UH at Manoa
- Scott Graham, Ph.D. Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Auburn University
- Emilie Kirk, Director of CTAHR LIFE Program & Associate Extension Agent, Kauai County UH at Manoa
2026 Innovative Programming Award
University of Arizona’s Tribal Livestock and Horse Extension Team: The UA Tribal Livestock and Horse Extension team has been selected as the recipient of the Innovative Programming that Addresses New Audiences Award for exceptional work in developing multifaceted Tribal Extension programming that serves drastically underserved tribal families across Arizona’s reservations, which span an impressive 27% of the state’s land base.
Team Members:
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Dr. Betsy Greene, Professor/State Extension Horse Specialist, Cooperative Extension, Tucson, AZ (primary contact/submitter)
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Juan Arias, Asst. Agent, Tribal Extension Programs, San Carlos Apache Reservation, San Carlos, AZ
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Grey Farrell, Extension Program Coordinator, Tribal Extension Programs, Navajo Nation, Tuba City, AZ
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Elisabeth Alden, Asst. Agent, Tribal Extension Programs, Hualapai Reservation, Peach Springs, AZ
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Leander Thomas, Associate in Extension, Tribal Extension Programs, Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ
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Kristy Kinlicheenie, Asst. in Extension, Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ
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Adonis Alamban, Assistant in Extension, Tribal Extension Programs, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Parker, AZ
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Susan Sekaquaptewa, Asst. Agent, Tribal Extension Programs, Hopi Reservation, Kykotsmovi, AZ
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Alexandra Carlisle, Asst. Agent, Tribal Extension Programs, Navajo Nation, Shiprock, NM
4-H Youth Development on the Pacific Islands
In November 2022, ECOP 4-H Met in Kona, Hawaii and brought in the Pacific Insular Island 4-H Programs to share their programs with ECOP.
