UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- As part of a reorganization designed to strengthen support for Pennsylvania's dairy industry, Penn State Cooperative Extension has named David Filson as statewide program leader for extension dairy programs, effective July 1.

Theodore Alter, director of Penn State Cooperative Extension, explains that the move will help the organization to sharpen its focus on the dairy industry, which is the state's leading agricultural sector.

"Dairy programs are unique among our extension programs because of the industry's economic and social significance in Pennsylvania and its longstanding history with Penn State Cooperative Extension and the College of Agricultural Sciences," Alter says. "This initiative is an important opportunity for cooperative extension and the college to bolster our educational and research leadership in support of this vital sector."

Pennsylvania ranks fourth among states in milk production. The industry generates $1.4 billion in sales annually, which accounts for about one-third of the state's agricultural production value. As state dairy program leader, Filson will work with Penn State faculty and extension educators, dairy industry representatives and government officials to oversee and coordinate a "united, forward-looking, comprehensive" Penn State Cooperative Extension dairy program. He will report to the director of cooperative extension.

Under the new structure, program teams will be formed to best serve the educational and research needs of the state's major dairy regions. An internal advisory committee cutting across academic disciplines will provide advice and direction. Also planned is an external advisory committee, which will include representatives from the industry and government. "We hope that one result of this initiative will be better coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and other groups with a stake in the dairy industry," says Alter.

Since 2001, Filson has served as regional director for the nine-county South Central region of Penn State Cooperative Extension. In his new position, he will continue to oversee the organization's statewide emergency response planning efforts, additional duties that he took on in 2003.

Filson joined Penn State in 1984 as an agricultural extension educator in Mifflin County. In 1991, he was named county extension director for Mifflin and Juniata counties. From 1998 to 2001, he also directed Penn State's Juniata Valley Outreach Center in Lewistown.

Filson received his bachelor's degree in agronomy and master's degree in extension education from Penn State.

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EDITORS: Contact Theodore Alter at 814-863-3438 and David Filson at 814-863-6424.

Writer/Editor: Chuck Gill Office 814-863-2713 FAX 814-863-9877