Extension agents from across the country attended the Joint Council of Extension Professionals Public Issues Leadership Development Conference on April 3-6.  The conference was held in Arlington, Virginia.  The theme for this year’s conference was “All Systems Go – Navigating National Identity for Local Impact.”    The mission of the Joint Council of Extension Professionals is to elevate Extension’s national reputation as an organization of excellence and synergistically leverage the strengths of member associations to foster leadership, collaboration, professional development, scholarly activity, strategic partnerships and advocate for the profession.

Thomas Brewer, Mississippi State University Extension Agent in Jefferson Davis County, participated in the conference.  Brewer was on the planning committee that hosted the event, along with ANREP – Association of Natural Resource Extension Professions Representatives, ESP – Epsilon Sigma PhI Representatives, NACAA – National Association of County Agricultural Agents and NACDEP – National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals.

In addition to attending the conference, a trip was made to Washington, D.C. which included congressional visits.  Among those was Mississippi Congressman Trent Kelly.  “Congressman Kelly was very gracious and thanked us for stopping by,” said Brewer.