Excellence in Extension Award

Jeff Semler came to Maryland Cooperative Extension in 1988 having earned his B.S. from West Virginia University and his M.S. from University of Connecticut, Storrs. He began his MCE career as a 4-H Youth Development Educator in Baltimore County being responsible for animal sciences programs, volunteer recruitment and development and leadership training for 4-H youth. He held similar positions in Harford and Washington Counties. In these capacities he served on several regional, state and national committees including the National 4-H Curriculum Committee for Veterinary Science. While his programming was primarily for youth audiences, he often worked with his MCE colleagues in applied research conducted at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center in forage grass variety trials. He saw this work as strategically important to agriculture producers of all ages across the region. Over the years he also worked collaboratively with Soil Conservation Districts and local high schools in preparing youth for regional and state Envirothon competitions.

In September 2005, Jeff became the Extension Educator working solely in Agriculture and Natural Resource programs in Washington County. Since that time, he has established an extensive program related to the MCE initiative of Increasing Economic Prosperity. His efforts have been targeted to work specifically in dairy business management, forage and pasture management and environmental stewardship.

His programs focus on providing educational programs that will enable new and establishing enterprises to remain profitable, while maintaining and enhancing the environment. He consistently receives high ratings from participants with regard to depth and scope of material presented. Jeff uses a variety of teaching methods including seminars, pasture walks, on-farm demonstrations, monthly newspaper articles and other venues. He makes time for individual consultations and responds to questions promptly. A client who participated in Pasture 102 training noted that he hasn’t needed to contact Jeff with extensive questions during the drought because “you were an outstanding teacher from day one…you sent me off armed with the tools needed to succeed…”

Jeff’s new and innovative applied research in Intensive Grazing Systems will have impacts on dairy cattle and meat goat operations across the state.

His willingness to serve on AGNR and MCE committees as well as taking leadership roles in his professional & related associations compliments his teaching and applied research as a complete and excellent Extension educator.