ANREP Travel Scholarship Helped Support My Professional Development

By Michelle Bakacs
Rutgers University

This past June, I attended the 110th National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference in Billings, Montana, thanks to an ANREP travel scholarship. Presenting at the national level helps us share innovative ideas, gain new insights, and meet collaborators. I'm grateful to ANREP for making this opportunity possible.

I gave an oral presentation in the horticulture and turfgrass session titled “The Dirt on Native Plants: A Propagation and Education Program.” I shared our six-year-old program from Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County, New Jersey. Native plants are increasingly valued for their ecological role, but many landscapers and volunteers lack the knowledge to work with them. Our teaching nursery and education program addresses this gap. Since 2019, we’ve trained nearly 800 people in native plant ecology, garden design, propagation, and outreach. Our education methods include workshops, field sessions, webinars, and support for over 50 local projects. In 2024 alone, volunteers contributed 800 hours. Participants report increased confidence and have launched their own community native plant efforts. I also recruited members for ANREP’s new National Extension Native Plant Initiative (NENPI), of which I am co-chair, and encourage people to join ANREP!

Most of the sessions I attended were in either the natural resources or the teaching/educational technology sessions. Below are some highlights I thought ANREP members would enjoy:

Master Forager Program – Georgia Extension
Brooklyne Wassel from University of Georgia Extension discussed their year-long Master Forager program. Developed in response to community interest and adapted from an undergraduate course by Holly Campbell, it aims to build a community of foragers. It starts with foraging history and ethics, then covers plants like clover, kudzu, ramps, pokeweed, and more. The course ends with a potluck using foraged ingredients. This was particularly relevant to me, as I co-teach a “Native Plants You Can Eat” class and hope to adapt some of Georgia’s approaches for our work in New Jersey.

Wildlife and Invasive Species Education (WISE) – University of Florida
Jim Davis, Brooke Moffis, and Brittany Scharf presented on their WISE program, which addresses invasive species and biodiversity in Florida. With over 500 invasive species and many threatened natives, WISE helps clarify public misconceptions. Examples include apple snails, feral hogs, and invasive reptiles. The program is now state trademarked, which has expanded their outreach. This inspired me to think about branding and marketing for our invasive species efforts in New Jersey. Our team was also a national finalist for a NACAA communications award for our “Invasive Species on the Month” newsletter series.

Video Newsletters – University of Missouri
Justin Keay shared his innovative monthly video newsletter aimed at Missouri produce growers. Instead of text-heavy updates, the newsletter features 3–5 minute narrated videos using PowerPoint and voiceover. This low-tech format is mobile-friendly and cuts through information overload. The approach resonated with me, as I co-author the Earth Day, Every Day newsletter. My colleagues and I are also exploring more effective ways to reach and engage our audience.

Professional Development Tour – Yellowstone River Parks Association (YRPA)

My husband Dave and I joined a tour led by the Yellowstone River Parks Association (YRPA) Executive Director Carolyn Sevier. YRPA manages private land for public use with a mostly volunteer team. Projects include restoring gravel pits, expanding conservation areas, developing aquatic habitat, and creating a native seed nursery. We enjoyed learning about indigenous history and cooling off in the Yellowstone River among the cottonwoods on a 90-degree day.

Thanks again to ANREP for supporting this trip. I feel fortunate to be part of a profession with such strong networks and opportunities for collaboration. I look forward to seeing everyone in Wilmington next year!