School honors land use team
By Jennifer Doup
The 2002 recipient of the Agricultural Dean's Team Award is the Purdue
University Cooperative Extension Service Land Use Team. The 22-member
team was the first-ever collaboration of county educators and campus
specialists devoted to working on a public issue, such as land use.
The land use team collaborates with other state and local organizations
to develop and deliver timely edu- cational programs on land use and
related public issues.
Rick Chase, land use team interim leader, says the team's biggest effort
has been providing training for plan commissions in Indiana. In the
last three years, the team has helped train more than 1,300 local plan
commission members and staff. The group also has delivered several programs
and resources to local citizens, elected officials, organizations and
youth.
"We have an extremely diverse collection of knowledge, experience
and backgrounds," Chase says. "Individually we are limited,
but together we have great impact."
The Dean's Team Award annually recognizes the achievements of faculty
and staff collaborating on interdisciplinary teams. The land use team
comprises specialists and educators from 11 counties and five educational
areas. The award includes $10,000 to continue outreach efforts.
Vic Lechtenberg, Purdue's dean of agriculture, says the land use team
has influenced the future of many Indiana communities.
"Land planning is one of Indiana's top challenges, and the outreach
efforts of this team have helped rural and local communities work through
planning and zoning decisions," Lechtenberg says. "This diverse
group exemplifies teamwork, and their endeavors are helping communities
balance economic development with protecting the environment."
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