The National Land-Grant Impacts Database (NIDB) Communications team consists of professional agricultural communicators from across the land-grant system.

In early 2026, the team reviewed over 1,200 recently submitted impact statements and selected exemplary impacts to highlight in educational articles, fact sheets, and a video. APLU, USDA NIFA, and others use these materials throughout the year to promote the work the land-grant university system.

MEMBERS

APLU

WRITER
Andrea Putman
Assistant Vice President, Communications and Partnerships
APLU Office of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources

DATABASE & WEBSITE MANAGER
Kim Scotto
Communications Manager
APLU Office of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources

TEAM CO-CHAIRS/WRITERS

Frankie Gould
Associate Vice President
LSU AgCenter

Sara Delheimer
Multistate Research Fund Impacts Program Coordinator
agInnovation

WRITERS

1890 REGION

Amy Carpenter-Driscoll
Agriculture Communications Specialist
Virginia State University, Marketing & Communications Team

Latasha Ford
Research Communications Manager
Fort Valley State University, Agricultural Communications

Sonya Moore-Davis
Director, Media & Communications
Langston University Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture & Applied Sciences

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Michelle Enger
Director of Marketing & Communications
University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

Beth Forbes
Director of Science Communication
Purdue University College of Agriculture

Ann Y. Robinson
Communications Specialist
Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

NORTHEAST REGION

Katie Peikes
Communications Specialist
University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Stacey Stearns
Communications Specialist
UConn Extension

Gretta Tritch Roman
Director of Research Development and Initiatives
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences

SOUTHERN REGION

Blair Fannin
Media Relations Manager, Public Information Officer
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Olivia McClure
Associate Communications Specialist
LSU AgCenter

WESTERN REGION

Pam Kan-Rice
Assistant Director of News & Information Outreach
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Julee Stephenson
Senior Director, Marketing, Communications and External Relations
Colorado State University, Office of Engagement and Extension

Julie Stricker
Writer/Editor
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension

EDITORS

Jennifer Alexander
Director of Communications and Marketing
Oregon State University, Extension and Engagement

Melissa Arndt
Director of Communications and Marketing
University of Maine Cooperative Extension

John Hawley
Director of Communications
Montana State University Extension

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Andy Gonzalez
Assistant Communications Specialist
LSU AgCenter

Trish Moore
Graphic Designer
University of Maryland, Maryland 4-H

VIDEO EDITOR

Tobie Blanchard
Director of Communications and Public Relations
LSU AgCenter