Q&A with Derek Lowstuter: Expanded Rural Engagement Thriving Communities Specialist, Mountain Region
This Q&A is part of a continuing series introducing the newly hired specialists who are part of CSU Office of Engagement and Extension’s Expanded Rural Engagement initiative.
Derek Lowstuter is one of 14 new Expanded Rural Engagement specialists who recently joined CSU Extension. Lowstuter will be focusing on how to foster thriving communities and support food and agriculture production in Colorado’s mountain region, which includes 13 counties stretching from Jackson County in the north to Custer County in the south.
Lowstuter earned his M.S. in forest sciences from Colorado State University.
Just a few weeks into his new position, Lowstuter shared what excites him about the job, how his background positions him to make an impact in the community, and what community needs he hopes to address through his work.
“I am excited to be back in Colorado where my interests in food, natural resource management, and human well-being first developed. I look forward to helping agricultural producers (and consumers!) in the mountain region access the information they need to be most successful.”
“The common thread of my experience in agricultural and natural resource disciplines is working with people to develop partnerships based on shared objectives. I have been fortunate to work with rural communities in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America since graduating from CSU. This experience has focused on appreciative inquiry to assess local needs and appropriate technologies to address those needs.
I am coming to CSU from a position at the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands where I was managing “School Lands” to raise revenue for public education, and where my family operated a 40-acre regenerative farm.”
“Food quality and access issues are nothing new in rural areas. However, new technologies, techniques, and mind-sets can help create holistic solutions to these issues if they are adopted by rural communities. My role will be to reduce the barriers to adoption by mountain region individuals and organizations through clear communication and respect for differing values or views.”
“Every person or organization has specific knowledge, skills, and abilities not shared by others working to address a problem. Collaboration is an investment in time, resources, and often patience. However, that investment can help define and resolve challenging issues more equitably and effectively.”
“Rural communities are doubly disadvantaged when it comes to food quality and access. Food options are often limited due to the distance from food processing centers and seasonal growing locations. This results in higher food costs and lower nutritional value. It is important that rural food systems are able to meet the nutritional needs of the community and support the local economy.”
