Mallory Rahe is the 2022 recipient of the J.W. Burch State Specialist Agricultural Extension Award, presented at CAFNR’s Celebration of Excellence event April 19. Rahe earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois-Champaign and her PhD in regional planning from the University of Illinois-Champaign. She joined the university in 2019 as an assistant Extension professor of agriculture and applied economics. In 2020, Rahe became the education director of the Agricultural Business and Policy Extension Program and the director of the Missouri Small Business Development Center for Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

Rahe specializes in applied community economic development research that builds the capacity of rural and regional decision makers. She supports the strategic planning process through the rural wealth creation framework, which emphasizes the development of an economy that seeks to reorient community assets to unmet market demand.

Notably, Rahe has been instrumental in developing a robust engagement platform for the agricultural business and policy program, and she has led the development and operation of a business development center that serves state entrepreneurs and businesses.

“As a field specialist in ABP for the past five years, I have watched how Mallory’s direction breathed new life into our program,” said Jennifer Lutes, field specialist in agricultural business and policy. “I appreciate Mallory’s ability to develop partnerships and creative solutions to complex situations, and her enthusiasm for others’ success makes her a great leader. ABP’s accomplishments in the past two years directly correlate to Mallory’s outstanding leadership.”