Two months into his tenure as associate dean for University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Michael Toews’ focus has remained steadfast: UGA Extension is about people and trust.

“As the flagship land-grant institution in the state of Georgia, everything we do should be focused on farmers, families and communities,” said Toews, who began the new role April 1.

Since joining the Department of Entomology in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in 2006, Toews has served as a researcher, instructor and Extension specialist. 

He was appointed co-director of the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health before assuming the role of assistant dean of the UGA Tifton campus in 2020.

“I’ve been working with Dr. Toews since I started here at CAES in 2021, and I’ve consistently found him to be a strong, thoughtful leader who has a real vision for where he wants to go with his teams,” said CAES Dean and Director Nick Place. “I feel confident that the same passion for excellence will follow him now as associate dean for Extension, and I’m excited to continue working with him in this new role. UGA Extension is poised to continue its record of meaningful impact under Dr. Toews’ leadership.”

Serving Georgians from Atlanta to the Atlantic

For 110 years, UGA Extension has provided reliable, research-based solutions to all of Georgia’s 159 counties.

UGA Extension agents, who are experts in agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H youth development, play a vital role in the university’s ability to fulfill the land-grant mission, giving residents of the state full access to cutting-edge research and evidence-based decision support.

“UGA Extension is revered nationwide for our breadth of coverage, excellent workforce training, and partnership with schools and counties,” Toews said. “I look forward to continuing to develop relationships across the state in the coming months to better understand issues and opportunities in each county.”

Toews’ vision focuses on ag innovation and a century-old legacy

Toews is kicking off his new role with a listening tour across the state as he expands his vision for UGA Extension with an emphasis on serving Georgia’s diverse population — both urban and rural.

“I have a passion for agriculture and the people of Georgia, and I’m looking forward to leading our Extension programs well into the future,” Toews said. “I see this as an opportunity to continue cementing UGA Extension as the flagship program nationwide.”

Among his top goals for UGA Extension, Toews plans to address modernizing operations, streamlining reporting and maintaining a strong focus on county program delivery. He also aims to strengthen the connection between urban interests and agricultural career paths while encouraging both traditional and nontraditional scholarly work by Extension professionals.

Learn more about UGA Extension at extension.uga.edu. Find local resources and personalized support through your Extension office at extension.uga.edu/county-offices.