Deputy Commissioner Robert Mclavey Honored for Long-Time Support to University Outreach

Robert McLavey, long-time deputy commissioner for the Colorado Department of Agriculture, was recognized with the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Friend of Extension Award at the organization’s annual awards luncheon on Oct. 16.

The award is given each year by the Cooperative Extension professional fraternity, Epsilon Sigma Phi, to recognize businesses or individuals who make significant contributions to Cooperative Extension.

"Bob has served agriculture and worked in partnership with Colorado State Cooperative Extension for more than 15 years," said Milan Rewerts, Colorado State Cooperative Extension director. "His knowledge of Colorado agricultural issues and his dedication to serve the state are commendable."

McLavey, who was born and raised on a wheat farm and cattle ranch near Sterling, has been involved in government and legislative processes for his adult like. His support of Cooperative Extension and agriculture began with a four-year tenure on the staff of the U.S. Senate, where he served as a legislative assistant for agriculture. In the mid-1980s, he began his tenure with the Colorado Department of Agriculture as a credit and finance issues special consultant to the commissioner, including providing farm mediation services to help farmers and ranchers and lenders in conflict.

Among many accomplishments, McLavey, a Colorado State alumni, has served as a member of the Colorado Rural Development Council, Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, Colorado State Managers Association, Board of Commissioners of the Colorado State Fair, Colorado Ecosystem Partnership and on the external advisory committee of the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Institute at Colorado State.

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Colorado State University Cooperative Extension brings the resources of the university to you. As part of a nation-wide system, we call upon the latest research to help Coloradoans learn more about gardening and commercial horticulture, healthy eating, personal finances, community resources, agricultural technology, food safety, dealing with changes in their community, family relationships and managing small acreages and natural resources. Our youth development program annually reaches more than 115,000 children in Colorado. Our 57 county offices, serving 59 Colorado counties, help people use university expertise on the job, at home and in their community.