Faces of Extension: Robert Batt

When people ask me about my career and how I ended up where I am today, I tell them: I’m a 4-H kid. My connection to Cooperative Extension began when I was just eight years old. I had just gotten my first rabbit, and that became a turning point for me. I threw myself into 4-H, and it didn’t take long for it to become a defining part of my life.

Growing up, I was one of those kids who was old-school county fair through and through. There’s something uniquely special about fairs and the experiences they create. For me, 4-H wasn’t just about showing off projects or gaining ribbons—it was about leadership, connection, and the chance to take risks in a safe environment.

After high school, I went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. I wanted to make an impact, so I spent the next 10 years teaching special education. I loved teaching, but there was this dream I just couldn’t shake: I wanted to work for Cooperative Extension. Specifically, I dreamed of working with 4-H, the program that had given so much to me as a child.

When a 4-H position opened in Orleans County, I didn’t hesitate. Jumping into that role felt like coming home. I stayed in that position for three years before I made another leap—this time into the executive director role. Leadership came with new challenges, but it also brought opportunities to make even more of an impact.

One of the things that excites me most about what we do at Cooperative Extension is our ability to adapt. I often hear folks describe us as nimble, innovative, and quick to respond to community needs, and I think that’s true. Time and again, we’ve found ways to take what we’re already doing and evolve it to solve emerging challenges.

Take our digital literacy program. That initiative started during the pandemic but quickly became a cornerstone of our work to bridge the digital divide in our community. One story stands out to me about an older couple with no digital skills—they were still flip phone users and had never ventured online. They wanted so badly to feel less isolated and more connected to others, so our digital literacy educator introduced them to Facebook and Messenger.

At first, they were overwhelmed -- afraid that every notification on their phones was a potential scam. But our educator walked alongside them, teaching them step by step. Things really took off when the educator showed them how to create Pixar-style animated images of their pets. That’s all it took for them to embrace the possibilities of technology. Soon they were creating digital art not just of their dogs but of themselves, their family, and even the educator’s family. Over two years, they went from flip phone novices to confident digital citizens. Seeing them transform like that was incredible—it’s a great example of how small beginnings can lead to life-changing outcomes.

One of the lessons I’ve learned in my leadership role is that we’re stronger when we work together. Expanding our community partnerships has been one of the most impactful strategies we’ve implemented.

A good example is our partnership with United Way. They now rent office space in our building, which has been a game-changer. Having them here means we get to collaborate daily—we can talk through community challenges and brainstorm solutions in real time. These kinds of partnerships allow us to bring our extension expertise to the table in new and meaningful ways.

I also make it a priority for my staff and myself to stay engaged in broader community conversations. We attend nonprofit council meetings and community roundtables regularly, sometimes showing up with three or four staff members. The goal is simple: the more we’re able to connect with other organizations and listen to their needs, the more effective we become in addressing our community’s challenges.

I’m pretty focused on Cooperative Extension the majority of the time—it doesn’t leave me with much downtime. But I do carve out moments for myself. I’m a big comic book fan. There’s something about getting lost in those stories that recharges me.

In the fall, I partner with a local grower to create haunted corn mazes. The whole process, from designing the maze to acting in it, is an absolute blast. It’s completely different from the day-to-day work I do at Extension, but it’s still about creating something engaging for the community to enjoy.

As we move forward, I’m committed to keeping Cooperative Extension relevant and responsive. Whether it’s helping a young person develop new skills in 4-H or supporting a family recovering from a flood, we want to be the organization people turn to when challenges arise.

Being part of this work is more than just a job for me—it’s a calling. Cooperative Extension shaped who I am from the moment I joined 4-H as a kid. Now, as an adult and a leader, I have the privilege of continuing that legacy. I get to work with passionate staff and volunteers, partner with the community, and bring positive change to the people I care about most.

For me, it all comes down to this: Cooperative Extension has always been about connection, growth, and service. I’m proud to play a role in ensuring that our work continues to make a difference for years to come.