Larkin Podsiedlik

As an undergraduate, I attended a summer linguistics academy at Stanford and found it fascinating. But it felt like "thinking for the sake of thinking," which left me wanting something more tangible. Around that same time, I began taking classes in applied anthropology and medical anthropology. That’s when I learned you could think and analyze for the greater good of the community, not just as an intellectual exercise. I quickly understood that I didn’t want to spend my time parsing sentences , even though linguistics undeniably has significant real-world applications. To me, it felt too academic.

I often tell the story of a moment in college that stuck with me. I met someone who shared that, until college, they thought green beans only came from a can or the freezer. That conversation made me reflect on how different my upbringing was. I grew up with my feet in the dirt, surrounded by gardens, agriculture, and a deep connection to where food comes from. I realized how much I valued those experiences and how significantly they shaped me.

From that perspective, I started to see that everything I’ve loved throughout my life has been connected to food in some way. Even as a child, my favorite movie was “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and my favorite books were always the ones centered around food. I’ve always loved food and its stories and role in shaping our lives. That realization was the turning point that shifted the direction of my passions and, ultimately, my career.

First, it’s essential to prioritize people and empathy. While the system we operate in has existed for over 100 years, at its core, it is built on people. Extension is fundamentally a system of individuals, and improving organizations means supporting those who work within them. When we invest in people, they improve the system in return, creating a cycle of growth and positive change. This requires empathy and compassion, which I strive to make central to my approach.

Second, associations have unique opportunities to innovate at the local level. While the larger system moves slowly, associations can adapt and try new approaches that serve their specific communities. If something works, it can grow; if it doesn’t, it can remain a local experiment. This flexibility allows for meaningful improvements that might benefit the whole system or simply enhance local impact. Both outcomes are valuable.

The idea of of a place where people naturally gather and build community is increasingly being discussed as something society has lost over time. This concept of a "third space" could be vital to ensuring extension thrives in the future. I believe we can and should work to become a modern third space for people.

Extension can be more than just a resource for soil testing or answering agricultural questions. Instead, it can evolve into a space, whether physical or virtual, where people genuinely come to connect. Building community goes beyond teaching someone about growing tomatoes; it’s about creating opportunities to share those conversations over coffee, reduce isolation, and foster meaningful relationships. Finding ways to build this sense of belonging and connection is, in my view, a crucial part of Extension’s role.

On my bulletin board, I keep a funeral card that has followed me throughout my career as a reminder of my time at Foodlink, the food bank in Rochester, where I worked under the leadership of Tom Ferraro, the Executive Director and founder. Though not my direct supervisor, Tom became a mentor whose influence shaped my path. He was a transformative leader who started movements, yet he remained deeply human, with his own flaws. When he unexpectedly passed away during my time there, his loss was profound. The card, with its quote about planting seeds that will one day grow, and watering seeds planted by others, serves as a constant source of inspiration. Tom’s leadership and impact motivated me to pursue a role as an executive director, with the goal of creating workplaces where others can thrive and grow, just as he did for me and so many others.

That experience shaped my career. It’s also why, over time, I’ve developed a deep interest in organizational development. While I still care deeply about agriculture, I find myself just as passionate about understanding how organizations can evolve to better support the people working within them.

Other major influences in my life include Professor Rosemarie Chierici at SUNY Geneseo, who taught me the value of applied work and helped shape my academic and professional path. Lastly, of course, I have to acknowledge my mom and my grandpa, who were steady and foundational influences in my life.

My husband would probably say I never completely leave "Extension world" since my mind is always on it in some way. I’m always thinking about work or having ideas and sending myself strange notes and reminders in Teams. That said, one of the great things about Extension is how well it supports work-life balance or, more broadly, family and community balance. Of course, it’s possible to work too much and get burned out in any role, but overall, Extension has provided me the best work-life balance I’ve ever experienced.

Outside of work and time with my family, I stay engaged in my own community through volunteer work. I serve on the school board, the Women’s Fund for Central New York, and the Geneseo Alumni Association board. These roles give me a chance to focus on fulfilling activities that aren’t directly tied to work. In addition, I’m an avid runner, which is my main personal hobby. Running is an important part of maintaining balance and staying grounded for me.