PORT HADLOCK — Washington State University has chosen a professor at the University of Maryland as the next director of its Jefferson County Extension Service.
Laura Rehmke Lewis, who is now an assistant professor of biogeography at UM’s Baltimore campus, is scheduled to begin work Oct. 31.
She will take over from Katherine Baril, who retired in January.
“I’m delighted to be returning to Washington,” said Lewis, who earned her undergraduate degree in agriculture from Washington State University in 1996. She has since earned a doctorate.
“It gives me the opportunity to use my experience on the ground and contribute to the economic development of the area,” said Lewis, 38.
“I welcome the hiring of Dr. Lewis as tangible evidence of the commitment WSU has to their partnership with Jefferson County,” said Jefferson County Commissioner David Sullivan, who was a member of the search committee.
“She will be a valuable asset as we tackle the challenges facing the future of local agriculture.”
Sullivan also thanked Pamela Roberts for “doing a good job as interim director and her outstanding work on behalf of the youth of Jefferson County.”
Roberts was one of four finalists for the position.
Lewis’ salary has been determined but has not been released.
The amount will become public record as soon as her employment begins.
Baril made $65,000 a year.
Lewis said she plans to get to know the staff and the community during her first few months on the job.
“There is a wonderful food movement in Jefferson County with a lot of small-scale farms looking for a market for their goods,” she said.
“We should look at ways to market Jefferson County and see what we can do to distribute goods around the country, since it is one of the few areas in the state where there is year-round production.”
Lewis has experience conducting research for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington state and California and has worked with farmers in Central and Eastern Washington who manage fruit trees and cereal crops.
She has also served as a volunteer in the Peace Corps.
Lewis is married and has two children, 4 and 7.
She plans to rent at first and will be visiting from Oella, Md., in the next two weeks to scout property.
“My long-term goal is to have a piece of land but don’t want to jump in until I see what’s available,” she said.
Lewis is aware that Baril, the extension’s only director to date, has left big shoes to fill.
“I don’t think I can fill those shoes, so what I can do is bring a new pair to the party,” she said.
“I will learn a lot about what she did and add some of my own experiences.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.