Novak Honored for Outstanding Public Policy Education

Dr. James L. Novak, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System economist and Auburn University professor of agricultural economics and rural sociology will be presented with the R.J. Hildreth's Award for Career Achievement in Public Policy Education Sept. 18 at the National Public Policy Education Conference in Washington, D.C.

The award, sponsored by the Farm Foundation and the National Public Policy Education Committee, is presented to "individuals who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship and public service through public policy education programs over their career."

While the award recognizes lifetime achievement, Novak was singled out for several recent achievements in public policy education, including his 2001 efforts to assemble a survey team from among Southern states to determine what producers expected in the proposed Farm Bill.

Novak was also cited for securing funding and collaboration from the U.S.Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency in 2002 to conduct a series of train-the-trainer programs aimed at educating farmers and other agricultural professionals on the new Farm Bill. The effort resulted in 97 trainers and more than 100,000 producers being reached directly with information about the new legislation --- one that resulted in Novak's team receiving the Farm Service Agency's 2003 Administrator's Award as well as the Outstanding Achievement in Public Issues Education Award, sponsored the Farm Foundation an the NPPEC.

Novak was also commended for his work in helping educate Alabamians regarding proposed changes in the Alabama tax code --- a program that received the 2004 Exemplary Communications Award for mass media from the Southern Forest Resource Education Specialists.

He continues to write papers, articles and bulletins and conduct education programs on key public policy issues, the most recent of which dealt with the impact of Social Security reform on U.S. farmers.

During his career, he also has raised more than $1 million in grant funding to conduct public education efforts.

He currently serves on the Farm Foundation's National Animal Agriculture Task Force, the 2007 Farm Bill Survey Team and the 2007 Farm Bill Options and Consequences Management Planning Team.

His career in policy education also has included serving as secretary and chairperson of the Southern Extension Public Affairs Committee and the National Public Policy Education Committee. He has also served as Southeast Risk Management Education coordinator for the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service; chairperson of the National Risk Management Education Committee; and Extension section president of American Agricultural Economics Association.

In September, Novak will complete a 20 percent shared faculty position with CSREES as a National Program Leader for policy education.

A South Dakota native, Novak earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of New Hampshire and his doctorate from Clemson University.

Posted by Jim Langcuster at August 11, 2005 01:56 PM