Harry B. Strawn Retiring from Extension System After 35 Years of Service

Auburn, Dec.17, 2003---Harry B. Strawn, an economist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension 
System, will retire Dec. 31. 
	
Strawn, whose program assignment with Extension is community resource development, resource 
economics and economic development, was appointed to his current position in 1969.  Before his 
Extension work, Strawn was an assistant in agricultural economics at the University of Tennessee.
	
“Harry Strawn’s 35 years of service are part of the almost 1,900 years of expertise that our organization 
and the people of Alabama are losing at the end of 2003.  His accomplishments in economic 
development have made our state a better place to live,” said Dr. Gaines Smith, interim director of the 
Alabama Cooperative Extension System. 
	
“Dr. Strawn’s successes help build the heritage of achievement on which our current and future programs 
are built.  I personally thank Harry for his dedication to effective programs and wish him the very best in 
retirement. “
	
Strawn’s career has been devoted to the provision of technical, economic and management information 
and guidance as it relates to enterprise feasibility, production, marketing and financial issues confronting 
rural businesses.  He has also dealt with analysis of economic growth and development issues and 
opportunities facing rural communities.
	
“I have always been impressed with Dr. Strawn’s ability to isolate key components of issues facing these 
groups, to identify and solicit needed resources, and to mobilize the group’s energy to address problems. 
Clearly, Alabama’s rural businesses and communities have benefited much from his expertise.  Dr. 
Strawn will be missed,” said Dr. John Adrian, chair of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural 
Sociology.
	
Strawn earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from North Carolina State University and 
his master’s degree and Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of Tennessee. 
	
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