Former LeadAR director Joe Waldrum named Rural Advocate of the Year
"One of the great things about directing a leadership program is watching people grow, watching people learn, watching people get out of their comfort zone and realize what they can do.” — Joe Waldrum
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
May 23, 2025
Fast Facts:
- Award recognizes exemplary leadership, dedication to improving the lives in rural Arkansas
- Waldrum served as LeadAR director for 22 years
(550 words)
(Newsrooms: Photos)
LITTLE ROCK — Joe Waldrum is a leader among leaders. For 22 years, he spearheaded the LeadAR program, which has trained hundreds of Arkansans to be effective leaders in communities across the state.
For his work, he was named Rural Advocate of the Year. The award was presented May 21 in Little Rock during the Arkansas Rural Development Conference, hosted by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission Division of Rural Services and the Arkansas Rural Development Commission. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and dedication to improving the lives of people in rural Arkansas communities.
“I’m not quite speechless, but I am grateful, I’m stunned, I’m overwhelmed,” Waldrum said when accepting the award that was a surprise. “I’ve said this before that LeadAR is the most significant thing that has happened to me. One of the great things about directing a leadership program is watching people grow, watching people learn, watching people get out of their comfort zone and realize what they can do.”
Waldrum began his 39-year career with the Cooperative Extension Service in 1976. He served Arkansas farmers and rural communities through many extension roles — as a soybean specialist, a pesticide assessment specialist, state agriculture leader, assistant director of community and economic development, and director of Leadership Arkansas, better known as LeadAR.
“In each of these roles, Joe worked hand-in-hand with rural residents, helping them address agricultural challenges, grow local economies, and strengthen civic leadership,” said Julie Robinson, professor of leadership development for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and current LeadAR director. “He has dedicated his life to uplifting rural communities through leadership and public service and been a tireless champion for rural voices and sustainable development across the state.”
The Leadership Pipeline
From 1994-2015, Waldrum directed the LeadAR program, cultivating new generations of rural leaders who continue to make a difference in their communities.
“One of the strategies for strengthening rural counties is establishing a leadership pipeline,” said Stacey McCullough, assistant vice president for Community, Professional and Economic Development, which runs the leadership program. For more than 40 years, LeadAR has been doing just that, she said.
Modeled after the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s leadership program, LeadAR brings together people from all areas of the state and prepares them to assume greater leadership responsibilities and bring about positive change in their communities. Participants improve their ability to work with others and connect with people and resources that can help them make a difference. Graduates leave the 18-month program with a deeper understanding of social, economic and political systems to effectively bring about change, and they hone their critical thinking and decision-making skills to become better citizens and leaders.
Since its founding in 1984, more than 500 Arkansans have graduated from LeadAR. They now lead businesses, communities, and organizations across the state. Alumni include a wide array of professionals — educators, farmers, advocates, bankers, lawyers, state legislators, mayors, and local government leaders — all driving positive change and shaping the future of Arkansas.
“We are excited to see Dr. Waldrum honored as Rural Advocate of the Year,” Cooperative Extension Service director John D. Anderson said. “His positive influence is evident in our organization and continues to be felt throughout the state.”
The Cooperative Extension Service is the outreach branch of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
To learn more about LeadAR, visit http://uaex.uada.edu/leadar. To learn about other extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook at arkansas.extension and on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas
System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment)
without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital
or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other
legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media contact: Tracy Courage
tcourage@uada.edu, 501-658-2044