Darla Heath is the County Extension Director for University of Illinois Extension in Champaign County. In her role as County Extension Director, she oversees Extension programming in four broad areas:

• nutrition
• family and consumer sciences
• community and economic development
• agriculture and natural resources; and 4-H/youth development
• Darla provides leadership in managing the fiscal resources, local staff and marketing. She is also responsible for assessing Champaign County program needs, program development and evaluation.

A graduate of Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky, with a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics Education, Darla also holds a Masters Degree in Consumer and Family Science from the University of Illinois.

Darla began her Extension Career in the Livingston County Office in 1983 as an Assistant Home Economics Advisor. In 1992 she became and Extension Educator in Youth Development working out of the East Peoria Extension Center. In 2000 she returned to Livingston County as Unit Leader and became County Extension Director for Champaign County in February of 2008.

She served as the President Illinois Extension Professionals for Youth Education, IEPYE, in 1999. She received the Distinguished Service Award from IEPYE and the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents in 1996. She has been recognized by University of Illinois Extension for outstanding and innovative programming both as an individual and as a member of a team.

Darla works with colleagues and collaborative partners to achieve the mission of University of Illinois Extension, "helping you put knowledge to work" with research based education for local families, communities and organizations.

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