Don Thorn joins Colorado State University to serve in a new role strengthening the university’s ties with rural Colorado. A respected advocate and leader for agricultural education, Thorn’s new role will champion external relations in rural Colorado. Housed in the College of Agricultural Sciences and a joint hire with the Office of Engagement and Extension, he will work alongside CSU Extension to link CSU with rural communities, catalyze community development and advance agricultural sciences. Starting in July, Thorn will focus on deepening relationships statewide in support of CSU’s land-grant mission.
“Don’s excellence as an advocate for agricultural education in Colorado places him at the forefront of enhancing rural Colorado and preparing tomorrow’s leaders to serve our agricultural industry,” said James Pritchett, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station. “This new role will allow Colorado State University to be more nimble in our response to the needs of our agricultural communities, and to better connect and understand rural Colorado. Don is well-suited to catalyze our efforts to address prioritized needs and opportunities in rural areas.”
Thorn’s hire aligns with the CSU System Board of Governors’ investment to expand support for rural Colorado students and communities, which builds on a strong foundation of existing engagement across Colorado. Collaborating closely with CSU’s Office of Engagement and Extension, he will partner with CSU’s robust network of extension specialists and research centers across the state. As a champion for rural communities, Thorn’s connections with rural stakeholders will facilitate the deployment of resources to address needs in rural communities.
Since 2009, Thorn has served as executive director of the Colorado FFA Foundation. In that role, he supports youth and teacher development, and his work often intersects with CSU’s. He was integral to the creation of the CoBank Center for Agricultural Education at CSU’s Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDEC).
Thorn grew up in Yuma, and first came to CSU in 1992 to study agricultural education after serving as Colorado FFA State Officer, and later earned a master’s degree in agriculture. He spent 13 years as a high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor in McClave before joining the Colorado FFA Foundation in 2009. Throughout his career, Thorn has elevated and catalyzed agricultural education in Colorado through his support of youth development in the classroom, and through extracurricular activities like FFA and 4-H. Thorn’s new role will continue those efforts, as he supports current and prospective students from rural communities in finding their way to success at CSU.
