UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Chris Houser, Penn State Extension assistant director for agronomy and natural resources programs, has been named the organization’s associate director for programs, effective Feb. 1. He has been serving in the associate director role on an interim basis since June 2024.
As associate director for programs, Houser will provide leadership for the development and delivery of high-quality, relevant and impactful extension educational programs, products and services through a variety of formats.
“Throughout his time in Penn State Extension, Chris Houser has proven to work effectively with staff, faculty, administrators and our external partners,” said Jeffrey Hyde, director of Penn State Extension and associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences. “He embodies the traits described in Lencioni’s ‘The Ideal Team Player,’ and we are delighted that his knowledge and expertise will continue to help drive our progress in addressing the issues facing Pennsylvania’s farms, businesses and communities.”
Houser will oversee assistant directors for programs and statewide program teams across all five of Extension’s program units, which include agronomy and natural resources; animal systems; food, families and communities; horticulture; and 4-H youth development. He will guide the planning, prioritizing, budgeting, development, delivery and evaluation of programs, products and services, and he will lead the effort to integrate research with extension programming.
“Working across the full program spectrum, Chris will identify areas of overlap and gaps that may not be evident from a single team’s perspective,” Hyde said. “He will also lead toward a balanced portfolio of programs that maximize our reach and accessibility.”
Houser began his Penn State career in 2005 as a research technologist in what was then the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. In 2013, he became a county-based field-crop extension educator, developing and delivering educational programming and performing on-farm research trials.
He was part of a college team that developed a piece of field machinery that could plant cover crop seeds between rows of corn, simultaneously spraying a postemergent herbicide and applying fertilizer to help establish the cover crop, in essence performing three operations in one pass. Called the Penn State Interseeder, the technology — which helps farmers reduce costs, conserve soil and nutrients, and protect water quality — was licensed and now is in use on farms in several states.
In June 2015, Extension leadership named Houser as interim assistant director for agronomy and natural resources programs, a post he then filled on a standing basis from 2017 to 2025.
“My vision for Penn State Extension is to ensure that we remain an agile, innovative and impactful organization focused on addressing the changing needs of our communities,” Houser said. “Extension is not just an educational platform — it’s a vital public service that connects research, practical expertise and community engagement to solve real-world challenges. I envision Extension leading the way in providing cutting-edge, science-based solutions to help agricultural producers, families and businesses thrive in an ever-changing world.”
Prior to joining Penn State, Houser managed his family’s farm, Houserdale Farm, for 18 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University and a master’s degree in agronomy from Penn State.
Penn State Extension is dedicated to translating scientific research into real-world applications to drive progress. In support of Penn State's land-grant mission, extension programs serve individuals, businesses and communities, while promoting a vibrant food and fiber system, a clean environment, and a healthier population in Pennsylvania and beyond. With support from federal, state and county governments, the organization has a tradition of bringing unbiased information and support to the citizens of Pennsylvania for more than 100 years.