Courtney Owens

Courtney Owens, Ph.D., is the Southeast Regional Director at the American Farmland Trust since October 2022, where responsibilities include leading programs to protect farmland and promote sustainable farming practices across multiple states. Prior experience includes serving as Associate Extension Administrator at Kentucky State University from January 2017 to October 2022, overseeing program design, development, and performance management for extension and outreach staff. Previous roles at Kentucky State University involved significant contributions in program and staff development, along with federal reporting and evaluation coordination. Courtney’s academic background includes a Ph.D. in Extension Education from the University of Florida and a Master of Science in Agricultural Education from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Additional experience encompasses positions at various institutions, including the Peace Corps, where agricultural and environmental practices were taught to rural communities.