Karen Moore is the County Extension Director for University of Illinois Extension in the Ford-Iroquois Unit. She is a former elementary school teacher, 4-H club leader, and served on many 4-H Youth Development committees prior to her employment at the Ford-Iroquois Extension Office in 1995. She introduced the Family Nutrition Program to the Unit by writing the first FNP grant that same year. The program flourished under her leadership during the next four years at which time Karen transitioned to the 4-H Youth Development program area until 2002 when she assumed the role of County Extension Director.

Karen is a member of the Alpha Nu chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP), a National Honorary Extension Organization, and the Illinois chapter of the Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (IL-ACDEP). She has been recognized three times by University of Illinois Extension with Awards for Outstanding or Innovative Programs including Face-to-Face Teaching in 1999, Publicizing Extension in 2001, and Unit Excellence - Teamwork in 2006.

Karen received her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Olivet Nazarene University. Her bachelor's degree was received in Elementary Education from Butler University in Indianapolis.

Karen is responsible for overseeing University of Illinois Extension program development and evaluation, fiscal management, supervising office personnel, and management of office facilities. In addition, she works closely with the Unit's Master Gardeners and Community & Economic Development programs. Karen strives to bring farm safety messages to youth and adults through face-to-face programs and printed materials on a regular basis during the year.

In her present capacity, Karen has worked closely with Gibson City, Watseka, Onarga,and Gilman on their Community Swaps. She was appointed by the mayor of Gibson City to serve on their Gibson City Emergency Response task force and commission as Education Chairman. In addition, Karen has networked with area agencies to provide disaster recovery resourcesfor communities who have suffered property and personal losses due to flooding and other disasters.

Karen works diligently to achieve the mission of University of Illinois Extension "helping you put knowledge to work" with research based information for local families, communities, and organizations.