Earl Allen has been serving as the Fulton County Extension Director since June 2007. He was born and raised near Delavan, Illinois and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1983 from the University of Illinois majoring in Agronomy. He received his Master of Science degree in 1987 and his Ph.D. in 1991 both from Texas A&M University majoring in Soil Science.

In 1991, Earl moved his family from Texas to Oklahoma where he served as a state extension specialist for Oklahoma State University from 1991-1995. His specialization was soil fertility and environmental management. He also served as Director of the OSU Soil, Water, & Forage Analytical Laboratory.

After 5 years of extension work in Oklahoma, Earl acquired a NASA Small Business Innovation Research Contract in cooperation with a Colorado technology firm and moved his family back to Illinois to launch an agricultural research and commercialization business in Mason City. The purpose of the research contract was to commercialize patented slow-release fertilizer technology he helped develop through his Ph.D. research with NASA Johnson Space Center. From 1995-2005, Earl managed his research business and also partnered with two of his brothers in their family farming operation in Tazewell and Logan counties.

In July 2005, Earl joined the University of Illinois Extension team as the Woodford County Extension Director, and after 2 enjoyable years driving to Eureka, accepted a transfer to Fulton County as their County Extension Director. Earl is excited to be in Fulton County and is focusing his programming efforts in the areas of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Community and Economic Development. He also continues his participation in operating the family farm.