Jim Looft provides leadership in developing, marketing and evaluating programs for the Shelby County Unit of University of Illinois Extension. As a County Extension Director, he markets the Extension programs, networks with other community resources, and is responsible for both fiscal and facility management.

Jim received his Master of Science degree in Agri-business Economics from Southern Illinois University and his bachelor's degree in Plant and Soil Science from Southern Illinois University. He has hours beyond his Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from Virginia Tech.

Looft has worked with the University of Illinois Extension since 2002. He has seventeen years Extension experience and a Farm Management/Marketing Educator, four years with the University of Kentucky and thirteen years with the University of Tennessee. He also has four years experience managing farms and two years experience as an agricultural loan underwriter.

Looft is a board member of the Eastern Illinois Economic Development Authorty.