SALEM — Inside the Oregon State Capitol, the halls buzzed with activity — lobbyists chatting, people typing on laptops, a group of FFA students in blue corduroy jackets preparing to testify at a hearing.

Ivory Lyles wove through this hubbub toward the exit. Lyles, 65, Oregon State University’s vice provost for extension and engagement, had just finished advocating for increased extension service funding.

Almost the moment he stepped outside, the clouds released a shower of rain. Drenched by the sudden downpour, he chuckled.

“I’m getting used to Oregon,” he said as he walked toward his car. “No umbrellas, right?”

Since September of 2021, Lyles has directed OSU Extension Service. He has worked in higher education for decades, most recently as associate dean for engagement and director of extension for the University of Nevada-Reno.

In his role now, Lyles works in OSU’s Division of Extension and Engagement, which serves Oregon’s 36 counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation.

“He’s very passionate about extension and engagement,” said Staci Simonich, the dean of OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

The division’s programs are built around seven focus areas, including 4-H development; agriculture and natural resources, including the Small Farms and Master Gardener programs; family and community health; forestry and natural resources; OSU Open Campus; Outdoor School; and Oregon Sea Grant. The university also runs several agricultural research and experiment stations throughout the state.

Lyles’ colleagues say he has strengthened OSU Extension Service internally, boosted external recognition of its value and helped foster respect between urban and rural communities.

“I think we (extension) should be one of the many players in the game of helping both urban and rural communities understand that we are interdependent on each other,” Lyles said.

He spoke with a Southern accent, stretching out his vowels and softening his “er”s into “uh”s.

Lyles’ life experiences, including his upbringing on a farm, shaped him for his role.

Early life

Lyles was born in Scott County, Mississippi. His mother was a schoolteacher. His father, though not himself college-educated, insisted his children read and do their homework. Lyles had seven siblings — two sisters and five brothers — two of whom have died.

Lyles was raised on a small farm that had been in his family since 1918. The cash crop was cotton, and the farm also grew potatoes, peanuts and other crops.

In high school, Lyles met his wife. He started dating her in college.

“I was showing her around campus, and one thing led to another,” said Lyles.

He laughed.

The pair married when Lyles was 22.

“She’s the rock of the family,” Lyles said.

Today, they have four children and six grandchildren.

Finding his path

From an early age, Lyles was interested in agriculture.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in agriculture economics from Alcorn State University, a historically Black land-grant university, a Master of Science in agriculture education from Mississippi State University and a Ph.D. in agricultural education from Ohio State University.

Throughout his career, Lyles has held leadership roles — mostly extension-related — at several colleges and universities. He calls OSU his final career stop.

Though Lyles lives in Oregon, he and two siblings still co-run the family farm, growing timber.

“It was important to us to keep the land in the family,” said Lyles.

Colleagues say Lyles brings his passion for agriculture and natural resources to the extension.

Inside the extension

Those who work with Lyles say he has brought structure to OSU Extension Service – “so that we know what to do and when to do it.”

Sam Angima, associate dean of the extension, said Lyles “requires accountability” on how funds are spent: Where’s the money? What is it doing? What impact is it having? Angima said Lyles keeps track of budget allocations in a way that helps program managers better plan for the future and make hiring decisions.

Simonich said Lyles has also strengthened the ties between the extension and the college.

Coworkers say Lyles has also created a culture of listening.

“He’s very responsive. He will not go to sleep until he has replied to anything you asked that day. I don’t know how he does it,” said Angima.

Outside the extension

Colleagues say Lyles is devoted to community engagement. Since arriving at OSU, he has been to 35 of Oregon’s 36 counties and has one more to visit.

Those around Lyles say he listens to communities and adapts the extension’s programs to meet the needs of individual counties.

For example, in regions where broadband internet access is sparse, Lyles said the extension could become “a major player” in helping those communities access broadband resources. In contrast, he said urban counties may benefit from stronger Master Gardener programs.

People say that as Lyles is immersing himself in Oregon’s diverse regions, he is also helping bridge the gap between urban and rural communities.

The urban-rural divide

Most of Lyles’ conversations about the urban-rural divide happen in individual communities. He tries to help urbanites understand how “blessed” they are to rely on Oregon farms for food and to sympathize with the challenges rural people face. Meanwhile, he reminds rural individuals that they are dependent on urban communities to buy and ship their goods.

However, Lyles does not see it as the extension’s duty to “facilitate” discussions between rural and urban communities.

He said that across the U.S., a “great debate” within the extension service is around the mission of the extension: “What is that mission? Is it education or facilitation?”

Lyles takes the view that the organization’s goal should be strengthening communities through research-driven, non-formal education.

“If time permits, we may also bring together factions to say, ‘Here’s an issue and we can facilitate a conversation.’ But if we facilitate too much, people will think we’re taking sides,” he said.

For decades, studies have shown that Americans familiar with the extension service widely consider it a useful and trustworthy institution.

Lyles said he suspects people view the extension favorably for a few reasons: It is science-based, is “a long-term resident of the community” and receives significant funding from counties. OSU Extension Service, he said, does not try to serve the whole state from Corvallis but rather has sites spread throughout Oregon, meeting communities’ unique needs.

“I love my work,” said Lyles. “I love Oregon State. It’s been a real joy for me. So, it’s really not work anymore.”

It was raining harder now, and Lyles walked briskly toward his car to escape the downpour. He was on his way to Portland next to promote the extension in yet another community.

Sierra Dawn McClain is a reporter for the Capital Press.