Community Development

• Organizational leadership
• Capacity building
• Social capital
• Collaborative decision making
• Regional planning
• Facilitation skills
• Leadership development
• Fostering innovation and creativity through community design
• Placemaking

Agriculture/Horticulture

• Community gardens
• Food systems
• Passive solar greenhouse design
• Environmental education interpretive design
  
  

• Silkwood, G., Young, M., Dolecheck, S., Hamilton, M., Kinder, C., Blended Learning: Connecting Expertise and Building Networks in Rural Communities. Journal of NACAA. [online], Vol. 10 (1), June 2017. Available at: http://www.nacaa.com/journal/index.php?jid=733

Abstracts and Proceedings

• Hamilton, M.B., Young, M., Silkwood, G., Dolecheck, S., Kinder, C. Blended Learning: Connecting Expertise and Building Networks in Rural Communities throughout Idaho. National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP), Big Sky, MT. June 11-15, 2017.
  
• Hamilton, M.B., Coalition Building for Regional Economic Development in Rural America. National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP), Big Sky, MT. June 11-15, 2017.
  
• Hamilton, M.B., Coalition Building for Regional Economic Development in Rural America. Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD), Washington, D.C. April 2-5, 2017.
  
• Hamilton, M.B., Young, M., Silkwood, G., Dolecheck, S., Kinder, C. Blended Learning: Connecting Expertise and Building Networks in Rural Communities throughout Idaho. Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP), Orlando, FL. February 7-10, 2017.
  
• Hamilton, M.B., Community Design Impacts on the Health, Environment, and Economy. National Association of Community Development Professionals (NACDEP), Burlington, VT, June 25-30, 2016.
  
• Hamilton, M.B., Community Design Impacts on the Health, Environment, and Economy. Annual Statewide Extension Conference, Moscow, April 4-7, 2016.
  
• Hamilton, M.B., Community Design Impacts on the Health, Environment, and Economy. eXtension National Conference, San Antonio, Texas, March 22-25, 2016.
  

Impact Statements

• Hamilton, M.B. 2019. Ripple Effects Mapping: Skill building for Extension educators across the state. University of Idaho Extension Impact Statement.
  
• Hamilton, M.B. 2019. Let's Get Cooking series: Workforce skills development in Valley County. University of Idaho Extension Impact Statement.
  
• Hamilton, M.B. 2019. West Central Mountains Food Coalition is increasing the capacity for local food. University of Idaho Extension Impact Statement.
  
• Hamilton, M.B. 2019. AmeriCorps placements expand education and outreach in Valley County. University of Idaho Extension Impact Statement.
  
• Hamilton, M.B. 2018. Cascade Mobility Team: bicycle and pedestrian counts. University of Idaho Extension Impact Statement.
  
• Mayes, I., Agenbroad, A., DePhelps, C., Golden, L., Hamilton, M., Jensen, J., Newman, S., Painter, Werlin, J. 2018. Cultivating SuccessTM Idaho: 49 new small acreage farmers 2016 – 2018. University of Idaho Extension Impact Statement.
  
• Hamilton, M.B. 2017. Community Partnerships: America's Best Communities. University of Idaho Extension Impact Statement. 
• Hamilton, M.B., Community Partnerships: America's Best Communities (PDF). University of Idaho Extension 2017.
  
• Agenbroad, A., Mayes, I., Williams, C., Ruiz, R., Jensen, J., Golden, L., Young, M., Hamilton, M., Painter, K., Graf, S., Idaho Victory Garden: A vintage idea with modern appeal grows a wider audience. University of Idaho Extension 2016.
• Agenbroad, A., Young, M., Hamilton, M., Jones, Idaho Victory Garden: A vintage idea with modern appeal grows a wider audience (PDF). University of Idaho Extension 2015.

Melissa Hamilton is a community development, ag/horticulture Extension educator in Valley County. Melissa's multi-county work is focused on rural regional planning, multi-modal transportation systems, asset/value based development, meeting facilitation and community food systems. Melissa holds a master's degree in bioregional planning and community design from the University of Idaho and a bachelor's degree in biology from University of South Carolina.

• Hamilton, M.B., Wahl, L. NACDEP Academic Poster Compition, Second Place. Know the Land, Save the Land Place-based Apparel Design Poster, National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP), 2019.
  
• Hamilton, M.B., Wahl, L. National and State Winner, JCEP Award for Creative Excellence, Know the Land, Save the Land Place-based Apparel Design, National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) and Idaho Association (IANCDEP), 2019.
  
• Hamilton, M.B., Regional Runner Up, Excellence in Community Development work, Coalition Building for Regional Economic Development in Rural America, National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP), 2019.
  
• Mayes, I., Agenbroad, A., DePhelps, C., Golden, L., Hamilton, M., Jensen, J., Newman, S., Painter, K., Werlin, J. National Runner Up and State Award Winner, Excellence in Teamwork Award, Cultivating Success Idaho, National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) and Idaho Association (IANCDEP), 2019.
  
• Hamilton, M.B. Visionary Leadership Award, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Idaho Theta Chapter. 2019.
  
• Hamilton, M.B., R.W. Schermerhorn Extension Faculty Award, Leadership and Creativity, UI Extension State Award, 2019.
  
• Mayes, I., Agenbroad, A., DePhelps, C., Golden, L., Hamilton, M., Jensen, J., Newman, S., Painter, K., Werlin, J., National Communications Award, Learning Module or Notebook, Starting your Sustainable Small Farm 2018, National Association of County Agriculture Agents (NACAA), 2018.
  
• Hamilton, M.B., Excellence in Community Development Work Award, Team Project, America's Best Communities, Idaho Association of Natural Resources and Community Development Extension Professionals (IANCDEP), 2017.
  
• Hamilton, M.B., Excellence in Community Development Work Award, Team Project, Cascade Mobility Team, Idaho Association of Natural Resources and Community Development Extension Professionals (IANCDEP), 2016.
• Excellence in Community Development Work Award, Team Project, America's Best Communities, Idaho Association of Natural Resources and Community Development Extension Professionals (IANCDEP), Burley, ID. April 3-5 2017.
  
• Excellence in Community Development Work Award, Team Project, Cascade Mobility Team, Idaho Association of Natural Resources and Community Development Extension Professionals (IANCDEP), IANCDEP Fall Retreat. October 19-21, 2016.