Melissa Hamilton
Melissa Hamilton
Extension Educator — Community Development and Agriculture
208-382-7190
University of Idaho Extension, Valley County
PO Box 510
Cascade, ID 83611
Melissa's interests include rural regional planning, multi-modal transportation systems, asset/value based development, community food systems, and meeting facilitation and capacity building.
M.S., University of Idaho, 2011
B.S., University of South Carolina, 2003
- 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
- Hamilton, M. B., Wahl, L., & Stokes, B. (2021). Know the Land, Save the Land: Apparel Design for Extension Education. Journal of Extension, 58(3), Article 14. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/joe/vol58/iss3/14
- 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., Isbell, Sue., 2021. North Dakota and Sioux County and UI Partner: National 4-H in Indian Country Discussion.
- 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 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 grows 49 new sustainable small acreage farmers in Idaho. 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.
Melissa Hamilton is a community development, agriculture and horticulture Extension educator in Valley County. Melissa is focused on rural regional planning, multi-modal transportation systems, asset/value based development, community food systems, meeting facilitation and capacity building. 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., Diversity Award, Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP), Idaho Theta Chapter, April 2021.
- Hamilton, M.B., Diversity Award, Idaho Association of Natural Resource and Community Development Extension Professionals (IANCDEP), April 2021.
- Hamilton, M.B., G. Elbert McProud Memorial Scholarship Faculty Award, UI Extension State Award, April 2020.
- Hamilton, M.B., Visionary Leadership Award, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Idaho Theta Chapter. April, 2020.
- Hamilton, M.B., Western Region Cross Program Award, Let’s Get Cooking Workforce Development, National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP), June 2020.
- Higgins, L., Hamilton, M.B., Daniels, J., Chapelle, P., State, Western Region, and National Runner-up Excellence in Community Development Award, WeCan Tri-State Community Assessment Project, National and State Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (IANCDEP) (NACDEP), June 2020.
- Hamilton, M.B., Five Years of Service to Extension, UI Extension State Award, April 2020.
- Hamilton, M.B., Wahl, L. NACDEP Academic Poster Competition, 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.