My goal as a professor with a teaching, extension and research appointment is to seamlessly integrate these three activities into one program that is scholarly, credible and relevant to the multiple audiences that benefit from my program. One of my goals is to be a good communicator with many different audiences. I intentionally seek out audiences that range in age from preschool to adult, and range in expertise from novice to professional. I also strive to be broadly informed about the many issues that affect the food system so I can be a useful resource. As department chair, I oversee more than 20 faculty programs in fruit, vegetables, flowers, ornamentals, turfgrass and post-harvest management. Our department also manages several research farms, including the Cornell Orchards, where fruit is sold directly to the public. I try to ensure that the teaching, research and extension activities of the department run as smoothly as possible.