Charlie French

Charlie French is an Extension Associate Professor in Community and Economic Development at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and leads the Community and Economic Development program at UNH Cooperative Extension. He focuses on fostering civic leadership, community engagement, and sustainable economic strategies. His research emphasizes civic agriculture, community development impacts, and international agriculture. French holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources Policy from UNH, an M.A. in Regional Planning from Western Illinois University, and a B.A. in Geography from Dartmouth College.

His work bridges academic and practical applications, including teaching in UNH’s Development Policy and Practice program. Key research interests include rural community resilience, innovation in economic development, and international agricultural initiatives. French has extensive experience in program evaluation, having led studies on community visioning, manufactured housing ownership, and census participation trends. He has authored over 20 publications and contributed to grants focusing on digital equity, rural economic resilience, and wildlife conservation.

French’s career includes roles at the University of Illinois Extension and service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Panama, where he promoted sustainable agriculture. He collaborates with institutions like the NH Department of Business & Economic Affairs and the Pennsylvania State University, emphasizing applied research to drive policy and community outcomes.

His grants include projects on rural innovation’s economic impact, NH’s wildlife action plan, and broadband development. French’s teaching and research highlight interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex community challenges, blending policy, education, and field-based solutions.