2009 MM Economic
From Extension Collaborative Wiki
11. What efforts at the county level are working to maintain high levels of support for Extension during these trying economic times?
Georgia
A couple of years ago, we began the development of our county level Extension Leadership System (ELS). This system replaces our county advisory system and was designed to increase the direct involvement of local clientele in extension programming; basically to create a base of local advocates to speak up for the local program. These ELS groups have been instrumental in generating county support for such items as equipment, vehicles, and facilities, even during the economic slowdown. As a result of our last VERA, we were in a position of needing to hire back a number of retirees to cover some gaps until the economy improved. Part of this hire back process was the commitment on the county’s part to keep all of their money in the position, this included travel money for the position. Counties with money on the table will be high priority for refill at the appropriate time.
Virginia
Extension Leadership Councils (ELC) are utilized as the primary vehicle for maintaining a close connection with stakeholders to help support Extension. These ELCs are composed of volunteer stakeholders with the support of local Extension faculty and serve to advocate on behalf of Extension among other things. Their feedback is currently being sought as we are involved in a new strategic planning process with hopes of completion before the end of this year.
Texas
Texas has initiated a aggressive program interpretation initiative in 2009 and 2010. This 2010 County Programs Interpretation Initiative includes the following components;
- District Judges and Commissioners Conferences hosted by District Extension Administrators.
- Utilization of the Extension Making a Difference Newsletters that communicates Texas AgriLife Extension's public value. This newsletter will be published on an annual basis.
- Utilization of an Urban County Program Highlight report for County Commissioners and key stakeholders.
- All Counties conduct at least one formal interpretation event with County Commissioners Courts annually that communicates Texas AgriLife Extension's public value.
- All Counties involve elected officials in Extension "showcase" events.
- All Districts will have a Marketing and Interpretation Committee.
In terms of management during challenging times Texas AgriLife Extension Service establish strategies that accomplish the following;
- Focusing our Efforts.
- Developing our People.
- Optimizing our Results.
Tennessee
Counties are sharing impact reports with county officials, marketing the programs and meeting with county officials to discuss budget support. County Agricultural Committees meet regularly with county staff and support the county offices in the budget process
Clemson Extension
We are constantly seeking ways to improve impact reporting. In many cases, we are capturing the data, but not effectively communicating our story. To address this, we are developing trainings specifically targeting:
- Report to the People - (a document done by each county to give to stakeholders, local officials, and clientele)
- Improving your Advisory Council
- Improving your evaluation techniques
LSU AgCenter
Louisiana set a goal to increase local salary support from 10% to 20% by 2011. Parish Chairs provide local leaders with written updates three to four times a year, meet with city councils, police juries or parish councils, and school boards at least annually. Each parish has a leadership council composed of members who are familiar with most Extension programs and who have access to local decision makers.
We also promote programs that are timely & have local pay off. For example, we introduced an area housing specialist to help homeowners & parish agencienes as thet rebuild/repair taking advantage of new energy savings practices. Storm surge modeling is now of great interest particularly to parishes on or near the coast. New Extension publicatons help families recover from disasters by giving them a place to start as they look to the future and recovery.
Alabama
We have added a link on our State Web Page, “Thriving in Challenging Times;” several counties have Demonstration Gardens with support from elected officials, Civic Groups and Churches. Many of these sites, as well as, other locations have held workshops/meeting on vegetable production, food processing, how to obtain loans and money management. We are delivering programs with soft funds and grants. Each county is ask to develop a PowerPoint presentation of the programs conducted in their county to county commissioners, community leaders and other elected officials. This is to inform these individuals of the priority programs being delivered in their county and the impact of these programs. Some have Advisory Board Members present that provides input during these meetings.
Some County staff are writing grants that not only deliver programs, but hire local individuals to deliver the programs.
Mississippi
County Directors are encouraged to work closely with county Board's of Supervisors to make sure that the BOS's are aware of Extension's activities within the counties. County Directors are encouraged to invite Area Agents to accountability meetings so that counties understand that our committment is beyond the personnel based in that county. Each county is expected to present highlights of their activities to county BOS and Advisory groups.
