EXPLORING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTENSION
Co-Leaders: Greg Crosby and Deb Hamernik. Team Members: Ellen Danus, Maurice Dorsey,
Richard Hegg, Diana Jerkins, Mike McGirr, Nana Mejia, Terry Meisenbach, Rick Meyer, Mark Mirando,
Dave Morris, Eric Norland, Mike O’Neill, Eldon Ortman, Edith Thomas, Gladys Vaughn, Sherri Wright,
Joe Wysocki
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The questions are – how quickly can the Cooperative Extension System respond to the dramatic changes
in agriculture and how responsive can the system be to changes in community structure, evolving
demographics, increased globalization, and broader public expectations? While several exemplary
models of Extension programming can be identified, systemic changes throughout the Extension
organization are needed to address the depth of agricultural, social, and economic conditions. To enhance
the ability of Extension to become more relevant, resilient, and responsive, CSREES should request
federal resources and leadership in five areas:
•
infrastructure
• workforce
• programs
•
technology
•
resource development
Outcomes resulting from expanded federal resources and leadership for Extension include:
•
increased responsiveness and organizational flexibility
• engaged partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels with public agencies, consumer groups,
and the private sector.
•
timely and effective translation of research into Extension practices
• higher accountability of outcomes from basic research
• design and delivery of “outcome-based” Extension programs
•
rapid, informed communications systems to deliver science-based information, educational
programs, and decision-support systems
• more relevant research priorities for agricultural and social sciences through broader end user and
stakeholder input
Changes in agriculture and community structures offer new program opportunities for the Cooperative
Extension System to improve economic, environmental, and social conditions in the U.S. and around the
world.