Jimmy C. Henning Associate Dean for Extension University of Kentucky What is Extension?
Extension Is: The outreach arm of Land Grant Universities At least one LGU per state Usually part of the College of Agriculture Cooperatively funded Federal + State + Local
Extension’s Goal (KY) To improve the quality of life through research-based education
Extension’s Main Program Areas 4H Youth Development Agriculture and Natural Resources Horticulture (commercial and consumer) Family and Consumer Science Community Development Others (Fine Arts, KY)
Extension Is: A Local Presence ‘Storefront’ analogy Facilities Trusted ambassadors Personnel are known in communities
Extension Is: Local Connection to State Expertise Colleges of Agriculture (Traditional) College of Veterinary Medicine Medical Schools School of Business
Extension Is: Diagnostic Expertise State Local (agents) Livestock Disease Diagnostic Laboratories Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratories Specialists/Faculty Local (agents) Plant (primary) Animal (secondary when veterinary care is available)
Extension Is: A Portal to Local Situations Usually a presence in each county Many have Distance Technology Videoconferencing equipment Web Conferencing
Extension Is: ‘eXtension’ – a new tool to bring the resources of the Land Grant University to clients using an interactive learning web environment Frequently asked questions Ask the expert ‘Collaborative Spaces’ for specialists to work in to provide creative solutions to complex problems
Extension Is: Communications Expertise Media relations Newsletters Radio Television
Extension Is: Volunteer Management e.g. Master Gardener 4H volunteer leaders
Extension Is: “Grassroot” Connections Advisory Council System Programmatic directions Priority setting Agriculture Sector School System 4H Social Agencies/Health Departments Extension Homemakers
Extension Is: Broad knowledge Farms Farmers Farming Enterprises Physiographic information Farmers Farming Enterprises Agribusinesses Farm Leadership (Farm Bureau, others)
Summary Extension Is: A Local-State-Federal partnership committed to research based education and service in the broad areas of: Agriculture/Horticulture/Natural Resources Families Youth Community Development