State Budget Update and Advocacy South Central District Extension Advisory Conference

Update State Budget –Projected $3.7 billion shortfall What does this mean? –$1 billion = 20,000 public school teachers –$3.7 billion = state support for the university system and community college system combined –NC State University Implication –Significant restructuring to be implemented by July 1, 2011

Update How does the state budget situation impact Cooperative Extension (4-H, FCS, ANR, CRD) –Agriculture Programs Line Item Found in Education Budget Funds Research and Extension Programs at NCSU –Approximately $95 million total –Approximately $42 million to Extension

Update Extension Budget Implications –State investment in county positions $24 million –County investment in county positions $26 million –County Government provides County Extension Offices –State investment of $42 million results in over $100 million being leveraged from county, federal and grant resources for North Carolina Cooperative Extension programs

Update 10% or 15% Cut Implication –15% of $42 million $6.62 million university funds $1.32 million county cost share funds –10% of $42 million $4.2 million (10%) –Several positions eliminated County and Campus combined –Limited programming

Update 15% Cut Implication –158 positions eliminated 66 campus FTEs 92 county FTEs (equivalent of 66 university FTEs and 26 county FTEs) –$70 million impact on target audiences $20.2 million reduction to agriculture $47.1 million reduction to youth and families $2.7 million reduction to natural resource conservation, etc. –1.37 million fewer client contacts

Update Defining the Ag. Programs Budget The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State University requests your support for the Agriculture Program Budget. The Agriculture Program line item provides state support each year for agricultural research and extension programs for North Carolinians. This state investment is leverage by research and extension faculty on campus and throughout the state to bring a million dollars more into the state from federal, county government and private sources.

Update Defining the Ag. Programs Budget Through this investment, research impacting the lives, land and economy of over 9 million citizens are made better through safer/nutritious food, positive youth development, increased farm and agribusiness profitability (20% of the state economy and $74 billion industry), increased energy efficiency and a cleaner environment. All North Carolinians benefit from this investment found in the North Carolina General Assembly's Higher Education Budget.

Update Action Steps 1.Get to know your legislators. 2.Your legislators must know you. 3.Involve legislators and other policy-makers in your program. 4.Get your youth and volunteers in the media. 5.Prepare your volunteers and youth with key messages. 6.Do everything with high quality. 7.Do your research. 1.Relationships 2.Campaign Finance Reports

Update Summary –Know the facts –Use your circle of influence –Grow your circle of influence by thinking strategically If we all do our small part, it will make a big difference for the people we serve.