2015 Federal Budget Priorities Western Extension Directors Results April 23, 2013

1. Should the number one budget priority for Extension be capacity funding? 11 responses 100 responded “yes”

2. Top 5 priority Federal budget lines. 11 of 20 different lines were identified by at least one person as their top 5 priorities. Priorities were weighted as follows: 1 = 5 points 2 = 4 points 3 = 3 points 4 = 2 points 5 = 1 point

2. Priority Federal Budget lines EFNEP – 23 Pest Management – 22 Sustainable Ag – 22 RREA – 19 CYFAR – 18 Water Quality – 18 FRTEP - 17

2. Priorities Continued eXtension – 9 Regional Rural Development Centers – 7 Grants to Youth Organizations - 3 Regional Pest Management Centers – 3

3. Maintaining SNAP-ED funding based on FY12 levels and avoid future reductions Higher priority than above – 2 Priority equal to above – 5 Priority, but lower than above - 4

4. Implement the recommendation from the Pest Management Working Group Higher priority than above – 0 Priority equal to above – 5 Priority, but lower than above - 6

5. Implement the recommendations from the 406 Task Force Higher priority than above – 4 Priority equal to above – 2 Priority, but lower than above - 5

6. Maintain or enhance DOD funding for military family and military youth programs Higher priority than above – 1 Priority equal to above – 3 Priority, but lower than above - 7

7. Other budget issues that should be discussed by ECOP BLC Integration with Experiment Stations particularly in specialty crops – higher priority Energy issues including water – equal priority Urban Agriculture – equal priority Partnership funding outside USDA – equal priority Increase funding for 1890 institutions – equal priority Food Safety – equal priority

7. Other budget issues that should be discussed by ECOP BLC continued Food security and access to healthy affordable foods – lower priority eXtension needs to connect the public with LGUs – lower priority International Extension – lower priority Climate change and its affect on agriculture – lower priority National needs survey including Congress

9. Emerging issues that should be considered a budget or program priority Local food systems – farm to fork, school and community gardens Global health extension program Energy resource development and the effects on the ag interface in rural frontier states Health care Energy conservation/alternative energy Climate change and issues associated with water Reducing health care costs through obesity prevention and reduction Food security

10. Additional comments We in the Western Pacific have issues that are not necessarily reflective as those at the national level. I wish that NIFA would provide the territories opportunities to seek grants akin to our issues.