1. Getting Started as a Extension Educator
March 6, 2018
Martin Koon
Program Leader Central Region
David Perrin
Region Director Eastern Region
Tracey Sullivan
Program Leader Western Region

2. Tennessee Extension - D
One Extension Two Land Grant Universities
University of Tennessee ,1862
Tennessee State University,1890

3. Comments Today - D
County Agents
Specialists

4. First Things First - T Relationships Extension County Ag Committee
Region
State UT & TSU
County Ag Committee
County Government Officials
Key Agri-businesses
Key Farmers
Farm Agencies

5. What To Do- T Identify important Ag Enterprises Economic value
Numbers of farmers
Where they are located
Map of the county
Knowledge of the county
County history

6. What To Do- T Needs Assessment
Explore, Ask Questions, Interviews, Statistical Data, Internet Searches
Key Leaders
Producers
Government Agencies
Agri-business
Identify the local hang-outs
Diversity

7. Experience- M Inventory your skills/experience
What are you proficient in
Identify deficiencies relative to county needs
Work with county director, RPL to obtain professional development

8. Items to put in your Tool Box-M
Volunteers
Pesticide Safety Education Program
Computer Software
Microsoft Office
SUPER
Calendar
Area Farm Management Specialists
BQA certification
Distance Diagnostics
Consumer/homeowner
People skills – customer service
Publications & Manuals

9. People Skills-M Conflict --- demands Diversity Learning Styles
Managing Volunteers
Create/Maintain advisory groups
Program Presentation / Scheduling
Expert – respect & trust

10. Goals- D Component of Performance Appraisal) 1-3 goals
Programming
Personal
Professional development
Departments --- will vary

11. Planning-D All agents write Individual Annual Plan
Basis for plan
Needs assessment
Input advisory groups
Region will conduct training
Due November 1 to region (County Directors may set earlier date)
Also completes IAP for first year (Jan 1 to June 30 - Yes; after July 1- No Region offer guidance)
Specialists --- In-service trainings, county visits, agri-business, publications

12. Professional Development-D
In-service Training
Specialists
Regional New Agent Training
Internet - Research Land Grant Institutions
Mentor Program
Training - UT & External
Professional Associations
Key producers in County

13. Office Procedures- T Communication Appreciate Deadlines
Be accessible
Office know your location 100% time
Appreciate Deadlines
Chain of Command
Follow UTIA policies & procedures
Volunteer screening

14. Office Procedures- T Risk Management Safety
All volunteers marked in SUPER
Volunteer levels designated
Proper documentation completed and entered in SUPER for Volunteers
Safety
Minors
Child Protection

15. Balance-M
Work demands
Training
Family

16. Team Work-M Be a real part of your county staff
Be part of your county & community
Visible
Recognize --- eyes always on you in community (on & off duty)

17. Committees & Teams- M Multi-county programming State assignments
Regional assignments
Chair assignments
Working with Ag Research
External Groups
Leadership Teams
Workgroups

18. Marketing-D Media – programs, interviews, elevator speech
Social media
Print
Radio TV
Signage
Professional Material
Correct Logos, Indicia (Marketing Toolkit)
Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation
Program Successes

19. Grants & Sponsorship-D
Identify local sponsors
Search for appropriate grants
Online
Specialists
Partner organizations
RPL
Professional Associations
Specialists should seek agent input where collaboration required

20. Program Delivery-D Professionalism Know Your Audience Diversity
Dress for the occasion
Name tag
Business cards
Flyers-- handouts
Know Your Audience
Diversity

21. Civil Rights-D
Include underrepresented/minority audiences in needs assessment
Market to this audience above the normal (special efforts)
Advertisement
Meeting Locations
Documentation

22. Evaluation-M KASA Level Summarize PEN Surveys Interviews Comments
Recommendation changes
Practice adoption
Benefits – economic, lifestyle, environment
PEN
Surveys
Interviews
Comments
Observation

23. Recognition-M
Volunteers
Leaders
Sponsors
Government Officials

24. So What- M Report 100% of contacts
Report – impact statements (annually)
Outcomes
Impacts
Economic
Quality of Life
Environmental
Safety
Testimonials

25. Tie it all together - T Addressing local needs Strong relationships
Part of the community
Plan, deliver, evaluate and report
Desire to make a difference
Affect people lives
Accountability

26. Questions ? -All