National Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting

July 24, 2006

Future Roles for the County Agent

The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service

The Vision

Growing Healthy Crops, Livestock, Farms, People, Families and Communities

Future Roles for the County Ag Agent

The Reality

Long Hours, Low Pay, Short Weekends, Pesky Administrators,

and driving your car into the ground hoping to pay for the gas.

Future Roles for the County Ag Agent

Is there any better job?Is there any better place to be?

The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service

I’m Bullish on ExtensionI’m Bullish on Extension

Why My Optimism?Why My Optimism?

Farmers Need You Farmers Need You Campus Faculty Need YouCampus Faculty Need You Administrators Need YouAdministrators Need You Communities Need YouCommunities Need You

Political Capital

Cultural Capital

Natural Capital

Human Capital

Financial Capital

Social Capital

Healthy EcosystemVital Economy

Social Well-Being

Built Capital

7 Community Capitals7 Community Capitals

Extension Agents Are Integrators

Why My Optimism?Why My Optimism?

Farmers Need You Farmers Need You Campus Faculty Need YouCampus Faculty Need You Administrators Need YouAdministrators Need You Communities Need YouCommunities Need You

Country Needs YouCountry Needs You

BiosecurityBiosecurity

Soybean RustSoybean Rust Emerald Ash BorerEmerald Ash Borer BSEBSE FMDFMD SODSOD Yellow Star ThistleYellow Star Thistle Giant SalviniaGiant Salvinia Plum PoxPlum Pox Citrus CankerCitrus Canker Agent xxx?Agent xxx?

Avian Flu

Disaster RecoveryDisaster Recovery

A Trusted Community Leader With Access to Resources in a Time of Need

Why My Optimism?Why My Optimism?

Farmers Need You Farmers Need You Campus Faculty Need YouCampus Faculty Need You Administrators Need YouAdministrators Need You Communities Need YouCommunities Need You Country Needs YouCountry Needs You

You Can’t Be Outsourced You Can’t Be Outsourced to a Call Centerto a Call Center

But, You Cannot Avoid Change But, You Cannot Avoid Change When it’s Needed EitherWhen it’s Needed Either

What Changes Are What Changes Are Ahead? Ahead?

Your AudienceYour Audience

Changing Face of AmericaChanging Face of America Changing Face of AgricultureChanging Face of Agriculture Changing Access to InformationChanging Access to Information

What Changes Are What Changes Are Ahead?Ahead?

Your FundingYour Funding

Changing Needs of Your Changing Needs of Your UniversityUniversity

Changing Funding SourcesChanging Funding Sources Changing OpportunitiesChanging Opportunities

Competitive Programs FY06 Funding

• National Research Initiative ………….$181 M• Outreach to Disadvantaged Farmers/Ranchers …………….$6 M• Small Business Innovation Research ...$18 M• 406 Integrated Programs (Food Safety,

Water Quality, Pest Management,Organic Transition)………………….…..$42 M

We Are Planning Grant Writing Workshops Consider Volunteering for Our Review Panels.

What Changes Are What Changes Are Ahead?Ahead?

Your RolesYour Roles Product or ProcessProduct or Process Generalist or specialistGeneralist or specialist County or RegionalCounty or Regional Educator or ResearcherEducator or Researcher Educator or Leader/FacilitatorEducator or Leader/Facilitator Employee or EntrepreneurEmployee or Entrepreneur What Program Focus to ChooseWhat Program Focus to Choose

CSREES PAS Emphasis Areas

Agriculture and Food Biosecurity Agricultural Systems Biotechnology & Genomics Food Nutrition and Health Pest Management Animals, Animal Products Plants, Plant Products Processing, Engineering, and Technology Biofuels/BioProducts

CSREES NRE Emphasis Areas

• Soil• Air• Water• Forest Resources• Rangeland/Grassland• Invasives• Global Change• Sustainable Development

It’s About People, It’s About People, Not ProductionNot Production

““They Don’t Care What You They Don’t Care What You Know Until They Know That Know Until They Know That You Care” You Care” John Page, UVM ExtensionJohn Page, UVM Extension