If you really think about it, is it that much different from what we have been doing for years any way. Extension agents for a very long time , have used innovative ways to allocate material resources in order to support their program. Program area committees have been used as the support base for fund-raising and effective programing. For example, when a agent needs a new sprayer for demonstration work, or a refrigerator to store ingredients for nutrition programs, they have allocated funds associated with their committees to acquire these necessary materials that the county or state Extension does not provide. Now your committees will be even more important than ever, by supporting our state Extension network, not only on the local level.
I don't know about you all, but when I go to church I put money in the basket hoping that the funds get used at my local church, but I know some of that money goes to administration to assist in funding the infrastructure and employees providing the mission of our church. Once a year I also get an opportunity to pledge funds that help other areas of our churches mission. I am not implying that we are becoming a church, but such a concept works and if embraced the mission of an organization such as ours can be stronger and be supported by all who benefit. I am very pleased that our state administration is not just sitting back and waiting to see what happens with our state budget, our new initiatives are effective ways to recover the cost and provide new ways to deliver our programs. We need you to help to load the wagon! and continue to help pull it along, just like we have many times before, now we must all pull harder than we ever have.
Financial Creativity
Some examples that should be implemented regarding the development of creative funding strategies are as follows;
- Partial Cost Recovery that is utilized to increase the capacity of the agency.
- Partnerships with municipalities.
- Grants to fund specialized programs.
- Partnerships with school districts to deliver specialized youth programming.
- Partnerships with community colleges to deliver specialized program in communities.
What are your programs worth to those that could pay for the information?
Innovative Program Delivery
County Extension Agents-must establish goals in adopting innovative program delivery that adds value to our traditional program delivery. Some of these might include;
- Engagement and utilization of eXtension
- Podcasts
- Production alerts to growers, or consultants through smart phones
- Blogs
- On-line learning modules
Some Extension professionals are concerned that these type of strategies are abandoning our traditional educational methods and clientele. These approaches should actually strengthen our relationship with our traditional clientele while providing avenues to reach new clientele and enhancing our program delivery efficiency.
Extension represents the heartbeat of the land-grant university system. Texas AgriLife Extension will only continue to be as relevant in the future as it is today if we continually evolve from the "ground up" through our local committees, and county support.
The basic concept of Extension using objective, research-based information to help the public is of greater importance now than ever! I encourage you to “control what you can control” , which is the quality of your programs and how you can interpret the value of your programs to your stakeholders.
District 11 Partial Cost Recovery Trainings Scheduled
In order to facilitate many of your questions in relation to the new guidelines, new priorities, and expectations, I am holding three agent trainings/workshops in the District in February. These trainings will allow me to provide you direction and guidance in developing our game plan to implement these guidelines on March 1st, 2011. We hope that our Regional Program Directors can participate if they are available however due to the short time frame Dr. Dozier and/or Dr. Fries may not be personally available.
- February 18th, Fayette County Extension Office in LaGrange, 1 pm to 3 pm
- February 23rd, District Office, Corpus Christi, 1 pm to 3 pm
- February 25th, Jackson County Services Bldg. in Edna , 9 am to 11am
You are welcome to visit with me prior to the training, however it is extremely important that each agent make one of these short but important trainings. I know this is a busy time of year and it may be impossible to be at one of these trainings. If you have a conflict please let me know so other arrangements can be made to provide you with the tools you need to be successful in implementing the partial cost recovery guidelines. More information will follow, I just wanted to get on your calendars as quickly as possible.
Major Livestock Shows a busy time of the year
We are in the middle of the San Antonio Stock show and will be moving very quickly into the heart of the major livestock show season in Texas. We have a great opportunity each year to support our young people as they represent our local county programs in the big city.
Our livestock feeders come in two types in my opinion,those that participate and those that compete! There is absolutely nothing wrong with either type of individual. Those that participate will travel to the city to learn more about their feeding experience, animal agriculture and build life long relationships. Those that go to compete are usually those that have more experience and expect to place. As advisers to 4-H members and leaders you must provide support to both of these type of individuals. Some feeders need more help then others, but be mindful about how you can best support all of your exhibitors in making their major livestock show experience the best possible. Remember to continually check in with your feeders when appropriate, during there time at the shows.
You must also remember that you are on official business and need to be professional in your capacity to lead your junior livestock show programs. In most cases you are an adjunct faculty member of your members school district. Remember that your appearance "even if you slept in a truck all night" must be appropriate for a Extension educator. Look for and take advantage of teachable moments with your young people and leaders. The relationships that your build with feeders and their parents will last a lifetime from your work at major livestock. DM
4-H Day at the Capitol
Thank you to the large delegation of 52 youth and adults from District 11 that braved the weather to attend the 4-H Day at the Capitol. Texas 4-H was recognized by legislators in both the Senate and House Chambers. Our very own Kelley Ullrich of Fayette County was selected to represent Texas 4-H on the Senate floor during the recognition. Kelley serves as the District 11 4-H Council Chairman and is a member of the Texas 4-H Council. After the morning recognitions, attendees enjoyed lunch and guest speaker Senator Glenn Hegar. In the afternoon, participants visited the offices of their local senators and representatives. There has already been positive feedback from legislators about how impressive it was to see the gallery filled with "4-H green".
4-H REMINDERS:
Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarships and SALE Rural Youth Award Applications are due to the District Office on Friday, February 11, 2011. If you have applications that you have not mailed yet, please notify Sharon Thompson ASAP so she knows to be watching the mail for them. If you have NO APPLICATIONS from your county, please email Sharon to let her know so she can complete her county checklist.
