Funding Within Extension Programs

Group 10
Avery Martin|Kristen Crauthers|Michael Heise
Brooke Fritsche
What is Extension?
● A unique education agency that is made up of …
○ Professional educators
○ Trained volunteers
○ County offices
● Extension service provides programs, tools and resources
to improve a variety of sectors within agriculture
● Programs are designed to meet the agriculture needs of
Texans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CyXX7jBBD8
Extension Program Areas
1. Volunteer Programs
● Master Gardener
● Livestock Project Mentors
1. Ag & Natural Resources
● Animal Science
● Horticulture
● Soil & Crop Sciences
1. Community Economic Development
● Educational workshops
● Technical assistance
1. Family & Community Health
● Physical Activity
● Nutrition
● Military Support
Why is extension losing funding?
● State budget cuts
● Programs not being implemented effectively
● Failure to meet organizational goals
● Not following through with program development model:failing to
evaluate program outcomes and impacts
● Working alone on programs rather than cooperating with other
professionals and organizations who could contribute.
● Focusing on “doing” the program rather than “planning”
Effects of Lack of funding
● Less development of new programs
● Programs already in place are being removed
● Loss of approximately 50 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
employees
● No new programs extending in the state
● Lack of relationships (Locally & Statewide)
● “It is equally important for you to know them and for them to
know you…”(Dromgoole)
Leadership THeory
● Path Goal
○ “The leader’s responsibility to increase follower’s motivation to
attain personal and organizational goals” (Strong,2017)

Figure 6.1
Northhouse, Page, 116
Solution
● Get back to basics and follow the Program Development
Model Closely
● Plan strategically as a team
● Use Surveys taken at conclusion of program to your
advantage
● Educate the public about the importance of state funding
and useful resources
Solution Continued...
AS Dr. Dromgoole once said….
● 3 Know’s
➢ Know who you are
➢ Know who you are talking to
➢ Know what is important to who you are talking to
● 3 Be’s:
➢ Be honest
➢ Be proud of your profession
➢ Be proud of Extension Programs
Video Clips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L96cLfq7sgY

(Agrilife Extension action during a hurricane)

References
Dromgoole, D. (2017). ALED 339: Ag Extension Philosophy & Mission (Class Notes).
College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University.

(2018, April). History of Texas A&M AgriLife. Retrieved from https://agrilife.org/about/history/.

Johnson, M.. (2018, April 8). Personal Interview.

Kuck, A. (2018, April 8). Personal Interview.

Northouse, P.G. (2016). Leadership: Theory & practice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Schoenfeld, R. (2018, April 8). Personal Interview.

Steele, D. (2018, April 9). Restore Base Funding. Retrieved from

http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/agrilife-extension-exceptional-item-restore-base-funding.pdf.

Stevens, C. (2018, April 8). Personal Interview.

Strong, J. (2017). ALED 340: Leadership Theory (Class Notes). College Station, Texas:

Texas A&M University.

Ware, S. (2018, April 8). Personal Interview.

Zamora, O. (2018, April 8). Personal Interview.

Questions?