100 years later, Extension information still vital to farmers
janet Kubat Willette
Date Modified: 11/12/2009 8:58 AM
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Agri News staff writer
ST. PAUL -- University of Minnesota Extension was born from a need to share information and Bev Durgan said that need remains as Extension enters its second century.
Durgan is dean and director of University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.
Extension marked its first 100 years with a centennial video on its Web site. A celebration was held in the 4-H building at the Minnesota State Fair, Durgan said. The centennial will be celebrated at other already scheduled events.
As Extension marks its century of service in Minnesota, the program nationwide faces funding struggles. Iowa's Extension Service will look drastically different come Jan. 2, as several well-known educators will retire Dec. 31. The delivery model will also see changes.
In Michigan, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Extension officials worked out a deal last week to continue funding. Some had speculated that Granholm would eliminate the state's Extension funding. In Idaho, Extension centers may close due to state budget cuts.
Durgan is keeping a watchful eye on state and federal legislation. She's making plans should the state make additional cuts in spending when it reconvenes next year. She's talking with 4-H groups and conversations are ongoing within 4-H groups on how to continue to have 4-H with fewer people at the local level.
Durgan will begin meeting next month with the Minnesota Association of Counties Extension Committee to develop the 2011 memorandum of agreement between counties and Extension. In the meantime, regional Extension directors are meeting with county commissioners to discuss the 2010 memorandum of agreement.
The costs from Extension to the counties don't increase in 2010, Durgan said, because she knows all counties are under budget constraints. Her goal is to have these agreements signed by January.
Forty-eight counties allocated funds for agricultural and natural resource Extension positions through the memorandums of agreement through 2009, according to information from Extension. Most counties also fund 4-H programming.
In Washington County, the only county thus far to eliminate Extension funding, the county's 4-H Federation is working hard to raise funds to keep a 4-H coordinator through next year, Durgan said. The Federation has been successful in raising enough money to keep one 4-H coordinator through the rest of the year. The county had two 4-H coordinators, but there wasn't enough money to fund two positions.
Some counties have had to reduce their contributions to Extension, Durgan said, but county commissioners have to make tough choices. Many have said they want to keep Extension programs because they are valuable.
The Legislature has also done what it can to make sure there aren't major cuts.
"I think that Extension and the experiment station, we feel very well supported from our Legislature and our counties," Durgan said.
Extension's goal is to provide programs that are relevant and meet the needs of the public, she said. Extension educators pay attention to how people want to learn, be it via newsletters, webinars or face-to-face meetings.
Extension is also moving forward with a new delivery model at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris where Extension and research faculty will be housed in one office, providing a front door to the university.
The new construction includes an auditorium, available for university meetings and also community events. The goal is for the facility to be completed in December or January.
A larger presence for Extension may also be forthcoming at Lamberton and Waseca research and outreach centers.
"It's good for research and it's good for Extension," Durgan said.