Extension in the City

Bonnie D. McGee, Ph.D.Bonnie D. McGee, Ph.D.Professor and Assistant Director for Urban Programs

Texas Cooperative ExtensionThe Texas A&M University System

Extension’s MissionExtension’s Mission

““to enable people to improve their to enable people to improve their lives and communities through lives and communities through learning partnerships that put learning partnerships that put knowledge to work”knowledge to work”

Extension in the 21Extension in the 21stst Century Century

Never in our history hasNever in our history hasthere been a greater needthere been a greater needfor Extension than therefor Extension than there

is today and will be inis today and will be inthe 21the 21stst Century. Century.

The greatest challenge that The greatest challenge that Extension will face in the Extension will face in the

2121stst Century will be our ability Century will be our ability to change as the needs of our to change as the needs of our

customers change.customers change.

““If Extension is to thrive, If Extension is to thrive, it must understand and it must understand and

adjust to this rapidly adjust to this rapidly changing world.”changing world.”

- Extension Vision for the 21- Extension Vision for the 21stst Century Century

For Success:For Success:

Value DiversityValue Diversity Accept ChangeAccept Change More FlexibleMore Flexible Engaged at All LevelsEngaged at All Levels Expand Involvement of Community LeadersExpand Involvement of Community Leaders Accountability and Program InterpretationAccountability and Program Interpretation

The greatest risk we face The greatest risk we face is not to change while our is not to change while our

customers continue to customers continue to change.change.

Outreach to diverse/minority audienceOutreach to diverse/minority audience

Application of sound science to address Application of sound science to address urban problemsurban problems

New educational methodsNew educational methods

Agents develop new area of expertiseAgents develop new area of expertise

VisibilityVisibility

Urban Benefits to ExtensionUrban Benefits to Extension

Urban PopulationUrban Population

83% of population (25 Counties)

Texas Population - 21,325,018

Almost 50% of population (7 Counties)

Urban InitiativeUrban Initiative

Texas Cooperative ExtensionTexas Cooperative ExtensionUrban InitiativeUrban Initiative

Organizational realization of needOrganizational realization of need

Structure changesStructure changes

Administrative commitmentAdministrative commitment

Strategic planStrategic plan

Organizational commitment for supportOrganizational commitment for support

Urban ProgramUrban ProgramResponseResponse

Issue based programsIssue based programs Collaboration/networkingCollaboration/networking School enrichment programsSchool enrichment programs Diversity of staff/clienteleDiversity of staff/clientele Master VolunteersMaster Volunteers External fundingExternal funding Marketing/public relationsMarketing/public relations

““If you want to continue to receive funds If you want to continue to receive funds for Extension programs in rural areas, for Extension programs in rural areas, you must convince the urban legislators you must convince the urban legislators that Extension is a valid investment for that Extension is a valid investment for tax dollars. What I’m telling you is that tax dollars. What I’m telling you is that

if you want to continue to have rural if you want to continue to have rural Extension programs, you must have good Extension programs, you must have good

urban Extension programs.”urban Extension programs.”

― Pete LaneyPete Laney Speaker, Texas House Speaker, Texas House of Representativesof Representatives

Urban Extension Programs:Urban Extension Programs:Improve AccessImprove Access

Urban Extension Programs:Urban Extension Programs:

Expand Educational Expand Educational CapacityCapacity

Urban Extension Programs:Urban Extension Programs:

Provide Program DirectionProvide Program Direction

Urban Extension Programs:Urban Extension Programs:

Leverage ResourcesLeverage Resources

Organizations lose their Organizations lose their effectiveness when their effectiveness when their

memories become greater memories become greater than their dreams.than their dreams.

Doug AndrewsDoug AndrewsCounty Extension Director – Dallas County

Texas Cooperative ExtensionThe Texas A&M University System

Bouche MickeyCounty Extension Director – Fort Bend County

Texas Cooperative ExtensionThe Texas A&M University System