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