Extension in the City

1. Extension in the City Bonnie D. McGee, Ph.D. Professor and Assistant Director for Urban Programs Texas Cooperative Extension The Texas A&M University System

2. Extension’s Mission “to enable people to improve their lives and communities through learning partnerships that put knowledge to work”

3. Extension in the 21st Century Never in our history has there been a greater need for Extension than there is today and will be in the 21st Century.

4. The greatest challenge that Extension will face in the 21st Century will be our ability to change as the needs of our customers change.

8. “If Extension is to thrive, it must understand and adjust to this rapidly changing world.” - Extension Vision for the 21st Century

9. For Success: • Value Diversity • Accept Change • More Flexible • Engaged at All Levels • Expand Involvement of Community Leaders • Accountability and Program Interpretation

10. The greatest risk we face is not to change while our customers continue to change.

11. Urban Benefits to Extension • Outreach to diverse/minority audience • Application of sound science to address urban problems • New educational methods • Agents develop new area of expertise • Visibility

12. Urban Population Texas Population - 21,325,018 Almost 50% of population (7 Counties) 83% of population (25 Counties)

13. Urban Initiative

14. Texas Cooperative ExtensionUrban Initiative • Organizational realization of need • Administrative commitment • Strategic plan • Structure changes • Organizational commitment for support

15. Urban ProgramResponse • Issue based programs • Collaboration/networking • School enrichment programs • Diversity of staff/clientele • Master Volunteers • External funding • Marketing/public relations

16. “If you want to continue to receive funds for Extension programs in rural areas, you must convince the urban legislators that Extension is a valid investment for tax dollars. What I’m telling you is that if you want to continue to have rural Extension programs, you must have good urban Extension programs.” • Pete Laney Speaker, Texas House of Representatives

17. Urban Extension Programs:Improve Access

18. Urban Extension Programs: Expand Educational Capacity

19. Urban Extension Programs: Provide Program Direction

20. Urban Extension Programs: Leverage Resources

21. Organizations lose their effectiveness when their memories become greater than their dreams.

22. Doug Andrews County Extension Director – Dallas County Texas Cooperative Extension The Texas A&M University System Bouche Mickey County Extension Director – Fort Bend County Texas Cooperative Extension The Texas A&M University System