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6/18/03 Contacts: ISU Extension Positions Itself for a Second Century of Service AMES, Iowa--ISU Extension can be a leader for the emerging knowledge-based society. This is both a conclusion and a challenge in a recent report submitted to Stanley R. Johnson, Iowa State University's vice provost for Extension. Johnson said the report from a 19-member task force will help form the basis for changes as the organization begins its second century of service to Iowans. "The report offers major themes to guide Extension in a long-term view rather than making specific recommendations to resolve immediate budget shortfalls," said Steve Padgitt, committee co-chair and director of ISU Extension to Communities. One of the themes is the admonition that Extension should be an active leader and catalyst on critical issues affecting the personal lives of Iowans. The report suggests these might address goals such as those outlined in the Governor's Strategic Planning Council's 2010 report. Duane Acker, Extension Citizens Advisory Council member from Atlantic and the other co-chair of the study group, said he felt Extension should continue to adhere to its current path of serving broader audiences than its historical roots and it could do this best by having access to all the disciplines of the university. He said this is key to Extension's viability in the 21st century. These ideas are expressed in the committee's recommendation that "all Iowa business, societal, and government segments should be considered as potential clients" with services provided based on their needs. But, Acker said, "The strength of Extension must remain in its ties to the research arm of the university and valuing neutrality in the information it provides." Another vision the committee expressed for ISU Extension was for it to be an active leader and catalyst on critical issues affecting Iowans, such as the eight major goals outlined in the recent Iowa 2010 report. The committee cautions that Extension cannot be all things to all people, but it can focus on selected goals and make credible information widely available. The report endorses a continued office presence in every Iowa county to provide coordination of local activities and as a link to Iowa State University, but also notes that how best to provide a local presence will be an ongoing challenge. The ongoing partnership between Iowa State University and county Extension councils is endorsed, as is the importance of local decision-making in planning for quality Extension programs. The report notes, however, that county boundaries will become less significant for many Extension professionals in their jobs. In addition to the university-county partnership, the report also encourages collaborations with other service and education providers, including community colleges, public and private schools, state and federal agencies, and non-profit and business organizations. The report reinforces expanding the use of modern and efficient knowledge transfer systems. It notes that customers expect and technology is available to provide "just-in-time" and "24/7" delivery. The report holds the view that these technologies can be both cost- and learning-effective while still allowing personal contacts with customers where that model for change is important and necessary. Several action steps are provided to address the committee's general recommendations. Johnson plans to form work groups to address the action steps and implementation of recommendations is expected to begin in the fall. The report was developed by a 19-member committee of citizens and Extension staff from across the state. It started its work late last fall with a series of "listening session" town meetings in eight communities across the state and was supported in its work by Enterprise MidAmerica, a public policy consulting firm based in central Iowa. The public is invited to comment on the final report, available on the World Wide Web at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/ under the Futuring Committee link. Co-chair Padgitt will collect comments and input that will be reviewed over the summer by Extension administration. In addition to Acker and Padgitt, other members of the committee were Don Ahrens, Extension Council member, Mitchell County; Willem Bakker, director, Iowa Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Story County; Lisa Berkland, youth field staff, Emmett County; Darrell Busby, agriculture field staff, Pottawattamie County; Jon Cook, communities representative, Greene County; Ruth DeVries, Extension Council member, Polk County; Sherry Glenn, associate vice provost for Extension, Story County; Kim Greder, families campus staff, Story County; Peter Hong, Citizen Advisory Council, Pocahontas County; Jim Hughes, Citizen Advisory Council, Pottawattamie County; Glen Mente, past president, 4-H Foundation, Story County; Gene Mohling, county Extension education director, Johnson and Washington counties; Margaret Mordan, Iowa Association of County Extension Councils, Monroe County; Fran Passmore, families field staff, Allamakee County; Brenda Schmitt, county Extension education director, Floyd County; Fred Sick, Iowa Association of County Extension Councils, Sioux County; and Vicki Sickels, Citizen Advisory Council, Ringgold County. -30- ml: imajor |
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