extension forestry in the u.s.: a national review of state-level programs
DESCRIPTION
A presentation delivered in October 2013 at the Society of American Foresters convention in Charleston, SC. This is a brief summary of an article by the same name published in the Journal of Forestry.TRANSCRIPT
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Extension Forestry in the United States: A NATIONAL REVIEW OF STATE-LEVEL PROGRAMS
Eli Sagor, Amanda Kueper, Charles Blinn, and Dennis Becker
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© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Workshops
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© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Online survey
Census of 50 state-level Extension Forestry program leaders
November 2011 – February 2012
100% response rate
Telephone focus groups
One for leaders of large state-level programs: ≥9 FTE
One for leaders of small programs: ≤1.7 FTE
Administered by phone, 90 minutes
Two-stage data collection
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Survey results
FTE Capacity
FTE capacity positively correlated with number of audience segments “specifically targeted”
r = 0.590, P < 0.001
Audiences
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Content: Topics taught
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TopicsRight side: % states teaching topic MORE now than 5 years ago
Left side: % states teaching topic LESS now than 5 years ago
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Topics taught MORE now:
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Topics taught LESS now:
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Formats
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Formats
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Formats used MORE now:
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Formats used LESS now:
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Focus group results
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FundingMany report reductions in funds and FTE capacity:
“…we’ve lost people significantly. We’ve lost three key Extension specialists, and three field agents with no money to replace any of those people. So, you know, the work has just been spread around among the people that remain.”
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Shift to competitive funding
Increasing volatility from year to year
Challenge for long-range planning
Programs end when funding expires
Benefit: Increased coordination, partnerships
Challenges meeting needs of tradition-bound audiences
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Shift to competitive funding
Transition more challenging for small programs
Morale: “We’re one funding cycle away from real problems.”
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Shift to digital communications and peer learning“We feel like this is just… the wave of the future, this technology is how more and more people are communicating and getting information, and if we’re not a part of this game…, we’re just going to be left behind.”
Opportunity and necessity
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Discussion
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Doing more with less
Flickr: Morbuto (source)
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Changing content
More instruction on forest health, climate, digital mapping.
Few topics dropped: Expanding portfolio.
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Changing relationships between Extension and learnersMore efficient, more accessible, but less direct?
More coordination across agencies, organizations.
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Opportunity: More targeting
Focus on narrower audience segments most likely to produce positive impact.
But… Tradition-bound audiences, public support?
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Conclusions
Extension is a bridge between profession and public
Expanding content portfolio and delivery toolkit
Funding changes affect small and large state programs differently
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© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this PowerPoint is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to the Extension Store at 800-876-8636.
Eli [email protected](612) 624-6948
Amanda KueperCharlie BlinnDennis Becker