Advancing Extension’s Relevance and Impact in the Fiscal ‘New Normal’

1. Advancing Extension’s Relevance and Impact in the Fiscal ‘New Normal’ Kirk A. Astroth December 12, 2011

2. Background & Experience • Raised in Utah • Graduated from U. Denver, University of Copenhagen, Columbia University, Utah State and Montana State University • Degrees in science, liberal arts, and administration • Taught school in Tucson for 4 years • Firefighter for 8 years • Began Extension work in 1983 in Kansas • Specialist in both Kansas and Montana • State 4-H Program Leader in Montana and Arizona • International development experience in Latvia and Lithuania • Associate Director, 4-H Youth Programs • Interim Director of Extension in Arizona

3. Foundations of the Land Grant University Concept • Thomas Jefferson--1779 • Morrill Act of 1862 • Hatch Act of 1887 • Smith-Lever Act of 1914 • Kellogg Commission Report of 1999

4. The Fiscal “New Normal” • Public universities are being forced to function more as private universities • Greater reliance on grant funding • Disconnect between grassroots needs and funding priorities • A more competitive environment for funding • For-credit courses as revenue generators • Increased use of volunteers

5. Is it “Normal” or “New”? • Budget reductions in 19 of the last 22 years in Arizona • Economic cycles affect Federal, state and county funding • First reaction is to downsize or retrench when instead we should be innovating • Highlights the need to be entrepreneurial and creative in how we fund and deliver our programs • Grant writing and salary savings are critical—we cannot work for free • We can’t spend money we don’t have • As we have learned, it will change again

6. “Change is hard. Charge is hardest on those caught by surprise. Change is hardest on those who have difficulty changing. But change is natural, change is not new; change is important.” --Thomas L. Friedman, The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century

8. Some Words to Live By… “Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity.” --Albert Einstein

9. During this recession, agriculture is a bright spot

10. Washington Farm Productivity Source: Economic Research Service, USDA, Washington, DC.

11. Leadership Qualities Are Essential in Globalization 3.0 • Visionary • Action-Oriented • Team Player • Advocate • Resource Broker • Collaborator • Inspiration

12. Data-Driven Priority-Setting • Stakeholder & Agent Input • Demographics/Population Shifts • Economic Drivers • Social and Environmental Risk Factors • Census of Agriculture • Legislative Priorities • Educational Trends • Economic Trends and Projections • Value-Added Potentials

13. In the future, Extension must be available in TWO locations: • Everywhere • Right next to you

14. Strategies for Advancing Relevance

15. Investing in Our People • Professional development outside of Extensionto kick-start innovation and new thinking • eXtension Virtual Conferences • GrowCo ConferenceClay Shirky • Co.Create Nation • NY Times Knowledge Network • Outreach Conference

16. Innovation Uncensored • April 18, 2012 - Innovation Uncensored, New York • Early November 2012 - Innovation Uncensored, San Francisco

17. Invest in Technology • Educational Apps • Smart Phones • Cloud technology • Digital badges • Digitized publications

18. Invest in Communications • Social Media Enterprise • Segmented Web Presence • Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • VoIP

19. Invest in Public Relations • Legislative Breakfast • Extension Day at the Capitol • WSAC Partnership • Weekly impact stories • Friends of CAHNRS • Marketing • New Faculty Tour

20. Strategies for Achieving Impact

21. The Amplified Organization • New models for staffing— • VISTA • AmeriCorps • NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) • RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteers Program) • Food Corps • Public Allies • Partnerships • Shared positions • Collaborative initiatives

22. Transformational Programs • Agricultural Profitability & Competitiveness • Food Safety & Security • Early Childhood Development • Renewable Energy • ClimateChange Mitigation • Reconnecting Youth & Families with the Outdoors • Water Quality & Conservation • School Readiness—K-12 & College

23. Revenue Generating Platforms • Entrepreneurial Strategies • Public/Private Partnerships • Extra-Mural Funding • Crowd-Sourced Funding— Peerbacker.com • User Fees • Revenue Generators— • For credit courses • Economic Development Zones

24. Communications • Social Media Channels • Smart Tags/QR Codes • Vodcasts & VoIP • Wikipedia/eXtension • Crowd-Sourced Content • Innovative Apps • Digital Badges • Moving information into “the Cloud”

26. But there is a 3rd area…

27. Strategies for Advancing Innovation & Accountability • Utilizing technology to reduce paperwork • Strategic Plans of Work & meaningful Performance Reviews • Metrics—Excellence in Extension • Scholarship & Applied Research • High ethical standards • Transparency • Glocalization

28. What Does the Future Hold? Where are we headed?

29. Qualities of Extension Knowledge-Brokers of the Future • Collaborators • Synthesizers • Explainers • Leveragers • Adapters • Sustainability • Passionate Personalizers • Great Localizers

30. Next Steps • Grant Development Staff • For-credit course offerings • Aggressive Marketing • Fees for Service/Cost Recovery • Economic Enterprise Zones for WSU Extension products & information • Information Applications .

31. “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” --Will Rogers

32. We cannot end up like the U.S. Post Office Obsolete and looking for business

33. Thank You QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS WELCOME