Dec.
3, 2004
Dec.
3, 2004
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
State agency visitors to my office in the past two weeks have brought me to a renewed appreciation for the unique place University of Missouri Extension holds within our statewide system of higher education, as well as among other extension programs around the country.
Representatives from the Missouri Departments of Agriculture, Economic Development and Natural Resources in addition to the Division of Mental Health and the Office of Homeland Security, have approached my office to discuss potential collaborative efforts in service to Missourians.
It is flattering and gratifying to see the recognition that your work, as on and off-campus faculty and staff, has garnered in their eyes and how important your roles are in the day-to-day lives of our state and its people. While none of these overtures are inappropriate to our mission, it is incumbent upon all of us to carefully measure the impact of any commitments on our existing efforts and resources, as well as to the possibility of additional resources in the future.
Management of resources, both human and programmatic, is a daily challenge. If these preliminary discussions should turn into collaborative initiatives, they will usually be accomplished most effectively through face-to-face interactions and with the trust of all parties concerned. My aforementioned belief is hopefully true whether one is meeting with stakeholders, such as new elected legislators, members of your county and city governments or simply through an ongoing dialogue with long-time supporters/learners who should hear a good word from us on a continuing basis.
I hope this small glimpse into the recent work in 108 Whitten may, in some way, connect my feeling of appreciation for your ongoing educational efforts.
Tom Henderson Interim Vice Provost And Director of Cooperative Extension
Welcome to regional specialist Jay Chism, who joined University of Missouri Extension Nov. 22. Chism, an agronomist in Bolivar, is working with producers in Cedar, Dade, Dallas, Hickory and Polk counties.
Becoming an extension specialist is a second career for Chism, who operated a farm near Joplin for 17 years. Chism’s Harvest Farm, a 12-acre greenhouse/horticulture business, operated from 1985 to 1998. When he decided to get out of the business, Chism said he discussed his career options with Gaylord Moore, SW horticulture specialist, and decided to return to college for his master’s degree.
Chism completed his master’s in horticulture at MU in May. He was a graduate research assistant, working with Lewis Jett, state vegetable specialist, on warm-season vegetable production in high tunnels. In 1984, he received a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Missouri State University.
In his new career, Chism said he sees opportunity to work with what he calls “lifestyle farmers” ― individuals who live in rural areas and work in Springfield. His own business experience includes three years with Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage. Chism was the grounds supervisor/facilities manager, overseeing a $1 million landscape operation, including on-site greenhouses.
The Stockton native has taught greenhouse management courses at Crowder College and assisted in developing a horticulture program at Franklin Technical School in Joplin. Chism has served on the Southwest Center Advisory Board and was a member of the Missouri Blueberry Council.
University of Missouri Extension expects to receive $9.7 million in federal funding for FY05 under the appropriations bill approved by Congress.
“The latest from Washington about the federal budget for FY2005 offers a mixed bag of good news/bad news items,” said Tom Henderson, interim vice provost and director of cooperative extension.
Overall, extension funding nationally increased by 4.4 percent with increases for some line items and reductions in other areas. The net of the expected allocations in Missouri is about a 1 percent increase, given that some of the increases at the federal level were in competitive programs that Missouri would have to submit successful proposals to take advantage of those increased available resources.
Rhonda Gibler, assistant vice provost, anticipates that Missouri will receive $7.74 million in Smith-Lever (3)b and c funds, which provide general operating dollars for extension programs. Smith-Lever monies are tied to matching funds from the states. Gibler said the amounts are anticipated based on the formula that USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service uses to distribute those federal funds to land-grant universities.
The FY05 appropriation reflects a 0.83 percent cut to all domestic spending programs. Gibler expects that reduction to amount to about $60,000 for Missouri over FY04 Smith-Lever funds.
“It’s one more thing that comes into play next year when we do the 2006 budget,” she said. “We will have to consider that in combination with whatever happens to our state budget.”
In the good news category, funding for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, which had been cut by 20 percent last year, was fully restored in FY05. “With the restoration,” Gibler said, “EFNEP funding should be back to the $1.49 million that we had been receiving for the last many years.
The remainder of the federal formula appropriations support Integrated Pest Management, Cotton Pest Management, Renewable Resources Extension Act, and Farm Safety programming. Many of the other programs listed on the federal budget for extension are competitive programs that make grants to states based on successful proposals.
“Missouri has the opportunity to submit proposals for some of those resources, but there is not an easy way to predict how successful we might be,” Gibler said.
National line-by-line funding information
County commissioners who participated in a recent discussion session said ongoing communication could strengthen the partnership between University of Missouri Extension and local government.
MU Extension organized the Nov. 21 meeting with seven county commissioners to learn how they use extension programs and services and how extension could help local governments address important community issues. Cassy Venters, evaluation coordinator for the business development program, facilitated the meeting, which included three presiding commissioners and four associate commissioners -- five men and two women.
The commissioners said MU Extension could assist in developing policies to help local government run smoothly; identifying revenue sources, such as grants; obtaining GIS access; choosing appropriate roadside plantings; and facilitating communication among commissioners and officeholders. “We all have the same problems,” one commissioner said.
When asked how extension could move up in budget priority, communication and access to University expertise topped the list. One commissioner said: “Don’t come just when you want money … offer your services throughout the year.”
Another said: “Come in June, and make appointments to talk about what you’re doing.”
Other suggestions included being a resource point for solving problems, assisting with strategic planning and offering data on the community. “There is so much we can get from you that we can’t narrow it down,” one commissioner said. “I want you to give me expertise from the University, but it’s hard to figure out how that fits with county government.”
One commissioner summed up the discussion by saying: “We’re asking you to become advocates for our problems and help us on the state level.”
Tony DeLong, county council coordinator, said more extensive feedback will be shared with regional directors, program directors and administrators for direct follow-up and as input for the plan of work planning process. Sandy Stegall, coordinator of constituent relations, said the feedback also would be used in developing a branding campaign.
|
|
||
 |
Eileen Yager,
yagere@umsystem.edu |
|
|
© 1993 to 2010 Curators of the
University of Missouri, all rights reserved.
DMCA and other copyright
information |
||