When middle managers sit back on Friday afternoon to reflect on this weeks events their thoughts will obviously focus on budgetary challenges that seem to be lurking on the horizon. District Extension Administrators and County Extension Directors may be saying to themselves how can we be talking about recruiting, retention, on-boarding and interpretation when the agency is facing uncertainty in terms of our budget. Obviously, it is difficult to focus on these priorities when our middle managers' central focus must be on addressing issues that relate to the 5% budget reduction plan that has been requested by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House. However, when faced with any uncertain situation it is also important to focus on Texas AgriLife Extension Services' vision which is "to be the premier 21st Century outreach and continuing education organization in Texas responding to the needs of the people."
During times that present challenges it is important that we reflect on this vision and focus our efforts individually and collectively on efforts that will enable Texas AgriLife Extension Service to achieve a level of success that accomplishes this vision. Some fundamental elements that middle managers should continue to focus on that enable Texas AgriLife Extension Service to be the premier 21st Century outreach and continuing education organization include;
- Ensuring that County Extension Agents are providing quality programs that address local issues and results in measurable outcomes. Remember, our programs are how clientele, stakeholders, and elected officials judge Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
- Ensuring that Texas AgriLife Extension Service programs are visible in the community. Quality programs are of limited value if only a small number of people in the county are aware of the programs.
- Ensuring that our County Extension Agents are competent and professional. Competency and professionalism is only accomplished through effective on boarding of new agents and on going professional development for more tenured agents.
- Ensuring that our stakeholders and elected officials are aware of the impact of Texas AgriLife Extension Service programs. This is only accomplished through systematic program interpretation strategies that communicate public value to elected officials and stakeholders.
- Ensuring that Texas AgriLife Extension Service middle managers are implementing recruiting strategies that will provide Texas AgriLife Extension Service with a diverse, highly qualified workforce in the future. The development of budget reduction plans do not lessen our commitment to implementing recruitment strategies that addresses our needs for future County Extension Agents that will have the capacity to position Extension to address the needs of a diverse population in a future Texas.
.jpg)