Extension Forestry in the U.S.: A national review of state-level programs

1

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

11

Extension Forestry in the United States: A NATIONAL REVIEW OF STATE-LEVEL PROGRAMS

Eli Sagor, Amanda Kueper, Charles Blinn, and Dennis Becker

2

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Workshops

4

© 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

5

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Survey results

FTE Capacity

FTE capacity positively correlated with number of audience segments “specifically targeted”

r = 0.590, P < 0.001

Audiences

8

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Content: Topics taught

9

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

TopicsRight side: % states teaching topic MORE now than 5 years ago

Left side: % states teaching topic LESS now than 5 years ago

10

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Topics taught MORE now:

11

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Topics taught LESS now:

12

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Formats

13

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Formats

14

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Formats used MORE now:

15

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Formats used LESS now:

16

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Focus group results

17

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

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.”

18

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

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

19

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Shift to competitive funding

Transition more challenging for small programs

Morale: “We’re one funding cycle away from real problems.”

20

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

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

21

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Discussion

22

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Doing more with less

Flickr: Morbuto (source)

23

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Changing content

More instruction on forest health, climate, digital mapping.

Few topics dropped: Expanding portfolio.

24

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Changing relationships between Extension and learnersMore efficient, more accessible, but less direct?

More coordination across agencies, organizations.

25

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Opportunity: More targeting

Focus on narrower audience segments most likely to produce positive impact.

But… Tradition-bound audiences, public support?

26

© 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Conclusions

Extension is a bridge between profession and public

Expanding content portfolio and delivery toolkit

Funding changes affect small and large state programs differently

27

© 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 Sagoresagor@umn.edu(612) 624-6948

Amanda KueperCharlie BlinnDennis Becker