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Identifying Needs-Based Issues for New eXtension Communities of Practice

To date, eXtension has been identifying and developing new Communities of Practice (CoP) through three approaches: 1) voluntary applications from content areas, 2) needs-based calls to Extension Directors/Administrators, and 3) through successful proposals submitted through various CSREES competitive grant programs (e.g., Specialty Crops Research Initiative (SCRI), Agriculture Food Research Initiative (AFRI), etc.). In an effort to expand our approaches to identify appropriate CoP's that are relevant to the Extension system, we are conducting this survey of Extension field faculty/educators.The purpose of this survey is to engage all Extension field faculty/educators in identifying issues/topics they feel may be appropriate for developing new CoP's. So we are extremely interested in your input and response to this survey.The survey should take about 5 minutes to complete. Please be assured that your response is anonymous and will never be associated with your name.Thanks in advance. Please complete the survey by Friday, May 29, 2009.To learn more about eXtension, go to http://about.extension.org/

1. In which landgrant institution are you employed?

  • Click on the down arrow and then your landgrant institution

    • (Each Respondent could choose only ONE of the following options:)
    Response Total % of Total Respondents %
    Alabama A & M University 0
    		0%
    Alcorn State University 0
    		0%
    America Samoa Community College 0
    		0%
    Auburn University 8
    		2%
    Bay Mills Community College 0
    		0%
    Blackfeet Community College 0
    		0%
    Candeska Cikana Community College 0
    		0%
    Chief Dull Knife College 0
    		0%
    Clemson University 4
    		1%
    College of Micronesia 0
    		0%
    College of the Menominee Nation 0
    		0%
    Colorado State University 0
    		0%
    Cornell University 0
    		0%
    Crownpoint Institute of Technology 0
    		0%
    Delaware State University 0
    		0%
    Dine College 0
    		0%
    Florida A & M University 0
    		0%
    Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College 0
    		0%
    Fort Belknap College 0
    		0%
    Fort Berthold Community College 0
    		0%
    Fort Peck Community College 0
    		0%
    Fort Valley State College 0
    		0%
    Haskell Indian Nations University 0
    		0%
    Institute of American Indian Arts 0
    		0%
    Iowa State University 0
    		0%
    Kansas State University 0
    		0%
    Kentucky State University 0
    		0%
    Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College 0
    		0%
    Langston University 0
    		0%
    Leech Lake Tribal College 0
    		0%
    Lincoln University of Missouri 0
    		0%
    Little Big Horn College 0
    		0%
    Little Priest Tribal College 0
    		0%
    Louisiana State University 11
    		3%
    Michigan State University 0
    		0%
    Mississippi State University 10
    		3%
    Montana State University 0
    		0%
    Nebraska Indian Community College 0
    		0%
    New Mexico State University 0
    		0%
    North Carolina A & T State University 0
    		0%
    North Carolina State University 51
    		15%
    North Dakota State University 0
    		0%
    Northern Marianas College 0
    		0%
    Northwest Indian College 0
    		0%
    Oglala Lakota College 0
    		0%
    Ohio State University 0
    		0%
    Oklahoma State University 10
    		3%
    Oregon State University 0
    		0%
    Pennsylvania State University 0
    		0%
    Prairie View A&M University 0
    		0%
    Purdue University 0
    		0%
    Rutgers, State University of New Jersey 0
    		0%
    Salish Kootenai College 0
    		0%
    Sinte Gleska University 0
    		0%
    Sisseton Wahpeton Community College 0
    		0%
    Sitting Bull College 0
    		0%
    South Carolina State University 0
    		0%
    South Dakota State University 0
    		0%
    Southern University A&M College 0
    		0%
    Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute 0
    		0%
    Stone Child College 0
    		0%
    Tanka University 0
    		0%
    Tennessee State University 0
    		0%
    Texas A&M University 22
    		6%
    Turtle Mountain Community College 0
    		0%
    Tuskegee University 0
    		0%
    United Tribes Technical College 0
    		0%
    University of Alaska 0
    		0%
    University of Arizona 0
    		0%
    University of Arkansas 61
    		17%
    University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff 0
    		0%
    University of California 0
    		0%
    University of Connecticut 0
    		0%
    University of Delaware 0
    		0%
    University of District of Columbia 0
    		0%
    University of Florida 41
    		12%
    University of Georgia 13
    		4%
    University of Guam 0
    		0%
    University of Hawaii 0
    		0%
    University of Idaho 0
    		0%
    University of Illinois 0
    		0%
    University of Kentucky 6
    		2%
    University of Maine 0
    		0%
    University of Maryland 0
    		0%
    University of Maryland, Eastern Shore 0
    		0%
    University of Massachusetts 0
    		0%
    University of Minnesota 0
    		0%
    University of Missouri 0
    		0%
    University of Nebraska 0
    		0%
    University of Nevada Reno 0
    		0%
    University of New Hampshire 0
    		0%
    University of Puerto Rico 0
    		0%
    University of Rhode Island 0
    		0%
    University of Tennessee 107
    		31%
    University of the Virgin Islands 0
    		0%
    University of Vermont 0
    		0%
    University of Wisconsin 0
    		0%
    University of Wyoming 0
    		0%
    Utah State University 0
    		0%
    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 6
    		2%
    Virginia State University 0
    		0%
    Washington State University 0
    		0%
    West Virginia State College 0
    		0%
    West Virginia University 0
    		0%
    White Earth Tribal and Community College 0
    		0%
    Total Responses: 350
    0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

    2. Given the overall scope of your Extension work, what are the top three issues/topics that would be useful for eXtension to address through a CoP that would assist you in your work?


  • Please enter your top three issues/topics in priority order (first, second, third), in the following text blocks

    Number 1 issue/topic
    • Landscape Contractor Certification
    kEEPING CURRENT WITH SALARIES AROUND THE REGION..
    crop production
    Beef Cattle Marketing Challenges
    Food Safety
    Nutrition - small ruminants
    Urban Forestry
    Home pest identification and control.
    Obesity
    Vegetable Gardening - Basics
    Beef Cattle Health, Reproduction and Nutrition
    Finances in difficult times
    Obesity
    Financial Education
    Fire Ant Control. Something that really works.
    consumer horticulture
    continuing Agriculture related inservice trainings in a face to face environment.
    buying and preparing/preserving locally grown foods
    Finance
    Healthy Food vs. Finances
    Agricultural Profitability
    Nutrition
    research based search engine for crop, horticulture, livestock questions. Like Google Scholar but info based on university/extension recommendations.
    Economics of farm machinery purchases.
    1. 4-H project curriculum
    Resource Management
    The need for consumers to eat a healthy diet and live a healthy lifestyle.
    livestock marketing
    Financial Management for Families and Producers on the farm. Develope plans to assist all families with finaces during these tough ecconomic times.
    Identifying issues within the community
    Making agriculture competetive in the world market.
    Going green
    Salary
    Home Gardening
    Volunteerism
    Emerging technology - how to use and how to use in educational efforts
    Switchgrass production for biofuels
    Lawn issues. I have several calls regarding lawn weeds, trees shrubs, etc
    Nutrition issues including obesity
    Intergrated Pest Management
    Beef Production
    Arboriculture
    Insect ID and control.
    Irrigation management in field crops
    Water Conservation in row crop production
    split agent appointment: ineffective, inefficient, and unsuccessful
    Resistant weed control in row crops
    lack of profits in agriculture
    Hybrid/Variety selection considering land resources, crop rotation, disease characteristics, agronomic characteristics, planting rates for corn/soybeans/wheat.
    global hunger issues
    Developing a better relationship between 4-H and FFA. They need to work together instead of seperate groups.
    4-H Youth Development
    Food availability to urban populations
    Rice production
    Herbicide resistant weed control
    better weed management programs
    Farmers Market for the Delta
    Obesity
    personal bankruptcy
    integrated pest management
    farm financial management
    nutrition
    1. Health related issues and how to deal effectively with them (obesity, diet-related illnesses, such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease, etc.
    Youth Development
    Diversified Agriculture/sustainable
    Economic development- further food products processing at local level
    Choices for Better Health Care
    (Health and Safety)
    Parenting
    4-H Youth Programming that reflects where the populus is currently. Our content is great but delivery is terrible and has caused decline in traditional meetings/activities. Our youth programming on the whole should be cutting edge rather than trying to continually do what isn't working.
    Cutting edge technology from specialist to appropriate county personnel in a timely manner.
    forages
    1. Health
    Risk Management
    Commercial Vegetable Production
    Small Farm/ Alternative Agriculture issues
    Home Horticulture
    Financial literacy for youth and adults.
    writing competitive grants to USDA in
    regard to Education and Extension
    Plant Science topics (tobacco)
    Impact of meth and illegal drugs on rural families
    substainable living
    4-H Leadership
    Insect ID
    Clean water and air
    alternative energy
    food safety - home and eating out
    Beef production strategies to cope with warmer temperatures and dryer conditions
    Volunteer development and how to document and report impact of volunteers
    Increasing volunteerism of the retiring "Baby Boomers".
    Health
    beef cattle production and management
    Nutrition/Obesity
    Small farm issues
    What is the causee of dead plants such as trees, shrubs,flowers,etc.?
    Community Fire Ant Control
    beef cattle production practices
    Farm Financial Management/Record Keeping

    Resource Management - coping financially in tough times.
    Beef Production and Marketing
    Financial Education
    Obesity prevention
    High Input costs in agriculture
    Food Security-/ How to feed families during economic crisis.
    Obesity and Healthful Food Choices
    How to include diverse groups in your programming.
    Keeping teens involved in 4-H.
    Agriculture production such pest managagment, marketing, fertility management, etc.
    Nutrition
    Nutrition education
    Horticulture
    Agrosecurity
    Housing issues including: Mold & mildew, energy efficiency
    Marketing agricultural products during tough economic times
    Nutrition
    Environmental Conservation- Teaching youth
    new training for citizens laid off and permanantly cut from employment
    Nutrition - feeding families on a budget
    changing society issues, economics, diversity, etc.
    Youth Development and Leadership

    Gardening to save money on food budgets
    Beef Cattle Production
    Creating a Budget
    Animal welfare topics for producers - so the farmer can protect self.
    Parent Education
    Organic gardening/landscape management for the homeowner
    Farm Management
    Fire Ants
    Ornamental Horticulture
    money
    Nutrition/Physical Activity
    Non-comemrcial pecan management
    Family Financial issues
    4-H Nutrition Health and Fitness
    Financial Management
    ornamental hort and homeowner issues
    4-H Youth Leadership
    Being more cost productive in forage and livestock production.
    Home lawn/turf management (all aspects)
    Health and Fitness

    home garden
    Commercial Fruit Production
    Forage Production & Forage Research
    Health/Wellness
    Family Economic Well-Being
    Family Life
    Financial Management
    Invasive species managment

    Latino Issues
    Forest Products
    Environmental Education
    Water
    Food Safety
    Management of the Urban Forest
    Nutrient Management for CAFO's
    Leadership Development
    Civic Engagement
    Food Preservation
    Healthy Weight for Adults
    Distance education
    home cleaning(including indoor air quality) and organization
    Food Safety
    landcare: sustainable land management (including agriculture, forestry, landscaping and related practices) that integrates conservation and development goals
    Postive Youth Development -- Something we as professionals can help parents, volunteers, each other who are working with youth. We must stay positive for the youth to become positive adults.
    local food production
    communications
    Power unit performance and economics for irrigation systems
    Parenting Educator professional development
    Local food systems.
    Water Conservation
    Sweetpotato Production Practices: fertility, IPM, variety/breeding, etc
    Shopping (esp. food) on a Budget

    personal finance issues
    horticulture
    Farm Business Management
    Family development with emphasis on working with Child Care Providers.
    Home Horticulture
    horticulture
    Nature/Agri Tourism, includes hunting and fishing and the cultural connections
    Use of current instructional technologies for program delivery.
    Financial literacy
    Pesticide Applicator training
    Tobacco
    Weed and disease control in turfgrass
    Nutrition & Health
    creative arts
    Biological insecticides
    Dairy
    address the expanding communication gap between computer literate and elderly/disadvantaged/low education when business is all "on-line" and clients do not know how/understand using internet/cell phone/technology
    Food Safety/nutrition/health issues

    Drought recovery
    Invasive pests
    vegetable production
    Deer control
    Cotton disease and insect information
    Economics
    diabetes
    Sustainability
    How to fill out forms!
    Non profit collaboration, networking and training.
    Academic achievement - through parent/child programs; other strategies


    Nutrition
    Support and education for new parents
    developing local capacity for public involvement in environmental issues
    Integrated Pest Management
    Sustainable living issues:
    energy, water, wastewater
    Beef cattle profitability
    Work with at-risk or court-ordered parents
    greenhouse vegetable production
    Selling/marketing local independent pork
    Nutrition
    Health & Wellness
    Weed Science and ID
    Energy -- solar, electric, gas, etc.
    Finding new ways to reach our audience; through the computer, etc.
    Asset Building in youth.
    Honey Bees/Beekeeping/pollination
    Supplemental income for landowners - alternative crops, carbon market, wind energy, etc.
    Administration-County
    Volunteer recruitment is one of the most challenging tasks for 4-H agents, so learning about marketing and recruitment strategies would help at all levels
    Nutrition/Food Safety
    Parenting for court ordered parents ages infant to 12. A resource when parents have questions and/or at the end of their rope.
    business skills for small farmers. i have a science/social science background, NOT business, as an Extension agent, I am lacking resources for helping farmers develop business skills, and do business planning, budgeting.
    Families including basic living skills
    County Government--Good Practices
    Universal design ed.b/c benefits abled/disabled people of all ages.
    Pesticide applicator training
    leadership skills
    Economic situation of the country
    charging for programs
    TExAS reporting
    Nutrient management/conversion efficiency of feeds into milk
    Federal pesticide regulations
    Nutrition
    improving human wellness
    1. Financial literacy for adults & youth

    family financial management
    Decentralized Wastewater - Septic Systems
    Childhood Obesity
    Turfgrass/Landscape for Homeowners: Selection, installation, maintenance and pest control. (need spanish language publications too)
    Public Outreach
    Agricultural literacy among the general populations.
    Needs assesments in agents areas.
    livestock
    Strengthening democracy. Historically Extension existed to mold citizens and free enterprize; extension needs to be a beacon of democracy through its actions and its citizen development.
    Invasive Weed Management pastures and conservation areas
    Current trends and issues in nutrition
    IT issues and training
    Disease management on turfgrass and extension progroms for green industry
    Nursery IPM
    Home Horticulture
    Emergency response
    Beef production and marketing
    Sustainable, Small-Scale Vegetable Production
    Public policy, currently focusing on regulatory reform
    Residential lawn care, especially proper watering, fertilization and pest control.
    wine grapes
    Overweight, obesity and related diseases
    Grain marketing
    Community Development
    livestock and forage
    Topics for the aging/older generation
    Homeowner Pest Control
    loss of publications
    Stormwater management/BMPs
    Consumer food safety
    Small fruits/berries
    4-H Youth

    Financial Literacy
    Financial Literacy-Adults and Students
    Water issues
    climate change mitigation and adaptation
    water quality

    Accountability and creating organizational performance measures.
    Marketing
    water conservation
    Public Health
    Family Financial Security
    Pond and Lake Management
    Government (at all levels) over regulation of agricultural enterprises. Need an Extension education program centered around the Florida Right to Farm Act.
    Meat Goat Production
    personnel- leadership position replacement, travel budgets, salary/benefit compensation
    financial management
    Recruiting, training, motivating and retaining volunteers.
    Low-input Forage production and utilization
    Farmers Market establishment
    climate change
    Energy Conservation
    Retention of forest land
    Volunteer Management
    urban
    Local food systems as a means of keeping small farms viable.
    Urban Hort/Forestry-Climate Change
    New Development Training in Volunteer Education, Coordination and Successful Retention and Recognition
    Economic Survival
    Disaster Mitigation/Preparation/Recovery for the home
    Funding sources
    Community Development
    Youth Leadership - identification and development of leadership competencies for adolescent and pre-adolescent youth
    local foods
    Local Food training for new growers including market and business planning training
    irrigation system maintenance
    Management of the Asian Citrus Psyllid in citrus
    organic fruit production, specifically strategies for organic production in the eastern United States
    Drought recovery assistance and practices for crop and cow-calf producers
    The International Economy and Its Impact on Agriculture
    Divorce Parenting & Parenting
    Bioenergy
    Increasing 4-H membership
    Dairy
    Waste management
    Parent support
    Water Quality and usage
    Financial management--The Financial Security for All one is doing great things for this topic and it's good to see that there is more being added all the time.
    More linkages with State/Federal mandated training (BMP, Fertilizer Ordinances, Green Industry Businesses, Pest Control Operations, Arboriculture Trainning, etc. leading to licenses and certifications) to provide required CEU's and in this way strengthen identification of Extension Centers as source for Community Education Programs



    Family Disaster Preparedness
    family finance
    food Safety Issues
    Beef
    youth development
    volunteer management
    Best Management Practices Landscape maintenance practices: proper fertilizer application
    Pasture growth studies, grazing studies,weed controls
    Engaging all colleges, schools, departments, units, and centers across all Land Grant Colleges and Schools with Extension field faculty for work in local communities
    Family issues after a job loss or other reasons for reduced incomes. This affects every facet of our program - finances, health, family relationships . . .
    Horticulture and Agrucultural issues
    Markets for produce
    Childhood Obesity
    Pesticide environmental issues, stewardship, safety
    Recruiting and Training New 4-H Club Leaders
    Food Preservation
    intensive grazing livestock management for the South
    Obesity
    Curriculum materials
    For early childhood educators to ce of provide developmentally appropriate practices and high quality care for children and youth
    Sustainable stormwater design
    (rain gardens/ bioretention systems, rain barrels/ cisterns, permeable paving)
    Turf/landscape water conservation
    Partnering with industry professionals to determine their needs directly
    Better pay
    Financial Management

  • Number 2 issue/topic
    • Distance Education Resources and Support
    PROFESSIONALISM
    soil/water management
    Forage utilization
    Current World Issues
    Home Horticulture
    Farmers Market
    Lawn establishment and maintenance.
    Debt
    Working With Government Budget Constraints
    Evaluating new enterprise choices for New and Established Farms
    activities for youth
    Money Management
    Home Canning
    small farms/alternative agriculture
    continuing major used publications to counties in publiction form rather than having to pull them off internet.
    stretching your food dollars (and budgeting in general)
    Health
    Nutrition
    Pest Management
    Family Resource Management
    More information (streamlined information) about available grants. A site that would list available grants, what they consisted of, and basics on how to apply.
    Efficient utilization, adjustment, and calibration of a variety of agricultural machinery including, tractors, ground application equipment(sprayers), and seeding tools.
    2. 4-H Judging materials
    Health-Overweight/Diabetes
    The development of youth into productive citizens.
    meat goat production/management
    We need to continue to develop youth programs to involve more youth in 4-H activities and develop leadership progams and address the problem areas and households that only have singe parents or no parents at home.
    Developing Leaders
    Reducing agriculture expenses through site specific farming. (GPS/GIS)
    More topics on parenthood
    Job Security
    Preserving Foods
    YOuth Adult Partnership
    'Cutting-edge' / future issues facing individuals and families
    Weed control in switchgrass production
    Small Fruits production
    Food security
    Herbicide Resistant weeds
    Organic Vegetables
    Landscape water quality issues
    Weed ID and control.
    Field crop fertility issues i.e. rate cutting, deficiencies, toxicities, etc
    Cutting fertility costs
    Resistant insect control in row crops
    Age and source verification in beef cattle, and how to profit from its use.
    Herbicide choices and weed control efficacy with major weed species in our area, especially addressing weed resistance issues.
    global economy
    Increasing cattle prices (ex. pre-vac sales) We need to talk to salebarn owners statewide and feedlot buyers to adopt program like the one used in KY to establish parameters for the sales.
    Horse Management
    Water quality
    Crop fertility
    High cost of production for all crops
    more program participation among producers
    Sweet potato production
    Parenting skill classes.
    mortgage foreclosures
    home horticulture
    marketing
    money management
    2. Parenting education for single parents, teen parents, parents who have lost children to state custody, and general parenting for interested
    individuals who want to improve their parenting skills.
    Increasing farm profits
    Farm Budget Plans
    Building local community beautification and pride programs.
    Workforce Preparation (youth development)
    Child Care Provider Information
    Agriculture programming for homeowners. Extension is so intent on commercial production and with the decline of "true farmers" the homeowner/urban client becomes even more important, and in fact, the homeowner has the same singular VOTE that the farmer with 10,000 acres.
    More mass media resouces reaching a broader audience in their home when the potential audience is in a relaxed frame of mind.
    small fruit production
    Fitness/Physical Activity
    Farm stress
    Livestock Production
    Profitable beef cattle practices and marketing
    Livestock and Forages
    Water quality.
    community partnerships to secure adult
    aquatic exercise facility
    Beef Cattle topics
    Bringing industry back to small communities
    physical activity in the area of health and wellness
    4-H Citizenship
    Weed ID
    Livestock production
    livestock marketing
    financial resource management
    Effective pesticides that are user and enviromental friendly and priced economically
    how to market extension. Those who have recently moved into communiy do not know who we are.
    Information on Going Green for homeowners and new home buyers/builders.
    Healthy Eating - Nutrition
    forage production and management
    Health related topics, ie. exercise, diabetes, cancer, heart, etc.
    small farm regulatory issues
    What are the options on insect control sucg as on plants, around the home,etc.?
    forage production practices
    Estate Planning
    Nutrition - taking the knowledge that most people have and applying it to reduce obesity and health problems.
    Home ornamental hort. and pest control
    Sustainability Answers for Small Rural Towns, Particularly with litter control and graffiti.
    Food Safety
    Grazing management
    Home forclosures--/ How to assist clients in managing budgets to keep housing.
    Reducing Risk of Chronic Diseases, ie, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes
    Better ways to reach youth.
    Housing education issues
    Rural Development
    Parenting especially court-ordered parenting and co-parenting
    Money management
    Beef Production
    Emergency Preparedness
    Nutrition education focusing on improving diet, addressing specific needs, i.e. heart health, diabetes
    Producing quality crops with elevated input costs (fertilizer, chemicals)
    Finances
    Importance of Agriculture-Teaching youth
    economic disaster training
    Health issues - managing arthritis
    salaries for extension employees
    Community Development
    Giving the youth the incentive to stay in school and graduate, then go on to higher education
    Forages
    Finding Program Sponsors
    Small farm issues - profitability, marketing
    Nutrition Education
    Urban Gardening/Landscape Management
    Natural Resources
    Wildlife damage
    Farmland Preservation
    technology
    Food Safety
    pond management
    Parenting
    Working with military 4-H youth
    Current Issues
    4-H In-School Programs
    Environmental issues associated with Natural Gas Exploration
    Forage production/management(pasture and hay)in light of high input costs and drought
    Nutrition and Food Safety
    beef cattle
    Consumer Horticulture Pest Identification and Control
    Water Resources
    Nutrition Education
    Health and Nutrition
    Aging
    Farm Management
    Landscape design
    Parenting
    Woody Biomass
    Emergency management
    Nutrition
    Turfgrass Management
    Dairy Production and Profitability
    Rural Tourism Development
    Community Development
    Health issues(i.e. diabetes- what is it, symptoms, what professionals you should seek, who is at risk,lifestyle characteristics to prevent if you are an at-risk population)
    Healthy Weight for Children
    Technology
    marketing Extension programs
    strategic landowner networks for learning and action/implementation
    Children and Families -- Stages of growth; Dealing with a world in conflict; Media affects on family life; Challenges to new careers; Prep for the future
    environmentally friendly pest control
    urban horticulture
    irrigation conservation practices across all systems
    Outdoor Children's Learning for greater learning effect, to combat obesity, for the environment
    The updating of policies, e.g., changes, new ones, which affect direct marketing of meats and poultry. As well as identifying the problems where regulators are not consistent with information farm-to-farm and/or from other regulators.
    Obesity
    Sweetpotato Storage House technology
    Saving Money: Saving Energy
    rural poverty
    Estate Planning
    Topics addressing the needs of the elderly and their caregivers
    Organic Farming - Commercial Vegetables, Home Gardening etc..
    Forages
    Tourism in General
    Contribution of turfgrasses that benefit the environment.
    Environment
    Commercial landscape Maintenance
    Beef Production
    How to grow a vegetable garden including insect and disease control
    Facing the Economy
    finances
    Economics
    utalizing emerging knowledge of brain development from childhood to 25 years and correlations with personality patterns/mental health/adiction/drug use
    budgeting and crisis prevention in the areas of finances for families
    Surviving a Drought
    strawberry production
    Tick control (perhaps would be less significant if #1 were effected)
    Wheat disease and insect information
    Forages & forage production
    childhood obesity
    Environmental Quality
    ERS information
    Re-entry of exoffender; education, employment, community involvement, family involvment.
    Seniors/Boomers - Aging with Gusto type issues to Caregiver and end of life
    Food Safety
    Parenting Education for parents
    watershed management
    Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Food Safety
    septic systems
    Myths surrounding modern agriculture and how to address them
    high tunnels
    Selling/marketing local independent cattle
    Health & Wellness
    Family Resource Management
    Cotton Production
    Economics
    Advertise our self and our services. We are a hidden secret.
    Alternative Fuels.
    water quality/quantity issues - storm water, sedimentation,
    Nature Tourism and Wildlife management for supplemental income.
    Field Crops and Pest Management
    Lack of utilization of advisory systems in conducting local environmental scans and needs assessments to support grassroots programming.
    Healthly Recipes
    Adolescent parenting - real life situations that they can relate to.
    Foods and Nutrition
    Municipal Government--Good Practices
    parenting strategy classes
    Integrated pest management
    communication skills
    Housing to include homelessness, affordability, healthy environment, etc
    media coverage - lack of newspapers
    Feed costs
    Status of new pesticide chemistry in the registration process.
    Family Finance
    enhancing community-based agriculture systems
    2. Obesity & health related issues
    working with volunteers
    Non-agricultural land use planning
    Adult Obesity
    Vegetable Gardening for Homeowners/Community Gardens: Organic methods, plant selection, planting practices, organic pest controls, sustainability. (need spanish language publications too)
    Meeting the needs in our community
    Agricultural profitability (all sectors)
    Facilitate the ease of grant funding opportunities to extension agents.
    animal waste management
    Sustainability. Climate change, carbon footprint, conservation, carrying capacity, clean energy,a nd stewards of the environment, all concepts that need to be explored in the contents of ensuring a future for humanity.
    Invasive species
    How to teach children to separate facts from misleading info. in food ads
    Disease management on rice and extension programs for rice growers
    Greenhouse IPM
    Gardening
    Impact assessment and reporting
    Forage production and utilization
    Consumer Horticulture - selecting, planting, & maintaining ornamental plants
    Consumer economics and protection (distinct from personal finance)
    Properly pruning ornamental shrubs along with timing.
    fruit in general
    Financial management
    grain production
    Urban Agriculture
    Sustainability
    home gardening- fruits and vegetables
    Interpersonal Communication
    Apple Production
    Keeping current in info technologies
    Alternative onsite wastewater treatment
    Food start-up, small businesses
    Agrimarketing
    Technology and Teens
    Childhood Obesity
    Conservation: Energy, Natural Gas & Water
    conversion of farm land to other uses
    biofuels production and use
    bioenergy
    Developing leadership potential in new employees - bridging the babyboom retirement gap.
    Water conservation
    home vegetable production
    IPM for homeowners (reduction of pesticide use in and around the home)
    Housing Education
    Legal and Tax Issues Relating to Farms
    Ways to reduce agricultural production costs and increase profit - Cost/unit of production.
    4-H Livestock Program
    "green" initatives with $$$$$$$$$$$$$
    food quality and safety
    Time Management - how do we get things done when everyone wants a response right now!
    Home Poultry Flock
    Leadership development
    finance
    Carbon sequestration/ cap & trade policy and opportunities for ag & forestry
    Economic viability in the face of development pressure
    Volunteer Recruitment
    Farm land/open spaces preservation in the face of urban development.
    Water Conservation through Florida Friendly Landscaping
    Horticulture Research Initiatives
    Alternative Agriculture
    Food Safety at Home
    Grant writing
    Surveying program results
    Higher Education - creating linkages between 4-H, Extension, and youth interest in pursuit of higher education
    integrated pest management
    Training for growers for coping with difficult times due to weather, economy, etc.. How to manage a business through thick and thin.
    variety trial reports - science based information about new vegetable varieties, and pollenizers
    Control of HLB (Citrus Greening) in Citrus
    postharvest physiology of fruits and vegetables (ways of improving product quality and shelf life)
    Economics of Best management practices, especially in livestock production
    Immigration Impacts on US Agriculture
    Nutrition
    Small farm sustainability
    recruiting more 4-H volunteers
    Environmental concerns
    energy cost
    Parent education
    Invasive plants
    Protecting the environment/preserving natural resources/addressing global warming challenges
    Designate Extension ecnters as sites for giving University (for tuition) credit hours toward degree programs through long distance education technologies and in this way strengthen identification of Extension Centers as source for Community Education Programs - we have online abilities and polycom in place that would permit this and our Extension Centers need that sort of alignment with the University to be more recognized as a positive element in the community
    Privacy in the Information Age
    financial literacy for high school students
    4-H Leader Issues--conflict
    Forages
    youth leadership
    event planning
    BMP Landscape maintenance practices: Landscape pest management-County First Alert for new woody ornamental pests and how to manage them ( at least 2 per year).
    Weather inpacts on pasture stocking and seasonality
    National Land Grant alignment with issues identified by its shareholders (President/Congress)

    State Land grant Alignment with issues identified by its shareholders (state governments)

    Local Extension Office alignment with issues identified by its shareholders (county government)
    Parenting issues beyond discipline. Parents who haven't been "parented" need education about all facets of parenting.
    Latino population in our community
    Reducing production costs
    Adult Obesity
    General Integrated Pest Management across schools, urban areas, commodities. One stop shop for IPM.
    Food Safety
    small farm marketing
    Diabetes
    Leadership Development
    For family members to learn positive parenting practices and implement these practices
    Landscaping for Energy Efficiency
    (heat island, site planning, wind break, shade trees)
    Reducing pesticide use in turf and landscape areas
    incenatives for better pay such as continuing education
    Nutrition

  • Number 3 issue/topic
    • Landscape Water Conservation
    lIFESKILLS
    marketing
    Small Ruminant Production
    Financial MaNAGMENT
    Forage Production
    Food Safety
    Garden insect/disease identification and control.
    Diabetis
    Backyard Poultry
    Marketing resources and planning for Farm Products including conventional and value added.
    finding ways to get adults to attend classes offered by extension
    Teen Pregnancy
    Cancer Education
    forestry, wildlife and fisheries
    keeping agriculture reference material up to date.
    parent education
    Nutrition
    Health
    Resource Management
    4-H
    Make trainings from different universities that could apply to me available over something like Go to Meeting, CENTRA, or other programs
    Forage establishment practices including seedbed preparation, no-till practices, and seed and variety selection.
    3. 4-H Volunteer Materials
    Nutrition
    Food production and preservation.
    at risk students
    Continue to develop educational programs to attract more youth that are not normally involved in the everyday normal 4-H clubs. Work outside the box with youth that are extremely high risk youth.
    Marketing programs
    Anti-drug education for youth.
    Job Training
    Eating Better
    Youth Leadership
    Scientific research that will more than likely impact individuals and families
    Switchgrass stand establishment
    Livestock economics
    Homeland security
    Marketing options for small vegetable growers.
    Home vegetable gardening
    Plant Diseases and control.
    General home horticulture
    Growing a 4-H program
    Precision agriculture
    Reproductive failures in beef cattle.
    Specialty/Enhanced quality trait soybean varieties and marketing opportunities or joint venture cooperatives to provide opportunities for area producers to diversify their production and marketing risk.
    Extension's role in the community-solidify PR issues for governing bodies
    Promote multi-species grazing to cut down on the use of chemicals to control weeds and brush
    Poultry Management
    Land preservation
    Irrigation water use
    Incorporating precision ag into today's row crop production.
    water saving programs
    organic garden
    Proper ways to dress for different occassions.
    childhood obesity
    organic gardening
    risk management
    4-H
    3. HOmeland Security Preparedness
    Community Development
    Red Imported Fire Ant Control
    Leadership development of local clientele
    Financial Management
    Canning
    Traditional Family Consumer Science programming such as food preservation, financial management, etc...
    Teaching plans, leadership support and ideas that will work in both rural and urban conditions.
    farmer's market vegetable production
    Aging
    record keeping
    Ornamental Horticulture
    Fruits and Vegetables
    Increasing 4-H enrollment and recruitinment of adult volunteers.
    linking community members to projects
    utilizing their expertise
    Forage topics
    Helping rural families deal with the sagging economy
    healthy eating
    4-H Project Groups
    Plant Diseases
    Forage production
    leadership education
    working with volunteers
    Community resource development.
    Farmers markets.
    Resource Management
    lawn and garden pest management
    small farm pesticide issues
    Insect identification and is there any reason for the person to be concerned.
    timber production and marketing practices
    Local Foods/Farmers Markets
    Family Life - reducing the number of divorces and the impact it's having on our children and society.
    Forage production and weed control
    Technology issues...getting the latest technology to rural people.
    Financial Management
    Forestry
    Home-based business / how to create and help tp provide income for the families.
    Building Successful Marriages
    Family Financial Issues
    Youth development
    Health issues especially diabetes and arthritis
    Health and wellness
    Entomology
    LIvestock Forages
    Parenting and marriage - general parenting issues and strengthening marriage relationships.
    Clientele base representing smaller numbers of young producers
    Parenting
    Agriculture in a developing area.
    emotional management of economic crisis
    Financial education - surviving on a seasonal employment or when one income is dropped from a family
    better rating scale for agents for promotion, salary increases,etc
    Communication/Youth and Adult
    marketing for the smaller farmers
    Home Horticulture
    Management
    Added Value - Agritourism
    Environment - Recycling
    Issues related to nursery managemenet - retail and wholesale.
    Forage Production
    Horticulture
    Estate Planning
    jobs
    Family Life/ Parenting
    ornamental diseases
    Nutrition
    4-H SET
    Community involvement
    4-H Club and Adult Leadership Trainings
    Agriculture education for the public.
    Preventative maintenance to avoid common problems with trees and woody ornamentals.
    Financial Education
    row crops
    Home Fruit and Vegetable Production
    Community Gardening
    Financial Resource Management
    Family Issues and Teenage Pregnancy
    Record keeping
    IPM for landscapes
    Personal Finance
    Wood
    Small acreage agiculture
    Health
    Vegetable Gardening
    Improving Forage Quality
    Planning and Land Use
    Community Leadership
    healthy homes information
    Leadership for Healthy Communities: access to healthy eating and active living
    Rural Community Development
    stain removal for clothing, upholstery and flooring
    cooperative forestry
    Global Society -- How do we react to issues that come from around the world? Do we really know what is happening in other counties? How is the USA changed by global happenings?
    elementary education plant science-based curriculum enhancement
    leadership
    Best management practices for farm operations for environmental benefit
    Sustainable food production systems with details of practices as from experienced and educated in the area(s). Not from conventionally-minded/trained agriculturalists just trying to fill-in a shortage at the university level.
    Parenting
    Sweetpotato Disease Management; particularly Charcoal Rot and Fusarium spp.
    Basic Cooking: for adults & children
    rural education
    Value Added Agriculture
    Health and safety issues for family members
    Household and structural Insects
    Small/New Landowner
    Market Based Conservation
    Maximizing turfgrass performance while reducing management inputs and intensity.
    Nutrition
    Small-scale fruit and vegetable production
    Disease control in landscape ornamentals
    health
    Environmental
    public policy issue development
    Parenting pointers and proven methodologies
    Economic Development
    disease management
    Alfalfa insect information
    food safety
    Volunteerism
    Decreasing the dropout rate; not just the numbers.
    Community capacity building - helping our communities help themselves
    Teen Pregnancy
    low impact development
    Marketing Agricultural Products
    reuse (water/wastewater)
    Financing for young farmers
    vegetative grafting
    marketing beef cattle/starting trailer sales in the county
    Family Resource Management
    Food Safety/Home Food Preservation
    Equipment Costs
    Housing -- building houses to withstand weather conditions.
    STEM programs for youth.
    Agricultural Education for Youth
    CRD
    Risk management in Extension programming
    Physical Fitness
    After School type programs/activities that can be used by voulunteer leaders.
    Family Economic Well-Being
    Making and Implementing Public Policy at the Local Level
    nutrition and mid-life health
    education techniques - share ways to improve teaching skills
    citizenship/ civic engagement
    Food (availability, purchasing, preparing, storing, etc)
    technology in the classroom
    Decreasing number of dairy farms in the Southeast
    Issues facing teens such as writing resumes, internet safety etc.
    environmental sustainability
    3. Environmental issues
    professional development for Extension educators
    Integrated water/wastewater management
    Food Insecurity
    Tropical plants/fruits for Homeowners: Selection, installation, maintenance, pest control, cold protection. (need spanish language publications too)
    Hard econominc times
    Water quality and quantity issues
    forages
    Youth participation. American needs to embrace the Childfren's Rights convention and all that may entail - our citizenry needs to gain the skills and knowledge to fully integrate this concept into our lives.
    Non-invasive biofuel crops
    Sports Beverages and Energy Drinks
    Disease management on soybean and extension programs for soybean growers
    Landscape IPM
    Health care/diabetes
    Communications - using communication tools to promote programs
    Soils and fertility
    Volunteer Management - we could have one of the best resources in the nation if we got together on this issue
    Economic sustainability, developing local economies
    Vegetable gardening, especially proper fertilization & liming.
    tobacco production
    4-H for at risk audiences
    forestry
    Parenting
    Vegetable Diseases
    loss of resources to conduct programs
    Water conservation
    Nutrition for individuals and families
    Agroecosystems - alternative production systems
    Youth and Healthy Living
    Food Safety
    Housing
    production issues i.e. alternative fertilizer sources, alternative crops, profitability, and food safety.
    sustainable community development and construction to reduce resource impacts
    agroforstry
    Streamlining technology and its use throughout the organization. Training faculty on the latest technology and providing support to assist in innovative ways to deliver programming.
    Water pollution
    Arthropod-borne disease
    Sustainable Environments that merges best practices in AG - FACS - 4-H
    Small Farm Animals
    Grant assistance.
    parenting
    Anything on new technology
    Goat management
    conflict resolution
    fitness
    Farmers Markets / locally grown food
    Biomass Energy production
    Green landscaping best management practices for homeowners.
    Pest control
    Reaching Audiences through mass markets via Internet, Youtube,Facebook,Blogs,E-newspapers etc..
    Water Quality / Quanity
    Energy & Water Conservation for the homeowner through behavioral change and low and no cost methods, results in conservation of resources and $ savings
    Professional development
    Career Development - exploration of careers and creating those linkages to higher education
    information dispersal techniques
    Community Garden Establishment and everything it entails.
    better fertilizer management through improved irrigation practices
    Control of Citrus Bacterial Canker
    use of Elluminate or LecShare Pro to deliver training to agents and/or growers (to save on travel in tough budget times)
    Marketing decision tools and training for cotton and grain sorghum producers
    Export Market Opportunities
    Health
    small business economics
    Balancing life and work as an Extension agent
    Ag Economics - Specifically for dairy producers
    regulations
    Volunteerism
    Growth - urban wildlife interface
    Nutrition and physical activity
    We need to look more at involving Extension Volunteers (Master Gardeners in particular) in providing community based learning opportunities and less at doing service functions in the Community
    Housing and Home Environment (to include indoor air quality, etc.)
    financial literacy for elementary students
    Small Fruit
    crop production
    program development
    State mandated pesticide training
    Fire ant controls
    Remaining relevant. Land grants must use the most current data, invest in futuring to anticipate change, and be a leader, not a follower, in the latest technologies
    Obesity for all age groups.
    FCS / food and nutrition/ parenting / household economic issues
    Insect / disease / weed / nematode management
    Chronic Disease
    Nutrition
    small farm diversification
    Food Safety
    Financial Mgmt for teens
    For family members to develop and use skills which lead to improved family resilitency such as positive communication skills and positive coping skills.
    Flood Recovery of Landscape
    (wash down, regrowth, hardy flood resistant plants for the southeast)
    Invasive plants, insects and diseases affecting trees and shrubs
    Family

    3. Would you be willing to participate in a CoP if one formed around the issues/topics you listed?

    Please select one response for each issue/topic
  • Issue/topic 1

    • (Each Respondent could choose only ONE of the following options:)
    Response Total % of Total Respondents %
    Yes 215
    		63%
    No 30
    		9%
    Don't know 97
    		28%
    Total Responses: 342
    0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
    Please select one response for each issue/topic
  • Issue/topic 2

    • (Each Respondent could choose only ONE of the following options:)
    Response Total % of Total Respondents %
    Yes 180
    		56%
    No 39
    		12%
    Don't know 101
    		32%
    Total Responses: 320
    0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
    Please select one response for each issue/topic
  • Issue/topic 3

    • (Each Respondent could choose only ONE of the following options:)
    Response Total % of Total Respondents %
    Yes 147
    		49%
    No 40
    		13%
    Don't know 110
    		37%
    Total Responses: 297
    0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

    4. If you have any additional comments or suggestions, please provide them in the text block below.


    Thanks to all of the eXtension faculty for your efforts. This is our future.
    Todd Hurt
    thurt@uga.edu
    none
    Would also like to see something on time management or coaching
    The job of a 4-H Agent can be quite overwhelming. It would be much more simple if agents could pull materials from a source rather than generate new ones each time they taught a program
    I feel we have to start with the youth and families and get our entire communities back on board to change our country and communites.
    I am in the horticulture community of practice. This is a great tool for us to serve our clientele.
    Great idea, if we can generate enough localized data/inferences that would be pertinent to our area problems/solutions.
    I am already on several committees in chattanooga dealing with these issues.
    Thanks for your interest in this topic. Our rural communities need lots of help.
    eXtension is difficult to access compared to other searchable sites. It needs to be more user-friendly.
    In our livestock production practices we have to be more concious of the enviorment.
    I participate in the fireant COP
    would be willing to work in any of these areas to educate people...
    I recently looked for a CoP on Farmers Markets and did not find one. We are seeing a strong emphasis on purchasing locally grown foods and developing farmer's markets. I think this CoP would be beneifical not only to university personnel, but also the general public.
    Leadership Development and communication is slowly leaving America. We do not teach it in our schools nor do we practice it.
    I may be willoing to particiapte in a CoP but before I committ I need to more information - what is involved, expectations, est. of time involved, etc.
    The issues mentioned are ones that I lack handy resources on. It'd be great to use eXtension for those areas where we don't have a specialist or good, printed information.
    I would like to see more broad categories...
    I'm all ready in the new Food Safety CoP, don't know if I'd have time for another....
    The materials I listed are aimed for training of new county agents. These are topics that agents are expected to know when they begin their jobs but have never had any experience.
    Our state is in a financial crisis. It is hard to make commitments. May know more after the budget is passed in Aug.
    We, ie Extension has the National Extension Tourism Design Team
    http://extensiontourism.net (an unfunded group of volunteer extension professionals that organizes a national conference, next one June 14-17, 2009)that is ready with the right support to develop a COP however it has seemed to be an un/underfunded task that would require a lot of work to develop and so a COP has not been established to date for tourism
    keep up the good work!
    It would be nice to have some regional information so people from the south can look up what is best for them and the people from north or west can look up what works best for them.
    thanks
    I am not overly optimistic that eXtension is the best mechanism for extending info to commercial growers. It seems more useful to the lay person or hobby grower. Although I have been an extension specialist for 13 years...I have not looked to eXtension as a mechanism to disseminate timely information or non-time-dependent information and have not used it much as a source of info. Perhaps as it evolves and local budgets get a lot tighter then the outlet will gain more momentum. It is not clear to me that my clientele would use it...at this point anyhow.
    Post information related to each Co'ps on the E extension web for easy access
    I love eXtension but still have a hard time navigating. For instance, I tried to find a power point on "What is FCS?" last night, gave up and went to "Ask an Expert."

    I also appreciate very much that you send reminders and invitations through FACEBOOK. Great job!
    I have many requests for information on these topics and there are not many resources available.
    i'm not sure if these were issues that you wanted.
    please no more personality profile classes!
    Don't forget to speak to people.
    Thanks for asking.
    I will be retiring at the end of this year, so I don't know how involved I will be in the future.
    I appreciate the innovation it appears you are trying to integrate into eXtension. One other potential important issue right now is supporting our military and building community capacity to do so; thier problems are unique given that the citizen soldier (National Guard and Reserve) are now operational. A motto from the 40's was "Working for Vistory, Planning for Peace." I thnk we need to endorse that motto again. And, the vistory is connected to all the issues facing humanity and America's Extension Service should accept the responsibility to lead in the work and planning for peace.
    eXtension could have the best resource for volunteer management in the country if we worked together
    A definition of Community of Practice would be helpful. I had to look this up online to see what we were talking about.
    Keep Up the Good Work!
    How quickly is info being brought through the current CoPs? Do we need to help facilitate this? What could we do to help the process without taking too much time from our local jobs?
    Because of the calls to Extension administrators and proposals coming from their regional approval process, I feel left out of opportunities in my field since they didn't include me in the development process.

    I would like more visible calls to interested individuals, or at least notification of what is in development or being offered from other processes like calls to administrators, RFPs, etc.
    Thank you for your efforts!
    eXtension is confusing and I avoid it because I haven't seen a robust easy to follo9w community environment.
    Thanks for seeking agent input.
    Most of these issues need to be addressed because of the lack of available expertise.

    Too, consider homeowner ornamental horticulture and home fruit and vegetable production.
    Already participating in Biomass COP directly and indirectly.
    It is becoming more and more critical for county extension offices to remain relevant to the traditional agricultural communities as they urbanize and you have new agents with very little experience/background in farming. Many new agents think they can be relevant from their desk/computer screens and we are losing our connection and influence with agriculture.
    Also developing a teamwork approach to Extension, including cross training between extension agents, program leaders, directors and support personnel because it is a sink or swim operation rampant throughout - everyone doing their own thing and others left out in the cold getting burned out too quickly, also an attitude that if you are not living at the office and working each weekend, then you are not doing a good job.
    These issues appear to be national not just for my state. However, getting the general public involved in programs regarding these issues is a different matter.
    Feel free to contact me for further explanation. kpoff@vt.edu (540)459-6140
    Karen Poff, Extension Agent FCS
    Woodstock, Virginia
    This recession provides an opportunity, like no other, for Extension to emerge as the most effective and efficient non-formal educator in history.

    This will require a new framework of cooperation between Land Grant Universities across the country. Instead of seeing each other as competitors, we must share, collaborate, and use our existing synergies to be the leading "agents of change" in society.

    One approach I would recommend is to no longer view our program priorities as needs, weaknesses/incapacities, and problems. To ensure long-term sustainability of positive change, it rests only with enlightened citizens through education. Public funds, grants, and contracts must not be seen as ends in themselves. Grass-roots education must be designed from an asset-based approach where we identify capacities/ and strengths of our Land Grant Institutions, individuals, families and communities, and build our programming based on these strengths.
    Would not mind contributing to CoP, but don't have time for ask the expert or keeping news updated.
    What is a CoP and why does Extension always create their own language that no one understands?
    No additional comments
    I'm very good at writing grants. I currently have five active grants.