Archived
This content is available here strictly for research, reference, and/or recordkeeping and as such it may not be fully accessible. If you work or study at University of Kentucky and would like to request an accessible version, please use the SensusAccess Document Converter.
Publication Date
2023
Location
Kentucky, USA
Description
This invited talk provides a perspective on what is required to excel in the role as an Extension Specialist. In the USA, most such Extension Specialists are tenure-track faculty, and have state-wide or even multi-state responsibilities. Advice is given on how to balance the high expectations of such a faculty appointment while providing appropriate recommendations to farmers/ranchers and service providers in the forage and grazinglands industry. This talk will offer one former Extension Specialist’s perspective on the skills, experience, and persona required to begin a successful career as a Forage and Grazinglands Extension Specialist. Additional exposition will be given on skills that are harder to learn (e.g., a sense of purpose; passion for farm families, the agricultural community, and land stewardship; self-confidence; balancing work and personal life; etc.). Further, consideration will be given to how such Extension work may be funded in the future, uses ever-evolving communication media appropriately, and adapts to changes in the sophistication of farming/ranching.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.13023/chjq-tb13
Citation
Hancock, D. W., "Forage and Grazinglands Extension: Training the Next Generation of Specialists" (2023). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 39.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/XXV_IGC_2023/Sustainability/39)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Forage and Grazinglands Extension: Training the Next Generation of Specialists
Kentucky, USA
This invited talk provides a perspective on what is required to excel in the role as an Extension Specialist. In the USA, most such Extension Specialists are tenure-track faculty, and have state-wide or even multi-state responsibilities. Advice is given on how to balance the high expectations of such a faculty appointment while providing appropriate recommendations to farmers/ranchers and service providers in the forage and grazinglands industry. This talk will offer one former Extension Specialist’s perspective on the skills, experience, and persona required to begin a successful career as a Forage and Grazinglands Extension Specialist. Additional exposition will be given on skills that are harder to learn (e.g., a sense of purpose; passion for farm families, the agricultural community, and land stewardship; self-confidence; balancing work and personal life; etc.). Further, consideration will be given to how such Extension work may be funded in the future, uses ever-evolving communication media appropriately, and adapts to changes in the sophistication of farming/ranching.
