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" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 39.
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
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.
