   Your County Agent - July 14, 2004 Jeff Schalau, County Director, Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County Explaining to people what I do for a living is often challenging. I usually begin by telling them that I offer non-formal educational programs that teach them current science and research-based information from the University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. This often results in looks of puzzlement accompanied by slow nods of half-understanding. I can usually clarify my explanation by giving specific examples of what I do in my role as a Cooperative Extension Agent otherwise known as the County Agent. People from rural agricultural communities know exactly what a County Agent does (or should be doing): helping them with crop production and home economics, teaching their youth to become better citizens through 4-H, and assisting with community development. Cooperative Extension is nationwide and there is an Agent for every county in every state. To help you better understand what I have to offer, I’ll share some specifics of what I do as a County Agent (aside from writing a weekly gardening column). Cooperative Extension always provides education based on local needs. This requires input from our customers and is done primarily through a seven member Extension Advisory Board made up of agricultural producers, and other various stakeholders. Additional input is provided by decision makers, program partners, volunteers, and others that use our services. Formal needs assessments and feedback gathered at various educational programs also provide valuable direction. This input and direct feedback provides information and direction for future programs. Based on Yavapai County needs, my educational programs are divided between two topic areas: plant science and natural resources. Plant science programs include: troubleshooting and pest management consultation with farms, nurseries, and home gardeners; training and assistance for landscapers, nurseries, and gardeners; and training and coordinating Master Gardener volunteers to expand plant science education to the public. Yavapai County natural resource programs include: water resource education (which is delivered by my colleague Russ Radden); forest health education for professionals and homeowners; rangeland education for agencies, livestock producers, wildlife managers, and the interested public; noxious weed education and coordination between land managers; and the Master Watershed Steward program which trains people to become natural resource volunteers in their communities. Yavapai County Cooperative Extension educational programs are supported primarily by state and county dollars. In some states, federal dollars also provide funding. In Arizona, federal dollars provide a small percentage of Cooperative Extension’s overall budget. Grants and gifts have also enhanced specific program areas such as forest health and water resources. Seeking, securing, and managing grant funding is a considerable part of my job. As Yavapai County Agent, I am a tenure-track faculty member of the University of Arizona. In addition to bringing educational information to you, I must publish peer-reviewed materials, document the impact of my efforts, provide leadership in professional societies, and serve on college committees, in addition to other academic requirements. These duties can get in the way of helping people in the county, but if I ignored them, the University would not be happy and I could find myself unemployed. I often get up very early, work weekends and evenings, and travel long distances, but I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it. I meet lots of diverse people, go to remote locations, and see some very interesting things. The most rewarding part of my job is helping people solve problems which enhance their quality of life. I look forward to assisting you someday! Yavapai County Cooperative Extension’s recent accomplishments are detailed in our 2003 Annual Report which is available on our web site at: cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/annrpt/. If you have gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 ext. 14 or E-mail us at mgardener@verdeonline.com and be sure to include your address and phone number. Find past Backyard Gardener columns or submit column ideas at the Backyard Gardener web site: http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/. |