Texas Cooperative Extension plays big role in Murano’s goals 

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Dec. 1, 2005 - The public service agency known as Extension was formed by the U.S. government in 1914, with the passage of the Smith-Lever Act. Nearly a century later, Texans are offered free advice, education, and support from this organization that employs more than 1,400 people in the state.

Trained and educated personnel man Texas Cooperative Extension research facilities throughout each of the state’s regions. Each county (when funding is available) has one or more county agents that specializes in a specific area. 

Most counties have agents that specialize in agriculture and natural resources, consumer and family sciences, 4-H and youth development, and horticulture. In some cases the agriculture agent takes on the duties of the horticulture agent. In addition, urban counties often have additional agents that specialize in nutrition and urban development.

Using research and aid from the Texas A&M University System, Extension, (as part of the system), is able to provide the most up-to-date and in-depth information directly to people throughout the state.

Mike Berry is an agriculture and natural resources agent in Delta and Franklin counties. He said he keeps busy helping the people in his county.

�We are heavily utilized, but there are still a lot of people who are not aware of the services we offer,� he said. �It has been said that we are the best kept secret in the state.�

While many people are not at first aware of how Extension can help them, Rebecca Parker, the regional program director for agriculture and natural resources in Dallas, said she thinks people in today’s society eventually find the help they need.

�I think when an individual generally has a question, I think they eventually do find us,� she said.

When people seek Extension help, they’ll find services that include advisement(they will visit your farm and offer suggestions), scientific support (soil testing), and educational advancement (they organize events and programs that cover topics from horse care, youth activities, to weevil control). 4-H, a developmental program for children and youth, is another Extension program.

�Over the years Extension has grown to cover more than just agriculture, cooking skills, and showing livestock,� Berry noted. �We offer programs to everyone, whether they live in town or in the country.

�This list of services and resources are far too numerous to list,� he said.�

Parker said she hopes people will take advantage of programs the agency has to offer. “There is a hope that we can become more widely known,” she said. To achieve their goals, she said that Extension will continue to adapt, while maintaining their grassroots approach.

�We have people housed in every county of the state,� she said. �I think we will continue to grow where growth is needed.

�For Extension to remain vital, we have to maintain the link to the clientele.�

In order for agents to be effective, Parker said agents must work directly with people in their county, through visits, phone conversations, and computers. 

Recently, Berry, along with Extension specialists from Dallas, toured orchards and discussed current and potential problems with orchard owners. The orchard owners were able to ask questions, get answers, and gather knowledge in a one-on-one setting. The tour was free for anyone who wanted to attend. 

In the three months Berry has been an agent he has helped people in his county through programs that related to lawn care, pond management, tree diseases, pruning and spraying of fruit trees, planting winter pastures, weed control, hog, beaver, coyote, squirrel and pigeon control, cattle and horse vaccinations, water quality, drought management, and nursery care. 

Parker said specific programs like those Berry has overseen are designed with the needs of each county in mind.

�A row crop meeting would probably be in a field, if it�s a meeting on small farming then it will probably need to be a weekend or evening program,� said Parker. Each factor and need is considered when planning the subject matter, location, and time for a meeting.�

�They�ll design an educational program appropriate to the needs they�ve identified,� explained Parker.

Many of the programs are offered at little or no cost to the participant.

Extension receives money for expenses from federal, state, and county funds. In addition, Berry credits many volunteers and donors with helping create successful Extension programs and events.

The volunteers help agents spread information to the public and working closely with the public is an important part of an Extension agents job.

�If I cannot work with the public, I will accomplish nothing,� said Berry. �Sometimes it�s hard because we cannot do our job if we are in the office, but we need to be accessible.�

He said that people wanting help are usually very understanding and with some patience will get the help they need.

�Occasionally someone will be upset if they cannot get a hold of me immediately, but normally people are understanding as long as I get back with them,� he explained.

Extension agents keep an open door, and anyone with questions can reach them. And, while they might not be able to provide information immediately, they can usually find what a person needs.

Parker added that the first step a person should take is picking up the phone.

�Some problems may require an office visit, and some problems require a site visit,� she said. �But the first step is to call the county office and determine what�s appropriate.

�In some cases when a producer calls with a problem, it�s likely the agent will make a site visit. They may even call a specialist in.�

Parker said Extension does all it can to maintain a link with people in the counties. The Internet is playing an even larger role, said Parker, as people become more mobile.

Texas Cooperative Extension has a website that provides information on several subjects, the site at http://texasextension.tamu.edu/,  has links to a bookstore of Extension publications and the information needed contact county offices. 

In addition, phone numbers are usually listed in the white pages under the county listing, with the rest of the government offices.