Success StoryKACAA Agriculture Economics Committee Partners with UK Economics Department to Expand Agent Opportunities



KACAA Agriculture Economics Committee Partners with UK Economics Department to Expand Agent Opportunities

Author: Michelle Simon

Planning Unit: Campbell County CES

Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development

Plan of Work: Leadership, Community Development, and Marketing - Community Pride, Leadership, Communications, and Collaborations

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Campbell County ANR Agent became a member of the Kentucky Association of County Agriculture Agents in 2010 and was elected to the position of Agriculture Economics & Community Development Committee Chair. Prior to 2010 there was limited communication between the specialists and agriculture economics department on campus and agents at the county level which restricted the development and advancement of agriculture economics programs. In 2018, Campbell County ANR Agent jump started the KACAA Agriculture Economics Committee by partnering with Dr. Barry Barnett, UK Agriculture Economics Department Chair, to host quarterly meetings with the committee of agents and the Agriculture Economics department. These meetings have continued on a quarterly basis even through covid when they met virtually to discuss the effects on the economy and Extension clientele. This increased communication and teamwork between the agents on the committee and the Ag Economics specialists, which was initiated and facilitated by the Campbell ANR agent, has resulted in more Economics programming offered at the county level (topics based on agent input), a new agent in-service training for new hires that were non- Ag Economics majors, relative topics at Economic Subject Matter agent trainings and more accurate survey results for specialists to use in publications and articles. This Committee is highly valued by agents and specialists for the value of the conversations and discussions held during the meetings. As quoted by an Ag Economics Specialist, “We continue to believe these periodic virtual conversations are extremely valuable on our end.” It has positively impacted the communication between the department and KACAA and agents at the county level and also provided the opportunity for new trainings and programs.

 






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