Current Extension agriculture programming in Shelby County seeks to enhance the sustainability of agriculture as it faces continued challenges of a growing urban-rural interface. In order to facilitate this goal, expansion of the volunteer base and maintenance of a formal council has been and will continue to be imperative to the success of the Extension agriculture and horticulture programs. Active involvement of local citizens via a thriving advisory council and functional committee system guides the agent and technician in developing relevant educational programming.

A purposeful Horticulture and Agriculture Advisory Council (HAAC) is comprised of volunteers who are invested, engaged and enthused in the program. HAAC has enabled the ag and hort programs in Shelby County to move forward and to remain viable and relevant to both the farm and non-farm audiences they serve.

The benefits of an engaged group of leaders who take ownership in the program include increased marketing efforts by volunteers, the continual evaluation of the success and relevancy of Extension programs by the clientele being served, and the development of new and relevant programming through input to the Plan of Work and responsiveness to emerging issues. The commitment and vested interest of HAAC members has increased the scope and reach of Extension.

HAAC members actively recruit council members to fill vacancies when terms expire.  They are instrumental in increasing the number of active participants on the council and broadening the diversity of the council.  They evaluate and modify meeting topics, frequency and relevancy to best meet the needs of both the membership and the program.

HAAC input has resulted in the development and implementation of several large-scale programs such as the Good Neighbors Farm Tour, Rooted in Shelby and Breakfast on the Farm.  These programs are successfully expanding the reach and familiarity of Extension throughout the community and are gaining new clientele for not only horticulture and agriculture, but all programming areas.

Throughout the Covid situation, HAAC members have remained engaged through group email as needed.   Committee members have re-engaged as we have started to return to more normal programming and are actively planning for the 2021 Good Neighbors Farm Tour and exploring other activities such as a possible Fruit and Flower Tour.  HAAC members will meet in person for the first time in over a year at the beginning of May.

Maintaining an active and engaged volunteer base in the ag and hort programs will continue to strengthen programming, increase recruitment and retention in the volunteer base and increase Extension’s reach throughout the Shelby County community.