Training is only one part of the solution. Offering information and walking away doesn't help. Just as in our own programming, we need to help the participants learn how to implement the information. I feel that is one of the biggest hinderances in seeing professional development training lead to organizational change. I find there are more usable professional development opportunities from outside of Extension/Land-grants colleges. I've attended better trainings from other nonprofits and from industry specific outlets. The only problem is that it isn't always translated to Extension.
We are losing a lot of historical knowledge and new staff are being hired with no Extension background to develop from.
We need more resources on working with supervisory, organizational, Extension, university, and governmental officials who control funding in regards to the value and implications of inclusive education
I would like to have training on how to develop interactive training programs for local government officials. Statutes, required processes.
I would like to see an explanation of the Morrill Acts of 1862, 1890, and 1994 and the issuance of Land- grants Colleges within the context of the displacement of Native Americans. There is some acknowledgment of the privileged classes benefiting from this landownership but falls very short of addressing the structural and institutional racism that continues to benefit the privileged classes. As an organization, we’re in DIRE need of training, serious training in leadership and professional development. There’s not much offered, and what little is offered, is not meaningful. We also sorely need a program in mentoring for new employees. There ex ists no “ladder” of promotion or tenure for county-based staff.
Global Training Offerings
Broaden the training/professional development opportunities so that other systems, networks, and international partners can benefit from Extension training and content. Cross-training, co-creation and global understanding are vital to the nation. Having worked for Extension p/t for 25+ years, it has been up and down with educational programs based on budget/funding. Partnerships with local high schools, higher education institutions, and private industry has been a positive move in our area. Working across state lines with neighboring Extension services also has been a plus. How can we create networks of staff around the county that can support each other in similar programming, share resources, learn together, build capacity together? It can feel very isolated working in climate change and energy education, with a focus on building capacity in local communities. I would love to have peers around the country to stay in touch with and learn together with. How to access training or programs from the Extension Foundation is confusing and/or inaccessible. I have wanted to participate and been unable to do so previously. The system should be more accessible for Extension professionals in all states. It would be wonderful if we could share trainings across Extension. For example, we are building a training for Community Engagement - would others find it of interest? What might hey have that we could use for our staff? This is my first year in this role, so we are developing many of the programs listed on the survey but will take time to launch them. Our state would have been in a better place, but it took several years to hire a permanent Extension Director who was confirmed only recently. Our new director is providing the much-needed guidance, leadership, and direction we need to move forward and collaborate more with National Extension efforts.
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