of Agriculture does not categorize data by rurality or urbanity (USDA 2017a; USDA 2017b). Some rural-urban differences may be deduced, however, since urban farmers are likely to be beginners, younger, and more racially and ethnically diverse than their rural counterparts (Pressman, Oberholtzer & Dimitri 2016; USDA 2017c; Whittinghill & 2021; Sanders et al. 2022). Still, urban evaluation and data collection are neglected in many Extension offices around the country. ● Extension offices should specifically track urban programming, allowing for descriptive data on what Extension is currently doing in urban areas. ● Comparative data analysis at the rural-urban interface is essential for mapping the growth of urban agriculture alongside the changing rural agricultural sphere, understanding demographic shifts taking place among the farming community, and translating historically rural programs to urban spaces (personal
communications, June-July 2022). Rural-Urban Continuum (RUC) Codes may serve as a useful guide in comparing county-level data (USDA 2020). ● Tackle Structural and Institutional Power Dynamics Like any institution, Extension is shaped by societal and structural power dynamics. Any recommendations for strengthening Extension’s urban programming must be placed within this context of racial and economic inequity and explicitly aimed at facilitating just and collaborative community engagement. ○ Critically Evaluate Hiring Practices, Staff Retention, and Training ■ Extension staff across the country share challenges concerning hiring practices and retention (personal communications, June-July 2022). In particular, educators named high-turnover, burnout, work overload, and low diversity as the most immediate obstacles they face in their respective offices (personal communications, June-July 2022). At the same time, many staff identified their peers in Extension and university faculty as their greatest resources for knowledge and guidance (personal
communications, June-July 2022). We observed several postings online for urban-specific positions in Extension offices around the country; however, they are reportedly not being filled quickly enough or at all (personal communications, June-July 2022). ● Extension should offer positions specifically geared toward urban outreach and agriculture, volunteer information regarding salary and the duration of the position, and consider candidate experience beyond higher education.
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