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Extension shake-up continuesBy MaryHelen Swanson Chisago County applied for but was rejected as one of the 18 new regional Extension centers. That might sound frightening to those who appreciate all that Extension Services does for our communities, but local Extension Educator Barb Piehl said people should not panic. Piehl feels certain that Extension offices are not all going to close. She said county boards across the state are working on budgets now and looking at ways to save the Extension Service presence in their communities. Piehl, who only a year ago was put in charge of 4-H programming in Isanti County as well as Chisago County, may now be housed at either Andover or Moraís new regional centers. The same would be true of Educator Rodney Elmstrand. As an educator, Piehl said, she has until Aug. 7 to tell the Extension Service where she would like to work. Mora, she said, would be her choice, preferring the more rural community. The educators need to indicate what position they would like, i.e. 4-H educator, etc. Some educators, Piehl said, will probably be laid off. The plans are to have 5-10 staff members at each of the regional centers. By Aug. 18, Piehl and Elmstrand will know what their assignments are and they will have until Sept. 2 to accept or reject them. Piehl noted that earlier this year Extension held conversations in the counties to get input from those most affected on how to save the 4-H program. Information gathered at these sessions was passed on to the local Extension committees who are working to keep the local offices open. The committee in Chisago County has asked for a full-time 4-H coordinator, a full-time office staff person and a part-time person for horticulture and Master Gardener programs. It might be possible, Piehl said, for the county to find space for this office in a county-owned facility. The lease on the office now used by the Extension Service in North Branch is up at the end of August. She believes that group of volunteers will have to be strengthened to maintain the quality 4-H programs as now. Itís already happening, she said, referring to the volunteers who are working with the county Ambassadors. ìThat will help,î she said, ìand thatís good.î Being stressed about the changes wonít help, people need to find ways to make it happen, she said. She said there are some parts about it all that she likes and some she doesnít ìand a whole lot in between I donít know anything about.î Looking toward fall, a time when 4-H enrollment gets started for another year, Piehl said it will go on the same as usual. Regional centers The process of choosing the 18 was challenging, said Charles H. Casey, Extension dean and director in a letter to the county commissioners and Extension committee members. The choice was to go with the group of 18 that best created coverage across the state, he said. The communities chosen as regional centers include Albert Lea, Andover, Brainerd, Cloquet, Crookston, Farmington, Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, Hutchinson, Mankato, Marshall, Moorhead, Mora, Morris, Rochester, Roseau, St. Cloud and Worthington. Staff at the regional center will be paid solely by the U of M Extension Service. Individual counties will have the option of contracting for the Extension Services they want to keep going in their counties. ©ECM Post Review |