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CSU Cooperative Extension Overview

 

Colorado State University Cooperative Extension is a joint agency between the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, (federal partner), Colorado State University (state partner), and Colorado counties (local partner). It is part of a nation-wide system delivering knowledge-based educational programs at the county level with resources from the state land grant university system and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Our name

To enhance public recognition, please use the full name, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. After initial introduction, repeated referral can be shortened to Cooperative Extension.

County identification may be added as Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, ____ County Office.

County-based programs

In response to locally identified needs, the county is the basic program delivery unit for Cooperative Extension. County based staff includes:

• Extension agents (university staff working at a local level)
• Program coordinators and program assistants
• Support staff
• County Extension Director, an agent leading the local team

Extension agents are generally employees of CSU Cooperative Extension. Depending on their assignment, they will be paid with a combination of federal, state and county dollars. A few agents are totally county funded, some are federally funded, most are paid with a combination of federal, state and county funds.

In the CMG program, county based program coordinators and program assistants are county funded. Support staff are county funded.

The County Extension Advisory Committee provides input on current and emerging issues that need local attention. Local citizens serving on the committee service a key role in helping staff identify and prioritize program needs at the local level.

For program development and administrative matters, the state is divided into three regions with Regional Directors.

 

University based faculty

University-based faculty also supports the local Cooperative Extension program behind the scenes, providing program leadership, research, and assisting with program delivery. By assignment, CSU campus-based, departmental faculty split time between research, teaching, and Cooperative Extension activities. Campus-based faculty with extension appointments are known as Extension Specialists. Cooperative Extension programs also work closely with the Agriculture Experiment Station.

Program Funding Targets Issues

Funding Sources

Colorado State University Cooperative Extension funding sources include:

• 52% Colorado State University
  • 16% federal funds (USDA budget)
  • 36% state funds (Colorado State University budget)
• 41% County funds
• 7% other sources (sales, fees, and program grants)
  • Note: Colorado Master Gardener Training is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Colorado Garden Show, Inc.

Issue Teams

County-based and university-based staff work together in issue teams to plan and implement educational programs on a multi-county, regional or statewide basis. Issue teams are the primary subject matter programming unit.

Issues

Funding at the state, federal, and county level is provided in support of issues. Issues are identified areas of community concerns and needs, where research and educational efforts are concentrated. Locally identified issues are supported by research and educational programs, identified within state and federal issues. Examples of state issues include the following:

• Community Commitment to Families and Youth
• Managing Growth
  • Natural Resources
  • Policy
  • Small Acreage
  • Water
• Engaging Communities in Transition
• Enhancing Families and Communities
  • Gerontology
• Growing Horticulture in Colorado
  • Partnering for Green Colorado
  • Colorado Master Gardener Program
• Improving Nutrition, Food Safety and Health
  • Food Safety and Quality
  • Food Security
  • Health Promotion – Disease Prevention
• Strengthening Youth Development
• Sustaining Agriculture and the Environment
  • Animal Emergency Preparedness
  • Drought
  • Ag Profitability

Outcomes

With increased accountability of government funded programs, program planning focuses on outcomes, the “so what’s” of the activities. Examples of outcomes of the Colorado Master Gardener Program include the following:

• Empowering Colorado gardeners with knowledge based information fosters successful gardening
• Protecting and enhancing the environment, (including water-wise gardening and responsible use of pest management options)
• Gardening for nutrition and health
• Gardening teaches life skills, developing individuals, strengthening families, and building communities

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Prepared by David Whiting
Updated and printed July 16, 2004