A Proposal for Public and Private Partnership in Extension

Abstract

Public funding for Extension in the United States has been decreasing for many years, but farmers' need for robust information on which to make management decisions has not diminished. The current Extension funding challenges provide motivation to explore a different model for developing and delivering extension. The private sector has partnered with the public sector to fund and conduct agricultural research, but partnering on extension delivery has occurred far less frequently. The fundamental academic strength and established Extension network of the public sector combined with the ability of the private sector to encourage and deliver practical, implementable solutions has the potential to provide measurable benefits to farmers. This paper describes the current Extension climate, presents data from a survey about Extension and industry relationships, presents case studies of successful public- and private-sector extension partnerships, and proposes a framework for evaluating the state of effective partnerships. Synergistic public-private extension efforts could ensure that farmers receive the most current and balanced information available to help with their management decisions.

Keywords: extension; industry; pest management.

Fig. 1.

Total number of continuing education units offered by the public and private sectors from 1996–2013 for meeting the requirements of the American Society of Agronomy’s Certified Crop Advisor program (data provided by Luther Smith from the Certified Crop Advisor organization).

Fig. 2.

Agricultural research funding in the public and private sectors from 1970–2009, adjusted for inflation and expressed in 2006 dollars (Schimmelpfennig and Heisey 2009).

Fig. 3.

Diamondback moth larva (a) and adult (b). Photos courtesy of David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org.

Fig. 4.

Cabbage treated with spinosad (top) and not treated (bottom), which was injured by diamondback moth.

Fig. 5.

An untreated pasture (left) adjacent to a pasture treated for control of weeds and shrubs (right).

Fig. 6.

Extension materials provided by Texas-AgriLife were made available and highlighted by Dow AgroSciences during the “Range and Pasture Heritage Tours” in Texas, 2011–2012.