Extension Employee News

Dear Extension Family,

Once again, we have a lot to cover in this month’s letter. Please take the time to become informed on significant topics, including

• 2023 Extension Strategic Plan Review
• EELI 4th Cohort Application Process
• Extension Fleet Update
• Salesforce Implementation

2023 Extension Strategic Plan Review

As a follow-up to the recently released Clemson Elevate Strategic Plan, Cooperative Extension has conducted a scheduled progress review of its existing strategic plan for 2020–2025. The resulting review allows us to consider and adjust to circumstances that impact our business continuity. In addition, regular inspection of planned objectives ensures alignment with the following Clemson Elevate strategic pillars and initiatives

• Pillar 1: Transform lives statewide and beyond through educational, economic, agricultural and health outreach.
• Initiative 2: Promote agricultural and natural resources excellence and lead animal health issues for the state.
• Initiative 3: Improve health outcomes for South Carolinians.

Clemson Cooperative Extension undertakes a 5-year planning cycle whereby organizational goals, objectives, and strategies are rewritten and reviewed by a committee every 2½ years, and the resulting document represents the midpoint review. This approach ensures long-term planning continuity toward achieving our organizational vision and mission and thorough routine monitoring and adjustment of strategies cited in the strategic plan.

Each section of the plan was reviewed for progress related to individual strategies cited in the existing Organizational Framework and program team sections of the plan. For any item determined to be “off track,” recommendations are provided to get the strategy objective back on course for completion. Additional information gleaned from the internal focus group assembled to compile information outlined in the Making the Best Better report was considered by the review committee for inclusion in the organizational strategic plan as a supplement.

In addition to continuous work towards fulfilling current organizational and programmatic goals, the strategic plan review illuminates several vital areas we should focus on. These key areas will be included as supplemental information and framed in terms of strategic initiatives for Clemson Cooperative Extension through the remainder of the planning horizon.

Generally speaking, these initiatives and associated strategies inform my vision for Clemson Cooperative Extension. As your director, I believe that the work of Cooperative Extension is fundamental to Clemson University’s land-grant mission. I believe it is impossible for the University to achieve the goals outlined through Clemson Elevate without effective Cooperative Extension programming. To continue making the best better, we will undertake a set of initiatives that address key areas of concern. The outcome of these initiatives will be an Extension organization where

1. Recognition programs acknowledge and reward the contributions of all staff to Extension work.
2. An adaptive leadership structure effectively responds to evolving workforce circumstances.
3. A fair system of accountability ensures the best programmatic outcomes for our stakeholders.
4. Adequate resources required of staff to perform assigned duties are allocated across the state and county offices.
5. An active learning environment promotes enhanced competencies for all Extension staff.
6. An organizational culture promotes progressive excellence for the benefit of our staff and stakeholders.

I am confident that Clemson Cooperative Extension’s best years lay ahead. When we come together in an organized approach to our goals, there is very little we can’t achieve. The 2023 Strategic Plan Review and Implementation Schedule are shared in a Box folder .

Application for the Extension Emerging Leadership Initiative (EELI) 4th Cohort

We are pleased to announce the application process for the 4th cohort of the Extension Emerging Leadership Initiative (EELI). The EELI is a professional development opportunity for Extension professionals who desire to enhance their knowledge and skills, have vision and impact and are willing to assist in moving Clemson Cooperative Extension forward in a positive manner. This initiative has expanded to include faculty and staff in the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences (CAFLS) and SC State 1890 Research and Extension. If accepted, you will be responsible for completing all your current job duties while enrolled in this program. The EELI involvement will be added to your evaluation as an objective, and you will be rated on your class performance and project completion. Class attendance is required at each session (unless for approved extenuating circumstances), and work completion is expected. Failure to comply will result in you not completing the class and not graduating from the program. Three years of Extension employment, three evaluation ratings of Successful or higher and no written or progressive discipline actions from Human Resources in the last two years are requirements for applicants. There is no monetary supplement or guaranteed leadership role advancement associated with completing EELI. It is a self-improvement and professional development opportunity. 

Eligibility criteria, application information and class dates can be found on the EELI website. Select the ‘Apply Now’ button at the top of the website above the main menu to access the application. The application deadline is October 27, 2023, at 4:30 p.m., and electronic applications should be emailed to Ms. Amy Overbaugh at amaula@clemson.edu. Late applications will not be considered. Class sessions start in January 2024. I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to develop your leadership and personal skills. If you have questions, email Mrs. Deon Legette, EELI Program Coordinator, at dlgtt@clemson.edu.

Extension Emerging Leadership Initiative (EELI) Celebration

Over 75 Extension Emerging Leadership Initiative (EELI) graduates, current cohort members, University senior administrators, and others recently gathered at the Madren Conference Center to celebrate the program’s successes, participant achievements, and impact through service. The reunion started with a welcome reception to unite the three cohorts, followed by an engaging professional development session, luncheon and service projects.

During the luncheon, Dr. Marlyne Walker (2020 EELI graduate) was recognized for her outstanding commitment to EELI and Extension. Dr. Julie Northcutt and Dean John Lopes presented Walker’s family with her posthumous Ph.D. degree. Congratulations to Ms. Alana West, Newberry County 4-H Youth Development Agent, the first award recipient of the Marlyne Walker Memorial Leadership Award, recognized for her outstanding leadership, mentoring and service. Mr. Max Allen, Clemson University’s Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff, was also in attendance on behalf of the President’s office to deliver a powerful message to the luncheon guests.

Awards Recognition

I would like to again recognize the winners from this year’s NACAA annual meeting and professional development conference. I am thankful for their hard work and dedication to our Extension system. Please visit the NACAA website for a list of winners and the categories they excelled in.

In addition, congratulations to Dr. Kimberly Baker and the Food Systems and Safety Program Team for being awarded the South Carolina Small Business Development (SCSBD) Center’s Partner of Distinction Award. The program team partners with SCSBD on the Food2Market workshop, sends food entrepreneurs to the SCSBD for business assistance and shares funding through a SARE grant for developing an aquaponics train-the-trainer workshop.

New Employees and Service Milestones

I encourage our newer employees to familiarize themselves with the leadership and recognition opportunities they can aspire to achieve. We have welcomed many new team members over the past two months. Please visit the Blog post for a list of our newest team members and help me welcome them. Additionally, we would like to recognize Mr. TJ Savereno for his service milestone of 20 years with Clemson Cooperative Extension! Your dedication to our mission is most commendable.

Fleet Information

The condition of Extension vehicles has long been a topic of concern for the Administration. For many years, we have been fortunate enough to participate in a surplus allocation program with USDA that allows us to use vehicles that are transitioned out of the federal fleet at no cost. Given the limitations on vehicle availability and increasing maintenance costs, your Program Team Leaders and District Directors have begun exploring alternative scenarios for developing a purchased fleet. Starting last fiscal year, state and revenue resources available at the end of the budget cycle were utilized to start building the Extension fleet. The need for a more comprehensive policy for Extension vehicle acquisition, use, and disposition was determined during the process. In response, an Extension Fleet Committee of Program Team Directors and District Directors was convened to draft and recommend the development of an Extension Fleet Policy.

In the coming months, we will formalize the adoption of the policy and begin allocating vehicles where they are needed most. The number one goal of the allocation approach will be to eliminate the highest cost, most problematic vehicles from the current fleet. Creating a fleet will be a long-term process based on the resources available in any given budget cycle. We are excited to develop creative opportunities that leverage state and revenue resources along the way and appreciate any constructive input that enables us to accomplish our goals.

Salesforce CRM System

Salesforce is our new customer relationship management system that will soon replace CUMIS. We are moving out of the Salesforce pilot stage and will go live across Extension on October 1. Salesforce will become the system of record on January 1. We encourage all employees to begin exploring and familiarizing themselves with Salesforce over the next few months. You can access the Zoom link for a recording of this past month’s virtual information session. The Salesforce app—Trailhead GO—is an additional training resource that will enhance the learning experience on everything Salesforce has to offer. Access to Trailhead GO will also open up in October. More upcoming training, demonstrations and support sessions will be announced. A special thank you to all those who are participating in the change ambassadors program and helping lead such a transformational shift in reporting for our system. A recap of Salesforce benefits is available in the Blog post.

In closing, be sure to review the list of upcoming events and reminders below. As always, please take good care of yourselves and your families, and thank you for what you do for Clemson Cooperative Extension.

Upcoming Events and Reminders

• October, Clemson University NDEAM (National Disability Employment Awareness Month) Webinars: October 5, InDesign Accessibility; October 19, Email/E-letter Accessibility. More information and registration are available on the NDEAM website.
• October 4, Drop-In with the Director Session: 7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m. All Extension employees are invited to join in on the Zoom link. 
• October 7, SC Farm Bureau CAFLS (College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences) Alumni Football Tailgate: Fike Recreation Center, Main Campus. All are welcome to attend. Visit the CAFLS events website for additional information.
• October 11–22, South Carolina State Fair (Columbia): Volunteers for the Extension booth are still needed. Please visit the sign-up sheet for available shifts. Visit the Blog post for more information about volunteering at the fair.
• October 16–20, Clemson University Compliance and Ethics Week: In-person and virtual options are available to engage in discussion about various ethics topics. For more information, visit the Office of Compliance website. 
• October 17–19, Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition 45th Anniversary (Moultrie, GA)
• October 27, EELI 4th Cohort Application Deadline
• November 14, Extension New Employee Onboarding: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Biosystems Research Center, Main Campus. Please contact Becca Hedden at rthomp7@clemson.edu with any questions. 
• November 17, SCACCA (SC Association of County Agricultural Agents) Membership Drive Payment Deadline: Membership is open to all County Extension Agents, State Extension Specialists, and State Extension Administrators who work in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and natural resources, 4-H youth development, community development, administration, aquaculture and Sea Grant, and related disciplines. Visit the SCACAA Blog or contact Charly Greenthaler at charlym@clemson.edu or (803) 520-1679 for more information.
• December 31, SC State Library’s Notable 2023 Notable State Documents Award Submission Deadline: Nominate your program team’s best publication. For more information and a list of past winners, visit the award website.