Dear Extension Family,
As we head into the summer, we have confirmation of the new budget adopted by the Senate and House (and sent to Governor McMaster, who has five days to issue vetoes). The budget includes
- $750,000 in recurring funding for Laboratory Services Support
- $750,000 in recurring funding for Integrated Agriculture Technology
- $3.626 million in nonrecurring funding for Critical PSA Infrastructure
- $7 million in nonrecurring funding for Edisto Research and Education Center Research Infrastructure Upgrades and Expansion
- $1.375 million in nonrecurring funding for Poultry Science Research Facility
- $2 million in recurring funding for Rural Health Cooperative Extension and Research
I’d like to emphasize that the goal to achieve the Rural Health funding has been a long and arduous journey initiated eight years ago due to an imperative directive from the Provost’s Office. Our Rural Health Extension Program Team is assigned an expansive directive to improve the well-being of South Carolina through their programmatic efforts addressing chronic health conditions. There is no doubt the addition of new team members will have a direct impact on saving lives. Additionally, your Extension Leadership Team (ELT) is exploring solutions to offset travel costs for programmatic activities and support the agent work that cannot be done from behind a desk. Although we have created incredible momentum through our virtual offerings over the past two years, there is no doubt delivering high-impact programming in person to our stakeholders in their communities has infinite value.
Speaking of high impact, I would like to recognize those who received awards during the 2022 SCACAA & SCAE4-HA Joint Annual Meeting. Thank you to Kerrie Roach for compiling the distinguished list of dedicated agents featured in our awards Blog post. Many of you will attend the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) meeting in July. I look forward to hearing about the professional improvement activities offered. Your efforts are imparted to our new hires, and there are several new Extension family members we have welcomed and added to our growing list on our new hires and transfers Blog post.
Extension Senate is in place to serve you, and they need your help. Please take time today to complete a very brief but vital survey developed by your Senate members to gauge current Cooperative Extension engagement efforts with University faculty, staff and students. Data collected from this survey will be used to showcase your work and plan for future opportunities to spread awareness of our mission across internal University communications statewide.
If you need hotel accommodations for the 2022 Joint Extension Conference for Clemson Cooperative Extension occurring December 5-7 in Clemson, please make your reservation as soon as possible if you have not done so yet. Information for hotel options is available in the conference Blog post. As they are confirmed, we will continue to share more details over the coming months.
In closing, regarding nationwide discussions about whether a recession is inevitable or not, I want to confirm my and your ELT’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve and preparing for economic scenarios over the next year. There are strategies we can implement to “recession-proof” Extension to help safeguard but also enhance our programmatic planning. We must use deliberate and meticulous assessment to identify and evaluate our high-impact programming to justify there is value sustaining our mission. Forge on in an innovative frame of mind but be mindful of our precious and sometimes limited resources. We are accountable for those resources, including the hours you devote. Utilize your resources wisely, and never hesitate to look to your DEDs and PTDs for guidance.
As always, please take good care of yourselves and your families, and thank you for what you do for Clemson Cooperative Extension.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
