October 2023: Monthly Director’s Letter

Dear Extension Family,

We had another successful gathering of Cooperative Extension representation at the South Carolina State Fair over the past two weeks. I would like to recognize Mrs. Becca Hedden and Dr. Lance Beecher for their hard work organizing and managing our exhibit from start to finish, and I thank all Extension employees who volunteered to greet visitors at our booth and educate them on the Cooperative Extension mission. I am very proud of how we showcase our programmatic activities to the citizens of South Carolina at large-scale events. Earlier this month, the South Carolina Farm Bureau CAFLS Tailgate on campus provided us with a vital opportunity to interact with other Clemson University audiences and promote the significant impact of Cooperative Extension. We had staff, agents and specialists on site from our main office and several of our program teams, including Agricultural Safety, 4-H Youth Development and 4-H Shooting Sports. I am always grateful for those who put in extra time on the weekends to further our mission and reach more stakeholders. We also received national recognition for our state’s farmers at the Sunbelt Ag Expo the other week, as Brad O’Neal of Coosaw Farms in Fairfax was named the 2023 South Carolina Farmer of the Year.

Strategic Plan Update

In my September monthly letter, I introduced the recently adopted Extension Strategic Plan Review, which highlights several vital areas we should focus on. These areas are included as supplemental information and framed in terms of strategic initiatives for the remainder of the planning horizon. As we close out the year, we will begin laying the groundwork for initiatives that address key areas of concern. The outcome of these initiatives will be an organization in which:

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

Initiatives such as the statewide redistricting are well on their way. In preparation for reestablishing a Midlands District, the position of Midlands District Director has been established and will be posted through November 11, 2023. Enter the job ID number 108263 on the Clemson Job Board website to read the position description. You can access the Extension Strategic Plan Review through the Extension Employees’ webpage. From the main Cooperative Extension homepage, select the ‘About’ tab, select ‘For Employees’ and then ‘Employees Home Page,’ and under ‘Reporting,’ select ‘Extension Strategic Plan Review.’

Extension Emerging Leadership Initiative (EELI) Application Deadline

If you are interested in enhancing your leadership knowledge and skills, networking with colleagues and creating an environment for personal and professional growth, consider applying for the next cohort of the Extension Emerging Leadership Initiative (EELI)! Eligibility criteria, application information and class dates can be found on the EELI website. 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 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. EELI 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 that aims to prepare you for future leadership roles.

The application deadline is this Friday, 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. If you have questions, please email Mrs. Deon Legette, EELI program coordinator, at dlgtt@clemson.edu.

County Agent Promotion Update

Thank you to those who applied for County Agent promotion this year. Our usual timeline was delayed this year due to the committee and Human Resources’ review and recommendations for revisions. However, we are on target according to the dates shared with you in the virtual training presentation. The external review committee has been updated on the requirements and revisions to the process. Their evaluation of the packets and recommendations for promotions are due to Dr. Dobbins soon. We appreciate your patience, as HR will need to prepare paperwork associated with promotions after the packets are returned. You will be contacted after all processes are complete.

Salesforce

I am excited about the Salesforce project, its adoption and the impact it will have on our Extension system and how we conduct business. I encourage everyone to keep an open mind and engage in the multitude of educational opportunities that will occur over the coming months (more details coming this week). Remember some of the key changes that Salesforce will allow us to implement:

• Streamlined reporting
• Report impact (financial, social and environmental)
• Digital program files (eliminating the need for hard copy files)
• A replacement for CUMIS
• Communication with our stakeholders in a targeted needs-based approach

Again, I can’t thank the Change Ambassador group enough, who have been meeting weekly to learn the functionality and benefits of Salesforce and provide valuable feedback to improve our system. They are investing their time and energy to make the best better and move Extension forward.

Awards and Recognition

Congratulations to Ms. Mallory Maher, Natural Resources Extension Agent, and Mr. Christopher Thomas, Extension’s state weather station technician. Ms. Maher was awarded the CAFLS Young Alumni Award, and Mr. Thomas received a Masters 3MT award at the 2023 Graduate Research Symposium. Dr. Nathan Smith of the Agribusiness Program Team is Mr. Thomas’ adviser.

Professional Development Memberships and Events

Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) is an organization for all Extension professionals. ESP offers conference scholarships, in-person and online professional development and opportunities to present at conferences (which is a benefit for promotion packages). Monthly workshops cover various topics, including interaction with elected officials, work/life balance, working across program teams and more. Please contact the ESP interim president, Latosia Gibson, at lgibson9@scsu.edu for additional information.

The South Carolina Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (SCEAFCS) Annual Meeting and Professional Development Conference will be held on November 30 from 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. in Elloree, South Carolina. Join fellow health, nutrition and food safety Extension professionals from Clemson University and South Carolina State University for a fantastic professional development opportunity as well as a chance to learn more about SCEAFCS. Register by November 17 through the Eventbrite webpage. Contact Melissa Bales at mbales@clemson.edu for additional information.

The South Carolina Association of Extension Administrative Professionals (SCAEAP) cutlery fall fundraiser is underway. The proceeds support a scholarship for a high school senior pursuing a career in business administration. Please consider supporting this worthy cause, and contact Gila Holland at ghollan@clemson.edu for the catalog of ‘made in the USA’ cutlery. The fundraiser runs through Monday, November 6; all orders receive free shipping.

Job Openings

In addition to the Midlands District Director position mentioned above, we also have a job opening for a Horticulture Extension Agent in Greenville (job ID 108223, application deadline October 26). Enter the job ID number on the Clemson Job Board website to read the position description.

In Closing …

Below is a list of upcoming events and reminders for your calendars. 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 27, EELI 4th Cohort Application Deadline
• November 1, Drop-in with the Director, 7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m. All are welcome to join the Zoom link.
• November 6, SCAEAP Cutlery Fall Fundraiser Order 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 (South Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents) Membership Drive Payment Deadline. Visit the SCACAA Blog or contact Charly Greenthaler at charlym@clemson.edu or (803) 520-1679 for more information.
• November 30, SCEAFCS (South Carolina Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences) Annual Meeting and Professional Development Conference.
• December 31, South Carolina 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.