March 2021

Colleagues,  

Thank you for attending the March 5th roll out of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Strategic Plan. You can access a recording of the presentation, download the plan, and check for updates at the AgriLife Extension Strategic Plan 2021-2025 web page. I appreciate you taking the time to participate in the feedback that helped create this plan and learning more about our strategic path forward while you continue to work each and every day to help Texans thrive.  

I, likewise, appreciate your time as we work together to implement this plan. While Texas is evolving and external factors may change how we do business, our dedication to service and what we do will remain steadfast.
  
Strategic Plan Implementation  
As we begin implementation of the Strategic Plan, monthly webinars in which we share updates about the strategic plan and other items in Extension will continue throughout the year. We’ll hold our next webinar discussing the implementation of the plan, Wednesday April 7th at 11 a.m. The Extension Leadership Team and I will discuss more details about the objectives of our four goals, as well as timelines and key performance metrics.  

State Budget  
With the legislative session underway, I have been testifying on a few key themes to allow us to maintain our network of specialists and agents while also continuing to equip our agency with the best tools in the face of a 5% reduction in budget.  

Extension’s network of agents and specialists is critical in disaster response as well as providing critical educational programs and services during “normal” times. 

Every member of our network must be equipped with the best tools and training to expand their programmatic reach and impacts. We have received very positive feedback from many legislators, but we know this budget is a challenge.  

Texas Speaks 
I want to encourage everyone to continue distributing the Texas Speaks survey during these socially distanced times. With your help, the
new online format should allow us to expand our reach in gathering feedback from stakeholders and government entities - helping us to better understand the needs of all Texans.
We've curated some downloadable resources to help you spread the word:

 
You can always share our posts from our state social media channels as well. Please read on for updates regarding new COVID-19 guidance, agency recognitions, personnel updates, and more. 
Stay safe,

Jeffrey Hyde
Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Twitter: @jeffhyde
COVID-19 Agency Updates...
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in mid-March, Extension employees, like others, had to homeschool children, become substitute child care providers, and become caregivers for elderly parents and disabled family members – all while continuing to fulfill the mission of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. To understand the impact that COVID-19 has had on AgriLife employees and to identify needed support, members of the Health and Wellness Strategy team developed and implemented a cross-sectional survey in the fall of 2020. We have included the executive summary and next step actions for your review. We appreciate our agency guidance committee for helping us identify the tools and resources to help our employees navigate the current situation.   
 
The Governor’s Executive Order GA-34 recently changed the state’s restrictions related to COVID-19. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, in line with other members of the Texas A&M University System, is maintaining our current protocols until we receive further guidance.   
 
The safety of our employees, volunteers, attendees, and community is our utmost priority. We encourage you to always consider the health and safety of those populations that may be more at risk due to age or health status. In addition, we ask that you continue to use non pharmaceutical interventions (face masks, proper hygiene, etc.) that keep you and others safe. 
   
Leadership in Service Spotlight
Janet Hurley, Integrated Pest Management, program specialist, Dallas, was recently awarded the International Integrated Pest Management Awardof Excellence for IPM Practitioner – Academic by the IPM Symposium in December.
Hurley recognized as IPM pioneer for schools | AgriLife...

Janet Hurley continues to be surprised by her career choice. She envisioned a job in health care, but despite fighting on a different front line, public health is still her focus.

Read more
agrilifetoday.tamu.edu

The deadline for the Coming Together for Racial Understanding survey has been extended to March 19th. Take a few minutes to share about your experiences and perspective as Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Agency Employee. This survey is being conducted in partnership with Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension Program.
Keep up with the latest AgriLife & Extension Events
Have an event coming up that you want to share? Submit your event for inclusion on our statewide Extension calendar.
AgriLife Professional Service units deliver high-quality services and strategic solutions which support the teaching, research and extension activity of faculty, staff, students and employees of Texas A&M AgriLife. Learn more by visiting our website at:
Have questions about AgriLife Extension operations? The direction of programming? COVID guidelines? Questions are posted anonymously with answers posted by administration on our HOT TOPICS page. Submit your own question by visiting our website.
Stay up to date on upcoming virtual, face-to-face programs and other agency activities statewide, follow the AgriLife Extension Calendar. Learn how you can submit your event for inclusion on our state-wide calendar.