April 2021 Director's Message Colleagues,   Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s vision is to serve every Texan. It’s a tall task that we can’t do on our own. Thankfully we are supported by tens of thousands of volunteers who work with us to engage with communities. This week is National Volunteer Week, and a time for us to pay homage to those who help us accomplish our mission. I am deeply thankful for all our volunteers, and I am also thankful for the members of our organization that embrace volunteerism within our organization – creating opportunities and fostering relationships to make lives better.   I also know that many of our own team members volunteer within their communities outside of AgriLife Extension, serving their communities and enhancing the safety and services across to neighbors and strangers alike. Thank you to everyone who embraces selfless service in all parts of your lives.   I hope you were all able to attend the April 7th webinar following the announcement of our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan. We provided more details on implementation and how we intend to engage many of you over the next five years to make it all happen. If you were not able to attend, please access the recording at our Strategic Plan web page. As I’ve reflected on this past webinar, I want to continue to encourage you to ask questions to the leadership team, and to also send in questions to our Hot Topics Q&A page on the Extension employee site. We also look forward to working through the Strategic Plan together and working with each of you and our steering committees as we refine how we accomplish the goals of our agency. Be on the lookout later this week for a call for steering committee membership – we greatly value these groups in support of the Strategic Plan.   I hope you’ll join us for our upcoming May 7 webinar when we’ll highlight some of our great programs and have a panel discussion with leaders of Extension’s five professional associations. Thank you for your dedication to this wonderful agency. Thank you for embracing volunteerism in your AgriLife Extension programs and volunteering with your communities. I hope you’ll join me this week in thanking the volunteers who help Texans thrive.

Stay safe, Jeffrey Hyde Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Twitter: @jeffhyde

Strategic Plan Update: Call for Steering Committee Membership

Steering committees will be vital to the next steps of the strategic plan. There are currently four committees open for membership. Employee engagement at all levels is very much encouraged and valued for service. A separate communication will follow the Director’s message regarding how you can be involved.    Employee Recognition Program Steering Committee The agency currently formally recognizes individuals through its Superior Service Awards program and by commemorating milestone years of service. However, our faculty, staff and administrators do many things that contribute to agency success. This steering committee will provide guidance toward a formal program for identifying and recognizing outstanding performance.   Fostering Diversity Steering Committee Texas is rapidly growing and diversifying. This steering committee will provide guidance on assessing the agency’s workforce, the needs of Texans and on filling any gaps that may be identified. Potential recommendations could include internships, assistant agent positions, assistantships or other elements that will help ensure we are well-connected to our audiences.    Volunteer Steering Committee  AgriLife Extension has a vast volunteer network that helps identify issues, plan and deliver programs and serve as advocates for the agency. Working with volunteers is part of the job for many – if not most – in the agency, and Extension employees need proper tools and resources as they manage, lead and engage volunteers. This steering committee will help create:   a strategy to recruit and utilize volunteers, a tool for reporting how volunteers are utilized and programs for each coordinated program area.  a system to recruit, approve, organize and retain volunteers.  tools to report and measure hours and impacts of volunteers.   plans to ensure that each volunteer has the needed training, orientation to extension and branded materials needed to provide educational programs on behalf of the agency.     Housing of Physical Resources Steering Committee  AgriLife Extension needs a strategic approach to address space needs regarding physical resources. This group will identify current and future needs, potential solutions and next steps to the housing of physical resources and their most efficient access to employees.

Coordinated Program Areas: Call for Leadership

With implementation of AgriLife Extension’s strategic plan now underway, plans to implement a pilot for coordination and integration of programs are beginning to develop. A steering committee has been established to outline how we can more effectively coordinate programs. Another significant task is designating a leader for each of the seven coordinated program areas involved in the pilot. Extension Specialists and Program Specialists interested in serving as one of the seven leaders are invited to participate in a training and informational session Thursday, April 29 at 2:00 pm via Microsoft Teams. Questions about the pilot or the leader role may be directed to Dr. Dan Hale or Dr. Courtney Dodd.

Texas Extension Specialist Association Award Nominations Now Open

It's time to nominate those who have gone above and beyond to help our programs succeed during the past challenging year.   Visit the award nomination site to recognize a county agent, administrative support staff member, or someone from outside the agency who has been an outstanding friend to your program. Remember, you must be a TESA member to nominate, so take moment to find out more about Texas Extension Specialist Association membership.    Submit nominations to Kay Ledbetter by May 1 at 5:00 p.m.

Leadership Spotlight

Brooks to lead AgriLife Extension in the Panhandle Josh Brooks is the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service district administrator for District 1, effective April 1. He has been the agricultural and natural resources agent for Hall County for the past 18 years and, in his new role, replaces Brandon Dukes. Read More in AgriLife Today

Helpful Online Employee Resourcess

Personnel Updates Stay up to date with agents across the state with our posting of recent Personnel Updates on our Extension Employee Directory page.

AgriLife Extension Events Have an event coming up that you want to share? Submit your event for inclusion on our statewide Extension calendar.

Marketing and Communications View the latest Extension-specific, self-service resources on the Extension Employee website, including: Logo and branding downloads Digital and print Canva templates AgriLife's own photo repository

New AgriLife Learn Course Sheep and Goat Ranching 101 This online course is for beginners that want to learn more about raising sheep and goats and provides essential information for:

small farms or ranches with less than 100 acres new landowners or managers retirees moving back to the homestead See more offerings from AgriLifeLearn.tamu.edu

Have questions about AgriLife Extension operations? The direction of programming? COVID guidelines? Questions can be posted anonymously with answers posted by administration on our HOT TOPICS page. Submit your own question by visiting our website. To 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 statewide calendar.

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