COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAM

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COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAM

Clyde E. Chesney, Ph.D., Administrator and Professor

Farrell-Westbrook Agricultural Research and Extension Complex
(615) 963-1351

Extension Faculty: C. Chesney, F. Bullock, L. Speller-Henderson, B. Hunter, T. Sanders-Hunter, J. Idassi, L. Lighari, M. McLendon, P. Gordon-Patton, A. Peischel, J. Samuel, A. Wade, R. Winston

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension Program is to help educate and provide information to limited-resource urban and rural families, small farmers, individuals, other groups and organizations. We use research-based information and technology to focus on priorities and needs which help improve quality of life.

In order to accomplish our mission, the Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension Program will:

Provide educational programs in the areas of agriculture and natural resources, community and rural development, 4-H and youth development, and family and consumer sciences.
Operate with public (federal, state, and county) and private financial support.
Provide educational outreach in selected counties through county faculty and subject matter specialists.
Help individuals, families, agencies, organizations and communities identify and solve problems.
Enhance the economic and social viability of the communities.
Involve county and state advisory committees in our programming efforts.

Our vision is to be a leader in outreach educational programs for continuous learning opportunities. To make this vision a reality, Cooperative Extension will:

Network with The University of Tennessee, other land grant universities and with other sources of research-based information.
Build a competent and innovative staff committed to excellence.
Offer an expanded network of volunteers.
Establish coalitions with agencies at local, state, national and international levels.
Establish public trust in the organizations stewardship of human, financial and natural resources.

PROGRAMMATIC GOALS

Goal 1:        Enhance the global participation, competitiveness, and profitability of agricultural producers, especially family farmers, non-traditional producers, and those who lack adequate economic and social resources.

Goal 2:        Improve decision-making by consumers and policy-makers to ensure a sustainable, safe, affordable and nutritious food supply through enhanced research, education and Extension activities.

Goal 3:        Increase the capacity of individuals, families and communities to assure a healthy well-nourished population.

Goal 4:        Enhance the environmental protection efforts of small, limited-resource landowners, communities and families through educational programs that emphasize and encourage the adoption of sustainable consumer and production practices.

Goal 5:        Empower youth, families and communities to enhance the growth and development of business and industrial sectors.

Agriculture & Natural Resource Team

Fitzroy D. Bullock, Ph.D., Professor, Small Farms and IPM

Team Leader

The Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Team provides research-based information via a variety of educational program delivery methods including workshops, tours, field days, farm visits and inservice training to county agents. The ANR Team consists of Extension faculty in small farms and integrated pest management, forestry, goats and small ruminants, and home and consumer horticulture. They work with small farmers, landowners, homeowners, organizations and rural and urban communities. The ANR Team is an integral unit of the statewide network of TSU and UT Extension faculty, county agents, federal and state agencies implementing the land-grant mission.

Family, Youth & Community Team

Thelma Sanders-Hunter, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Family Life and Resiliency
Team Leader

The purpose of the Families, Youth, and Communities (FYC) Team is to provide support for programming to ensure outcomes that strengthen families, help youth to succeed, and build strong communities. The FYC Team consists of Extension faculty in Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H and Youth Development, and Community Resource and Economic Development. The Team provides leadership in their respective areas to county agents and assists with planning, implementing and evaluation of educational programs. They link research to address identified needs of clientele across the state.

Fiscal, Equipment & Personnel Team

Rhonda Moore, M.S., Fiscal Analyst II
Team Leader

The Fiscal, Equipment and Personnel (FEP)Team is responsible for approving, processing and tracking all travel requisitions, purchase orders, appointment recommendations, and personnel action forms for the Cooperative Extension Program. This team is also responsible for inventory control and the coordination of all building projects and equipment purchases under the USDA Facilities Program. The FEP Team consists of a Fiscal Analyst II, a Equipment Inventory and Management Manager, and a Facilities Construction Manager.

Administrative Support Team

Albretta L. Jackson, B.S., Office Manager
Team Leader

The Administrative Support (AS) Team provides essential technical and data processing services designed to meet the needs o the entire program. The AS Team consists of office manager, administrative secretary and three secretary IIIs. Individually they serve on separate program teams but function collectively to maximize their expertise and enhance innovation and creativity through out the campus and county units.

Communications & Information Technology Team

Latif Lighari, Ph.D., Associate Administrator, Professor
Team Leader

The Communications and Information Technology Team is a support team for the faculty and staff of TSU Cooperative Extension Program. It provides wide range of support in the areas of communications, such as media relations, media contacts, news and media coverage, publication of Extension fact sheets, program brochures, departmental and team news letters, impact statements, periodic and annual reports. In the area of Information technology, this team is prepared to provide support in the areas of web page design and management, computers and equipment maintenance and support, support and training for the use of e-mails, Lotus Notes MIS, Annual Plans of Work, Annual Reports; Power Point and other computer based instructional programs and reports. In the area of web-based teaching and distance education support, this team is organized to provide basic instructional design work to convert written instructional material into web based teaching material. This effort is coordinated with the Distance education staff of the TSU Division of Extended and Continuing Education. This team is able to assist in conference calling, Video Conferencing, Net Meetings, and teaching on the Web using our Agricultural Information and Technology Center.

National Extension Leadership Development (NELD) Team

Brenda Hunter, M.S.
Team Leader

The purpose of NELD is to assure and promote the quality of future leadership for the Cooperative Extension System. Specifically, the three-fold purpose is: To provide Extension leaders and administrators with the vision, courage and tools to deal with the rapidly changing social, political, economic climate; to enhance the pool of executive leaders available to the Cooperative Extension System; to help current and future leaders assess existing organizational resources as they continue to design concepts and programs that meet new and emerging needs. As the national host for NELD, TSU/ CEP is responsible for developing and coordinating a dynamic two-year learning experience for selected Extension personnel from Land Grant institutions across the country.

Program Planning & Staff Development Team

Clyde E. Chesney, Ph.D.
Latif Lighari, Ph.D.
Team Leaders

The purpose of the Program Planning and Staff Development (PPSD) Team is to ensure timely development and submission of the Extension plan of work and accomplishment reports to the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (USDA). Plan of Work (POW) development, implementation, evaluation of and the collection of outcome and impact statements is done in partnership with the UT Extension Service. The PPSD Team consists of the administration and team leaders of the other teams. The team helps develop and recommend appropriate inservice training for campus-wide faculty and county agents. Leadership development and team building is also an important function of this team.

Marketing, Service Excellence & Public Relations Team

Latif Lighari, Ph.D.
Albretta L. Jackson, B.S.
Team Leaders

The purpose of the Marketing, Service Excellence and Public Relations (MSEPR) is to ensure a planned and systematic approach to educating the various publics about who, what, why, where and so what of the Cooperative Extension Program. The MSEPR Team consists of staff with appropriate skills and interests. They work to ensure that we meet and exceed expectations of our various clientele groups, and ensure a uniformity of quality programming. Finally, they help ensure communication program outcomes and impacts to key decision-makers.