Assembled in a large hall at the state fairgrounds, Ohio State University Extension employees from every county and most state level Extension departments were spending a good weather day in May attending an administrative command performance. The year: 2008. Status of the economy: shaky at best.

Of course, dollars spent inside the outer belt seemed plentiful. Lots of trinket type stuff was passed out to all, supposedly to help encourage the “ordered” positive atmosphere of the day. Everyone had assigned seats.

The spring conference was the first event in recollection that every Extension employee was directed to be present. Ag agents had expressed concerns in previous years that the timing of the annual session often conflicted with important work back in counties, such as planting demonstration plots or diagnosing early season challenges with already planted crops.

Many office associates/assistants (known as secretaries to the general public) also questioned the need to be on hand. Fortunately, in some counties, local directors countered the top down demand that all be on hand for the extraordinarily important meeting. Those decisions had practicality in mind; shortage of county funds to pay for travel, important 4-H enrollment deadlines to meet and so on.

Little did anyone know what the highlight of the day would be.

After milling about for a while in the cavernous building, engaging others from across the state, while sharing a wide variety of good reasons for not being at the meeting, the entire group was called to be attentive to the front of the facility.

Lo and behold, the leader of the organization, introduced with much fanfare, jaunted out on stage dressed in a Star Trek costume. Needless to say, any reasonable justification of required attendance for all Extension employees was thought to be zilch at that point for
many.

Numerous attendees from the far corners of Ohio questioned why time and taxpayer money had been spent to view such an exhibition. Indeed, state specialists declared the event to be a total waste of time.

Fast forward to 2011, Extension supporters from across the state are well aware of the financial challenges facing state and county governments. Yet, the same type of administrative demands have been made on offices in each county and department, as all staff are ordered to a mid-December “Adulation” Conference in Columbus.

Attendance is mandatory, regardless of budgetary constraints endured in many offices. The cost: $75 if done by Nov. 18, $100 if done between Nov. 19 and Dec. 1, $150 after that. Drew Hastings is the paid entertainer for the event.

Check out the details at http://extensionhr.osu.edu/ AnnualConf/annualconf.htm

Are the expenditures for registration, travel and time out of the office appropriate for county governments strapped for funds? After attending the session, will participants from far away be better able to serve local clientele needs? Perhaps, interested parties should learn more Extension activities. Check out the following video and find out that Extension leaders find it important to bring in a consultant to teach administrators about the 4 Cores of Credibility: Integrity, Intent, Competence and Results. They will also be taught the 13 Behaviors of High Trust Leadership.

Why would vaunted administrative leaders need that type of training? Would not taxpayers expect people in such high paying jobs to already have those skills?

Again, see for yourself at www.youtube.com/watch? v=kRTBG6T8RVI

Granted, many excellent programs are developed by dedicated Extension personnel across the state. Does the leadership deserve credit for any Extension work? Of course. However, more effective work could be accomplished with less heavy-handed guidance from Columbus-based administration.

How many county-based 4-H or agriculture educators could be paid for by redirecting $1 million presently spent on administration? A good question to pose to your elected officials.

  

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.