<b>By MICHELE F. MIHALJEVICH<br> Indiana Correspondent</b> </p><p> FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Though Purdue University’s Cooperative Extension Service is changing to meet the needs of the 21st century, leaders say the primary goal is still to be a good source of information.<br> “People want to know what are you going to do, what are you going to change,” said Charles A. Hibberd, who became director of Purdue’s extension program in November. “The roots of extension aren’t going to change. We’re still about people and helping them in their lives and with their livelihoods.”<br> In order to do that, Hibberd said extension must continue to be where people turn for information.<br> “We’re the premier source for unbiased, research-based information. For people who know us, that’s a given,” he said. “No one is telling us what position to take.”<br> Val Slack, extension director in Whitley County, agrees. Slack has been in extension for 31 years.<br> “The information we have is science- and research-based,” she said. “That separates us from the mass data flow that’s out there. But that isn’t different than it was 15 years ago.<br> “There’s a tremendous amount of information available, and it comes at you from all directions. Our strengths and challenges are to turn that information into usable data.”<br> While disseminating information is still extension’s number-one responsibility, changes in other areas play a role in how extension officials do their jobs, Hibberd said. Changes in the global economy and competition and the increasing complexity of issues; all affect extension and must be addressed, he said.<br> Hibberd spoke earlier this month at the Fort Wayne Farm Show. “When extension started, things were pretty simple,” he said. “There were basic questions about types of fertilizer, the rate of application, and farmers at the most might be just thinking about the environment. Now, we must know the real issues and opportunities. We have to connect with our constituents and our communities. We have to talk to you, to listen to you.”<br> Purdue extension will respond to the challenges by hiring people with masters’ degrees, staying grounded with research and refining operational strategies, Hibberd said.<br> “We have to identify the real issues. We must be sure we’re working on the most important issues. And not only must we continue to work to solve problems, but we have to prevent problems, too, by getting out in front of issues.”<br> Employing staff at the county level allows for better service to the community, he said.<br> “Purdue’s extension professionals add value, and are able to localize information,” he said. “They have expertise relevant to their particular region. They offer targeted, timely information.” During recent flooding in parts of the state, extension officials offered residents a pamphlet with information on staying safe during a flood, and on ways to clean up after, he said. <br> Generally speaking, the state’s counties do a good job of helping to fund extension, Hibberd said.<br> “A really important component of our funding comes from counties,” he said. “While there are always opportunities to do things we can’t afford to do, we are funded well enough to do the things we need to do.<br> “We’re well-funded and able to do our work. But we can’t miss a step.”<br> Extension’s breadth and depth have expanded, and in some cases, has been a surprise, Slack said.<br> “Years ago, if someone said to me, ‘You’ll be teaching computer classes,’ I don’t know I would have agreed,” she said. “I didn’t realize it would fit into our mission.”<br> Two-way video capability has allowed county extension officials to more efficiently deliver information, she said.<br> “It’s the best way to utilize the time of our experts and specialists,” Slack said. “One change in the last 15 years is that our programs have become more focused. We’ve worked hard to do what the community requests.”<br> Technology such as two-way video has kept costs down by reducing travel for extension staff, said Roger Sherer, extension director in Wells County.<br> “We’re doing more interactive conferencing with training, updates and committee meetings,” he said. “We also use it to give the public information on such topics as taxes and what’s happening in the legislature.<br> “Video conferencing didn’t exist 15 years ago, and five years ago we had it, but it wasn’t very dependable.”<br> Sherer, who has been with extension since 1979, has noticed a decrease in the number of volunteers for such programs as 4-H. “There’s more competition for people’s time. They’re thinking twice about volunteering. It’s difficult to get people to be on a board for two to three years,” he said.<br> While Adams County’s extension office has the same technology updates as its counterparts, the county’s large Amish population means the staff still delivers information in more traditional ways, said Trisha Hockemeyer, extension director.<br> “We still do a lot of hands-on training, for example, with canning,” she said. “We meet the needs of the people however they need us. We’re not behind a computer, but out there working hands-on.” The Internet expands extension’s audience, she said. Hockemeyer has been with extension 12 years.<br> “People will use Google and find us by accident,” she said. “They’ll call or e-mail and say, ‘We never knew you existed.’”<br> Overall, Hibberd said Purdue’s extension staff is doing a pretty decent job of getting information to the public.<br> “Purdue has one of the top five extension programs in the country, and that doesn’t happen if you’re the best-kept secret in town. When people find us, they have to find value.” |