137 



The CES has a long tradition of effectively educating many segments of 

 society in programs related to agriculture, families, youth and communities. 

 This outreach success is recognized by other segments of government with 

 envy. The CES has an extensive infra-structure which can and should be 

 used by other segments of government. Apparently, some have viewed the 

 CES as a competitor to their ability to create a comparable outreach system. 

 This is unfortunate and unnecessary. The CES stands ready to cooperate, 

 collaborate or coordinate with other segments of government. 



The Future 



The CES continues to mature as a sound, proactive, nonformal, educational system 

 dedicated to the improvement of the lives of people by addressing critical issues and needs. 

 Change is accepted in the CES as condition of being part of the S/stem. The CES 

 continues to look to the future in hopes of continuing to be recognized as a positive force 

 for change in the United States and internationally. 



Principles for Restructuring 



Extension's interest in the potential restructuring of USDA is based upon the need to 

 effectively fulfill its educational mission with a broad-based program driven by people's 

 needs. State structures for delivering CES programs vary widely and thus, any structure 

 should focus on the agency's ability to maintain effective linkages to State programs. 



Mr. Chairman, ECOP believes the following principles are important to consider in 

 any structural reorganization of USDA: 



1 . Mission and function should be the primary criterion for reorganization. The 

 USDA and its respective agencies are responsible for functional areas 

 including Education, Research, Regulation, Conservation, Marketing, 

 Economic Forecasting and Food Assistance. 



2. For Extension to continue to be effective in its educational mission, it must be 

 seen by clientele as a credible, unbiased organization providing science and 

 knowledge-based solutions to critical problems. 



3. Enhanced collaboration with other federal agencies and department is 

 necessary for Extension to maintain a broad-based program focused on the 

 highest priority needs and issues facing people. 



4. There is a need to retain flexibility for CES to respond to critical issues in a 

 timely manner (e.g.. Africanized honeybees). 



5. There is a critical need to retain the tremendous networked communication 

 capacity that CES has built in the past several years. We are a part of the 

 developing national information infrastructure needed to serve our customers, 

 as well as cooperating and partnering with other organizations and agencies. 



