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How can we maintain the most efflcient linkages between Extension and tlie 

 Research community? 



The research community, including both its public and private sector components, is 

 linked with Extension at several levels: national, multi-state, multi-county, and county. 

 Within and across these levels, there is need for multiple linkages between Extension and 

 research through (a) organizational/institutional leadership coordination and collaboration; 

 (b) joint program planning and implementation to address specific issues; (c) split 

 appointments, liaisons, and details across Extension and research agencies/organizations; 

 and (d) effective communication networks via conferences, courses, and electronic and 

 print media. Underlying the efficient linkage between Extension and the research 

 community is the need for a common recognition of "mutual interdependence" in meeting 

 public and user needs through promoting the generation and adoption of improved 

 technologies and practices. 



The major strategic planning effort occurs through the land-grant university where the 

 state's Cooperative Extension System and the Agricultural Experiment Station are 

 located. Dialogue occurs within academic departments, at field locations, and among 

 users and commodity groups in the planning process. 



It should be noted that the Cooperative Extension System, CSRS, and the Agricultural 

 Experiment Stations are strengthening their joint planning activities by addressing priority 

 research/Extension areas such as agriculture and the environment, as well as considering 

 how to forge more efficient linkages. 



At the national level, CES (ECOP) and ES-USDA jointly appoint and manage a Strategic 

 Planning Council. The states Agricultural Experiment Stations (ESCOP) have 

 representation on this planning committee. Likewise, ECOP is represented on the 

 National Research Planning Agenda. In addition, ECOP and ESCOP have annual joint 

 meetings to discuss major research and Extension issues, and regional CES and SAES 

 directors meet, plan, and jointly sponsor study groups, task forces, and projects involving 

 researchers and Extension specialists. 



Also, local, state, and national communication systems are strengthening the many 

 linkages. Extension and research professionals can communicate with each other via 

 electronic mail, engage in cooperative work over electronic networks, jointly contribute 

 to databases and decision support systems, and conduct research and Extension symposia 

 using multi-media, including satellite. 



What percentage of your programs are production agriculture related? 



Forty-seven percent of the nationwide Cooperative Extension System's programs relate 

 to agriculture and natural resources. This is three-and-a-half percentage points above 

 where we were ten years ago and near an all-time high. Within the 47 percent, we have 

 had some shifts toward more environmental issues such as water quality and issues that 

 relate to management, marketing, and policy. 



