Time in that position: 7 years
Distribution of efforts: 100% extension
Degree held: PhD in plant pathology with a focus on the effects of crop rotation on bacterial wilt in tobacco
Assignment: Director – TX Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab (all disease, all crops)
Commodities: Ornamentals (production, landscape & homeowner) and fruits (stone fruit)
Typical workload in spring:
Master gardener and other continuing education training programs (8 to 10 programs in spring); supporting Extension county agent programs; preparing staff for several statewide surveys (contract work) which include grower or public education/awareness; and conduct surveys (eg. rose virus survey).
Typical workload in summer:
Administrative work for the diagnostic lab – to ensure smooth operations of the clinic; provide support to growers and landscape professionals; conduct site visits and contribute to popular trade journals; manage survey operations (typically 2 to 3 surveys conducted); plan and execute Master Gardener Specialist education programs.
Typical workload in fall:
Manage and conduct Master Gardener intern/volunteer training (~4 sessions); negotiate and ensure funded grants accounts are set up; work with graduate students (committee service); handle 1 to 2 students (undergraduate and graduate interns to the diagnostic lab); conduct, manage and execute applied research activities; efficacy testing on ornamentals.
Typical workload in winter:
Writing year-end reports for the diagnostic lab and other projects; organize and analyze diagnostic lab annual funds situation; set up and conduct Master Gardener trainings (~10 in winter); new year planning and strategies.
Most rewarding thing about working in Extension:
The work that is done directly impacts the end-user. I get to see how my work and the activities of the diagnostic lab help a grower to stay economically competitive. Also rewarding is to see the general public that you educate/traine continue to share their knowledge with others.
Challenges with Extension work; what early career professionals need to know:
The funds available are not like research funds – being creative to find funds to allow you to do your job is paramount. Great challenges to make the connections and networks in the early years. A lot of time must be spent to develop relationships with county agents, officials, and your constituents (people you serve). It is NOT an 8 to 5 job, and scheduling can be crazy. One needs to ensure that there is time set aside for self-preservation of sanity.
Put into context the way Extension is evaluated at your institution:
At Texas A&M, an Extension faculty is a non-tenured faculty member. A person with 100% Extension appointment is evaluated through their departmental peers, but the package only goes through the university committee and to the Extension Director. It is understood that Extension is evaluated primarily on their program development and service component, including Extension products developed. Research is evaluated on their research productions (grant dollars and research publications), and teaching is based on student hours and student evaluations. It should be noted that although there is a primary focus of the package in specific areas for the various efforts, a faculty member is still evaluated on all aspects including research activities, scholarly output (publications), funds received.
Advice to graduate students and early career professionals who want to pursue a career in Extension:
Find an advisor that will include and give you opportunities for you to practice Extension activities, such as general public trainings and participation in field days. Take opportunities to hang out with county agents or growers. Learn to walk in the shoes of the people that you will serve. Be willing to see things from their perspective. Learn to listen and identify their needs. Learn to be able to see the big picture, so that you might be able to prepare for possible in-coming situations, and be prepared to train/educate (proactive approach) with your clientele.
