Program Focus Areas & Emphasis

The complexities of contemporary living and working are reflected in a constantly evolving extension that focuses on priority areas of agricultural profitability and sustainability; children, youth and families; community and leadership development; food safety, health and wellness; and natural resources and environment. These programs, which have expanded from extension's earliest work in agriculture and the home — still important today — reflect today's life, times and needs of extension clientele.

One example of the changing times and a changing extension is seen in technology. Today, extension leads a Technologies Across Nebraska initiative that includes a partnership of more than 40 organizations, agencies and educational systems working to help communities create awareness of , access to, and the abilities to use information technology. The partnership believes successful technological advancements in inner city neighborhoods and rural communities can lessen migration from rural areas, help communities grow more globally competitive and aid businesses in furthering economic viability.

Action Plans

The Extension four year plan of work contributes to the accomplishment of the objectives identified by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR). IANR, like Extension, has a planning cycle lasting approximately four years. As IANR began its new Strategic Planning Cycle each unit (divisions, departments, districts, centers) identified action plans for accomplishing the objectives related to the program themes laid out in the IANR Strategic Plan. The IANR themes are:

• Enhance economically viable and sustainable food and biomass systems
• Improve natural resources management and enhance environmental quality
• Strengthen the quality of life of individuals and families and contribute to community viability

Extension identified 5 action plans at planning workshops attended by clientele and faculty who determined the most important program outcomes that Extension and its partners should attempt to accomplish in the next four years. These outcomes now form the foundation and give direction for Extension programming and contribute to the accomplishment of the three themes of the IANR Strategic Plan.