Extension Agents

[MSHereford88]

Hello from Mississippi! I'm new to this forum and hoping to learn a lot from all you folks!

I am preparing for an interview for a job as an extension agent. I have a degree in Animal Dairy Science and the position is Agriculture/ Livestock and 4H related. I would love to talk with those of you who are extension agents, even if your fields are different! I would like to know all about what you do within your position, the pros and cons, anything. If you know members on here that are extension agents, I would love for you to let me know so I can PM them.
If you would like to talk about your dealings with extension agents, be it in the context of the farm, 4H, etc, I'd love to hear that too.
Thanks in advance!

 

[TexasBred]

Bust your a$$ serving the people of your county because most of the Extention Agents over here in Texas are as worthless as a pecker on a dead dog.

 

[chippie]

If you become a 4-H agent, be prepared not to have a life of your own. It is a rewarding job but unbelievably demanding. It can be a 24/7 job.

 

[Fire Sweep Ranch]

All I can say is our Extension Agents work their butts off! All of them do out here. Tons of tours (we have one on Saturday, had one last Tuesday...), and great at getting information out to the public!

 

[highgrit]

We have a good one here in Telfair Co. The only problem is he's talking about retiring. If he does I will be calling him at home for help and info. Thanks again Jack for all your help.

 

[Dave]

I have seen both the good and the bad. Avoid meetings and government BS as much as possible. Don't hide out in the office waiting for people to come to you. Keep in mind that your job is to educate people. Hold field days, go out and meet with people one on one. Good extensoin agents are very active in their community.

 

[J&D Cattle]

Our local extension office does a great job. I'm actually on the advisory council for our county and am very pleased with the work they do in our community. I now our livestock specialist has been covered up due to this drought. Good luck.

 

[MSHereford88]

Thanks so much everyone for all of your replys!
I expect the job to be demanding, but pretty rewarding as well.
Keep em coming.

 

[Fire Sweep Ranch]

Our local extension office does a great job. I'm actually on the advisory council for our county and am very pleased with the work they do in our community. I now our livestock specialist has been covered up due to this drought. Good luck.

Where are you in MO J&D? We had a drought tour Tuesday, good information there! Our county beef tour is Saturday, really looking forward to that!
:heart: our county agents... they come out here to my place if I need them or I know I can go in there any time I have a question.

 

[J&D Cattle]

Our local extension office does a great job. I'm actually on the advisory council for our county and am very pleased with the work they do in our community. I now our livestock specialist has been covered up due to this drought. Good luck.

Where are you in MO J&D? We had a drought tour Tuesday, good information there! Our county beef tour is Saturday, really looking forward to that!
:heart: our county agents... they come out here to my place if I need them or I know I can go in there any time I have a question.

Dent County, what about you?

 

[Fire Sweep Ranch]

Lawrence county, but the drought tour was in Barry county. Good to know most of MO extension agents are doing a good job!

 

[Howdyjabo]

I have to run my extension agents down-- but when I do get hold of them they are very useful.

I am not on their radar as my area is Cow/calf - very few backgrounders. So of course most of their attention/knowledge base is geared towards the cow/calf guys.

 

[SSGenetics]

Hello from Mississippi! I'm new to this forum and hoping to learn a lot from all you folks!

I am preparing for an interview for a job as an extension agent. I have a degree in Animal Dairy Science and the position is Agriculture/ Livestock and 4H related. I would love to talk with those of you who are extension agents, even if your fields are different! I would like to know all about what you do within your position, the pros and cons, anything. If you know members on here that are extension agents, I would love for you to let me know so I can PM them.
If you would like to talk about your dealings with extension agents, be it in the context of the farm, 4H, etc, I'd love to hear that too.
Thanks in advance!

Any other credentials besides a degree?

 

[Isomade]

We have a good one here in Telfair Co. The only problem is he's talking about retiring. If he does I will be calling him at home for help and info. Thanks again Jack for all your help.

We went from what I consider the best ever to basically non existent. I don't even bother anymore. The new guy mostly just stays home and if you are lucky enough to find him sneaking out the back door of the extension office he tells you he will do some research and get back with you, of course he never does.

 

[chippie]

We went from what I consider the best ever to basically non existent. I don't even bother anymore. The new guy mostly just stays home and if you are lucky enough to find him sneaking out the back door of the extension office he tells you he will do some research and get back with you, of course he never does.

I had that problem a long time ago. If a person was not from the right zip code, you were basically ignored. I got tired of the run around and wrote the guy's boss at state level. I aired my grievances and got the help I needed.

 

[john250]

We have two and they are both great.

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

I am with TB the ones we got here is as useless as the tits on a boar hog.

 

[john250]

Bust your a$$ serving the people of your county because most of the Extention Agents over here in Texas are as worthless as a pecker on a dead dog.

Those would mostly be A&M grads, maybe? :cowboy:

 

[MSHereford88]

Thanks everyone for you replys!

Any other credentials besides a degree?

I have a strong equine background (13 yrs experience plus I've worked at a few stables). While I haven't worked with 4H, I have worked for the Girlscouts. Obviously they are not the same thing, but it helps. I have worked in the children's department of my county's library and besides my usual duties, I led a few little programs there. I have passed Incident Command System courses ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-700, and will be taking the one for extension agents exclusively in the next few days. I have obtained Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue Awareness certification as well.
Aside from that I feel like I can communicate fairly well and, most importantly, I have a drive to do the job well and I care enough about the people to help get their needs addressed. I know I'm not the best qualified in all areas, but I Want to do the job.

 

[chippie]

You are off to a good start. : )