Cooperative Extension Specialist
To communicate
local applied research findings from major agricultural institutions to
the general public for practical applications
Cooperative extension specialists work on the cutting edge of
university research, helping translate the latest scientific
understanding for the general public in a variety of specialized fields
ranging from forestry to entomology and plant pathology.
Public education and efforts to improve farm production take the form
of informational newsletters, on-site visits, conducting meetings with
farmers, administering 4H Youth programs and providing information at
fairs and conferences.
Nearly every county across the nation has a cooperative extension
program providing off-campus, adult education outreach. Cooperative
extension programs divide their resources between research and public
education.
Specialists must have a minimum of a master's degree and many have
doctorate degrees in their specialty fields. Cooperative extension
programs also frequently hire college students during summers and offer
opportunities for clerical and field support staff as well.
For scientists, the job offers a unique balance between university
research and hands-on field experience. Most specialists spend
approximately 30 percent of their time working outdoors.
"For people who are trained in agriculture, working for the cooperative
extension is the next best thing to farming," said Hodge Black, an
entomologist who worked as director of Cooperative Extension at the
University of California in Bakersfield for 19 years.
"One can get in on the ground floor and satisfy one's research curiosity without having to invest in your own farm," Black said.
The position also provides opportunities to help the general public
understand and utilize the latest in scientific knowledge, whether it's
helping an individual save a tree in their front yard, or helping a
farmer preserve or expand an orchard.
Cooperative extension specialists combine a natural scientific
curiosity and investigative mind as they work to find solutions for
forestry and agricultural dilemmas.
"Whereas in the past we were learning how to use and not use
pesticides, now we have new technology, biotechnology and bioengineers
who have developed disease resistant plants and crops that are
herbicide tolerant," Black said. "The new trend is to use natural
parasites and let Mother Nature do the work. This requires more time,
more skill and greater decision making."
Requires: Graduate degree. Approximately 70% of work is indoors; 30% outdoors with some travel to state wide meetings.
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