Vision

The AgNR vision is to be the Agricultural Leader through research-based science, community engagement, and outreach in the delivery of excellent high-quality agricultural education programs.

Mission

Our mission is to provide high-quality research-based agricultural education to meet Texans’ needs, with emphasis on limited resources, underrepresented, and socially disadvantaged citizens.

Action Item

Goal No. #1: To provide effective leadership and strengthen state-wide agriculture and natural resource program.
Objective 1: Redesign the infrastructure of AgNR to create a more efficient unit by 2021.

  1. Visit all AgNR counties and assist agents with program development and implementation.
  2. Meet with state and regional Ag groups, leaders, and organizations to gain technical agriculture support, state agriculture issue knowledge, and establish relationships.
  3. Create an internal focus group to help steer and continue to improve the Unit.
  4. Revitalize the AgNR Unit to build agriculture relevance, incorporate technology, strengthen management and leadership practices, and apply operational protocols.
  5. Develop a new AgNR operation process and program planning process.
  6. Encourage County Agents to build partnerships with local county agriculture organizations (USDA, SWCD, TWA, etc.)
  7. Conduct weekly/monthly staff meetings.
  8. Institutionalize formal policies, systems, and structures related to program development and delivery.
  9. Repurpose Specialist staff to align activities with research projects, extension programs, and Plan of Work.
  10. Develop a train-the-trainer program for learning and implementing different programs in counties.

Action Item

Goal No. #2: Educate farmers and ranchers on the economic merits, management, and benefits of farm management.
Objective1: Reach 100,000 farmers, landowners, and ranchers by 2025.

  1. Partner with federal, state, & local organizations to conduct Ag education programs for landowners.
  2. Improve AgNR Extension Agents’ programming knowledge for successful program implementation in each county
  3. Raise public awareness through the website and develop fact sheets, brochures, rack cards, etc., education materials on Agriculture program for Extension Agents.
  4. Conduct campus-based public invited Extension programming.
  5. Create a systematic approach to program planning of extension education programs across county lines to monitor effectiveness.
  6. Provide outreach, marketing, evaluation, and database development assistance to build an agriculture base and reach and contact with farmers.
  7. Build a Small Farm Institute and develop relevant outreach education programs to reach farmers, ranchers, etc.
  8. Reach limited resources, a new beginning, female, and traditional producers, farmers, and ranchers through various education technology methods.

Action Item

Goal No. #3: Encourage Extension Agents and Extension Specialists to integrate diverse and innovative research-based extension education programs.
Objective: Conduct at least 300 education programs annually by 2024.

  1. Provide professional development training to County Agents and Specialists on program and organization development, leadership, and new program
    implementation process.
  2. Cultivate innovative needs-based extension programming.
  3. Incorporate and develop new programs to address Texas issues annually.
  4. Implement programs that support POW critical issues.
  5. Establish marketing and outreach expectations for county programming.
  6. Create a diverse group of soil, water, plant, animal programs.
  7. Keep abreast of new agriculture developments, issues, and emerging technology across the state.

Action Item

Goal No. #4: Seek after external and internal financial resources to expand programs, services, and staff.
Objective: Secure 1 million dollars in financial services to build staff, expand programs, and provide services by 2022.

  1. Form partnerships with organizations, agencies, groups, and local entities to apply for funding to expand programs.
  2. Work with Fiscal, OSP, and Research to apply for grants and obtain funding for program expansions.
  3. Encourage staff to apply for at least eight grants per year.