The University of Minnesota Extension Service is going to look different. As of January 1, 2004, there will be 18 to 20 new Regional Centers for Extension. The locations will be announced this month. State and federal dollars will fund these sites. A regional director, 5-10 regional educators, and 2-3 support staff will be housed at the centers. The educators will provide programming in 4-H youth development, family development, agriculture, food and environment, natural resources and community vitality. A second piece of the transition is the restructuring of the local county offices. County extension committees, county boards of commissioners and local extension staff are in the process of developing satellite or local extension offices. Currently in Stearns County they are working to develop a staffing plan within the county budget to meet the needs of county residents. They would like your input. If you have thoughts, ideas or opinions on what has been valuable to you from the extension service, what types of educational programs you would like to see continue or added, or what services you do not see as valuable, we would like to hear from you. You can call the office, contact an extension committee member or a county board member, send us a note, or e-mail. We hope the education and service provided to you by the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Stearns County, over the years has been of value to you. We would like you to help us shape the future of our work. Give us a call at (320) 255-6169 or (800) 450-6171.
