Extension-Take a Bow!

Peter Bloome (Journal of Extension, Spring 1992) is right on target when he points out that as farmers become more proficient in all phases of their operations, Extension should take a lot of the credit. Likewise, I don't believe local county agents have worked themselves out of a job. On the contrary, the need or usefulness of county agricultural agents hasn't diminished, only changed in areas of emphasis.

I'm the production agent for the western half of Palm Beach County, Florida, where gross farm income approximates $750,000,000 per year. These are professional growers with staffs of competent individuals managing complex operations. And, located in one of the fastest urbanizing counties in the nation to boot. I'm usually a busy person.

I review 200 soil-test results weekly. Variety and fertility trials consume a lot of time seasonally. Production-related pest management is still extremely important and constantly changing. Data collection for recurring publications continues. This is the traditional stuff. The area that has increased the most and overwhelms me is working with the public, whether media, governmental regulatory, university, or concerned citizen. Bloome points out that "society has become much more involved in determining how agriculture will be practiced" and for us in the retirement havens of the South, this is certainly the case.

The area of Extension concern that has grown by leaps and bounds, however, is compliance issues. Restricted use pesticide license testing and license renewal through educational programs; mixer-loader and driver safety training; OSHA, SARA Title III, storage tank and solid waste regulations; environmental issues; water use permits; and a whole raft of local ordinances have given farmers more concerns than most production problems ever did. Located with me is an agent with a master's degree in integrated pest management who spends all of his time on compliance issues and is in constant demand. I believe this area will continue to increase in importance.

As the farms get bigger, our clientele group doesn't automatically decrease. As acreage increases, so does the number of hired hands, many on a permanent basis. The manager must spend increasing amounts of time in his/her office and thus the employees become man-agement's eyes and ears in the field. The majority of our audience has changed from owner/operators to field or crop managers and their employees. Extension emphasis remains the same: helping ensure a plentiful, safe, and sustainable food supply and a safe, wholesome life for those producing it.

Thomas J. Schueneman
Extension Agent III
Vegetables and General Agriculture
University of Florida-Belle Glade

This article is online at http://www.joe.org/joe/1992winter/let3.html.

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