The Minnesota response: Cooperative extension’s money and mission crisis

Abstract

The Minnesota Response explains how Minnesota Extension responded to its mission and money crisis in 2004 with a sweeping restructuring. Breaking with 95 years of tradition, Minnesota Extension shifted from a county delivery model to a regional/county model. Regionalization, however, is the tip of the iceberg. Several other policies define Minnesota’s new approach, including changes in funding sources, degree of specialization of the regional educators, more statewide program teams, development of business plans and public value statements, supervision of field educators by program specialists rather than geographic supervisors, new scholarship and promotion expectations, and new evaluation efforts. The Minnesota Response describes these policies and reports on their initial impacts on program quality, scholarship, access, and public support. “As land-grant universities seek to rebuild programs based on 'best practices,' this book contributes valuable, experience-based insights into the choices available as Extension programs continue to evolve and respond.” Michael V. Martin, Chancellor of Louisiana State University.