UMES Extension specialists formed a delegation with colleagues from the University of Maryland Extension for a national conference and visits with state legislators. UMES’ Ariel Clay, a 4-H STEM youth development specialist, and Lila Karki, assistant professor of agricultural economics, attended the Joint Council of Extension Professionals-Public Issues Leadership Development Conference from April 17-19 in Annapolis, Maryland.
Preconference training prepared the team on engaging at the national level, understanding the role of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy and other partners, and guidelines for “meaningfully” engaging and educating federal legislators on the outreach efforts and impact of extension in Maryland.
Clay, for instance, was part of a group that met with senior aides in charge of briefing Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes (both D-Md.) on issues related to agriculture, energy, environmental protection, health and other community issues relevant to extension’s mission.
“In both cases, the aides were especially interested in how extension could provide insight into their rural constituency’s needs as both of their district’s boundaries have shifted to include large agricultural communities,” Clay said. “A good deal of time was spent talking about the Farm Bill, watersheds and mental health support for farmers.”
“PILD and its associated visits on Capitol Hill are an important opportunity for extension faculty and staff to educate our policymakers about what we do for our communities,” Clay said. “Summing up everything extension does in a single 20-30 minute meeting is challenging, but as an employee it was an excellent way to really wrap my head around what ALL of us do and how to communicate that to stakeholders.”
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
