Keeping extension programs current in order to meet the needs of a dynamic dairy industry

Extension is one of three missions of land-grant colleges. Funding and support include local, state, and federal dollars plus industry support, competitive grants, and user fees. To evaluate changes and emphasis, a survey of 13 selected dairy states was conducted to evaluate changes in dairy full-time equivalents (FTE) in the last 10 yr (1989 compared with 1999) at county or unit, regional, and state levels. A reduction of 5 to 34% in FTE occurred at all three levels. Surveys of dairy support state specialists in other related departments were also collected from the 13 states based on 1999 data. Wide ranges in state specialist support in other departments were reported. Changes and future program needs were collected from a 13-state survey. Two futuristic dairy information delivery programs are illustrated. The Illinois extramural CD-ROM-based instructional program used existing technologies to reach broad clientele bases, allowed students to receive instruction when time was available and earn college credit. The National Dairy Database (NDD) is an Internet-based delivered program with 23 domain areas that contained peer reviewed material. Users can access the new NDD by subscribing to an Internet address (which will be updated as new material is received) or by purchasing a CD-ROM.