Illinois Extension Agricultural Association
February 27 – March 1, 2007
North Central Region Leadership Workshop
St. Louis, MO
Current Membership
The Illinois Extension Agricultural Association (IEAA) is an energetic group of committed professionals who
activity participate in association events. IEAA currently has 111 members, composed of 51 active and 60 life
members. Our state organization is divided into four districts. Each district meets regularly and offers professional
development opportunities and tours. New member solicitation is encouraged at the district level.
IEAA was well represented at the 2007 NACAA AM/PIC at Cincinnati. Illinois had a Distinguished Service Award
winner, two second place finalists in the poster contest, and communication award finalists. An administrator led the
group States night out. To further encourage AM/PIC attendance, IEAA offers financial support for voting delegates,
first-time attendees, Distinguished Service Award, Achievement Award, and other national award winners.
IEAA Happenings
State association members had opportunities for professional development and social interaction at various meetings
throughout the year. The spring meeting is usually held in conjunction with Illinois JCEP. In 2006, this meeting also
included professional development on Cycles of Professionalism.
The fall 2006 meeting was held in Southern Illinois. Thirty-five members toured horseradish production and learned
about Illinois history at either Cahokia Mounds or the Lewis and Clark Museum. The second day was devoted to an
association meeting.
District events included:
 tour of aerial spraying operation and state conservation area
 tour of Western Illinois University’s alternative agriculture plots
 tour of Aquarance (aquaculture/fish farm/herb production)
State of University of Illinois Extension
Funding Issues
Thanks to the efforts of Extension Partners - an independent, not-for-profit organized created to advance the interests
of Extension - and others, allocations from the state general assembly for FY 07 included budget increases (first in
over four years).
County board match – where the state matches locally raised funds for Extension programming - was passed at
$12,800,000, or full dollar for dollar match. However, at year end we expect to only receive 94-95 percent of those
funds from the state. Unit based Youth Development Educators received $1,693,300, a $300 increase (after several
years of continual decline). The new initiative funds for Cook County Extension also received an increase, going
from $5,000,000 to $5,055,000. Additionally, new state funds were allocated for AgrAbility ($200,000) and Center
and Campus-based Specialists ($300,000).
Despite these positive advances, General Revenue Funding (GRF) funds to Extension are expected to continue
decreasing in the range of $300,000 per year over the next three to five years. These reductions will directly affect
- Goals of IEAA The Pursuit of excellence in Extension Education by professionals interested in agriculture.
Protect, enhance and promote the interests of Extension Professionals.
IEAA Report – page 2
Extension’s ability to fill center educator and specialist positions as retirements or new needs are identified.
Additionally some unit offices face financial challenges from tax caps, county government funding constraints, and
other factors.
Staffing
After several years of attrition and the eroding of field-based Educator positions, Extension hired several new staff in
2006. The Cook County Initiative added numerous new staff based within one of six districts in Cook County.
Downstate, the current trend is to hire field based specialists with a 10 month position paid over 12. These
individuals obtain outside funds to pay the 11th month of their salary.
Cost Recovery
Based on the 2003 University of Illinois Extension Strategic Agenda, cost recovery efforts are considered for most
Extension programs within the state. Where appropriate, user fees are charged to accommodate program costs.
Extension Administration instituted a mandated, uniform user fee ($30.00) for all Private Pesticide Safety Education
(PSEP) training sessions in Illinois, starting September 2006. This fee is distributed to local units, trainers, and
campus using a formula developed from researching the program.
To help accommodate user fees and the ever increasing use of credit cards by clientele, a new online registration
system was created in 2006. The system includes options for payment by credit card, check, or cash.
Administration Changes
Several changes have occurred recently within Illinois’ Extension Administration. Two regions hired Associate
Regional Directors. The Assistant Dean of Professional Development was appointed Interim Assistant Dean & State
4-H Director. The past Interim Assistant Dean & State 4-H Director changed to Director of Program Planning and
Evaluation, following a retirement of the previous director. Professional development is being covered by Marketing
Director and Associate Regional Director-East Central Region. The Assistant to the Associate Dean is retiring in
March and discussions continue on how to replace that position. A new position was recently announced for an
internal search – Outreach Initiative Specialist.
Programming
Illinois Extension “Helps Put Knowledge to Work” throughout Illinois in traditional and new ways. More and more
programs are delivered using distance delivery such as video conferencing, phone conferencing, internet, and more.
Some top agricultural issues in the state that Extension helps address includes wind farms, ethanol, alternative crops,
agri-tourism, and recreational agriculture.
International Extension efforts enjoyed a boost in 2006. A new International Extension committee is formulating
action items and developing a new International Extension website. International Extension activities occurred in the
Ukraine, South Africa, and soon in Kenya. An ACES Global Academy included three Extension Specialists in 2006
and added a field-based Extension Educator in 2007. The new Outreach Initiative Specialist will provide assistance
and critical input in shaping the strategic agenda for Internationalizing Extension.
Three pre-proposals were selected from a pool of 21 to be the first to advance for Flagship proposal development.
These include:
 Illinois Master Naturalist Program
 Living Well with Chronic Disease: A holistic self-management program
 Community Assessment and Development Services
These proposals were selected because of their potential to elevate the impact and visibility of University of Illinois
Extension both on campus and in communities in an innovative way. Through innovative and entrepreneurial
approaches, these Flagship Programs feature inclusiveness of different disciplines and cross-campus engagement,
substantial inclusion of county directors, new opportunities for teams to work together, responsiveness to local
needs, and financial sustainability.