Summary of
- Agent Interviews -
What is your definition of effective
collaboration between an agent and PDC?
Default Responses
Number of Agents Responding
PDC fully supports all agent led discussion/ideas
0
Agent and PDC share in responsibility of design
and implementation of an educational program
13
PDC “rubber stamps” what an agent comes up
with
2
PDC is given “free reign” to come up with ideas
that the agent will implement
1
Other responses (See Wordle and PDC Survey Results)
56
Effective Collaboration – Comments…
• PDC is there to be an advisory board for
agents, to tell us the needs of the community.
They are out in the community so they
represent who we serve whereas the agent
makes programming meetings happen.
Effective Collaboration – Comments…
• Joint Partnership-never PDC dictating
programs to do, never agent dictating
programs to do. Like a marriage- a
compromise. Have seen both ways-creates a
tough working environment with PDC. PDC
helps implementation of programs, not just
attending. Makes them an advocate!!!
Effective Collaboration – Comments…
• There needs to be an awareness on both sides
on what the community needs. The PDC
provides the practical information and the
agent used the data to support and steer the
program efforts. They both share common
ground and goals.
Effective Collaboration – Comments…
• 2-way conversation- agent bouncing ideas to
PDC and vice versa, and developing ideas
together instead of PDC just saying “whatever
you think.” Working together for common
goals.
How would you rate yourself in terms of achieving an
effective partnership with the PDC?
Number of Agents Responding
7
7
Excellent
Good
Fair
14
Poor
20
How would you rate yourself in terms of achieving an
effective partnership with the PDC?
• Misc. Comments
– “Excellent: In a single county, they carried out
programming in absence of Agent”
How would you rate yourself in terms of achieving an
effective partnership with the PDC?
• Misc. Comments
– “If we don’t have that “mover and shaker” they
don’t accomplish much or even have ideas to work
on.”
How would you rate yourself in terms of achieving an
effective partnership with the PDC?
• Misc. Comments
– “Excellent – w/community development”
– “Good – w/Master Gardeners
Please provide your ideas or thoughts about
how the partnership could be improved?
(Most popular responses)
Number of Agents Responding
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
14
8
8
9
6
Number of Agents
Responding
Agent
Training
PDC
Find New Different Meet More
Training Members Meeting
Often
and
Formats
Orientation
What are the three most important resources that you
and the PDC need to achieve an effective partnership?
(Most popular responses)
Number of Agents Responding
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
16
10
6
9
4
9
5
4
6
Number of Agents
Responding
What kind of encouragement do you or your
fellow agents need to increase the level of
engagement with your PDCs?
• Incentive! Not sure what that would be,
though… How about a letter from KSU
Administration welcoming new PDC members –
making them feel special.
What kind of encouragement do you or your
fellow agents need to increase the level of
engagement with your PDCs?
• Incentive for the agent – not sure what that
would be. A new truck! Not sure what is
feasible. Don’t need a plaque. They are very
encouraged when PDC members attend events
and it ‘spurs’ more programming by the agent.
What kind of encouragement do you or your
fellow agents need to increase the level of
engagement with your PDCs?
• Good ways- Recruits told to expect only 1
meeting per year- need to change this mentality!
No one wants to be at meeting with 1 or 2
people; need increased level of commitment by
those on PDC—hard to do now! (new generation
are not “committee people”)
What kind of encouragement do you or your
fellow agents need to increase the level of
engagement with your PDCs?
• The only way there’ll be a change is if there is a
negative consequence if we don’t do it. We’ve
got so much other to do that if there’s no
consequence it’s easy to say I don’t need to do it.
I don’t know what that negative consequence
ought to be, though.
What kind of encouragement do you or your
fellow agents need to increase the level of
engagement with your PDCs?
• If PDC members value the experience, agents will
be encouraged to continue. That’s the
encouragement I need! (If people aren’t showing
up, it feels like a waste of time.)
What kind of encouragement do you or your
fellow agents need to increase the level of
engagement with your PDCs?
• Tools to help PDC members ‘think outside the box’ by learning
about other PDCs:
– Want to make them more innovative rather than just an
opinion board.
– Need to know better how to get them to understand that they
want buy-in rather than just an ‘I think’ sort of group.
What kind of encouragement do you or your
fellow agents need to increase the level of
engagement with your PDCs?
• Tools to help PDC members ‘think outside the box’ by learning
about other PDCs:
– Need to have dynamic PDC members (innovative/create) –
how do we unleash that on the PDC.
– How do we get them through the teamwork process, getting
comfortable speaking, participating as a group.
What kind of encouragement do you or your
fellow agents need to increase the level of
engagement with your PDCs?
• Tools to help PDC members ‘think outside the box’ by learning
about other PDCs:
– It’s getting tougher to find that time to meet – everyone is so
committed already
– We’re told to manage our time, but how do we put a priority
on this with the time we’ll already put in.
Conclusions
• Resource Development
• Accountability
• Training and Support