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New extension system debuts in South Dakota

The extension agents that for nearly a century were relied upon for answers to agricultural and homemaking questions are now a piece of South Dakota history. The extension offices that were an integral part of almost every county seat in the state are this week replaced by eight regional centers.

South Dakota State University Extension Director Barry Dunn says a lack of funding forced the downsizing of offices and personnel, but advancing technology led the extension service to change its method of outreach.

“Maybe it should have been done several years ago,” said Dunn, referring to advances in technology that have made it possible to get information to farmers and ranchers who are equipped to receive it. “We have ranchers and farmers using handheld technologies, getting market information, market analysis on commodities, etc. and we haven’t kept pace with that and I don’t think very many extension services have.”

Although eight communities in the state are hosting the regional centers, Dunn says there’s been push-back from many towns that now have a vacant extension office to add to other vacancies resulting from businesses that have located elsewhere.

“This is about all that’s left and it’s tough for them to give up something else, so I certainly understand that and appreciate it, but that criticism then, I think, has kind of eroded confidence,” he said. “I think there’s some feelings that maybe budget cuts will continue, but we don’t think they will.”

Partly because of the low confidence, but also because there’s high demand for agronomists, the regional extension centers have opened with only two-thirds of the workforce in place. Dunn says the extension service will continue searching for qualified specialists to fill open positions.

AUDIO: Barry Dunn (7 min. MP3)

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