AgriProspects
AgriProspects Workforce Development Network
AgriProspects is a NIFA-funded, five-year Adult Agriculture Workforce Development (Adult AWD) program seeking to foster regional cooperation, identify workforce ecosystem gaps, and provide adaptive solutions to local and regional employment challenges utilizing the extensive resources and know-how of the Cooperative Extension System. AgriProspects aims to increase awareness of and access to Extension resources that enhance skills, facilitate credential attainment, and prepare participants for successful workforce entry or re-entry.
AgriProspects Webinar | Wednesday, September 18th at 2PM EST
AgriProspects hosted its first webinar! Rob Russell, Senior Program Director with the Business and Communities Program at the University of Missouri Extension helped to answer the question, "what is Extension workforce development"? Kate Venturini Hardesty, Programs Administrator and Extension Educator at the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension shared information about the RI Agriculture and Food Systems Fellows Program, a yearlong, extension-led experiential learning program for URI undergraduates and Community College of Rhode Island students.
Fall 2024 Updates
Extension Workforce Development
It is the topic of many conversations happening across the country. What is Extension workforce development? While a comprehensive, overarching framework has yet to be developed, AgriProspects is an important part of the conversation and approaches adult workforce development from three key perspectives:
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Everything Extension does is workforce development.
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Skills are the building blocks.
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All learning counts
From field visits to classroom programs to online training, Extension helps individuals prepare for life and work in a variety of ways. Key to this effort are the skills learned, developed, and practiced through Extension education. To this end, all learning counts, whether specifically focused on workforce development or on other skills that will help individuals be healthy, well-informed, and productive.
Context is an important consideration as there are numerous programs, projects, and age groups served by Extension. Workforce development programming is essential for the agricultural sector, and self-employed and entrepreneurial endeavors are an important part of that. AgriProspect is focused on adult workforce development in the agriculture sector working with learners, earners, and employers to prepare individuals for employment.
Workforce Definitions
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Learners: Those engaged in some level of educational programming resulting in skills attainment, certificates, degrees, or some of other credentials
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Earners: People working in the workforce seeking a way to gain new skills and/or knowledge
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Employers: Individuals or companies employing earners and learners
- Dr. Mark Mains, Extension Director for Workforce and Engagement, CEDIK
Source: AgriProspects, Fall 2024 Newsletter
