By Sara Strong
Extension offices across the state heard what cuts were in store for them this week. The big picture isn't quite in focus, and Extension personnel are getting information out as they receive it from the state.
Changes at the Rock County level may not be as noticeable as previously thought, because the office hasn't been up to full staff for almost a year.
All Extension employees have been notified of their job cuts or job offers through reorganization. They have until March 4 to accept the offers.
Extension Educator Fraser Norton was told he will become a Regional Extension Educator specializing in business management and marketing. He will work out of the Rock County office and work throughout the region in his specialty. It's not yet clear how the region will be defined.
The region may be seven counties, but Norton hasn't seen that explanation yet. He said he is pleased to be offered the position because he specifically applied for it.
Part-time Educator Nancy Sandager said her position as the head of the local 4-H is still uncertain because that program is taking some more time to reassess. She also said she didn't want to take a position that would involve travel or working full-time.
Rock County's Extension Director, a new position, will be shared with Pipestone County if Holly Arp, who currently works in Pipestone, accepts the offer.
The reconfiguration of services and state funding is due to a state budget shortfall. That could involve almost 60 of the state's extension educators being cut.
In an effort to help the state budget situation, the Extension Service had Rock County pay 40 percent of the educator's wages in 2000, increased from 28 percent of wages the year before.
The same pay scale will be in place in the future. If counties want additional staff in the Extension offices, they must pay all of the salary costs.
With the more regional direction Extension is taking, Rock County Commissioners have previously voiced concerns over the quality of services.
They reasoned that busy regional experts will spend a lot of time traveling. And in the case of a hailstorm where farmers need fast advice, for example, that person will be stretched too thin in too many directions.
Instead of offering general assistance like educators in the past, a Regional Extension Educator will have a special area of expertise. In the case of Norton, that will be business management and marketing, and he'll help with that throughout the area.
In the case of Arp's position of County Director, she would act as a liaison between University of Minnesota Extension services and the community's needs.
Extension estimated it would save $2,500,000 by making the cuts.