August 5, 2025
Just Ask Them
The action plan season is right around the corner. Before you copy and paste last year’s action plan -- which may or may not be the same one you copied and pasted from the year before -- over into this year’s action plan, I would like for you to think about something.
Needs.
Extension professionals are often asked about the relevancy of our programs. A fundamental underpinning of program relevancy is whether our programs address the needs of the people we serve.
A common thought: “I still get good attendance with the program I have run the past few years. It must still be needed. I will just go ahead and do it again this year.”
While strong attendance is possibly one sign of program relevancy and need, it neglects the fact that there may be issues out there that even your most loyal learners would rather see addressed.
How does one determine needs? Simply put, ask.
We are lucky because we have focus groups statutorily built into our organizational structure -- local unit program development committees. Their whole purpose is to help our local units offer locally relevant programs. Ask them what issues are affecting their youth, families, farms and communities.
Listen to the conversations being had at the local coffee shops, diners, school board and community group meetings. What are they telling you about public concerns?
Talk to your friends and potential collaborators that you interact with in your work circles. Is there a common need or needs that your programming should address?
What are the people in your local unit, center, or department talking about? Do any needs crop up in your mind based upon your conversations with them?
Don’t overlook your new agent colleagues. New agents conduct two exercises – Getting to Know Your Community Demographics and Getting to Know Your Community Stakeholders – that could provide great insight about emerging issues to address.
Everyone wants relevant extension programs. Program relevancy starts with needs. Resist the urge to do the “same old, same old” and, instead, determine your constituents’ needs.
How? Just ask them.