Kansas State University

The Extension Worker's Code to Elevate Extension

Submitted by Jennifer Brantley

Hello K-State Extension Colleagues,

As I am asked to write my first Tuesday Letter article, I am wondering what is relevant right now to most of us in extension. We have concluded another county fair season and are getting ready for the state fair. Elections, for some units, are looming in the near future. And annual conference and annual meetings will quickly follow.

But in addition to the busy-ness of the season, one topic that we are hearing from the administration is Elevate Extension. I am personally excited about the notion of plugging what we do into everything that we connect within our counties and districts.

It is common sense to help our communities through the resources of the university. In fact, it is exactly what extension was created to do.

As I was moving emails and files around as I transitioned from Sedgwick County extension to regional director work, I came across a file that was shared when I first started, The Extension Worker’s Code by T. J. Talbert. It is a 1922 pamphlet that discusses attitudes and processes that an extension worker should consider.

In a dated resource, there are items that are a bit humorous, such as “Smoke at the Proper Time and Place” – don’t hold a cigar – or worse – a cigarette in your mouth while giving a lecture or demonstration, or “Use the Newspapers” – make the fullest possible use of their services. While newspapers are still somewhat relevant, we know there are so many other options and avenues to market and advertise these days, so I think that advice could be updated.

But stay with me because most of the items listed are golden nuggets. They are wholesome and good reminders of how to be the best representation of extension that we can be, which will always stand the test of time. In fact, most of these could easily be highlighted on the next season of Ted Lasso (a coach with all of the best quotes and advice). I also feel that these are relevant as we look at the future of K-State Extension.

Believe In Your Work – If you do not believe in your work, you are whipped before you start; your efforts will be fruitless.

Make Friends of Folks, Especially Leaders – It is important to make friends of all the people, especially of those who assume leadership in the community, town, county, and state.

Reach as Many People as Possible – Endeavor to reach as many people as possible at each meeting and demonstration.

Don’t Be Afraid to Say, “I Do Not Know” – When questions upon which you are not informed arise at a farmers' meeting and demonstrations, it is much better for you and all concerned to say “I do not know,” than to give incorrect information, or try to appear wiser than you really are.

Do The Things Which Will Count – “It is great art to know what to leave undone, to know how to weed out the less important things and to spend one’s energies in doing the things which will count.”

Say Something Good: Be Loyal – The little cutting remarks made about others and their work always do you much more injury than they do anyone else.

Don’t Knock: Be an Optimist – The worker who seldom, if ever, sees anything good in anyone or any undertaking may be relied upon to do wrong to all of us should the opportunity come.

And my last favorite…

Be Courageous – “If you can keep courage when others lose heart; if you can keep pushing on when others turn back; if you can smile and wit when others play the coward and quit; if you can be serene in the face of misfortune and failure; if you can keep your nerve and a level head when others get panicky; if you can carry yourself like a conqueror, keep your fixity of purpose when others wave; and you still refuse to lose courage and grip on yourself, then you may know that your work is a success and there is a hero or heroine in you as noble as any that ever gave up his life on the field of battle for a great cause.”

While these words of advice come from 1922, I believe that they can still speak to us in our work today, especially as we continue to identify ways to serve our communities, continue making remarkable impacts, and elevate extension.