February 27, 2024
State Extension Advisory Council visits Topeka
The last several months, State Extension Advisory Council nominees have been recruited, elected and confirmed as members of the 21 delegates representing extension units across the state.
State Extension Advisory Council members have two primary responsibilities:
- Provide advice to extension administration
- Advocate for local units, KSRE and K-State.
The SEAC meets twice a year, which are typically two-day meetings. The summer meeting rotates around the state and is focused on discussing ideas and opportunities. The winter meeting that just occurred in Topeka on February 19-20 focuses on advocacy.
What happens at the winter meeting? The objective of day one is to provide context for council members in preparation of legislative visits the following day. It is recommended that SEAC members reach out to local extension units before the meeting to have impactful information that affects folks from back home.
The agenda includes updates from administration on statewide initiatives that they might relay in their discussion. This year’s special topic was delivered by Tim Steffensmeier, K-State’s assistant vice president and director of engagement and outreach, who provided the background and progress on K-State 105 and an upcoming proposal for community conversations held via extension across the state.
Matt Casey, the executive director of government relations, and Caroline Kolins, assistant director of agriculture and extension, spent some time going over requests sought from K-State President Richard Linton, including the Ag Innovation Initiative, Kansas Water Institute and debt payment of the Biosecurity Research Institute. Check out the website for the Agriculture Innovation Initiative, https://www.k-state.edu/ag-innovation/facilities/global-center-grain-food-innovation/, which is front-and-center of the legislative request.
After overwhelming everyone with all sorts of important information, council members were charged with developing talking points for their discussion with senators and representatives the next day. They were also supplied with supporting materials to leave with legislators.
That night, all are fed well and hopefully rested for the trip to the Capitol. There is a meeting space used as a staging area for council members as they come and go to various offices. Depending on legislators’ schedules, they may get anywhere from 1 to 4 visits. New members have the option of tagging along with an experienced council member, but are welcome to venture out on their own. Upon returning from their visits, council members share their experience and provide feedback from legislators.
In the staging area, we have visitors that provide information on their organizations. Bruce Chladny, executive director of the Association of Counties, visited us this year and discussed what that organization has been working on -- tax issues of course!
Around lunchtime, representatives and senators join us to provide comments about the session and visit with council members and administration in a casual atmosphere. Many of them have connections to extension and have even been on a local extension board.
Though it can be intense at times, it is a rewarding experience for everyone. SEAC members are often invited to annual meetings or other events in neighboring units to express what they have learned. Feel free to reach out to them to see if they are available for one of your meetings.
These SEAC members represent KSRE with conviction. Their time and effort is sincerely appreciated. When you see them, give them a big thank you for representing KSRE.