Purdue News

May 21, 1999 Legislature brings thaw to Extension hiring freeze WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Thanks to the Indiana State Legislature, a year-long hiring freeze for the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service will thaw in time for the 4-H county fair season and to help farmers cope with an extended period of depressed agricultural prices. When Gov. Frank O'Bannon signed the state budget bill May 13, he authorized a $2.8 million appropriation that the Legislature had passed to ensure a strong Indiana Extension system that concentrated on local needs. The money will be used to insulate county Extension staff from decreases in federal support, all of which had been absorbed by the university over the past few years. "We're grateful to the governor and the state Legislature for recognizing the need and supporting a strong, county-based Extension Service. The shortfall in federal funds cost Purdue Extension about $1.6 million over four years," said Purdue Dean of Agriculture Vic Lechtenberg. "That meant using money from supply and expense funds, deferring technology upgrades and holding positions open on campus and in the counties to make sure we could meet our financial obligations." Purdue Extension provides educational programming in agriculture, agribusiness and natural resources; consumer and family sciences; and community development. The 4-H program also is part of Extension, with 60,000 Indiana youngsters in 4-H clubs and another 200,000 working with 4-H materials in after-school and in-school programs. The hiring freeze was necessary to ensure Purdue Agriculture's budgetary commitments would not exceed appropriations. Since March 6, 1998, 14 faculty and staff vacancies on campus and nine in the 92 county Extension offices have not been filled with new personnel. The unfrozen field positions are: Extension educators for 4-H/Youth in Floyd, Lake, Madison, Steuben and Franklin counties. Extension educators for agriculture/natural resources in Jennings and Shelby counties. A combined agriculture/natural resources and 4-H/Youth position in Martin County. An urban garden coordinator in Marion County. A master's degree is a minimum requirement for applicants, who also should have work experience in their specialty and a sincere interest in public service, said Purdue Extension Director Hank Wadsworth. He said this is an exciting time to be an Extension educator, because the county offices recently completed an extensive plan of work process. Part of the process was asking county residents to list community issues they wanted Extension to address. The responses included economic development for rural economies, environmental questions, and family and child development issues. There also will be efforts for Hoosier farmers coming off several months of devastating livestock prices who may again be facing depressed prices for corn and soybeans this fall. "The plan of work guarantees that Extension staff will be working on the priority problems in their communities," Wadsworth said. "The opportunity to make a positive difference in Hoosiers' lives has never been greater." Sources: Vic Lechtenberg, (765) 494-8391 Hank Wadsworth, (765) 494-8489; haw@agad.purdue.edu Writer: Chris Sigurdson, (765) 494-8415; sig@ecn.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page