Extension is a public-funded, non-formal educational system linking the land-grant University and county government. It is believed to be the largest adult and youth out-of-school non-formal educational organization in the world. The three partners in programming are USDA, the state land-grant institution and the county government.
Federal Partner
The federal partner is United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA has four mission areas. Extension is located in the Research Education and Economics (REE) mission area. The agency that administers Extension is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
State Partner
The land-grant colleges and universities have an alliance known as The National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC). Programs and policy for extension are formed by the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). In Nebraska funding for the Extension is through the University of Nebraska. University funding is appropriated by the Unicameral (state legislature) on a bi-annual basis through income tax and sales tax. By law Nebraska’s state budget must balance with its tax revenue.
Local Partner
In Nebraska the University has an interlocal agreement with county government to provide the local support including funding through local property tax dollars for the office facility, support staff, travel, programming supplies and equipment. This support varies depending on the size of the county. Each county or groups of counties have a constitution and bylaws that provide for an extension board to assist with program identification and planning.
Organizational Chart
Engagement Zone Coordinators will lead multi-county Engagement Zones across Nebraska. These coordinators will foster employee success in Extension programming, build strong stakeholder engagement and connect local people to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Successful coordinators will establish an inclusive culture in their Engagement Zone to attract, hire, coach and retain talented Extension professionals. The Coordinator is expected to coach employees to Excellence in Extension and to support professional development in subject matter expertise as well as Extension best practices. The Coordinator will foster strong partnerships with elected officials, Extension Boards and advisory groups including the local Extension Board. In addition, the Coordinator will build collaborative relationships with local leaders that produce beneficial university-community initiatives.
Contact Engagement Zone CoordinatorsAccountability Regions
To better serve all Nebraskans, Extension has organized our Extension Educators into Accountability Regions. Each Educator has a group of counties where they are expected to connect with clientele in their focus area as well as businesses, organizations and communities to provide a strong linkage to Extension programs, products and services.