Division of Agriculture seeks stakeholder input for strategic plan
Jan. 29, 2024
By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
- Deadline to respond to survey is Feb. 15
- Find the survey online
(280 words)
(Newsrooms: with art)
LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is asking for public input as it develops a new strategic plan for its extension and research activities.
The Division of Agriculture is host to two-thirds of the land-grant mission, serving as home to the Cooperative Extension Service, which conducts outreach, and the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, which conducts research.
“We have a great responsibility to a great many people,” said Deacue Fields, vice president-agriculture for the University of Arkansas System and head of the Division of Agriculture. “There are various ways we review our activities on a regular basis to ensure we are positioned to serve the people of Arkansas. Creating a new strategic plan is one of our most important ways of doing this.
“This is not only a period of self-reflection for our staff, faculty and administration, but also a time for us to listen closely to the people we serve and those we hope to serve,” Fields said.
Work has been underway for the new plan since early 2023 for its next plan, including in-person and online listening sessions with stakeholders. The effort is being spearheaded by Stacey McCullough, head of the extension service’s community, professional and economic development department.
The Division of Agriculture has a survey online for the public to provide feedback, which will be open until Feb. 15.
“Conducting research and extension education programs that are relevant to Arkansans is at the heart of what we strive to do,” McCullough said. “We really hope people will respond to this survey and share how we can best support them, their farms and businesses, their families and their communities.”
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact:
Mary Hightower
mhightower@uada.edu