Cooperative Extension Program

Important Facts

In 1915, the Texas State legislature assigned state Extension functions to Prairie View A&M College and Texas A&M College.

Today, the Cooperative Extension Program (CEP) is the primary educational arm of the university, disseminating research-based knowledge to benefit primarily limited resource audiences in rural and urban Texas.

The Cooperative Extension Program:

Is a part of the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU).

Serves the state of Texas, while maintaining a day-to-day presence in 42 counties.

Current annual funding is $ 5 million from federal and state sources.

Staff includes 35 headquarters and 40 county level employees.

Has a presence in all seven major urban centers in Texas.

Staff are located in 11 of the 12 Extension Districts.

Economic and Human Benefits to the State of Texas

In FY 2001 - 2002, more than 100,000 Texans participated in Cooperative Extension's educational programs, short courses, seminars, and events. We are proud of this outreach. More importantly however, is the impact these educational efforts has had on the lives of individuals, families and communities, as well as on the economic vitality of the State. This information highlights how we are truly "Taking the University to the People."

Agriculture

The Agriculture & Natural Resources program area delivered innovative approaches and programs that effectively disseminated research knowledge to limited-resource farmers in 32 counties. Three thousand and sixty-four individuals participated in educational meetings, field days and workshops sponsored or co-sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Program. Eight hundred and eighty-five direct contacts were made with producers on specific sustainable/food safety issues. As a result of participation in sustainable agriculture with emphasis on low-input practices and farm financial management, farmers reported the following:

• increased knowledge concerning alternative enterprises
• increased knowledge of farming practices for farms devastated by the drought
• demonstrated ability to recognize and practice specific sustainable recommendations
• 

Community & Economic Development

The Community & Economic Development program addressed many problems and concerns of low-income communities and residents. Accomplishments included the following: 781 community residents participated in community clean-up and fix-up activities; 152 families adopted home maintenance practices; 360 individuals attended housing fairs in four counties; and staff reported partnering with 27 government agencies and organizations. 461 new leaders were recruited and trained to identify and address community problems, and 215 were empowered through the Community Voices program and are taking a more active role in their communities. Through CEP's business development efforts, 291 individuals were counseled on developing business plans and starting new businesses. 153 existing businesses received information about business retention practices and expansion.

Family & Consumer Sciences

1,044 families participated in financial management programs and learned the value of developing a budget and saving money. A total of 1,224 individuals completed non-formal education programs in parenting, learning concepts such as positive discipline and communication skills. 5,207 individuals participated in nutrition and wellness programs. Participants reported an increase in savings as a result of wiser food buying practices. In addition to staff efforts, 119 volunteers donated 420 hours of service representing a dollar value of $5,592.

4-H & Youth Development

The CEP staff trained approximately 395 adults and 177 youths as volunteer leaders, organized thirty-six 4-H clubs and enrolled 740 youths in 4-H clubs. The staff and volunteers conducted a number of formal and non-formal educational programs in leadership and citizenship, volunteerism, career development and entrepreneurship, self-esteem and life skills development, conflict resolution, decision-making, environmental stewardship, and natural resources. 7,201 youths completed these educational programs.