Post on 15-Jan-2022
Leadership Advisory Board
Issue Identification Report
2011
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Issue Identification – 2011
The process of identifying relevant issues is fundamental to the program development process for Extension. The uniqueness that Extension offers is the involvement of local clientele in charting the course for educational programs that Extension will offer. The involvement of a representative group of local leaders in identifying and prioritizing the critical issues that a community is facing is paramount to maintaining the relevance of our programs. Each county engages local leaders through the Leadership Advisory Board and through subject matter planning groups. These groups have responsibility for issue identification and program planning, however, a more comprehensive process is valuable every few years. While the Leadership Advisory Board has the primary responsibility for visioning and long‐term planning, involving additional individuals will provide valuable input to the process. The Texas AgriLife Extension Service conducted an issue identification process with direction from the Leadership Advisory Boards in each county during the spring of 2011. Each county participated in either the Leadership Advisory Board Issue Forum or utilized the web based data collection tool. During this process, Leadership Advisory Boards engaged key community leaders to assist in the long range planning process. There were 5,639 community leaders involved in face‐to‐face forums, and an additional 3,382 provided input via a web based tool to collect ideas from the public. The end product in each county is a prioritized listing of issues in each of Extension’s four core subject areas that can be addressed through our educational programs. The following sections will provide an overview of the issues that were identified across the state, followed by a summary of the issues within each region. These issues will provide direction to each county’s programming efforts, will provide campus and region based specialist with emphasis areas in need of educational resources, and will guide our discussion with industry and commodity partners on future efforts.
Agriculture and Natural Resources Issues
Water Issues
A total of 234 issues related to water were identified in 184 counties across the state. The
water issues that were identified can be summarized as follows:
Water Conservation – 116
Water Literacy and Rights – 67
Water Quality Protection – 51
Production Agriculture Issues
Issues related to production agriculture were identified in 166 counties across the state. These
issues are summarized as follows:
Livestock and Forage Production and Profitability – 59
Agricultural Profitability and Sustainability – 53
Agricultural Marketing/Risk Management and Business Management – 51
Rangeland Management and Brush Control – 39
Row Crop Production ‐ 28
Drought Management ‐ 12
Wildlife Management Issues
Issues related to wildlife production, management, damage and/or predation were identified in
105 counties. These issues are summarized as follows:
Feral Hog Management – 46
Wildlife and Habitat Management – 44
Predator Management ‐ 20
Small Scale Agriculture Issues
Issues related to smaller scale agriculture and production were identified in 76 counties. These
issues are broadly categorized below:
Education for New and Small Acreage Landowners – 67
Producing and Marketing Locally Grown Food – 36
Environmental and Natural Resource Issues
Issues related to protection and conservation of natural resources were identified in 90
counties. These issues are as follows:
Stewardship and Conservation – 40
Safe and Responsible Use of Pesticides – 34
Alternative/Renewable Energy – 32
Land Fragmentation ‐ 19
Agricultural Literacy
The issue of educating the public (both youth and adults) of the importance of agriculture on
our society was identified in 79 counties across the state.
Families and Health Issues
The most frequently identified issues and the frequency the issue was identified follows:
Health and Wellness Education – 109
Family Financial Management – 96
Family Nutrition – 78
Parenting – 75
Obesity (Youth and Adults) – 67
Chronic Disease/Diabetes Prevention and Management – 48
Elder Care – 46
Availability of Health Care – 36
Food Preservation – 23
Loss of Family Values – 22
Need for Communication about Programs – 12
Physical Fitness and Activity – 11
Child Care – 10
Food Safety ‐ 10
Youth Development Issues
The most frequently identified issues and the frequency the issue was identified follows:
Need for Agricultural Literacy/Awareness – 84
Decreasing Involvement in 4‐H – 81
Drug and Alcohol Abuse – 81
Career Exploration and Job/Vocational Training – 80
Youth Leadership – 57
Bullying – 56
Cell Phone and Social Media Safety – 52
Teen Pregnancy – 48
Basic Life Skills Education – 42
Character Development – 39
Need for Youth Activities and Facilities – 35
Education and After‐School Improvement – 26
Youth Citizenship Engagement – 14
Safety Education (Farm, Firearm, etc…) – 11
Community Resources and Economic Development Issues
The most frequently identified issues and the frequency the issue was identified follows:
Job Skills and Workforce Development – 77
Community Beautification – 47
Opportunities for Small Business and Agri‐Business – 44
Tourism (Including Eco‐Tourism) – 34
Community Leadership and Volunteerism – 33
Business/Industry Recruitment and Retention – 27
Disaster Preparedness and Prevention – 21
Entrepreneurship and Job Creation – 20
Infrastructure/Facilities Development ‐ 20
Recycling and Waste Management – 19
Estate Planning – 17
Affordable Housing – 17
Issues Summarized by Region
North Region
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Issue Title Frequency
Water Issues 78
Row Crop Profitability 21
Alternative/Renewable Energy Production 20
Beef Cattle/Livestock Production and Profitability 19
Risk Management/Marketing in Agriculture Production 16
Wildlife Management 12
Agricultural Profitability 12
Pest Control 10
Environmental Stewardship/Conservation 10
Rangeland Management and Brush Control 9
Landowner/Property Rights 7
Feral Hogs 7
Horticulture and Gardening Education 6
Wildfire Prevention/Preparedness 6
Alternative Crops 6
Drought 4
Retaining Young Famers 4
Animal Issues/Public Perception 3
Families and Health
Issue Title Frequency
Health and Wellness 32
Financial Literacy 27
Parenting 20
Nutrition 19
Elder Care Issues 16
Obesity (Children and Adults) 12
Family Values/Relationships 12
Diabetes Management and Prevention 8
Physical Activity and Fitness 7
Access to Health Care 6
Food Safety 6
Lack of Quality Child Care 4
Home Safety 3
Youth Development
Issue Title Frequency
Drug and Alcohol Abuse 26
Agricultural Literacy/Awareness 24
Teen Pregnancy 22
Lack of Basic Life Skills 20
Safety and Accident Prevention (Texting, Driving, Firearm, etc…) 18
Bullying 18
Career Exploration and Planning 17
Expansion of 4‐H Program/Increased Awareness 15
Social Media Safety and Etiquette 15
Youth/Teen Leadership 13
Increased Youth Activities and Recreation 12
Increase Vocational Training for Youth 10
Character Education 10
Lack of Quality Education 7
Lack of Parental Involvement 6
Moral Decline among Youth 5
College and Scholarship Training 4
Community Resource and Economic Development
Issue Title Frequency
Workforce Development 17
Small Business Development and Support 16
Community Beautification 13
Tourism (Including Eco‐Tourism) 10
Creation of Jobs 10
Business Recruitment and Retention 8
Expanded Economic Development 8
Disaster Preparedness 8
Lack of Affordable Housing 7
Community Leadership 7
Recycling 6
Social Media/Technology Education 6
Volunteer Development 5
Preserving County Heritage and History 5
Need for Mentoring Program 4
Local Infrastructure Development 3
East Region
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Issue Title Frequency
Water 40
New/Small Acreage Landowner Education 27
Food Production/Gardening 22
Feral Hog Management 21
Wildlife Management and Hunting 19
Environmental Stewardship 14
Agricultural Profitability/Sustainability 12
Profitability in Beef and Forage Production 12
Fire Ant and Pest Management 8
Agricultural Marketing/Risk Management 7
Safe Use of Pesticides 7
Promotion of Farmers Markets 7
Landowner/Property Rights 7
Expanded Business Opportunities in Agriculture 4
Brush Control 4
Farm/Agricultural Labor 4
Alternative Energy 3
Families and Health
Issue Title Frequency
Wellness Education 24
Financial Literacy 23
Family Nutrition 21
Availability of Health Care 14
Diabetes Education 18
Obesity (Youth and Adults) 18
Parenting Education 12
Aging Population/Elder Care 11
Dependent Care 6
Food Preservation 6
Grandparents as Parents 5
Food Safety 4
Lack of Physical Activity 4
Need for Coordination and Networking in Communities 4
Youth Development
Issue Title Frequency
Agricultural Literacy 22
Drug and Alcohol Abuse 21
Career Exploration/Job Training 21
Bullying 17
Youth Leadership Development 16
Expansion of 4‐H Program/Increased Awareness 15
Lack of Basic Life Skills 8
Safe Cell Phone Use/Texting 7
Teen Pregnancy 5
Character Education 4
Decreasing Participation with Livestock Projects 4
Community Resource and Economic Development
Issue Title Frequency
Job Skills/Workforce Education 25
Estate Planning 17
Improved Opportunities for Small and Agri‐Businesses 14
Recycling/Waste Management 10
Community Beautification 9
Tourism (Including Eco and Agri‐Tourism) 8
Economic Development/Business Recruitment 8
Community Leadership and Volunteerism 6
Disaster Preparedness 6
Transportation 6
Land Use and Zoning 5
Increased Communication in Communities 4
West Region
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Issue Title Frequency
Water Issues 73
Range and Brush Management 21
Small/New Landowner Education 20
Wildlife Management 20
Predator Management 15
Community Gardening and Local Food Production 14
Agricultural Profitability 13
Livestock and Forage Profitability 11
Land Fragmentation 10
Feral Hogs Management and Damage Control 8
Row Crop Production and Profitability 7
Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention 7
Renewable/Alternative Energy 6
Proper Use of Pesticides 5
Agricultural Policy and Taxation 4
Risk Management and Marketing 4
Estate Planning 3
Families and Health
Issue Title Frequency
Health and Wellness 29
Financial Literacy 29
Family Nutrition 27
Parenting 23
Obesity (Children and Adults) 17
Elder Care 13
Chronic Disease/Diabetes Prevention 12
Access to Healthcare 6
Food Preservation 5
Collaboration Among Service Providers 5
Youth Development
Issue Title Frequency
Drug and Alcohol Abuse 25
Agricultural Literacy 22
Expanded Youth Activities and Facilities 19
Expansion of 4‐H Program/Increased Awareness 19
Bullying 15
Youth Leadership 14
Career Exploration and Preparation 13
Teen Pregnancy 12
Life Skills Development 11
Character Education 10
Education and After School Opportunities 8
Youth Citizenship Activities 8
Social Media/Technology Safety 8
Outdoor Education 4
Community Resource and Economic Development
Issue Title Frequency
Workforce Preparation 17
Community Beautification 13
Small Business Development and Support 11
Tourism (Including Eco‐Tourism) 10
Job Creation and Entrepreneurship 10
Business/Industrial Development 7
Housing 6
Community Leadership and Planning 5
Oil and Gas Issues 5
Infrastructure/Facility Development 5
South Region
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Issue Title Frequency
Water Issues 43
Environmental Stewardship 15
New/Small Landowner Education 13
Livestock Production and Management 12
Agricultural Profitability and Risk Management 11
Management of Feral Hogs 10
Wildlife Management 6
Farmers Market Creation or Expansion 6
Estate Planning 4
Drought Management 4
Rangeland Management and Brush Control 4
Master Volunteer Involvement 4
Agricultural Diversity 4
Agricultural Leadership Development 3
Crop Pesticide Resistance 3
Fire Ants 3
Marine Education 3
Families and Health
Issue Title Frequency
Health and Wellness 24
Parenting Skills 20
Obesity (Children and Adults) 20
Financial Literacy 17
Gardening and Food Preservation 12
Family Nutrition 11
Availability and Affordability of Health Care 10
Loss of Family Values 10
Chronic Disease/Diabetes Prevention and Management 10
Elder Care and Issues 6
Domestic and Family Violence Prevention 4
Home Energy Conservation 3
Increasing Awareness of Programs and Services Available 3
Youth Development
Issue Title Frequency
Expansion of 4‐H Program/Increased Awareness 28
Career Exploration and Job Skills Education 20
Agricultural Literacy 16
Teen Leadership 14
Safety Education 11
Character Education 10
Drug and Alcohol Abuse 10
Teen Pregnancy 9
Improved Education 8
Bullying 6
Need for Community/Civic Engagement among Youth 6
Truancy and Drop Out Rates 5
Social Networking Safety 4
Enhanced Youth Recreation Activities 4
After‐School Enrichment Programs 3
Life Skills Education 3
Improved Self Esteem 3
Community Resource and Economic Development
Issue Title Frequency
Job Skills and Employment Training 18
Community Beautification 12
Community Infrastructure/Facility Funding and Construction 12
Community Leadership and Planning 10
Computer/Technology Education 7
Emergency Management 7
Tourism (Including Eco‐Tourism) 6
Communication within and between communities 5
Mentoring in Communities 5
Transportation 4
Affordable Housing 4
Business Attraction and Retention 4
Cuts to Education and Services 3
Collaboration and Volunteer Development 3
Feral Animal (Pets) and Overpopulation 3
Recycling Facilities and Education 3
Small Business Development 3