Leadership Advisory Board Issue Identification Report 2011

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


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


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


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


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


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



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


Wellness Education 24


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


Agricultural Literacy 22


Career Exploration/Job Training 21

Bullying 17

Youth Leadership Development 16


Lack of Basic Life Skills 8

Safe Cell Phone Use/Texting 7

Teen Pregnancy 5


Decreasing Participation with Livestock Projects 4



Job Skills/Workforce Education 25

Estate Planning 17

Improved Opportunities for Small and Agri‐Businesses 14

Recycling/Waste Management 10


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



Water Issues 73

Range and Brush Management 21

Small/New Landowner Education 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




Family Nutrition 27

Parenting 23


Elder Care 13

Chronic Disease/Diabetes Prevention 12

Access to Healthcare 6

Food Preservation 5

Collaboration Among Service Providers 5

Youth Development




Expanded Youth Activities and Facilities 19


Bullying 15

Youth Leadership 14

Career Exploration and Preparation 13

Teen Pregnancy 12

Life Skills Development 11


Education and After School Opportunities 8

Youth Citizenship Activities 8

Social Media/Technology Safety 8

Outdoor Education 4



Workforce Preparation 17


Small Business Development and Support 11


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



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


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



Parenting Skills 20



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



Career Exploration and Job Skills Education 20


Teen Leadership 14

Safety Education 11



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



Job Skills and Employment Training 18


Community Infrastructure/Facility Funding and Construction 12

Community Leadership and Planning 10

Computer/Technology Education 7

Emergency Management 7


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

Leadership Advisory Board Issue Identification Report 2011

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