Dr. Pete VergotIII

District Extension Director

University of Florida Extension

155 Research Road

QuincyFL32351

July 11, 2005

To:CountyExtension Faculty

From:Dr. Pete Vergot, District Extension Director

Re: Internationalizing University of Florida IFAS Extension Professional Development and InstitutionalBuilding - Applications due September30, 2003 see form attached

We are pleased to announce the Internationalizing Extension project for University of Florida /IFAS Extension. County Extension Faculty are encouraged to apply for a unique professional development activity. The project will focus on the development and implementation of capacity building and institution building in international extension for University of Florida IFAS Extension. University of Florida IFAS Extension and two important partners; county commissioners and administrators represented by the Florida Association of Counties and students and faculty of educational departments in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) will team-up to assist in Internationalizing Extension in Florida.

The members of the learning team will be county extension faculty members partnered with current elected county commissioner/administrator from the same county and graduate students and faculty with interest in international extension from CALS. This project will strengthen the organizational capacities of all entities to position the University of Florida IFAS Extension for stronger internationalization efforts in the future. Agents should discuss this with their CED and DED when deciding on a Commissioner Team member.

This special training is open to county faculty from all program areas.In the 2003-04 program year, fivecounty faculty / county commissioner teams (one from each extension District) will be selected for the training program. You are especially invited to apply for the International Extension Training Program.

Please consider joining the program by filling out the attached application form and returning it before September 15, 2003. Consider turning in your application now. Applicants should have attained permanent status or have six years in Extension. All information can also be found starting at the International Extension Web site at:http://international_extension.ifas.ufl.edu/

The training will be offered as a series of three workshops and a 10 - 12 day international field experience. Objectives are outlined below and in the attached pages.

County Faculty and other members selected are asked to make a strong commitment of time, must be present at all sessions, must be willing to "give up" other state paid in-service days for the year and to be involved in a reading and study program.

The selection process will consist of the following steps:

1.Review of applications by District Directors for professional interests.

2.Review by training program Director and Dean to relative commitment of candidates based on personal objectives and intended application of training experience.

3.Selection from an eligible pool of candidates to achieve a balanced yet heterogeneous group across areas of expertise.

4. Confirmation from those invited to participate, reflecting county and office support.

A key element in the selection process will be the team’s ability to predict how the training experience will be used in the candidate’s own professional career and how their experience will be applied to benefit clientele in Florida.

Priority will be given to teams that can provide funds, (i.e. county, advisory committee, etc.) to attend the campus component. These expenses would be the travel, meals and lodging while on campus in Gainesville and the travel to the airport for the international component. The entire “International Experience”cost will be covered though state and grant funds.

Details about the program are included in the enclosed materials and on the web at http://international_extension.ifas.ufl.edu/. We encourage qualified individuals to apply. This special training is open to county faculty from all program areas.

As always please call if you have questions

cc: Dr. Christine Waddill, Dean for Extension
Dr. Larry Arrington, Associate Dean for Extension

Internationalizing University of Florida IFAS Extension Professional Development and Institutional Building

International Extension Training Program 2003-2004

Outline, Objectives and Dates for the
professional development and institutional building program:

Exploring -session one:Orientation to international extension programs, campus based-

Over three days December 16th -18th starting at 1pm on Dec. 16th and concluding at noon on Dec.18th.

  • objective one: To learn about the duties of personnel of University of Florida IFAS International Programs
  • objective two: To understand what an internationalized extension system is, its role why it is necessary, and the constraints and opportunities that exist
  • objective three: To develop the individuals as a team
  • objective four: To learn from faculty currently involved in international extension experiences

Understanding - session two:Preparing for the international experience, on campus–

Three days January 27th – 29th starting at 1pm on Jan. 27th and concluding on Jan. 29th.

  • objective one: Preparing for international extension experience, discussions with experienced faculty
  • objective two: What to expect during the international experience, discussions with Faculty and students of EARTH via interactive video
  • objective three: Returning and reporting – expectations and assignments

Observing and Participating - session three: Participation in an international experience –
In Costa Rica , with our host of EARTH University March 3rd – March 13th(tentative)

  • objective: to give participants first hand experience with people of other cultures during an organized professional development program
  • Wednesday March 3rd, 2004 – day of travel to Costa Rica
  • Thursday, March 4th – EARTH, a focus on the university programs
  • Friday, March 5th - local government focusin communities
  • Saturday and Sunday, March 6th – 7th - each team member will stay with a family -24 hours including an overnight
  • Monday, March 8th – study of the costal Caribbean economy
  • Tuesday, March 9th –Costa Rica extension
  • Wednesday, March 10th - Eco-tourism the rain forest and/or volcano area
  • Thursday, March 11th –community development and extension systems
  • Friday, March 12th - local and state government, state extension and agricultural cooperatives overnight in San Jose’
  • Saturday, March 13th–day of travel to the U.S.

Sharing - session four: Preparing for evaluation, experience sharing and reporting

- Two-dayson campus in Gainesville, date to be determined by the group

  • objective one: Faculty, local officials and graduate students share experiences and lessons learned from their international experience
  • objective two: Faculty, local officials and graduate students develop a personalized plan for sharing international experience.
  • objective three:Faculty, local officials and graduate students report in teams back to local constituents and during professional association meetings.
  • objective four:Faculty, local officials and graduate students prepare for international assignments, developing an international extension system for Florida Extension and hosting international visitors.

Post- training follow-up

  • Objective one: deliver at least one presentation to clientele
  • Objective two: participate in follow-up evaluation, discussions and meetings as appropriate
  • Objective three: seek out international assignments and opportunities to host international visitors

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity - Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, IFAS, Florida A. & M., UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAM, AND BOARDS OF COUNTYCOMMISSIONERS COOPERATING.