2nd National Extension Nat Res Conference-Abstract 37

Eric R. Norland, Extension Specialist and Program Leader, Natural Resources, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210; 614.292.6544; norland.1@osu.edu

This case study describes the process in which Ohio State University Extension and 2 state agencies, Ohio EPA and Ohio DNR, developed a state budget initiative, garnered support from both within and outside the three organizations, received significant new funding from the Ohio General Assembly, and then developed models and processes to implement the initiative in agency mission-specific programs.

In May 1998 program leaders from the 3 organizations drafted the ?Action Agenda for Ohio Watersheds? budget initiative. The needs to be addressed had previously been identified through a series of public meetings throughout the state. After gaining individual support from the leadership in each organization, a strategy session was held with the 3 agency directors. The outcome of that meeting was enthusiastic support, tempered by the proposed budget and limitations on budget increase requests faced by Ohio EPA and Ohio DNR. The 3 program leaders from the agencies were given the go-ahead by their directors to pursue special funding through the support of clientele groups working with the state legislature.

A ?marketing? brochure was developed by the program leaders and used by the leadership of all 3 organizations in legislative hearings. The multi-agency initiative coincided with a broader OSU Extension natural resource initiative developed by 2 academic units, the School of Natural Resources and the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. The outcome of a 16-month process resulted in $1.5 million new and designated funding in the state?s FY2000/2001 biennium budget for the Ohio State University Extension Natural Resource Program. This has enabled OSU Extension to create new programs in riparian buffer systems; Ohio Watershed Network; community-based watershed management; and Extension natural resource program development, evaluation, and impact reporting, and to expand existing programs in forest resource management and livestock waste management. The new state dollars will provide the funding for at least 12 new positions at the district and state level.

In addition to the development and marketing of the multi-agency initiative, actual program development, coordination, communication, and agency role clarification processes will be presented as well as the opportunities and challenges that result from a multi-agency initiative such as this. The incorporation of other states? program successes in working with Extension leadership will be highlighted.