Extension Agent

Pictures of chickens, flowers, wheat, a boy looking through a magnifying glass, irrigation pipe, soybean pods, and fruits and vegetables.	Cooperative Extension Service





Cooperative Extension Service	Agricultural Experiment Station
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Position Description • Education • Skills and Abilities • Examples

Position Description

Picture of an Extension agent helping a producer in a rice field. An Extension agent works with community partners to promote the well being of children, youth, families, and communities. The Extension agent conducts need-based educational programs. Depending upon community needs, programs focus on combinations of the following areas: nutrition, health, and physical fitness; leadership and volunteer development; career development; time, money, and stress management; parenting, child care, violence prevention, agricultural and livestock management, and farm operations.

Education

Depending upon the area of work, a degree in family and consumer sciences or an agricultural related would be desired. A bachelor's degree is required, and a master's degree is preferred.

Skills and Abilities

Skills and abilities that an Extension agent needs include:

developing educational programs
collaborating and team building
writing grant proposals
managing volunteers
using a variety of teaching methods and educational resources
preparing materials for print and media
organizing
managing time
using computer applications
communicating
being creative
having an enthusiastic attitude

Examples of How Extension Agents Have Made a Difference

Arkansas Extension Agents have:

helped build collaborations in their communities to solve community problems.
obtained funds to get successful after-school programs started.
organized violence prevention education programs in schools.
conducted-need based parenting programs.
helped youth and families to better manage their time and money.
promoted good health through nutrition education programs and food safety programs.
helped protect the natural environment through forestry and waste management programs.
helped increase agricultural production.
increased livestock production.
promoted entrepreneurship.

For more information, schedule a visit with your local county Extension Agent. You will learn that the life of an Extension Agent can be busy, but rewarding.

Back to In Your Future

University of Arkansas • Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
2301 South University Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas 72204 • USA
Phone (501) 671-2000 • Fax (501) 671-2209

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