K-State Research and Extension

Overview

The Douglas County Extension Council began the development of this plan in late 2021 by surveying the Council, staff and volunteers to assess the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Early work also yielded ideas for a renewed organizational vision and identified possible strategies to pursue that maximize the organization’s perceived strengths and opportunities.

While acknowledging the systemwide vision, mission, and values of K-State Research and Extension, the strategic planning process for Douglas County inspired the development of localized vision, mission and values statements.

Douglas County Extension Council

Formally established by the County Extension Council Law passed by the Kansas legislature, the Douglas County Extension Council carries on the tradition of serving the public by enhancing the quality of life in Douglas County as it has since July 10, 1918, when its first Extension Agent was hired. For over a century Extension has provided guidance and technical assistance to Douglas County residents by aligning university resources with community needs. This strategic plan intends to continue that commitment while also achieving excellence in core operational functions.


Separate discussions regarding the services that we provide to the public led to assignments for Program Development Committees to generate their own, programmatic areas of focus. Where appropriate, program area strategic plans consider the operational strategies above. Namely, Program Development Committees were asked to incorporate activities that included partnerships, communications, programmatic/operational funding and enhancing diversity as core to their plans.

All operational and programmatic strategies have been crafted through group processes that identify the following elements:

1) Situation Statement
2) Objective
3) Metrics
4) Activities
5) Outcomes

This plan is intended to guide the organization for three years beginning in 2023. The shepherds of the plan are the staff, executive board of the Extension Council, and the four Program Development Committees. The executive board intends to create semi-annual full Council meetings where updates on both the Operational and Programmatic areas of focus will be provided. Additionally, the executive board will check in quarterly on progress toward the outcomes defined by the plan.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service| K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Vision, Mission, Values

Vision Statement
Building sustainable and thriving communities in Douglas County

Mission Statement
Expanding community conversations, cooperative learning, and collaborative leadership using research-based knowledge to build sustainable, thriving communities around land stewardship, food systems, community health & economic, family, and youth development.

Values
• Informative – Our legacy is in generating and translating technical information for those who need it.
• Inclusive – Our staff, Council, volunteers, collaborators, and program participants completely represent our community.
• Collaborative – Our commitment to selfless partnership enables community collaborations to thrive.
• Trusted – Authentic engagement provides a foundation for mutual problem identification and action.