The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) is pleased to announce that, Dr. Joseph Cordray, Iowa State University; Dr. John Shutske, University of Wisconsin and Dr. Janice Swanson, Michigan State University, will be the featured speakers in the AMSA 67^th Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC) Contemporary Models for Extension Education Programs Symposium, on Tuesday, June 17. 

The Changing Face of Meat Science Extension: While the mission of Meat Science Extension, to provide knowledge and connections for people interested in meat science to achieve their personal and professional goals, has not changed, the way we fulfill that mission has changed. In the past 30 years, we have seen significant changes in clientele, content, delivery of materials, funding, and publication format. Consumer’s demand for high quality, convenient and safe meat products coupled with the need to comply with complex regulations are creating an ever increasing need for Meat Science Extension. In this presentation Dr. Cordray will discuss with attendees how extension education must adapt programs and content delivery methods using current technology.

Technology in Extension – A Future Vision: Many states have recently celebrated or will celebrate 100 years since the formation of their state’s Cooperative Extension Service system.  Wisconsin did so in 2012.  This year (2014), we recognize the centennial of the Smith-Lever Act, which codified into federal law and provided funding for the federal portion of the partnership. In most cases, Cooperative Extension involves partnerships and funding with local, state, and federal funding.  The Extension concept involves “extending” the resources and new knowledge created by land grant universities to the residents of each state.  Dr. Shutske’s presentation will also discuss the need to accelerate technology use - both in terms of adopting technologies to add effectiveness and efficiency to program delivery, but also to demonstrate and facilitate the appropriate transfer of technology applications to our audiences.

Sustaining Animal Science and Extension Programs: Animal science departments and their associated extension programs face unique challenges. On the academic side, undergraduate student enrollments continue to rise, while graduate student assistance is waning.  In addition, research dollars are highly competitive and funding levels too low to meet industry needs. Supporting infrastructure for animal science teaching, extension and research, and maintaining faculty numbers is increasingly difficult under strained state and federal budgets.  Extension programs are particularly challenged by budgets that seem to rise and fall with the political tide, a base of stakeholders with diverse needs, and coping with developing ever changing frame works to deliver quality programming.  Dr. Swanson will discuss our new reality and an effort by animal science leadership to increase opportunities to sustain our programs.

The AMSA 67^th Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC) is June 15-18, 2014, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  For more information regarding the AMSA 67^th RMC please visit: http://www.meatscience.org/rmc or contact Deidrea Mabry 1-800-517-AMSA ext. 12.

Source: AMSA