Integrating extension in natural resources graduate education

Extension faculty are now part of the academic mainstream. They conduct scholarly pursuits, publish refereed articles, and advise and direct graduate students at both the Masters and Ph.D. levels. Opportunities for integrating graduate education in Extension abound, provided the right ingredients are in place. This "right stuff" includes: an aggressive faculty member who is involved with natural resource issues on an ongoing basis; a real need for action (research and Extension); involvement of key stakeholders and decision makers relating to the issue; financial support to conduct the project; an entrepreneurial faculty member who sees opportunity and takes risks; a student who can meet the sometimes special needs of a project. Extension-based graduate education offers students opportunities for professional and personal growth that more traditional projects often do not provide. There is a corollary benefit to the Extension faculty member - working with graduate students keeps us sharp and provides a level of job satisfaction that no other tasks can surpass.