Dr. Jason de Koff is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at Tennessee State University. He holds a Ph.D in agronomy from Purdue University and has received numerous awards including the NACAA Achievement Award and the TAAA&S Communications Award (Learning Module Southeast Region) in 2016.

Dr. de Koff joins me on today’s episode to discuss how cooperative extension programs are helping to spread unbiased information throughout the agriculture industry to help improve the future of agriculture. He also explains how cooperative extensions are encouraging the future of careers in agriculture, how they are helping new farmers get started in the agriculture industry, and how drones can be used in agricultural production.

 

“Cooperative extension agents are really the unsung heroes of the extension program.” - Dr. Jason de Koff

This Week on the Future of Agriculture Podcast:

• The history of cooperative extension programs and how the organization was funded.
• The importance of the cooperative extension providing an unbiased voice in the agriculture community.
• Who the cooperative extension programs help on a day-to-day basis.
• Project examples of how the cooperative extension programs work.
• What are “needs assessments” and how they help cooperative extensions decide which projects to focus on next.
• How cooperative extensions work with private industries.
• How they are helping new farmers learn valuable skills in the agriculture industry.
• How they are educating farmers and children to use drones in agriculture.
• Evaluating project effectiveness for the USDA and stakeholders.
• How to learn more about cooperative extension programs in your local area.

Resources Mentioned:

• 40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World book by Howard G. Buffett
• New Farmer Academy

Connect with Dr. Jason de Koff:

• Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension
• Twitter