Elevating Extension: The 'C' Word
March 31, 2026
Sumbitted by Gregg Hadley
I am writing about a C-word topic that some extension professionals do not like very well – change. I always find it interesting that a system designed to promote positive change is often adversarial to self-change, but I guess it’s only natural when you are the one facing change.
We have already faced a lot of change over the past two years, and there will be more change the next couple of years. Some changes will be small. For example, due to new K-State social media policies, we will need to close our K-State Extension Difference Makers Facebook page.
This change hits home to me as I started the page back in 2015 to share, praise and thank extension professionals for their successes at improving the lives, livelihoods and communities of Kansas.
That said, don’t worry. While the Facebook-page is going away, the effort will not. We will switch that page over to a Teams channel before our April 30 deadline. Stay tuned for more information.
A bigger change is that we will need to submit a plan to the State Finance Council before receiving our funding this year. Why? Greater accountability and transparency. This is a step by the legislature to ensure that the needs of Kansans are better served.
Am I worried about this? No. But we will have to change some things to show greater accountability in the future. I will explain more at our Extension Update on Friday, April 3 at 1:30 p.m. (Central time).
Change happens. New apps and software systems are released. New mandates, policies, and processes are implemented. People come and go. One thing that will never change is our commitment to our extension mission.
