Elevating Extension: Relentlessly Relevant
October 13, 2026
Submitted by Gregg Hadley
It is hard to believe, but in one more week, our Extension and Engagement week and our annual conference will be here!
This year’s theme is “Relentlessly Relevant.” I wrote a Tuesday Letter article about this term one year ago. It was coined by a University of Nebraska Council for Agriculture Research Extension and Teaching (CARET) representative, Ben Steffen.
Steffen came up with this term when he was asked what he wished for extension. He stated, “I want extension to be relentlessly relevant.”
During this year’s annual conference, we will be exploring how to be relentlessly relevant by learning about key extension programs, celebrating individual and team excellence, participating in small and large group exercises, learning about building stronger partnerships, and engaging in professional development exercises.
Of course, our program focus teams, transdisciplinary teams and professional associations will be meeting, too.
How should you prepare for annual conference?
First, make sure you are registered. Second, check out the agenda for each day and determine which concurrent sessions, program focus and transdisciplinary team meeting, and professional association event you should attend. Then, think about ways in which you, your local unit or department, and Kansas State University can become more relentlessly relevant.
While business professional attire and collegiality should be on display at all times, remember that annual conference is also a homecoming event for us. The friendship building and professional networking that goes on is as important as the content of the annual conference. Make sure you reach out to colleagues -- new, familiar and retired – to see how they are doing and to professionally and personally wish them the best.
I am looking forward to seeing you all at annual conference.
***
