1. Summary of - Agent Interviews -
During the winter of 2013 PDC Task Force Members conducted a series of phone interviews to gain insight as to how agents are working with their local PDCs.
A total of 48? agents from across the state were surveyed.
The results are as follows…

2. Number of Agents Responding
What is your definition of effective collaboration between an agent and PDC?
Default Responses
Number of Agents Responding
PDC fully supports all agent led discussion/ideas
Agent and PDC share in responsibility of design and implementation of an educational program 13
PDC “rubber stamps” what an agent comes up with 2
PDC is given “free reign” to come up with ideas that the agent will implement 1
Other responses (See Wordle and PDC Survey Results) 56

3. Effective Collaboration – Comments…
PDC is there to be an advisory board for agents, to tell us the needs of the community. They are out in the community so they represent who we serve whereas the agent makes programming meetings happen.

4. Effective Collaboration – Comments…
Joint Partnership-never PDC dictating programs to do, never agent dictating programs to do. Like a marriage- a compromise. Have seen both ways-creates a tough working environment with PDC. PDC helps implementation of programs, not just attending. Makes them an advocate!!!

5. Effective Collaboration – Comments…
There needs to be an awareness on both sides on what the community needs. The PDC provides the practical information and the agent used the data to support and steer the program efforts. They both share common ground and goals.

6. Effective Collaboration – Comments…
2-way conversation- agent bouncing ideas to PDC and vice versa, and developing ideas together instead of PDC just saying “whatever you think.” Working together for common goals.

7. How would you rate yourself in terms of achieving an effective partnership with the PDC?
56% believe we’re doing a good to excellent job of achieving an effective partnership – do you agree?

8. How would you rate yourself in terms of achieving an effective partnership with the PDC?
Misc. Comments
“Excellent: In a single county, they carried out programming in absence of Agent”
The information gathered from the phone surveys showed that within our KSRE system we have success stories and room for improvement.

9. How would you rate yourself in terms of achieving an effective partnership with the PDC?
Misc. Comments
“If we don’t have that “mover and shaker” they don’t accomplish much or even have ideas to work on.”
The information gathered from the phone surveys showed that within our KSRE system we have success stories and room for improvement.

10. How would you rate yourself in terms of achieving an effective partnership with the PDC?
Misc. Comments
“Excellent – w/community development”
“Good – w/Master Gardeners
The information gathered from the phone surveys showed that within our KSRE system we have success stories and room for improvement.

11. Please provide your ideas or thoughts about how the partnership could be improved? (Most popular responses)
Let me share w/ you some comments from respondents:
We don’t meet with them enough. I treat is as something I have to do. I need to put more effort into it and let them know their responsibilities
We need people on PDC’s who give solid thoughtful ideas. I would like to hear more input on needs in the community—sources, issues, opportunities, what we are missing. I am not getting concrete ideas—instead PDC says “you’re doing a good job, keep it up.”
I would like a sharing of ideas of what other counties are doing in programming—some ideas of successful programs might plant seeds with my PDC’s. We rely on PDC’s for program ideas and sometimes they don’t have any ideas to share. Some ideas from other counties would “prime the pump.” Is there a way we can see the success stories that agents are entering into KPICS? That would be a big help!
It would help if I was better educated and prepared to use that group- effective ideas from others on how they get their PDC to function—more tools in my toolbox to fall back on. If agent doesn’t know how to work with PDC group, it won’t be a success.
it's difficult to bring together in a district because of traveling time, needs help with finding alternative ways to bring people together
And my favorite…:
- Change the context of the meeting – make it a more ‘relaxed’ environment, then trick them in to giving us feedback on programs!

12. What are the three most important resources that you and the PDC need to achieve an effective partnership? (Most popular responses)
Training for agents by administration. – that came through loud and clear and is the basis for much of the work we are doing now!
PDC training was also suggested, but with the question of how you would ever get them to attend.
Resources and guidelines for PDC was another comment made by multiple respondents. One asked for a resource similar to that done for Board Leadership, but for PDCs plus a handout on the responsibilities of PDC members. They commented: ‘There may already be resources, but they are hard to find.’ Well, have we got a treat for you today!
One respondent suggested the Use of partnership meetings as a training opportunity for board and PDC members as it would provide opportunities for PDCs from several counties to meet together to discuss program development or for professional development. They stated: ‘We need to help PDC members understand the research foundation of our work. For example, in the 4-H PDC we can talk about youth development programming vs. managing 4-H activities and events.’

13. What kind of encouragement do you or your fellow agents need to increase the level of engagement with your PDCs?
Incentive! Not sure what that would be, though… How about a letter from KSU Administration welcoming new PDC members – making them feel special.
What specifically did your peers say? Here are some examples…

14. What kind of encouragement do you or your fellow agents need to increase the level of engagement with your PDCs?
Incentive for the agent – not sure what that would be. A new truck! Not sure what is feasible. Don’t need a plaque. They are very encouraged when PDC members attend events and it ‘spurs’ more programming by the agent.
What specifically did your peers say? Here are some examples…

15. What kind of encouragement do you or your fellow agents need to increase the level of engagement with your PDCs?
Good ways- Recruits told to expect only 1 meeting per year- need to change this mentality! No one wants to be at meeting with 1 or 2 people; need increased level of commitment by those on PDC—hard to do now! (new generation are not “committee people”)
What specifically did your peers say? Here are some examples…

16. What kind of encouragement do you or your fellow agents need to increase the level of engagement with your PDCs?
The only way there’ll be a change is if there is a negative consequence if we don’t do it. We’ve got so much other to do that if there’s no consequence it’s easy to say I don’t need to do it. I don’t know what that negative consequence ought to be, though.
What specifically did your peers say? Here are some examples…

17. What kind of encouragement do you or your fellow agents need to increase the level of engagement with your PDCs?
If PDC members value the experience, agents will be encouraged to continue. That’s the encouragement I need! (If people aren’t showing up, it feels like a waste of time.)
Here are some further comments from agents…

18. What kind of encouragement do you or your fellow agents need to increase the level of engagement with your PDCs?
Tools to help PDC members ‘think outside the box’ by learning about other PDCs:
Want to make them more innovative rather than just an opinion board.
Need to know better how to get them to understand that they want buy-in rather than just an ‘I think’ sort of group.
Here are some further comments from agents…

19. What kind of encouragement do you or your fellow agents need to increase the level of engagement with your PDCs?
Tools to help PDC members ‘think outside the box’ by learning about other PDCs:
Need to have dynamic PDC members (innovative/create) – how do we unleash that on the PDC.
How do we get them through the teamwork process, getting comfortable speaking, participating as a group.
Here are some further comments from agents…

20. What kind of encouragement do you or your fellow agents need to increase the level of engagement with your PDCs?
Tools to help PDC members ‘think outside the box’ by learning about other PDCs:
It’s getting tougher to find that time to meet – everyone is so committed already
We’re told to manage our time, but how do we put a priority on this with the time we’ll already put in.
Here are some further comments from agents…

21. Conclusions Resource Development Accountability Training and Support
As a result of the information gathered the task force focused on the following three areas: resource development, accountability and training and support.
-Resource Development: the resources website. New and already existing materials to assist with the agent and local PDC partnership.
-Accountability: The task force discussed opportunities for how as a system we hold ourselves accountable for working with our local PDCs.
-Training: Task force hosted a training at annual conference this past fall, at partnership meetings and now the spring workshops. (Mentor program?)