ExtensionGoingGoingGone?

**V* G* <v*@yahoo.com>**

New Thread I hope, though I enjoyed from the lively volley about print vs. electronic media and comparisons of iTouch, iPhone and their kin.

Spinning off from the comments about and by Extension-educated Master Gardeners, with little success, I've been trying to gather info. about how land-grant university Cooperative Extensions are surviving during the FY09/10 budget planning nation wide.

With massive state budget deficits, plus many universities cutting their own budgets due to tanking investments etc., I figure that what's left of the various states' Extension systems ought to be in for another round of layoffs and program cuts, Yes?

I see evidence of cuts at Cornell, University of New Hampshire and rumors about U-Massachusetts. I've gathered clips on previous cuts in Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado and California.

I know in the old days we used to debate the fate of Extension. Many garden writers are/were also Extension specialists. More are Master Gardeners. Extension research and experts used to be a key source for garden writers. Plus we relied on their youth horticulture projects and soil tests.

What's the state of Cooperative Extension in 2009 in your state? On list or off-list, your choice, please and thank you.
~~~~~~
Cheryl Dorschner
Vermont Gardener columnist
full disclosure --
Master Gardener alumnae
with ties to UVM College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
and University of Vermont Extension

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