163 Assessment of implementation, needs, and challenges of equine Extension programs

Abstract

Extension programs aim to provide quality education and solutions to problems in agriculture through the use of research-based information. While youth and adult equine Extension programs are available for implementation at the county, regional, and state level, equine-specific programs are not equally utilized or adopted compared with other livestock programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate how equine Extension programs are utilized and delivered in TN counties and to understand perceived barriers for program implementation by Extension personnel. An equine program needs assessment survey (Qualtrics, Provo, UT) was distributed to all Extension County Directors, Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR) and 4-H Agents and Specialists in TN from February to May 2022. Respondents were prompted with programming questions including demographics, active programming, types of equine programs offered, resources needed, and perceived barriers to implementing programs. Based on removal of individual identifiers from this post collection data set, the University of TN Institutional Review Board deemed this work as non-human subject research and subsequent approval was not required. Descriptive statistics were calculated using Stata/SE 17 (College Station, TX). A total of 44 counties and regions were represented, where the highest proportion of respondent (n = 61) positionappointments were ANR County Agents (49.18%, n = 30), 4-H County Agents (34.43%, n = 21), and split appointment ANR and 4-H County Agents (6.56%, n = 4). Currently, active equine programming at the county level (n = 55) is mostly youth focused (52.73%, n = 29), and many counties currently do not have an active program (36.36%, n = 20). Respondents (n = 61) indicated the largest need for Extension publications (68.85%, n = 42), how-to videos (57.38%, n = 35), and news releases (57.38%, n = 35) for use at the county level. When specifically asked why developed programs were not adopted at the county level, respondents (n = 60) indicated time constraints (21.67%, n = 13), lack of interest (21.67%, n = 13), and cost (21.67%, n = 13) as the largest perceived barriers. Specific to cost, respondents (n = 61) felt program costs should include a manual and educational materials (55.74%, n = 34), program sign (49.18%, n = 30), and a state processing fee (44.26%, n = 27) when registration or program coordination is handled outside of the county. Equine-specific Extension programs do not appear to be well-adopted at the county level in Tennessee for various reasons. Creative efforts must be made to implement equine-specific Extension programs and meet equine clientele needs.