“We need the research, absolutely,” said Voegeli. “That’s the way the times are going. But in our case, we need someone to disseminate the information and present it to the people in a way we can understand it and that’s the job of the county agent. If the research is not disseminated in a way people can use it, it’s not going to do us any good.”

Mayer said he was disappointed with the letter’s tone toward ag agents, “but I do understand where it was coming from. They know we won’t be as effective if we don’t have those research specialists. And they are right. But, hopefully, we’re not considered dinosaurs at this point.”

Holte said the letter offered an honest assessment of the situation the Extension faces. “The county agents are of great value to us, but we recognize that the process the Extension is going through to effectively use the county agents by spreading them over larger is a difficult reality. But by no means are we throwing them under the bus. We have worked with them for a long time, and we hope to continue working with them,” he said.

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