University of Minnesota Extension Dean Bev Durgan says strong county support remains critical to Extension’s success despite tight budgets. “State funding has not been increasing, but our county support is the strongest it has ever been.” Speaking with the Red River Farm Network during a tour of northwest Minnesota, Durgan said county investments remain especially important for youth programming. “We now have more than 43,000 4-H members in Minnesota, and that number continues to grow every year. Our counties play a tremendous role in supporting young people, and we continue to build partnerships so we can keep our faculty and educators in communities where they’re needed.” Durgan also said artificial intelligence will complement, not replace, Extension’s research-based mission. Listen to the full interview.
