Identifying important skills and competencies needed for new Florida agriculture extension agents

Abstract

The onboarding needs of Extension agents is a topic continuously discussed and researched, yet overwhelmed agents persist, suggesting that there is still a missing link. We undertook a study to determine the competency training needs of newly hired agricultural agents in Florida. Two assessments were performed. First, we asked University of Florida’s County Extension agents and Directors in Agriculture, Horticulture and Natural Resources to identify main agriculture skills and competencies for new Extension. Second, we then classified those competencies into main domains and asked the same cohort to rank the competencies within each domain, in order of most important to least important. Data were collected via an online surveys, with 65% and 51% response rates, respectively. Agents needed training in specific agricultural competencies related to every-day work activities such as soil sampling, diagnostic skills, educational resource utilization, and relationship building. Although we assume that, based on job requirements, newly hired agents will enter Extension with such knowledge, results suggest an agriculture specific training is needed to meet the onboarding needs of new agents. Our study identified the priority needs for developing an onboarding program that establishes a level of standard knowledge. Those findings will serve to enhance onboarding training for new Extension professionals.