DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Agreement With University Of Minnesota For Local Extension Programming And Employing Extension Staff
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of an agreement with the University of Minnesota (U of M) for local Extension programming and employing Extension staff.
SUMMARY
On January 1, 2004, the U of M Extension deployed a new model for Extension programming. Extension Regional Offices were established throughout the state (one of those located in Farmington at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center) and local Extension offices were established in counties where customized local programs, services, and positions are funded with county dollars. This arrangement provided counties more choices in local Extension programming and increased accountability from Extension for its work. Since 2004, the Dakota County Extension Committee has recommended programming, and based on current community need, continues to recommend, that local programming be offered for the following areas: Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development and Horticulture/Master Gardener.
By Resolution No. 22-124 (March 15, 2022), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized the Physical Development Director to execute an agreement with the University of Minnesota for the support of the Dakota County Master Gardener (DCMG) program, including $90,000 for a 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) position responsible for managing Dakota County plant production and DCMG program activities and $5,500 in in-kind support for DCMG program activities.
By Resolution No. 23-528 (November 28, 2023), the DCMG, a volunteer program of the U of M Extension, authorized re-establishing a formal partnership with the County focused on expanding their plant production efforts and associated public services regarding horticulture and environmental stewardship.
To establish consistency for the rates charged for these local Extension program positions, the U of M works with the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), and the AMC sub-committee for Extension, to establish statewide costs. Staff is recommending a three-year agreement with a cost of $463,750 for 2025, $477,625 for 2026, and $491,975 for 2027, for a total amount of $1,433,350 as summarized in more detail in Attachment: Agreement.
Minn. Stat. §§ 38.34-38.37 authorizes a board of county commissioners to incur expenses and spend money for county Extension work, states that money in the county Extension fund appropriated by the county board be paid out by orders of the U of M Dean of Extension and provides that Extension education and program staff must be U of M employees employed according to U of M personnel procedures.
The agreement includes salary and fringe benefits for the local programming positions, all travel (mileage, meals, and lodging), in-service training and professional development, program supervision (depicted in Attachment: Youth Development Organizational Chart and Attachment: Agriculture and Natural Resource Systems Organizational Chart), and payroll and accounting services provided by the U of M. All program staff will continue to be U of M employees. The County will provide support for these positions as outlined in Attachment: University Recommendations.
OUTCOMES
See Attachment: Program Deliverables for an outline of expectations. Below is a summary of the U of M Extension highlights in 2023.
• Over 11,121 volunteer hours in 2023 supported the Master Gardener program core mission to share research-based information and promote healthy landscapes, healthy people, and a healthy planet.
• Boasting the third largest Master Gardener volunteer program in the state, Dakota County has 194 active volunteers and 31 new individuals pursuing the core course to become certified.
• The Master Gardeners volunteered at 15 different gardens and donated over 2,750 pounds of produce to local food shelves, in addition to partnering to provide education and outreach with 20 community partners and thoughtfully answering over 1,000 gardening questions from County residents at Farmer’s Markets this year through “Ask A Master Gardener” tabling events.
• As one example of meeting the priority of plant biodiversity, Dakota County Natural Resources staff and Master Gardener volunteers had a goal to propagate and plant 45,000 local-origin, native wildflowers, and grasses for habitat restoration. Master Gardeners collected seed, germinated natives at home, transplanted seedlings, and planted plugs along greenways, shorelines, and prairies. Master Gardeners also handed out 3,600 milkweed plants to park visitors, expanding the range of this important native plant.
• One-thousand five-hundred and two youth (kindergarten through one year past high school) were enrolled members in Dakota County 4-H in 2023 and remains the largest 4-H program in Minnesota. Forty-seven percent of youth indicated in their enrollment that they live in a suburb or city of more than 50,000. Two hundred and three screened volunteers guide young people in their learning and leading.
• Thirty-one percent of youth enrolled in Dakota County 4-H identify as youth of color.
• Dakota County first generation engagement is 14 percent higher than the state average at 36 percent. This is due to nurturing and supporting partnerships across the county.
• Executed 38 sustainable 4-H partnerships (Burnsville Youth Collaborative, Northfield PLUS and BLAST, and School Age Care in West St. Paul, Hastings and Kids N Kinship, Libraries) with 52 percent of youth enrolled being reached with programming while in community. Youth in these programs have a minimum of four contact hours and a maximum of 24 contact hours.
• The annual 4-H Youth Outcome Survey distributed in the fall of 2023 to Dakota County members indicated:
o 83 percent of youth who participated in 4-H can work with others to achieve a goal
o 82 percent of youth can actively listen to what others have to say
o 83 percent of youth enjoyed learning
o 80 percent of youth felt like they belonged
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the agreement with the U of M for local Extension programming, including: 4.0 FTE Educators, 4-H Youth Development, and 0.75 FTE Program Coordinator, Master Gardener Volunteer Program, in an amount not to exceed $1,433,350 for the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There is a $52,072 net County cost anticipated as a result of this action, which will be included in the 2025 County Manager’s Recommended Budget. A consistent level of local Extension program staffing is anticipated to be included in the budgets for 2025, 2026, and 2027 and is summarized in Attachment: Programs and Positions. Paragraphs nine and ten of the agreement identify the actions required to modify or terminate the agreement, should such actions be required.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, on January 1, 2004, the University of Minnesota (U of M) Extension deployed a new model for Extension programming; and
WHEREAS, Extension Regional Offices were established throughout the state (one of those located in Farmington at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center) and local Extension offices were established in counties where customized local programs, services, and positions are funded with county dollars; and
WHEREAS, this arrangement provided counties more choices in local Extension programming and increased accountability from Extension for its work; and
WHEREAS, since 2004, the Dakota County Extension Committee has recommended programming, and based on current community need, continues to recommend that local programming be offered for the following areas: Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development and Horticulture/Master Gardener; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 22-124 (March 15, 2022), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized the Physical Development Director to execute an agreement with the U of M for the support of the Dakota County Master Gardener (DCMG) program, including $90,000 for a 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) position responsible for managing Dakota County plant production and DCMG program activities and $5,500 in in-kind support for DCMG program activities; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 23-528 (November 28, 2023), the DCMG, a volunteer program of the U of M Extension, authorized re-establishing a formal partnership with the County focused on expanding their plant production efforts and associated public services regarding horticulture and environmental stewardship; and
WHEREAS, to establish consistency for the rates charged for these local Extension program positions, the U of M works with the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), and the AMC sub-committee for Extension, to establish statewide costs; and
WHEREAS, staff is recommending a three-year agreement with a cost of $463,750 for 2025, $477,625 for 2026, and $491,975 for 2027, for a total not to exceed amount of $1,433,350; and
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. §§ 38.34-38.37 authorizes a board of county commissioners to incur expenses and spend money for county Extension work, states that money in the county Extension fund appropriated by the county board be paid out by orders of the U of M Dean of Extension, and provides that Extension education and program staff must be U of M employees employed according to U of M personnel procedures; and
WHEREAS, this agreement includes salary and fringe benefits for the local programming positions, all travel (mileage, meals and lodging), in-service training and professional development, program supervision, and payroll and accounting services provided by the U of M; and
WHEREAS, all program staff will continue to be U of M employees; and
WHEREAS, the County will provide support for these positions such as office space, telephone, computer, email, support staff, and other general office supplies; and
WHEREAS, all services will be provided exclusively in Dakota County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute an agreement with the University of Minnesota for local Extension programming and employing Extension staff in an amount not to exceed $1,433,350, effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Community Services Director is hereby authorized to amend said agreement/contract, consistent with the amount budgeted, to alter the agreement/contract amount and the agreement/contract term up to one year after initial expiration date, consistent with County contracting policies, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
22-124; 3/15/22
23-528; 11/28/23
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Agreement
Attachment: Youth Development Organizational Chart
Attachment: Agriculture and Natural Resource Systems Organizational Chart
Attachment: University Recommendations
Attachment: Program Deliverables
Attachment: Programs and Positions
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Coral Ripplinger
Author: Tammy McCulloch