Trends and Issues in Extension

Extension work has always relied on networks and relationships. But then again, Extension workers have always been knowledge workers and knowledge workers rely heavily on networks. For a brief overview, see this Wikipedia article on knowledge workers. The first section on networks provides a good summary of the importance of networks. . Kathleen Gilroy at the Ottergroup found a good article about the increasing relative importance of networks compared to more formal HR types of training. Definitely worth the few minutes it takes to read it. Especially the last paragraph discussing how new tools like blogs and wikis can make big differences in our abilities to collaborate. Extension professionals have just started to scratch the surface of using the newer tools, but I think their use of them will increase exponentially over the next few years.