I believe that mutual respect, openness, creativity, and innovation—the core values of the 21st century—are the hallmarks of Cooperative Extension work.
I believe that Extension educators are called upon not only to affirm these values but also to ensure that they comprise an integral part of our work.
I believe that Extension educators constitute the most valuable of all infrastructure—human infrastructure—and that this deep reservoir built of trust and collaboration retains an infinite capacity for fostering human achievement.
I believe that we are more than simple purveyors of knowledge—we are knowledge enablers whose charge is to add value to knowledge by demonstrating how practical, meaningful, and lasting use can be derived from it.
I believe that our long-standing experience with and affinity for collaborative learning, reflected in the work of Seaman Knapp and Booker T. Washington, singularly equip us for the immense challenges that await us in the 21st century.
I believe that the collaborative learning embodied in Extension work is enhanced by a generous measure of empathy and compassion.
I believe that in an era of frenetic growth punctuated by rampant scarcity, we are called to be sustainers, securing and enriching the lives and livelihoods of those we serve without eroding the ability of future generations to secure and enrich theirs.
I believe that by acknowledging and celebrating our differences, we enhance opportunities for personal growth and enrichment and secure the personal freedom of and respect for all.
I believe that the prevailing winds of change are summoning us to do what we have always done best: to work, to teach, and to inspire through dialogue and empowerment, demonstrating to our diverse audiences the value of accepting and embracing change as an inevitable facet of life and as an opportunity to formulate new ways of thinking, living, and working.
I believe passionately in these ideals and because they embody the essence of Cooperative Extension work, I proudly proclaim and honor them as my own.
Our Mission
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the primary outreach organization for the land grant mission of Alabama A&M University and Auburn University, delivers research-based educational programs that enable people to improve their quality of life and economic well-being.
Core Values
- Research-based programs, materials, and educational activities
- Positive relationships with clients, communities, partners, and stakeholders
- Relevant programming that addresses current societal challenges and opportunities
Related Topics
Alabama is home to more than 4.7 million people. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System reaches one in three Alabamians, providing research-based educational programs in agriculture; forestry, wildlife, and natural resources; family and consumer sciences; economic and community development; 4-H and youth development; and urban affairs.
Socio-economic data can provide important insights into the residents of the state’s 67 counties. This county data is an important tool of Alabama Extension, which uses it to target and fine tune its programs.
One resource used by Extension can be found at AlabamaPossible.org
Barriers to Prosperity: Data Sheet 2020
Question: Why should I bother getting the vaccine when the immunity will wear off and I will have to get a booster?
Answer: A booster shot is currently being developed. What medical professional do not know is if it will ever be needed. The best situation would be to get a vaccine that gives lifelong protection. That does not always happen with the human body. Many other vaccines require at least one booster shot in a person’s lifetime to maintain immunity.
Marilyn Bulloch, Associate Clinical Professor, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy
New July 2021, Q&A – COVID-19 Vaccine Immunity
It’s true that the vaccines are not officially FDA approved. However, before they were authorized for use, the were studied in tens of thousands of patients. That may not sound like a lot for most people, but the COVID-19 vaccine trials included more patients than what are enrolled in clinical studies evaluating most new medications. Since the vaccines have been made available for use, over 1 billion people have been vaccinated.
More information on COVID-19 science and research is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Marilyn Bulloch, Associate Clinical Professor, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy
New July 2021, Know the Truth About the Studies of COVID-19 Vaccines