Business & Community

Build a Career with Alabama Extension

2 min read
AAMU Extension staff at Graham Farm

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama Extension) strives to bring cutting-edge discoveries from the nation’s colleges and universities to the public through outreach and education. Building a career with Alabama Extension is about connecting with the community, and the need is as great as ever.

Before you build your career, consider how the national Cooperative Extension system came to exist.

History of Land-Grant Universities

The national Cooperative Extension system helps land-grant universities fulfill their three-fold mission of teaching, research, and extension. In this context, extension refers to service and community outreach.

Today, there are more than 100 land-grant institutions in the United States, which include 1862, 1890, and 1994 institutions. These schools are designated by federal legislation, such as the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890, and the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994. There are three land-grant institutions in Alabama: Auburn University, an 1862 institution, and Alabama A&M University and Tuskegee University, both 1890 schools.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is the outreach arm of Alabama A&M University and Auburn University. With an office in all 67 Alabama counties, nearly 1,000 staff members work to ensure that Alabama Extension programs and services reach 1 in 3 Alabamians.

Programs and Services

Alabama Extension develops programs and services that fall under the following categories:

  • Global Food Security and Hunger
  • Natural Resources Conservation and Management
  • Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change
  • Food System and Food Safety
  • Human Nutrition, Well-being, Health, and Obesity
  • Sustainable Energy
  • Community Development
  • Family, Home, and 4-H Youth Development

Note: The new, combined plan of work for research and Extension is being developed for 2026-2030.

The Work of Extension EducatorsCommunity Garden Expo audience

County Extension directors (CEDs), Extension and urban regional agents, and program specialists work directly with the public and community partners. These professionals strive to do the following:

  • Address contemporary challenges and opportunities facing Alabama residents.
  • Access the needs of Alabama by engaging residents.
  • Develop, plan, and implement programs.
  • Deliver training in varied settings.
  • Use print and digital media, and other techniques to educate audiences.

Visit the Alabama Extension YouTube channel to get an idea of what Extension professionals do daily.

Preparing for an Extension Career 

Juani Christian and Nkenge HyterThe mission of Alabama Extension is to transform lives through science-based information, practical solutions, and meaningful experiences. Our teams have access to a broad range of expertise from two land-grant universities in Alabama. Our excellent total rewards package includes health and retirement benefits, paid time off, and other benefits.

To prepare for a career with Alabama Extension, you may consider doing the following:

  • Earn a secondary degree in a relevant field.
  • Interact with Extension professionals.
  • Become an Extension volunteer or student worker.
  • Find relevant service jobs and internships.
  • Earn a specialized graduate degree.

Alabama Extension professionals generally have educational backgrounds and job experience in the following areas:

  • Agriculture
  • Animal Sciences
  • Biological and Physical Sciences
  • Business Administration
  • Communications
  • Computer Technology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Forestry
  • Health and Nutrition
  • Horticulture
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Social Sciences

How Do I Apply?

Contact the Office of Human Resources at either AAMU or Auburn.

Learn more about Alabama Extension by visiting aces.edu.