Grassroots Engagement and Social Justice through Cooperative Extension

by Nia Imani Fields (Editor), Timothy J. Shaffer (Editor)

Overview

Grassroots Engagement and Social Justice through Cooperative Extension grows out of a commitment to the belief that Cooperative Extension professionals can and should be deeply engaged with the communities they work in to improve life—individually and collectively. Rooted in an understanding of the history and development of Extension, the authors focus on contemporary efforts to address systemic inequities. They offer an alternative to the “expert” model that would have Extension educators provide information detached from the difficult and sometimes contentious issues that shape community work. These essays highlight Extension’s role in and responsibility for culturally relevant community education that is rooted in democratic practices and social justice. The ultimate aim of this book is to offer a vision for the future of Extension as its practitioners continue to reach for cultural competence necessary to address issues of systemic injustice in the communities they serve and of which they are a part.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781611864274
Publisher:	Michigan State University Press
Publication date:	08/01/2022
Series:	Transformations in Higher Education
Pages:	174
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

NIA IMANI FIELDS is the Maryland 4-H program leader and assistant director of Maryland Extension. She also serves as the cochair of the National 4-H Access, Equity and Belonging Committee.
TIMOTHY J. SHAFFER is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Professor of Civil Discourse in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware. He is also director of civic engagement and deliberative democracy with the National Institute for Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona.

Table of Contents

Introduction Timothy J. Shaffer Nia Imani Fields ix

Part 1 Philosophical and Pedagogical Foundations for Engaging Diverse Audiences

Early Chapters of Extension: Land Grants, Segregation, and the Development of Democratic Programming Timothy J. Shaffer Scott J. Peters Maurice D. Smith Jr. 3

Moving Beyond the Minimum Standard: Nondiscrimination Regulations, Policies, and Procedures Norman E. Pruitt Latoya M. Hicks 31

Culture and Culturally Relevant Programming Nia Imani Fields Fe Moncloa 51

Cultural Competence in Evaluation: One Size Does Not Fit All Megan H. Owens Michelle Krehbiel Teresa McCoy 63

Part 2 Grassroots Engagement in Practice

The USDA and Land-Grant Extension: A Legacy of Continuing Inequities Robert Zabawa Lindsey Lunsfard 79

Reaching Marginalized Audiences through Positive Youth Development Programming: Challenges When Influencing Constituents Do Not Agree that 4-H Should Be Open to All Jeff Howard Amanda Wahle 97

Developing Social Capital as a Conduit to Social Justice Matt Calvert Keith Nathaniel Manami Brown 109

Addressing Diversity at Multiple Levels of the Social Ecological Model Katherine E. Soule Shannon Klisch 117

An Introduction to Environmental Justice and Extension Programs Engaging Vulnerable Communities Sacoby Wilson Helen Cheng Davin Holen Erin Ling Daphne Pee Andrew Lazur 129

Programming to Address Building Financial Equity Katherine E. Soule Derrick Robinson 145

Conclusion Timothy J. Shaffer Nia Imani Fields 161

Contributors 169

Editorial Reviews

This book documents why and how Extension must change its approach to community outreach and education by adopting the role of co-convener, partner, and facilitator—serving with intellectual humility as we co-create solutions for a better world in which all are recognized, equitably included, and honored.”
—BRIAN RAISON, associate professor, Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, and OSU Extension field specialist, Ohio State University

From the Publisher