The objectives of our International Extension programs are to work with partners in other countries to:

• increase agricultural productivity and profitability
• improve the knowledge and management skills of farmers
• develop more effective agricultural extension programs
• evaluate the economic performance of different extension systems

Extension systems are being developed so that educational institutions are more responsive to the demands of agricultural communities and better able to provide up-to-date information and technologies that have practical application.  The improvement of information networks and distance education programs enable people working in rural areas to have better access to all types of information on markets and production. 

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Dr. Jon Lea-Cox of UM's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was recognized by Epsilon Sigma Phi, an Extension professionals organization, for his outstanding international Extension service in 2008.
Dr. Lea-Cox received the recognition for the Northeast Region. He developed a partnership with the University of Costa Rica, and has worked on projects in Thailand, Spain and other countries.

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Extending the Educational Outreach of Universities in Central Asia 2000-2005

The transition from a command economy to a free market economy in Central Asia created an adverse business environment for agriculture.  Farmers in these countries found it difficult to make the changes needed to stay in business.  There were few government and educational resources to help them improve management.  James C. Hanson, Dale M. Johnson, and Raymond J. Miller conducted two projects in Uzbekistan & Kazakhstan covering the years 2000-2005 to help universities and other institutions extend their education outreach to the agricultural sector.  The educational institutions in these countries did not have Extension programs.  Through this project, faculty exchanges helped them understand how Extension works and assisted them in developing and conducting Extension education programs that helped farmers improve production, marketing, and profits. Uzbek and Kazakh faculty members received grants to conduct applied research and on-farm demonstrations.