Community Engagement for Cooperative Extension: Strategies to improve representation in community engagement efforts

Abstract

A key to meaningful program efforts is community engagement. Community engagement must engage community members most directly impacted by University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (Extension) programs and allow participants to guide their needs and interests. To gather community input and feedback, it is not enough to simply pick a date, reserve a space, and expect a representative group of people from the community to come to an event. Even when people from the community attend engagement events, significant thought should be given to how information is presented and how feedback is gathered to encourage broad and authentic participation. Consideration should also be given to how these experiences are mutually beneficial for Extension and the community members participating.