:172,275,585: 116:185,462,000: 153: +7,193,560 : 192,655,560: 156 (1)Sections 3b & c: : istration (4%).: 3,841,320: : : 4,486,000: Total...... :176,116,905: 116 :189,948,000: : : : : 15,500,000: : 190,739,318: 116 :205,448,000: : 51,927,096: 6: 55,017,000: 1,838,029: 3: : : 3: 299,800: 4 : 324,000: 4 : Total available or estimate...... : : Proposed Supplemental for pay increase costs: :285,259,123: 160 :304,040,000: 194 : +1,070,000 : 305,110,000:194 Total, appropriation...:285,259,123: 160 :303,633,000: 194 77-802 0-81--33 Explanation of Program Appropriations for the Extension unit of the Science and Education Administration Through these basic legislative authorities, a variety of programs broadly --Agriculture -- This program serves as the primary delivery system of all agricultural research in all counties and communities throughout the States. Approximately 6,702 staff-years or 39.4% of the total Extension proícssional staff-time is in support of this program which emphasizes the attainment of highly efficient systems of production, processing and marketing of food and fiber by commercial farmers, small and limited resource farmers, and others engaged in agriculture. --Natural Resources - - This program accounts for about 493 staff years or 2.9% of Extension professional staff-time. Among the current areas of emphasis are forests and rangelands management, fish and wildlife, outdoor recreation, environmental conservation and management, and public policy. --Community Resource Development - This program helps locai officials and community leaders to more clearly identify their specific needs and resources, better understand possible solutions, formulate action plans, and carry out their decisions. Approximately 1,429 staff-years or 8.4% of the total Extension professional staff-time is in support of this program which includes assistance in manpower development, community services and facilities, and other community development programs. --Home Economics -- This program is directed to families and individuals at all levels of society to help them identify their needs, make improved decisions, and use and conserve their resources to achieve a desirable level of living. Approximately 3,963 staff-years or 23.3% of Extension professional staff-time is in support of this program which includes assistance in food and nutrition, clothing and textiles, family resource management, human development and parenting, and health and safety. - --4-H Youth This program is designed to help youth from all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds develop life skills through participation in 4-H Clubs, 4-H special interest groups, instructional 4-H T.V. series, and special 4-H nutritional education programs. Approximately 4,422 staff-years or 26.0% of the total Extension professional staff-time is in support of this program. JUSTIFICATION OF INCREASES AND DECREASES (1) A net increase of $11,367,000 for payments to states for cooperative agricultural extension work under the Smith-Lever Act consisting of: (a) An increase of $8,811,000 in funds authorized under sections 3(b) and Need for Change. Increasing costs of operations due to inflation and continuing pressures from Extension's clientele, as well as the Congress, for expanded assistance to solve emerging farm, rural and urban problems dictate the need for these additional funds. The costs of these programs continues to mount and contributions by the Federal, State, and local governments although also increasing through the years, are still insufficient to meet constantly rising salaries, services, supplies, equipment, etc. Nature of Change. The requested increase will assist the states in maintaining their programs at current levels. Funds will be allocated to the States in accordance with the Smith-Lever Act, sections 3(b) & (c) formula provisions to ameliorate the affects of inflation on salary and non-salary operating costs. (b) A net increase of $2,556,000 in funds authorized under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act consisting of: 1. An increase of $4,407,000 for the Expanded Food and Nutrition 2. Need for Change. The costs of operating the program have continued to rise because of increases in salaries, benefits, and other operating costs. Nature of Change. This increase will enable the States to operate An increase of $596,000 for the Integrated Pest Management Program IPM) for increased operating costs ($7,435,000 available in 1981). Need for Change. These additional funds are requested to maintain this program at current levels. The State Cooperative Extension Services have used these funds to establish IPM programs in a limited number of counties in all States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The program involves the management of complexes of insects, diseases, weeds, nematodes, and other pests as appropriate to local agriculture and on 43 major commodities. With increased demonstrations and technical assistance, producers and homeowners will be able to reduce the use of pesticides, stabilize their agricultural production, increase their net profits, improve their environment, and reduce the environmental hazards to soil, water, and man from pesticides. Continuation of ongoing Extension IPM programs at present levels will also assure that all appropriate research is incorporated into Extension programs for farmers, ranchers, and homeowners. Nature of Change. Increased funding will enable the states to operate programs at basically the same level as in FY 1981. 3. A decrease of $4,020,000 to eliminate earmarked funding for farm safety ($1,020,000 and urban gardening ($3,000,000). 4. 5. Need for Change. This proposal eliminates specifically earmarked funding for these programs under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act. The main purpose of providing earmarked funding is to focus attention on a specific problem that has national implications. The Department feels that this objective has been accomplished in these two programs. For example, we believe that the essentiality of the farm safety program has been demonstrated to the point where about one half of the states will continue to provide this type of assistance as part of their regular programs, ir comparison to only 8 states that were conducting this program prior to its initiation in 1975. The urban gardening program currently being carried out in 16 major U.S. cities as pilot programs was initiated in 1977 to demonstrate the benefits of home gardening in our urban areas. This program was invaluable in teaching participants in our major cities the benefits of home gardening. For this reason, a large number of states have incorporated similar gardening information and assistance within their normal responsibilities through the Master Gardener programs. Nature of Change. These proposals would eliminate specifically earmarked funds for these programs under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act. An increase of $145.000 for the National Agricultural Pesticides Impact Assessment Program (NAPIAP) for increased operating costs ($1,805,000 available in 1981). Need for Change. Increasing operating costs have made it difficult for Extension to maintain State Extension Specialists who have the background and understanding of the local, State, and regional pesticide problems and practices essential to the success of this program. Additional funds would enable the States to maintain current staffing and program levels. Nature of Change. Increased funding will enable the states to operate programs at basically the same level as in FY 1981. An increase of $24,000 for the Energy Extension Program for increased operating costs ($300,000 available in 1981). Need for Change. Increased funding is requested to maintair Extension's input to the operation of SEA's solar energy regional centers at Tifton and Peoria at current levels. Nature of Change. Increased funding will provide for increased operating costs of the Extension programs at the Centers. |