Extending the University’s Public Issues Education Efforts through Partnerships

Since the implementation of the Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center), the department of Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida has been building strong relationships with research partners. One of the main goals of the PIE Center is to develop sound science and innovative education programs for targeted audiences in order to bridge the green divide and sustain the agricultural industry. The partnerships formed through the PIE Center have successfully allowed for progress toward obtaining this goal. The purpose of this workshop would be to share with others how to build strategic partnerships that benefit academic research agenda’s as well as commodity organizations. The workshop would start with a 15 minute introduction followed by 20 minutes of strategic recommendations to build successful partnerships. The last 10 minutes will be reserved for discussion and questions. Specifically the workshop will allow participants to identify potential partnerships for their institutions; understand how to appeal to research partners; develop a need for research valued by partners and commodity organizations; and understand commitment and punctuality needed by research partners. This workshop would be ideal for researchers seeking to put their research to use beyond the University.