Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D

The official account of your favorite Extension Dean/Director/Administrator. Opinions are not only my own but also represent all of Extension.

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

I’m seeking a federal earmark to fund a future Artemis crew to learn how to grow veggies on the moon. Can you imagine the fact sheets, videos, online courses, and webinars that will follow??? Screw national and international impacts! We are headed toward galactic impacts!!

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

It’s an early start to the day. County visits to make. The Big Dean thinks they’re soooo important because they have to lobby for the state budget. I get to lobby for that PLUS deal with every county that supports us. Who is importanter??

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

@AnnT4H THAT’S what I’m talkin’ about!!!

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

What’s good, Extenders? Anyone do anything cool and impactful this week so far?

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

As we Extenders look forward to another week, I want you to focus on one thing… Extend like your life (and our budget) depends on it.

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

As I leave the meeting, I am struck, once again, with one simple realization. My state is so lucky to have ME as its Extension Dean. These other people are way below average! They make the Associate Director look rock solid!

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

Highlights from Day 3

- USDA, APLU, and ECOP discussed a CR.
- ERS working on ROI estimates.
- NIFA is developing RFA’s.
- XYZ PDQ (LOL!)

Awesome AF!!

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

So much for live tweeting! You didn’t miss much: Updates about things in DC. No one in the room knows what to do with AI. The research deans still think they’re better than us. Feels like every other meeting I’ve attended with this group. On to Day 3.

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

By popular demand, I shall live tweet the National Extension Directors and Administrators (NEDA) meeting. Tonight’s opening reception featured a smattering of passable food, wine, and beer. Conversations were lively, yet insincere. Looking forward to a fantastic day tomorrow!

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

I am sure that St. Louis isn’t ready for all of that power and authority coming together! It’s time for Extension “leaders” to share their best ideas with each other. Usually, the best idea that emerges is where to grab dinner.

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

“Phillies Karen” = “4-H Mom”

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

Describe your career in Extension using a movie title. Don’t worry about the plot of the movie, just the title.

Mine is “The Hangover,” because that describes the conditions under which I did some of my best work.

C’mon, Extenders. Play along!

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

Extension is happy to offer @taylorswift13 and @tkelce complimentary access to online resources to help them make solid household decisions regarding finances, childcare, gardening, home food preservation and other important grown up stuff. Knowledge is power!

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

We were just about to unveil a new Extension logo. At this point, though, we are going to hold tight on that for a while. Seems like people prefer well-aged logos.

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

We are surviving summer camps and county fairs. Only three 4-H agents lost, so far. We think a couple are just hiding in the woods, but we will soon be advertising their positions if they don’t show up.

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

The Onion gets me! The only change I would make is to swap the photo for that of the Associate Director.

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

AI wrote a poem for us Extension folks. I hope each of you kicks ass this week.

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

In addition to “Crazy Train” as intro music, all Extension personnel will now refer to everyone as “brother” for the rest of the week in honor of Hulk Hogan’s passing. I keep asking God; why these two? Why not the Associate Director???

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

“Crazy Train” will be played as intro music to all Extension webinars from tomorrow through Halloween. Please plan accordingly.

[Dr. Smith Lever, Ph.D @ExtensionDean]

Our ANR Program Leader bad mouths the FCS Program Leader frequently but the Coldplay Kiss Cam shows that the rhetoric was hiding the real nature of their relationship…