UA begins effort to build Mexican extension

As the state’s only land-grant institution, the University of Arizona has led outreach efforts through its Cooperative Extension offices across Arizona. Now the UA is assisting efforts to build a similar network south of the border.

The UA-led project is called the Red de Extensión e Innovación Nacional Universitaria, also known as project REINU. The name translates to the National University Extension and Innovation Network.

The Smith-Lever Act of 1914, signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson, established the Cooperative Extension System affiliated with the nation’s land-grant universities.

Project REINU will serve Mexico as a national university-based network of scientists and educators to provide resources and educational services across the country. The network will provide a link between research-based information and communities, as well as youth-based programs similar to Arizona’s 4-H Youth Development program.

Next week, the UA will host nearly 70 representatives from 19 universities in Mexico for training in how to jump-start extension programs there. Participants will visit the Pima County 4-H ropes course, the Tucson Village Farm, the Tucson Garden Kitchen, the Faul Ag-Ventures Farm and the 2,100-acre Maricopa Agricultural Center research farm.

Mike Proctor, UA vice president for global initiatives, and Kirk Astroth, assistant dean of CALS, are leading the outreach. REINU is “the development of a youth development program by and for Mexico, with guidance from the UA and examining the U.S. 4-H model,” Proctor said.

4-H is the largest youth development and youth mentoring organization in the U.S. It is the youth development program of the nation’s Cooperative Extension System and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The UA oversees 4-H programs for ages 5 to 19 in all 15 counties in Arizona.

Also next week, the UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will host the new president of Nepal 4-H. Lok Raj Awasthi will visit Tucson for three weeks to learn more about the UA’s 4-H program. He will participate in several training programs and visit local 4-H clubs and programs as well as the Controlled Environment Agricultural Center.

About ADI Staff Reporter 12168 Articles
Under the leadership of Editor-in -Chief Huey Freeman, our team of staff reporters bring accurate,timely, and complete news coverage.