Extension Professional's Creed
The Extension Professional's Creed was adopted by Epsilon Sigma Phi, the Extension honorary society, in 1927. Even after almost a century, the words still resonate with Extension employees everywhere, describing the work we do, how we do it, and, most importantly, why we do it. The Creed has become a true touchstone that unites us all in service to the people of our states, extending knowledge to change their lives for the better.
In these videos, Mississippi State University Extension employees share their own special interpretation of the words of the Creed.
The Extension Professional’s Creed
I BELIEVE in people and their hopes, their aspirations, and their faith; in their right to make their own plans and arrive at their own decisions; in their ability and power to enlarge their lives and plan for the happiness of those they love.
I BELIEVE that education, of which Extension work is an essential part, is basic in stimulating individual initiative, self-determination, and leadership; that these are the keys to democracy; and that people, when given facts they understand, will act not only in their self-interest, but also in the interest of society.
I BELIEVE that education is a lifelong process and the greatest university is the home; that my success as a teacher is proportional to those qualities of mind and spirit that give me welcome entrance to the homes of the families I serve.
I BELIEVE in intellectual freedom to search for and present the truth without bias and with courteous tolerance toward the views of others.
I BELIEVE that Extension is the link between the people and the ever-changing discoveries in the laboratories.
I BELIEVE in the public institutions of which I am a part.
I BELIEVE in my own work and in the opportunity I have to make my life useful to humanity.
Because I BELIEVE these things, I am an Extension professional.
Epsilon Sigma Phi, The National Extension Honorary, adopted 1927
Publications
News
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Trent Irby has moved into an administrative role with the Mississippi State University Extension Service after more than 12 years of serving the state’s soybean growers.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service’s Delta region will soon have new leadership.
VERONA, Miss.
Success Stories
A broken-down car on a Sunday afternoon in 1983 led two attorneys to purchase forestland in Hancock County. Forty years and about 500 acres later, La Terre Farms in Kiln has wide-ranging industries that include a holiday greenery business and cut flowers grown for florists across the Gulf Coast and New Orleans.
Stafford Shurden’s weather station is ideal for monitoring conditions on his row crop farm, but he uses it even more during hunting season than growing season.
Mississippi State University and partners have been awarded a grant of nearly $6.6 million from the National Fish and Wildlife Federation for shoreline restoration work on the Gulf Coast.