Texas Speaks: Chance to speak up on behalf of your community

Texas Speaks is a survey giving communities throughout the state an open forum opportunity to express the strengths and needs of their communities. The survey, led by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, is being conducted for the first time online and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

“This is an opportunity to empower and listen to the people of Texas,” said Scott Cummings, AgriLife Extension program leader for Organizational Development.

The survey aims to engage as many citizens as possible while gaining accurate information to help support Texas communities at both state and local levels.

“Extension is a grassroots organization, and in Texas, we have held that grassroots practice since inception,” Cummings said. “We serve and have a presence in every county in the state of Texas. To help identify both the issues and successes in each county, it is important to listen to the people in those counties.”

The anonymous survey will be looking to understand and solve issues facing Texas communities, identifying relevant issues fundamental to the program development of AgriLife Extension, and it will include an open feedback section for areas not listed within the survey.

Data from the Texas Speaks survey will be compiled at local levels and given to stakeholders. Statewide data will be made available to state agencies and decision-makers.

“We are very fortunate to have the network to be able to do this. It will benefit us, but also be a service to the state,” he said. “The more data we have, the more representative it will be.”

This survey, in the past, has been conducted in person and within each county. This year’s online survey allows for growth in engagement due to increased accessibility of the survey itself.

“Ten minutes of your time is short, and it will be incredibly meaningful for the entire state,” said Cummings. “I encourage as many people as possible to participate on behalf of your community.”