11.10 Conflict of Interest and Commitment Policies Relating to Cooperative Extension
The area of Cooperative Extension follows the University conflict of interest and commitment policies as well as the guidelines and requirements of its federal partner, USDA-NIFA.
Consulting
Extension employees must disclose any planned consulting activities for review by the immediate supervisor. Permission may be granted when the activity
• is outside the state of Missouri
• is done on the employee’s own time or approved leave
• is not contrary to the best interests of the university and the area of Extension
• does not represent a conflict of interest under any policies of the university and the area of Extension
When an Extension employee engages in consulting activities, an annual report must be made to the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences indicating the aggregate time for services performed.
Ownership/Operation of a Business
Extension employees must disclose any ownership and/or operation of a business outside their university duties to the immediate supervisor, including an estimation of the time commitment required to manage, operate, or be involved in a commercial business. Outside employment or business ventures which may conflict with employees' job requirements, or appear to conflict, require the review of the Extension administrator or their designee. The time spent on outside employment or business must be done on the employees' personal time. The employees' business must not compete unfairly with similar private businesses. The employees must not have an unfair advantage over other businesses because of special Cooperative Extension job-related knowledge.
Selling articles or programs to media about work-related programs is prohibited.
Serving as an Expert Witness
Extension employees may serve as an expert witness with or without subpoena, provided that if serving under subpoena, they disclose such to the Extension administrator. If serving without subpoena, arrangements shall first be made with the employees' immediate supervisor for leave from their duties during the necessary time required to serve. Extension employees serving as an expert witness shall be entitled to retain all compensation received as such, and no deduction shall be made from their regular compensation.
Private-Sector Support
Extension employees must exercise caution and professional judgment when using any brand name in any service, work product, or program. To avoid potential conflicts, clarification should be sought from the immediate supervisor. It is appropriate to publicly recognize and acknowledge private sector support; however, no endorsement of product or services should be provided.
It is appropriate to accept monies from the private sector to support programs and objectives of Cooperative Extension. Also, it is appropriate to recognize organizations' contributions, but acknowledge that acceptance of support is not an endorsement of contributors' products/services by the University or Cooperative Extension.
Commodity Trading (Buying and Selling)
If Extension employees' job assignment closely involves the commodities in question, the employees must disclose involvement in trading activities to the immediate supervisor. A determination will then be made regarding whether the employees' involvement presents unfair competition to others trading such commodities. If the activity appears to conflict with the employees' job time or assignment, a review by the Cooperative Extension administrator or their designee is required before further activity is undertaken.
Issues of Public Debate
Cooperative Extension employees must be objective in dealing with topics that are controversial or are issues of public debate. Employees have a responsibility to provide facts of the issue equally to all interested members of the public, regardless of their views concerning such issues. Employees primarily involved with one client group are governed by the same requirements of objectivity as those with varied clienteles.
Consulting
Extension employees must disclose any planned consulting activities for review by the immediate supervisor. Permission may be granted when the activity
• is outside the state of Missouri
• is done on the employee’s own time or approved leave
• is not contrary to the best interests of the university and the area of Extension
• does not represent a conflict of interest under any policies of the university and the area of Extension
When an Extension employee engages in consulting activities, an annual report must be made to the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences indicating the aggregate time for services performed.
Ownership/Operation of a Business
Extension employees must disclose any ownership and/or operation of a business outside their university duties to the immediate supervisor, including an estimation of the time commitment required to manage, operate, or be involved in a commercial business. Outside employment or business ventures which may conflict with employees' job requirements, or appear to conflict, require the review of the Extension administrator or their designee. The time spent on outside employment or business must be done on the employees' personal time. The employees' business must not compete unfairly with similar private businesses. The employees must not have an unfair advantage over other businesses because of special Cooperative Extension job-related knowledge.
Selling articles or programs to media about work-related programs is prohibited.
Serving as an Expert Witness
Extension employees may serve as an expert witness with or without subpoena, provided that if serving under subpoena, they disclose such to the Extension administrator. If serving without subpoena, arrangements shall first be made with the employees' immediate supervisor for leave from their duties during the necessary time required to serve. Extension employees serving as an expert witness shall be entitled to retain all compensation received as such, and no deduction shall be made from their regular compensation.
Private-Sector Support
Extension employees must exercise caution and professional judgment when using any brand name in any service, work product, or program. To avoid potential conflicts, clarification should be sought from the immediate supervisor. It is appropriate to publicly recognize and acknowledge private sector support; however, no endorsement of product or services should be provided.
It is appropriate to accept monies from the private sector to support programs and objectives of Cooperative Extension. Also, it is appropriate to recognize organizations' contributions, but acknowledge that acceptance of support is not an endorsement of contributors' products/services by the University or Cooperative Extension.
Commodity Trading (Buying and Selling)
If Extension employees' job assignment closely involves the commodities in question, the employees must disclose involvement in trading activities to the immediate supervisor. A determination will then be made regarding whether the employees' involvement presents unfair competition to others trading such commodities. If the activity appears to conflict with the employees' job time or assignment, a review by the Cooperative Extension administrator or their designee is required before further activity is undertaken.
Issues of Public Debate
Cooperative Extension employees must be objective in dealing with topics that are controversial or are issues of public debate. Employees have a responsibility to provide facts of the issue equally to all interested members of the public, regardless of their views concerning such issues. Employees primarily involved with one client group are governed by the same requirements of objectivity as those with varied clienteles.
Effective Date
Approved by Board of Curators: January 15, 2026