Not all Extension professionals enter the workplace with knowledge and experience in program development. Some may possess extensive expertise in their subject matter but need additional training in teaching-related competencies for adult or youth audiences. Even educators with extensive skill and experience benefit from thoughtful and intentional…

Due to the nature of Extension, work across counties differs because efforts are grounded in the needs of a community and intentional programming helps address these needs. A common competency required for entry-stage Extension professionals is program development, which includes planning, design, implementation, and evaluation. Understanding a…

International Extension experiences can provide valuable outcomes to clientele. Careful planning is necessary to maximize the benefits to participants and the potential impacts of the tour. International agricultural sciences students can benefit from participating in these tours and greatly add to their success. In this article, we describe the…

Despite the widespread and long-standing use of demonstration sites in Extension, there is little empirical evidence to inform how best to design them. We report data from 513 producers in three regions of Indiana whom we surveyed about sources of information for farm management decisions, the usefulness of demonstrations, and preferences and…

MG SPROUTS was developed as a "project-in-a-box" program, a self-contained educational programming tool for Extension agents working with master gardener Extension volunteers (MGEVs). The program design incorporates programmatic materials and project management materials and follows best management practices for volunteer management. MG…

Sustainability Camps provide an opportunity for Extension educators to be in the forefront of sustainability outreach and to meet the growing demand for sustainability education. This article shares development, implementation, and evaluation of an Extension Sustainability Camp for youth, grades 4-6. Camp impact was measured via daily pre-and…

The survey-based research reported here offers insights on community, resource, and economic development (CRED) Extension programming at the national and regional level. The results present a national picture of CRED programming, research, and potential future programming opportunities that Extension could capitalize on. The research shows that…

A quick glance of the Extension literature will reflect a resurgence of interest and focus on integrated (interdisciplinary) issues-based programming. However, the development of methods, tools, and techniques for developing integrated issues-based programs has not kept pace. This article presents a checklist to aid interdisciplinary Extension…

Extension educators are expected to conduct program evaluation. An Internet survey was sent to county 4-H educators in Ohio to examine their evaluation attitudes and practices, as well as barriers to conducting evaluation. Respondents indicated a range of attitudes about evaluation and limited use of different designs and methods. Having enough…

A survey of 125 Virginia extension agents received 90 responses demonstrating their knowledge of yard waste management and composting. Results were used to develop public education programs and pilot projects about composting. (SK)

Describes the formation of a mentoring system for new extension agents in Ohio. Examines results of a followup study conducted 15 months after implementation of this system. Survey results indicate that most program results were met. A list of recommendations for similar programs is included. (CT)

This study explores the effectiveness of Kolb's Learning Styles Inventory in identifying learning styles and implications for inservice education programs for county extension agents in Kentucky. The authors also attempt to validate the use of the inventory as a framework for designing and conducting adult education programs. (Author/SK)

Explains how the authors designed and taught a course dealing with special problems faced by extension specialists in assessing needs and determining program priorities. The authors believe that inservice education dealing with these areas is needed, appropriate, and would be attended by extension specialists. (CT)

The author states that computer program development is simply extension's program development process focused on computer applications, and that extension personnel, the end-product users, can design computer programs to meet their own needs. He discusses principles of systems analysis and design, training, implementation, and evaluation. (MF)

This article describes one model for building direct and positive relationships between foreign extension agents and appropriate universities, what activities are involved, and how basic extension concepts are used. Discusses working through farmers' organizations, through professional organizations and agencies, and through integrated farming…