We examined the impact of 4-H participation on workforce readiness skill development, including personal, work, communication, and problem solving/decision-making. The study examined two levels of 4-H activities: county-level and state-level. The online survey instrument contained questions about demographics, skill development and 4-H…

Rural students graduate from high school at higher rates but go to college at lower rate than their urban and suburban peers. To take on the educational attainment challenge for rural students, we need to know more about postsecondary encouragement programs. This study examined a pilot postsecondary encouragement program in 11 rural high schools…

Over the past decade, Cooperative Extension and 4-H professionals have been faced with the decision of whether to adopt new communication technologies such as social media. Research on social media and Cooperative Extension has identified risks and barriers to adoption; however, many Cooperative Extension professionals believe that social media…

The purpose of the study reported here was to examine the educational resources used by Montana State University Extension county agents. An online survey was administered to evaluate agents' informational needs. Agents reported client questions (93.8%) and program/workshop planning and presentations (91.7%) as the main reasons for seeking…

Needs assessments are an important tool for informing organizational development efforts in Extension. The purpose of the study reported here was to identify problems faced by county units within UF/IFAS Extension during county program reviews. The findings were drawn from the reports created after five county units experienced program reviews in…

Researchers have acknowledged that cooperative extension organizations should rethink dominant agricultural foci and be more inclusive of nontraditional audiences. An extension organization in the southeastern United States has experienced declining workshop participation, requests for technical assistance, and local office visits. These declines…

Cooperative Extension's role as a relevant provider of nonformal education is dependent upon its ability to improve and adjust in response to internal and external pressures. Periodically conducting needs assessments focused on the Extension organization can aid in Extension's efforts to deliver quality educational programs by pinpointing priority…

A review of the effectiveness of extension education programs in Douglas County, Kansas is presented. Data were collected through a review of program data, interviews, and questionnaires sent to county residents. The results indicate a general knowledge and acceptance of the county's extension services among the respondents. (EC)

When results of a county-wide questionnaire indicated specific needs, the Home Economics Extension Service set up a variety of programs to provide information and service. (SP)

An evaluation of the Douglas County (Kansas) Extension Program to determine clientele's level of awareness and acceptance of the program and program strengths and weaknesses, to establish new program directions and a base line for future evaluation efforts, and to develop methodology and materials to be used in evaluation. Procedures, findings,…

A study conducted for the purpose of identifying some generally accepted principles and procedures found to be most effective and useful in County Agricultural Extension program planning is presented. A total of 13 principles were identified, including: (1) Program planning should be based on conditions that exist; (2) Program planning should be…

Extension low income programs in Indiana, part of the nation-wide Expanded Food and Nutrition Program, are described. The programs were carried out in 11 areas of the State. The types of programs varied from community, ranging from day camps, camping, arts and crafts, hikes, gardening, and health and nutrition projects. Youngsters from 5 to 15…

Two approaches to providing information about beef cattle preconditioning to randomly selected farmers were compared in a study involving 12 small and part-time farmers in Madison County, North Carolina. Half the farmers received the information from an extension agent via face-to-face consultations, telephone conversations, and an educational…

The Shawano County Evaluation Project examines the results of programing efforts by Extension personnel, county and statewide, over a 15-year period. It attempts to deal with results of all 13 Extension program areas, which range from 4-H to programs for doctors, lawyers, and other professionals. The paper describes the four major variables being…

Guidelines and procedures which Texas Agricultural Extension Service personnel may use in working with local people in planning and carrying out county programs are provided in this handbook. The program building process is based on the philosophy that people have both the desire and ability to plan and carry out educational programs. The handbook…