Polarization is increasingly impacting Extension's work in communities. Extension has untapped potential to address division and lack of civility by building civic infrastructure and skills for constructive dialogue. We describe a pilot program that began as a one-off event and grew into a series organized by University of Wisconsin-Madison…

Wisconsin Cooperative Extension's use of strategic planning to develop programing resulted in the following conclusions: (1) strategic planning can create fears; (2) some will change and others will not; (3) county involvement reaps local rewards; (4) not everything gets done; and (5) the process must be institutionalized. (SK)

The hourglass model approach to public policy issues in extension education includes (1) selection of mega-issues; (2) formation and reporting of study groups; (3) a symposium; (4) synthesis and revision of symposium and study group outcomes; and (5) extension/outreach to broader audiences. (SK)

Provides a conceptual framework that identifies three types of public issues and potential roles for public officials, the general public, and Extension professionals in dealing with them. Concludes with some specific advice for Extension educators involved with programming that addresses controversial topics when serving as content or process…

In an examination of the accuracy of verbal labels generally attributed to AFDC groups, data revealed the majority of AFDC recipients do not fit the public's stereotypes. The AFDC family, in addition to economic stresses, experiences psychological and social stresses. Ways in which Extension can help AFDC groups are suggested. (Author/BP)

Community right-to-know legislation is increasing access to information about hazardous substances and community health and safety. Extension educators can help citizens obtain and interpret this information and take appropriate community action. (SK)