Purpose: This article aims at identifying the individual factors and socio-demographic variables contributing to extension agents' support for a ToT extension approach. Design/Methodology/Approach: A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted using samples of extension agents from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Nigeria. Findings: The…

Cooperative Extension produces public value through educational programming that benefits the greater community. Forests provide numerous valuable benefits to society through the provision of ecosystem services. Cooperative Extension educational programming positively affects forest owners, who, in turn, conduct actions that enhance ecosystem…

Purpose: Mekong Delta's shrimp farming contributes to socio-economic development but tends to reduce the mangrove area. On the one hand, NGOs advocate balancing ecology and economy, while on the other hand, the Vietnamese government supports intensifying shrimp production. The latter strategy increases shrimp diseases and marginalises…

The Cooperative Extension System is at a crossroads regarding educational program delivery and clientele relationships in a digital age. To "help prepare counties for a future that demands increased use of technology for improving work efficiencies and expanding audience outreach," an assessment team was appointed to conduct a case study to…

eXtension was publicly launched in 2008 as an online resource; however, adoption rates have been disappointing. The research reported here measured adoption of eXtension, willingness to participate in a Community of Practice, and adoption barriers among Oklahoma Extension employees. The adoption rate was 49%, and 43% of employees were willing to…

The use of technology to deliver programming across Extension has been addressed widely; however, little research has been conducted concerning the use of Moodle[TM] as a course management system for Extension. The purpose of the study reported here was to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with the use of…

Purpose: New approaches to extension service delivery are needed that stimulate increased agricultural production, contribute to collective action and which also foster the emergence of agricultural innovation systems. Research in Peru and Mexico explores some of these new approaches. Design/methodology/approach: In both countries, a qualitative…

Interviews with 500 Australian extension professionals revealed fundamental differences in philosophy and objectives compared to those of California extension. Strengths and weaknesses of each model help illuminate the effects of privatization being considered in California. (SK)

Agricultural extension in Tanzania is largely top-down technology transfer but would be more effective if participatory and demand driven. Implementation of decentralized decision making and participatory training requires time preparation and systematic change strategies. (SK)

Interviews with end users identified uses of the Trans Texas Videoconferencing Network: college courses (60%), continuing education, administration, outreach, scientific collaboration, and public special interest groups. Problems were also identified: scheduling difficulties, inconvenient remote facilities, teacher training, and technical support.…

A survey of 127 (of 300) Illinois swine producers found that 114 owned computers; the majority used industry magazines as sources of information about new technologies; extension newsletters were used much less by corporate farm enterprises; very small numbers used electronic mail; only about half used university specialists for information; and…

Participant observations, interviews, and questionnaires verified the success of a co-learning approach in which soil nitrogen workshops were developed cooperatively by extension agents, researchers, and farmers. Key factors were facilitation of group inquiry and tailoring of technical information to the socioeconomic context. (SK)

Of three extension models--top-down technology transfer, farmers-first approach, and participatory research--the latter extends elements of the other two into a more comprehensive analysis of a problem and specification of solution strategies. An Australian integrated pest management (IPM) example illustrates how structured workshops are a useful…

When agricultural innovations are not adopted, there is often a gap between what people know they ought to do and what they do. Extension practice needs to expand from technology transfer. The knowledge systems approach is useful in dealing with the introduction of innovation in increasingly complex and uncertain situations. (SK)

Makes recommendations for improving the written documents used for technology transfer: (1) focus on document purpose; (2) raise awareness of design aspects of good communication; and (3) evaluate at all stages of production with input from the target group. (SK)