An Iowa extension survey of 869 farming clients who received one-on-one consultations showed that nearly half made operational changes and/or saved money using on consultants' recommendations. Only 2% were not satisfied with the information received. Although extension largely uses group methods, the substantial effectiveness of individual…

Responses from 314 of 422 extension faculty showed a variety of levels of job stress, primarily from time pressures and overcommitment. Those who used formal planning and time management techniques had lower stress scores. Time with family was a common coping mechanism. (Contains 19 references.) (SK)

Interviews with 16 extension leaders and focus groups with 61 county faculty/chairs were used to assess Oregon State University Extension's climate toward diversity. Findings revealed dimensions that were supportive (openness, awareness, commitment), defensive (restrictive academic criteria, language barriers, lack of financial resources), and…

Cooperative extension has a long-term history of delivering family life education. Further, the organization has developed numerous research-based resources and undertaken statewide initiatives in marriage and couples education. Most promising of all is the work of a group of extension specialists to create a practical, research-based curriculum…

The purpose of this study was to ascertain what training county agricultural extension agents felt was needed for proficiency in their jobs. Data were obtained from 161 of the 182 agents in the Province with a 191-item questionnaire categorized into (1) program planning, (2) psychological and educational principles, (3) performance of educational…

This publication presents a collection of brief examples of cooperation between community education and the Cooperative Extension Service provided by state land-grant universities, the United States Department of Agriculture, and local governments, working together. These examples, collected from across the nation, fall into six categories: (1)…

The guide is intended to assist 4-H Club extension workers in recruiting volunteer adult and youth leaders. It discusses: why volunteers serve (organizational identity, desire to serve, involvement of other family members, future opportunities and obligations, community status, self interest, and public opinion); how to recruit (person-to-person…

It is important for leaders of volunteers to examine their attitudes toward their group, particularly their way of defining their group, and to bring a diversity of experience to their work. Three steps that should be taken to develop extension volunteers who are from low income groups and who will work with low income groups are: get them…

The Task Force on Resource Development of the Cooperative Extension Service, Louisiana State University, decided to utilize the leader identification technique as a means of assisting the parish rural development committees in the rural development process. The technique is a procedure to stimulate effective citizen participation to identify…

A publication is presented which combines information and instructions on public speaking and platform presentations for 4-H members. It contains instructions in the preparation of all types of formal speeches, illustrated talks, and demonstrations including the planning and production of visual aids. Sample aids and materials are appended. A…

The orientation program of the Colorado Cooperative Extension Service was evaluated over a year and a half period focusing on revision of the Supervisor's Guide [CE 000 395] and development of the guide for new employees [CE 000 394). Among the findings were that the supervisor's use of the Guide was directly proportionate to his willingness to…

A guide is presented for initiating and conducting ECOP-sponsored staff development activities, an ES-USDA and 4-H Club program. Overall procedures are listed, followed by a procedure flow chart, guidelines for preparing proposals, format for preparing proposals, proposal submission timing, role of the ES-USDA coordinator, and role of the…

In this socio-drama the extension educator had invited the sociologist for a second meeting to explore with the latter sociological concepts relevant to the county extension agent's job. The extension educator presented to the sociologist several important behaviors of the county agent as discovered through research using the critical incident…

Discusses the work of the Cooperative Extension Service, how the extension process works, how the extension model benefits families in developing countries, parameters for an extension program abroad, nonformal extension programs, and the importance of understanding the sociocultural environment of developing nations. (CT)

This study indicates extension staff is better tuned to motivations of volunteers initially than to their ongoing needs. Volunteer staff say they value the intrinsic rewards of knowing they're doing a good job. They want training to continue to increase their competence. (CT)