A needs assessment was conducted to determine how county cooperative extension advisors in Illinois perceive their duties and what they consider their needs for inservice education. Questionnaires identifying 14 competencies needed by cooperative extension agents were sent to county extension advisors; the 298 that were returned constituted the…

How market factors affected the diffusion of four agricultural inputs (fertilizer, herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide) among farmers on the Central Plain of Thailand is examined. Market factors investigated were the distribution policies of the propagators and the travel behavior of the potential adopters. Data were gathered through personal…

This study analyzed variance in county extension chairmen's (CEC) conformity to an administrative performance leadership (APL) concept of their role. Relationships between APL and agent morale and performance, CEC attributes, and CEC relationships with agents, were assessed. Results were reexamined after adjusting for effects of sex, level of…

This study compared the effectiveness of lecture presentations through the use of Educational Telephone Network (ETN) and face-to-face situations of conventional district inservice training meetings for county Extension agents and explored implications for the selection of inservice training media. County staff units were randomly assigned to ETN,…

A study was made to delineate the tasks which constitute the role expectations of the extension agent, the volunteer 4-H leader, and those of cooperative responsibility in relation to the 4-H program as perceived by the Georgia District agents and the State 4-H staff. A secondary purpose was to determine the degree of consensus among the Georgia…

Purposes of the study were (1) to present some of the problems of the organizational structure of Chilean agriculture, and (2) to explore some of the factors related to diffusion and adoption of agricultural practices as aspects of social and technological change and development. Two central factors considered in the research problem were (1)…

The leadership profile for Gaston County, North Carolina, was developed in this report to assist Extension professionals to more effectively organize and utilize these key individuals in the implementation of Extension programs, to become more aware of whom to contact on specific issues, and to develop specific educational programs. Data were…

A study was conducted comparing the self-perceived training needs of Tennessee county extension agents with their training needs as perceived by their district supervisors. Factors considered were supervisory district, sex of worker, percent of time devoted to 4-H work, and years of tenure with the Tennessee Extension Service. Questionnaires were…

A study was conducted of the perceived training needs and the importance of these needs for job effectiveness of urban extension agents working with disadvantaged audiences. The questionnaire was based largely on nine general areas of competency. Most of the respondents were younger than 35 and had less than 5 years' experience. Among the training…

The two papers that comprise this document focus upon the communication process in extension work. The first paper aims to create greater awareness of the change agent's communication behavior, to make strategies of changing people more into an object of conscious deliberation and less of an art by discussing some of the central elements of the…

Change agencies have to choose among a number of possible goals, such as a rapid increase in productivity or the personal development of their clients. Possible strategies include giving orders, provision of means and services, directive advice and non-directive help. The conditions under which each can be chosen and the consequences which can be…

The author describes the Wisconsin Lake Management Program, the conflict between economic growth and environmental quality, and the role of the University of Wisconsin-Extension in a nontraditional area of public service education in bringing together county agents and lakeshore community leaders. (MF)

Describes transactional analysis (TA) and how extension agents can use it to work more effectively with their clients. (EM)

Discusses training needs of agricultural students and the process, activities, and resources utilized by a simulation game designed to encourage development of appropriate conflict resolution and communications skills and to create awareness of agricultural extension needs. Summarizes results of field test evaluation of VILLAGE and deficiencies in…

Colleges and universities during the past three decades have endeavored to extend their services to an ever increasing number of persons beyond their walls. The history of this movement is most interesting and seems to have kept pace with improved means of transportation and communication. University extension began about the same time that the…