Growing concern that the Cooperative Extension Service was failing to adequately reach small farmers with education materials through regular extension channels led to the implementation of Missouri's Small Farm Family Program. In this program, education assistants, many of whom are small farmers themselves, link the educational resources of the…

IN 25 COUNTIES IN ARKANSAS, TEXAS, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WASHINGTON, A STUDY WAS MADE OF THE USE OF CIVIL DEFENSE PUBLICATIONS BY THE PUBLIC, OF DISTRIBUTION PRACTICES OF COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AGENTS, AND OF THE ATTITUDES OF THE AGENTS THEMSELVES. THREE PUBLICATIONS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND TWO FROM THE OFFICE OF CIVIL DEFENSE…

THE CRITICAL INCIDENT TECHNIQUE WAS USED TO DETERMINE JOB REQUIREMENTS OF IDAHO AGRICULTURAL AGENTS. A PERSONAL INTERVIEW OF 70 IDAHO AGENTS RESULTED IN THE COLLECTION OF 436 USABLE EFFECTIVE AND INEFFECTIVE INCIDENTS. JOB REQUIREMENTS WERE DEVELOPED BY CATEGORIZING THE 975 CRITICAL BEHAVIORS IDENTIFIED IN THE CRITICAL INCIDENTS, AND WERE…

A STUDY WAS MADE OF THE NEED FOR EXTENSION WORK WITH LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN EASTERN KENTUCKY (APPALACHIA) AND OF THE PROBLEMS AND TRAINING NEEDS OF HOME DEMONSTRATION EXTENSION AGENTS WHO WORK WITH THESE FAMILIES. THE AGENTS FELT THEY HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN BUDGETING TIME, EFFORT, AND RESOURCES TO MEET MINIMUM…

The recent conceptualization of organizations as "open" adaptive systems rather than "closed" systems has lead to increased interest in the relationship between the organization and its significant environmental influences. In order to study the perceived sources of internal (organizational) and external (environmental)…

Conceived by the staff of the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service as a means of aiding County Extension Advisors in working with volunteer 4-H leaders in Illinois, "Helping Leaders Help Youth" employed a combination of vinyl sound sheets for home study and a leader development meeting series supported by audiovisual aids…

Agricultural extension systems in the developing countries have, with few exceptions, failed to increase agricultural productivity adequately. Many of the change agent failures can be traced to their lack of credibility. They are not trusted or respected because farmers have learned that many are not technically competent. Good agricultural…

Focusing on basic instruction, inservice training, research, and coordination of functions and personnel, this study used a theoretical model approach to develop guidelines for more effective extension educational operation and leadership by West Pakistan Agricultural University. A brief analysis of the cultural and socioeconomic situation in West…

Prompted by difficulties in specialist recruitment and retention, this study sought to determine the kinds of role expectations held by Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agricultural and home economics specialists themselves, as well as by CES administrators, subject matter department heads, supervisors (district agents), and county Extension…

A study was made of 36 people from the United States and five developing nations (Pakistan, India, Ceylon, Indonesia, the Philippines) assembled for a special six month rice production training course. The course was designed to produce agricultural technicians who would introduce the International Rice Research Institute's new high yielding rice…

Using the critical incident technique, this study assessed the consistency between actual on the job behaviors of Cooperative Extension agents and their expected or inferred tasks as portrayed in a county agent role model encompassing 31 tasks and seven phases, and three broad categories of activity. Interviews were held with 204 Extension agents,…

This was a study to determine if individual linear programs could be made for a heterogeneous group of farmers with varied organizational problems; if extension agents could be trained to interview farmers and collect data sufficiently accurate for linear programing; and whether the results would be logical and acceptable to farm managers. Area…

A study was made, during 1965-68, of the development and current operation of programs of agricultural education and manpower development in Yugoslavia. Data were also gathered on occupational patterns of graduates, occupational migration, off-job satisfaction and dissatisfaction, hiring plans of agricultural firms, and manpower planning. The rise…

This study investigated communication patterns, procedures, and background characteristics associated with effectiveness in village level workers (VLWs) in two districts of Gujarat, India. Questionnaire interviews were held with 222 VLWs who had induced farmers to adopt one or more farm practices. An appraisal form was used to measure the…

This study investigated the attitudes and understanding of participants and nonparticipants toward a program to improve the quality of instruction by Ohio Cooperative Extension Service personnel. Using a questionnaire and rating scales, data were obtained on personal background, teaching methods and techniques, and educational aids and practices,…