Describes the SOS (Sharing Our Selves) learning Network, which is a made-for-extension system of community learning. Elements of the network are discussed: (1) community learning and development activities, (2) community resource index, and (3) cost effectiveness. (CT)

On the assumption that agricultural extension professionals can do a better job when they know how people feel about their programs, an attitude scale with statements selected to represent degrees of attitude from favorable to unfavorable was administered to 60 farmers in Clinton County, Missouri. Findings indicated an overall positive image…

Minnesota and Maryland have developed explicit criteria for excellence and quality in extension programs. Unless extension educators can define and judge excellence, they cannot promote excellence within extension or communicate the quality of extension programs to external audiences. (JOW)

Oregon extension faced challenges in presenting programs in the wood products industry. Several traditional tactics, revised to suit a new audience, have proved successful: personal coaching, building partnerships, and providing a high level of service. Newer methods, such as database marketing and distance learning, are also proving to be…

EDUFAIM (Educating Families to Achieve Independence in Montana) was designed to integrate state efforts to help welfare recipients attain self-sufficiency through education in nutrition, health, family development, resource management, and housing. Evaluation of 34 participants showed changes in locus of control, depression, anxiety, knowledge,…

The extension educator must identify recreation as an important educational program by itself; extension personnel must be concerned with integrating recreation, rather than placing it in a secondary position of importance. Implications and recommendations for incorporating recreation into 4-H activities are discussed. (Author)

To strengthen extension programs in the six-county Meramec area of Missouri, the University of Missouri extension staff used Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) funds to train people to survey area rural residents, to provide jobs for CETA workers, and to present extension programs to residents, meshing extension and CETA programs.…

This article presents two examples of how the Educational Teleconference System has been used in Missouri to achieve program objectives in home economics that might not otherwise have been possible. County-based home economists have received subject-matter updates, and food and nutrition specialists have been able to conduct advisory committee…

Research shows that farmers are the most important influence on the adoption of new methods by other farmers. Results reaffirm the importance of targeting beyond actual participants in designing and evaluating extension programs. (JOW)

Reviews past extension reporting systems--Extension Management Information System, Narrative Accomplishments Reporting System, and Program Planning and Reporting System--and the mandates of the new Government Performance and Results Act. Highlights potential conflicts among the information needs and quality indicators of local, state, and federal…

Interviews with 10 principals of schools collaborating with cooperative extension on at-risk youth programs suggested the following elements of successful collaborations: local support from extension, elementary school targeting, community partners, little impact on budgets, flexibility to meet individual school needs, and schools having…

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service implemented summer youth nutrition to provide youth with information on the fundamentals of proper nutrition and contribute to their personal development and overall well-being. Collaboration among extension professionals and with external partners enabled the program to serve a total of 1469 youth.…

To develop a statewide evaluation tool for parenting education programs, domains of successful parenting were identified using a nominal group process involving county extension faculty. Indicators for five domains were developed and pilot tested with nearly 400 parents. The resulting instrument was easy to use and produced reliable results that…

Describes how Michigan State University extension service agents use computer technology as a teaching tool. Gives steps in applying computer programs to farm family living, financial planning, and farm management. (MF)

This author-specialist tries to identify a model for use by all specialists in developing State-level programs. This article details the dilemmas found in program development in adult education. A diagram of the program development model is included. (JC)