Land Grant Institutions (LGIs) and Cooperative Extension were founded to bring educational access to the states they serve. In contrast to this mission and the ubiquitous nature of Extension services in US counties, Extension offices can only be found in a small number of indigenous communities. Despite these inequities, there are Extension…

The First Impressions program was designed to help communities learn about their strengths and shortcomings through the "fresh eyes" of first-time visitors. This Extension-led community assessment program has been implemented in over 500 communities since the 1990s, yet scant literature exists regarding the program's theoretical…

Current research on millennials primarily focuses on their behavior within an academic or workplace setting. This study expands on previous analysis by exploring how millennials respond to community leadership efforts, particularly cohort leadership programs. Participant outcomes from University of Minnesota Extension's County Bridging Leadership…

Times are changing, and so are Extension programs. These changes affect every aspect of the educational effort, including program development, project funding, educational delivery, partnership building, marketing, sharing impacts, and revenue generation. This article is not about how Extension is restructuring to adapt to changes; instead, it…

This article summarizes the results of an evaluation of the impacts of a community development program to develop leadership skills in its adult volunteers. The evaluation featured 20 questions about leadership skills learned as a result of volunteer experiences. Data analysis strategies beyond a simple means ranking resulted in evidence…

In March 2006, Premier Wen Jiabao acknowledged that the situation in the Chinese countryside is desperate and claimed new resources would be devoted to healthcare and education. This announcement should have pleased architects of the Chinese "learning initiative" who are building learning cities and villages. The authors describe why…

Through its educational programs, extension is increasingly concerned with helping people know better how to live as well as how to make a living. Extension works with local people on problems calling for community consideration and group decision. The need for this type of education is particularly pressing in rural areas; hopeful signs are…

The Community Pride program is a 4-H activity in conservation and beautification. Instructions for selecting and carrying out a Community Pride activity are presented: planning, organizing, and doing the project. Suggestions for possible activities are offered, and instructions for reporting the activity to the county extension office are given.…

This study focusses on finding out how leaders in three small communities view Extension. The results show that community leaders see the importance of Extension primarily as it contributes to the economic development of their communities. The author discusses implication for Extension and outlines some strategies for working with community…

This paper, presented at the Seminar on Involvement of Youth in Community, National 4-H Center, Chevy Chase, Maryland on January 17, 1972, points out the continued interest and national activity concerning rural development. The responsibility of the Extension Service to carry out educational community development programs with adults and youth is…

A study was made of eight former Area Winning Community Clubs in Middle Tennessee. Sixteen club representatives and five County Agents were interviewed for the purpose of identifying and describing certain factors that contribute to the organization and continuation of community clubs. The study revealed that every primary reason for original…

The author argues that the appropriate type of citizen participation in an extension community development program depends on the goal for the program: creating community improvements or public policy education at the local level. He discusses the conflicting community-planning requirements between the two and stresses the need for extension…

Presents a case study of the integration of a community survey and a community development seminar into a total community effort. Describes the results which included the initiation of new action programs in recreation and housing, the involvement of more citizens in leadership roles, and the development of communication networks. (LRA)

A 5-phase plan was initiated in New York's Schuyler County to develop a Community Resources Development (CRD) program which would bring about communication, educate citizens, and build leadership. This was a joint effort involving county citizens and organizations, a county extension agent, a regional CRD specialist, the resources at both the land…

Partners in Community Leadership is an educational program for rural youth aged 15-18 and adult volunteers that blends youth leadership, community development, and youth-adult partnerships. In addition to sections on program preparation, adult orientation, and facilitator orientation, this handbook contains 10 program modules requiring about 15…