Satellite seminars in grain and forage crop production and pest management were conducted for a large, geographically dispersed audience of farmers and agribusiness persons to test the feasibility of an alternative delivery method in extension. Results of a formative evaluation revealed it is feasible to create an alternative model. (LZ)

Currently, the Turkish extension service plays a minimal role in reducing adverse environmental effects of farming methods. Public investment in research and extension on sustainable agriculture is needed to ensure long-term production practices that maintain the food supply without damaging the environment. (SK)

The agricultural work force includes farmers and farm laborers, agricultural institution employees, and agriculture students. Their varied human resource development needs must be met within a context of global forces affecting agriculture and on various levels: policy (information needs), institutional (strengthening programs, improving access),…

Surveyed by mail the preference patterns of 326 Florida small farm operators for obtaining information through extension programs. Confirmatory factor analysis verified the presence of a lower cost preference pattern (mass media) and two higher cost patterns, one focused on individual consultation and the other on group educational activities.…

Four administrators of the Cooperative Extension System share their views concerning recent substantial changes in the system's focus of programing, sources of funding, and organizational structures; the need for all disciplines involved in extension to grapple with societal problems; and relationships with institutions of higher education. (LP)

Presents results of a survey of graduate library education programs conducted by the University of Missouri-Columbia to determine off-campus teaching practices and policies. A review of the literature on distance education in library and information science is included, and further research is suggested. (Seven references) (LRW)

Assesses the activities of educators in a Cooperative Extension Service including preparation to infuse environmental education (EE) concepts into the programming, attitudes towards and perceived competencies in EE issues, and the extent to which EE concepts were infused into the programming. Findings indicate that EE has not achieved a prominent…

Agricultural extension is grappling with concerns about the future role of the public sector. Public-private partnerships may combine the advantages of both sectors. However, privatization may also lead to commercialization and marginalization of small-scale farmers. (SK)

An economics-education expo presented by collaborating agencies was attended by 100 teachers, who were given workshops on economic and finance topics, and 40 inner-city youth, who shared entrepreneurship experiences. More than 80% were positive about the expo, and the collaborating agencies, who were often in competing situations, felt it helped…

The Capable Families and Youth Project creates partnerships among Extension, public schools, and rural families for interventions to reduce adolescent substance use and other problem behaviors. Schools were randomly assigned to school-based interventions (n=12), school-based and family-focused interventions (n=12), and controls (n=12). Multiple…

Discusses cultural discontinuities that affect learning effectiveness revealed by the increase in globalization of distance education. Considers the theoretical basis of such discontinuities, describes a study of West African extension students and print-based instructional materials, and suggests implications for instruction and research as well…

Higher education--and continuing education as one arm of that enterprise--is not just an economic engine; it contributes directly and in a multifaceted fashion to the common good. It generates and makes accessible a great deal of the knowledge that drives the economy; it helps develop an understanding of the society and the world for millions of…

In this new century, opportunities exist to help advance America's greatness in the midst of many challenges. Energy, water, food, environment, health, economic productivity, global competitiveness, and the quality of the living environments are all paramount to the future. Extension is, as a part of higher education, prepared to create new…

There are two predominant interpretations of the history of Canadian university extension. The "liberal or institutional" perspective argues that extension has been a means for universities to disseminate resources, foster progress in society, and meet the learning needs of individuals. The "critical or nostalgic" perspective…

To design public issues education programs to meet the needs of small farmers, the Cooperative Extension programs at Prairie View A&M University (Texas) and nine other 1890 land grant institutions surveyed small farmers' opinions concerning the 1995 farm bill. Responses were received from 644 farmers in the states in which these institutions…