The Journal of Extension became completely electronic in 1994. A 1996 e-mail survey received 534 responses from 2,037 subscribers indicating that 32.9% access it through the World Wide Web, 29.5% via e-mail, and 11% through gopher. Access was equitable across job types, and 72.9% liked the electronic format. (SK)

Interviews with a sample of 31 professional and nonprofessional retired women identified the following as issues of significance for women planning to retire: setting goals, avoiding retiring too early, getting involved, managing time, and being self-sufficient. These can serve as a foundation for future program development in the area of women's…

Survey responses from 8,634 seventh, eighth, and ninth graders in Pennsylvania (65%) found that 22% currently smoke; smokers are more likely to dislike school, have lower grades, think it acceptable to sell tobacco to minors, and be likely to smoke as adults; and nonsmokers were more likely to plan on college and believe second-hand smoke is…

Discusses a project to determine the extent of family planning education in cooperative extension programs. The purposes of the study were to determine the types and extent of family planning included, to ascertain the most common delivery methods, and to identify target audiences. Includes a description of the programs identified in 39 states.…

If extension educators are to work effectively with clients to decide upon and move toward a better future, they must critically examine basic values, especially those information-age values related to knowledge generation and transfer. (JOW)

Among the opinions of the deans of colleges of agriculture at the major land-grant universities in the 50 states on cooperative extension within today's changing economy are the following: extension needs a system approach; it should operate more on a regional basis; and staff should be more involved in research. (JOW)

A framework for community action leadership development has four components: (1) holistic philosophy of community, vision, learning, and action; (2) action-based values (visioning, leading, learning, building community, developing energy, acting, communicating); (3) the role of leaders in promoting community action; and (4) method and content. (SK)

A telephone survey of Louisiana residents received usable responses from 343 rural and 384 urban dwellers. The general public was somewhat aware of extension services; most users were satisfied. The rural audience was more favorable. Image-boosting recommendations for mass media and grassroots strategies were made. (SK)

According to focus groups with 4-H adult and teen volunteers in Ohio, teens felt the most effective adults had a sense of humor, flexibility, and open minds; adults felt effective teens were self-confident, motivated, respectful, and mature. Teens thought adults did not listen to or understand them. Adults seemed to expect adult-like behavior from…

Analysis of data of two cooperative extension studies suggests that research costs can be lowered by reducing sample size without compromising results, descriptive studies can have a larger margin of error in calculating sample size without compromise, and comparative studies' results are unaffected by a 3% margin of error but are dramatically…

Bitter and others describe the Rehabilitation Leadership through Distance Learning project, which uses varied media to provide continuing education for rehabilitation managers. Comments from Mason and Emener highlight the dangers of a loss of human contact in social service professions. (SK)

Five educational programs to strengthen marriage and family skills were delivered in 2 states to 244 participants. Two to 5 months later, 50-88% made positive behavioral changes; 73-100% approved of tax-dollar support for the programs. The communication program significantly increased self-esteem and family functioning. (SK)

According to survey responses from 108 of 150 Western Tennessee small farmers, 53% had less than a high school education and most were near retirement age. Greatest educational needs were in the areas of crop marketing, soil conservation, and pesticide use. Individualized methods and a focus on improving technical knowledge and existing marketing…

A literature review synthesized recommendations of 58 reports for improving juvenile justice. Extension implications include the following: focus on meaningful youth programming with opportunities for healthy social interaction, multilevel teams and collaborations, attention to different needs of urban and rural youth, and creative approaches to…

A survey was sent via electronic mail (email) to 116 Montana extension staff. Forty agents and 13 specialists returned it via email; 26 agents and 17 specialists via regular mail. One-third were not comfortable with completing an electronic survey, although it is an easier and less costly method. (SK)