A survey of 108 extension administrators (85% response) showed only a small number thought diversity was being acknowledged and discussed. Critical needs were how to communicate with and serve diverse populations, use different strengths, develop clear vision, and recruit. Focus groups confirmed the need to recognize the value of multicultural…

Concern with the high cancer rate in a Colorado town led to a nutrition education program for grades K-6, emphasizing five servings of fruit/vegetables per day. Workshops for parents on nutrition and cancer were also held. Of 193 children, 158 in the treatment group increased consumption by one-half serving per day; there was no change for 35…

The Myers-Briggs Type Inventory was completed by 135 cooperative extension agents who attended an assessment center. The majority were extroverts with sensing, thinking, and judging preferences. Those in administration or community/natural resources or with more experience had higher assessment center scores. Perceiving-oriented agents had lower…

A survey of 276 (of 599) extension clients identified 5 factors related to participation: few barriers, high commitment, anticipated social involvement, high quality of information, and high internal motivation. Participation outcomes were categorized as negative learning experiences, self-improvement, and positive social experiences. (SK)

The National Extension Leadership Development Program offers leadership development seminars to personnel in the Cooperative Extension System. It provides the impetus and structure for interns to tackle learning the things they do not know. Follow-up to seminars includes working with an advisor and participating in small groups. (JOW)

Four types of linkages for extension education are outlined: (1) communication (information and resource exchange); (2) cooperative participation in a project; (3) coalition (more formal organization around a set of issues); and (4) collaboration (finalized long-term commitment to resource sharing and program development). (SK)

Interviews with 20 agricultural extension agents showed that successful programers gleaned ideas from extended networks, used time effectively, anticipated the future and reflected on the past, and ultimately defined success as having a positive impact on people. (SK)

Comparison of 64 attendees at a gardening lecture and 43 completers of a gardening correspondence course showed that lecture participants had a higher change in scores, correspondence participants a higher mean test score. Lecture respondents had greater interest in more information and felt that the extension office was more responsive. (SK)

Comparison of 143 farmers who attended sustainable agriculture conferences (76% response) with 143 controls (57% response) found no significant differences between the 2 groups, suggesting a need to change delivery methods for extension programming. Chemical dealers were the top source of information for both groups. (SK)

Interviews with 500 Australian extension professionals revealed fundamental differences in philosophy and objectives compared to those of California extension. Strengths and weaknesses of each model help illuminate the effects of privatization being considered in California. (SK)

Responses from 649 Portage County (Ohio) residents showed that 90% believed county agriculture should be preserved; most felt agriculture was a major economic contributor and the county's rural character was important; 60% disagreed that free market economics should determine land use; tax breaks for farmers were supported. Only 45% thought…

Extension education can help farmers and consumers enjoy benefits of farmers' markets by helping farmers learn about marketing, assisting communities with site selection, encouraging use of Women Infants Children Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons, and teaching consumers about food use and preservation. (SK)

Factor analysis is often neglected in survey research, despite the fact that it removes metric redundancies and extracts the common thread from a set of observed variables. Likert-based extension surveys would benefit from factor analysis. (SK)

Pennsylvania extension educators used satellite downlinks to provide distance education. However, the use of satellite downlinks was associated with technical difficulties, rigid scheduling, and high costs. Satellite downlinks were replaced with videotaped instructor presentations, which date quickly. The Internet may provide a more flexible and…

Survey responses from 62 of 96 cattle producers evaluated educational methods of the extension service and the livestock market. Methods included tips distributed with the sale check, monthly and sale day programs, and Second Saturday cattle working program. The combination of programs offered influenced them to make changes in their production…