From interviews with six mentor/protege pairs of extension agents (half of whom had negative experiences) were derived the following factors for effective mentoring: similar program responsibilities, geographic proximity, frequent information sharing, successful initiation of the relationship, friendship, clear expectations, and good mentor…

Responses from 269 women administrators in the Cooperative Extension Service. Interviews with 10 indicated that 47% did not have mentors; 92.6% thought that mentoring was important for professional development; and 85% thought that mentor programs should be voluntary. (SK)

Extension has been described as "knowledge applied" or "knowledge extended." The research community has begun to recognize Extension's role in creating knowledge. A collaboration in which extension agents served as full research partners revealed challenges to research design and methodology, extension practice, and organizational style and…

Reviews achievements during the first 50 years of 4-H club work, including volunteer leadership development, funding support, and response to society's needs during the war years. Demonstrates how 4-H has changed to meet societal needs while remaining true to the original mission. (SK)

Teen participants in the Ohio 4-H Teen Community Leadership College (n=64) perceived their leadership skills to be much higher after the program. They appeared to need improvement in initiative, assertiveness, and objectivity. (SK)

Among farmers participating in six-day financial management workshops (1995, n=195; 1996, n=265), those with grade-school education achieved the highest proportional increase in understanding of financial planning and impact value in proportion to gross income. College-educated frequent extension participants achieved the highest dollar value of…

An extension project sold 4,000 radon kits; 46% were returned for testing and 23% of homes were at risk. Interviews with 100 of those at risk found that only 41% believed they had a problem; women and college graduates were more likely than men and high school graduates to believe it. Of those who believed they had a problem, only 63% took any…

Twenty-two extension clients read publications on water resources and 21 did not. Pre/posttest scores showed significantly higher levels of cognition for the treatment group, not related to their educational level. (SK)

Focus groups of 147 farmers in Geauga County, Ohio, determined that the number of farms declined overall, although townships closer to Cleveland gained farms, including those with the most residential development and highest market value of farmland. Farmers in more rural areas identified urbanization problems; farmers in more urban areas…

Key informant surveys of 138 leaders in 14 rural counties revealed the top 10 health goals across these counties. These goals are a starting point for public dialogues to develop a local health agenda. Key informant interviews can expand the knowledge base from which extension educators develop health education and policy programming. (SK)

Surveys of Michigan farmers in 1996 (851 responses) and 1999 (730 responses) found that, by 1999, part-time farmers outnumbered full timers and more were employed outside farming. Part-time farmers participated less in Michigan State University extension programs. By 1999, marketing, business management, and farm economics had become important…

Presents five steps to develop sustainable community programs: (1) grant writing and planning; (2) program startup; (3) plan refinement; (4) program expansion and improvement; and (5) program transitions and sustainability. Describes the critical tasks, skills, core questions, and feedback loops essential at each stage. (SK)

Hispanic Americans in Cleveland, Ohio were interviewed about volunteerism. Six themes were identified: (1) influence of family and friends; (2) importance of volunteering to benefit youth; (3) importance of church and religious beliefs; (4) volunteering as a requirement; (5) connections between volunteerism and the community; and (6) personal…

This study explores the potential of critical transformative learning for revitalizing citizen action, particularly action toward a sustainable society. Through an action research process with 14 university extension participants, it was found that a dialectic of transformative and restorative learning is vital for fostering active citizenship.…

This research study examined Michigan State University Extension educators' perceptions of the use of digital technology in their work. It used a mixed method of research which included a mailed survey and interviews of selected respondents. A census survey using Dillman's Total Design method was sent to 290 field staff of Michigan State…