Delphi panels completing questionnaires included 32 parents of 4-H students, 16 extension beef specialists, 21 4-H field specialists, and 21 industry representatives. They identified 31 subject-matter and 30 life-skill topics useful for 4-H manuals. Emerging topics included consumer and environmental concerns. (SK)

A needs assessment of 161 Extension educators in family and consumer science and 4-H/youth development received 28 responses indicating preferences regarding intergenerational program content and delivery format. Results were used to develop curriculum and program delivery strategies and begin planning for a statewide intergenerational program.…

Evaluations by 175 of 557 Pennsylvania pond owners who attended an Extension program via satellite revealed that most were interested in aesthetic/recreational pond use and pond management. They wanted more in-depth information over a shorter time frame. Only 10% did not favor satellite delivery. Shorter, more focused satellite programs and…

A Delphi panel of 13 experts categorized 33 competencies for volunteer administration into 5 constructs: organizational leadership, systems leadership, organizational culture, personal skills, and management skills. Twelve barriers to acquiring competencies and 21 methods to address them were identified. (Contains 24 references.) (SK)

Analysis of 402 articles in the Journal of Agricultural Education and 451 National Agricultural Education Research Meeting papers (1986-1996) yielded 30 categories of topics. The top five were secondary agriculture programs, learning styles, extension education, professionalism, and ag mechanics/engineering. Emerging topics included distance…

Emerging community issues and concerns were identified in focus groups of 104 Defiance County (Ohio) citizens and survey responses from 180 of 380 households. The research demonstrated the usefulness of capacity assessment as a participatory process in which community members are actively involved in identifying community assets as well as…

The Nevada Cooperative Extension Service collaborated with the Women, Infants, Children program to deliver nutrition instruction to a diverse Hispanic population. A bilingual dietitian coordinated the programs, and paraprofessionals from the Hispanic community were trained as home visitors to deliver the content. (SK)

Guidelines for 4-H programs for 5-8 year olds are as follows: (1) activity based, short term; (2) cooperative learning; (3) noncompetitive; (4) safe; (5) developmentally appropriate; (6) focused on the age group; (7) success oriented; (8) fun and positive; and (9) consistent with the experiential learning cycle. (SK)

Describes a statewide program that integrated university research, extension, state agencies, private groups, and individual farmers/businesses into a planning process for the future of rural resources. Discusses the resulting planning conference and published report. (SK)

All but two states have some form of legalized gaming. However, survey responses from 28 of 50 extension agents indicated that only 2 have extension programming on the economic, social, and moral issues involved in gambling. (SK)

Satellite training about the new national food labeling system was provided to 97 Alabama extension agents and 67 program assistants. The program, which consisted of a 30-minute video and 25-minute question/answer call-in, proved an effective means of distance education. (SK)

New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service home economics agents rated perceived technical knowledge and client needs for 144 family and consumer sciences concepts. Six areas in which they needed more training were identified: gerontology, health, employment, parenting, family dynamics, and child development. (SK)

A noncredit, online training module on botany was offered to participants in the Oregon Master Gardener program. The 48 participants felt the module was a useful training tool. They also noted that the convenience of completing the material at their own pace and during a time that fit into their schedule. (SK)

The Kid's Klub is a school-age child care summer program focused on building developmental assets. Extension staff, 4-H adult and youth leaders, and Master Gardeners presented projects to first- through fourth-graders. Parents (n=11) reported that their children continued developing empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills. (SK)

Learners (n=17) in the Oregon State University Extension Service's Master Gardner training program used traditional modules; 21 used an online version. Both groups performed similarly. There were correlations between experience and online course satisfaction and between convenience and satisfaction. (Contains 10 references.) (Author/JOW)