The Public Policy Institute, a 3-day civic engagement conference, involved youth and adults learning together as peers. Obersvations and intreviews revealed learning style differences, lack of experience inhibiting youth partipicaiton, and some adult insensitivity to the presence of youth. Replacing lectures with experiential small-group learning,…

Responses from 4,956 extension personnel examined the Cooperative Extension System's ability to serve diverse audiences on cultural, structural, and behavioral factors influencing organizational change. Results show that Extension is fairly active in incorporating diversity in work with children, youth, and families. (Contains 18 references.)…

Focus groups with 59 North Carolina parenting educators addressed professional needs. They identified concerns about the scope of the field and collective vision, keeping professional knowledge current, partnerships, networking, and community collaboration. A model of the interrelated components of professional development systems was developed.…

Advocates service learning as an integrative strategy for Cooperative Extension. Addresses the following questions: (1) how does service learning, viewed as a form of engagement, differ from traditional extension activities? (2) what benefits might involvement in service learning bring to all stakeholders? and (3) how might extension engage young…

Longitudinal evaluation of KIDS' TEAM, which developed community coalitions for youth at risk, found that the focus of most coalitions has expanded beyond the original goal. Those that still thrive have outside funding, committed members, and public recognition. Other success factors include valid needs assessments, broad participation,…

Discrepancies between farmers' and farm management advisors' perceptions of the advisory relationship were used to build a system of co-monitoring support. The system attempts to maintain a common frame of reference and includes periodic reexamination of the advisor's role in the problem-solving process. (SK)

Examines the use of concise success stories to communicate program effects to identified audiences who need accountability information from the North Carolina Extension System. Describes the web-based reporting system and provides examples of success stories. (JOW)

Before the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, agricultural schools begun in 11 Virginia congressional districts in 1908 performed a great deal of extension work, such as agricultural demonstrations, youth activities, and home economics programs. This helped pave the way for formal extension programs established by the legislation. (SK)

The Listening Post is an informal, structured technique whereby extension program participants collect feedback from other participants. Benefits include high-quality feedback, high participation, and a sense of ownership. It could, however, exclude persons reluctant to talk, and respondents tend to comment on what is most salient to them. (SK)

Responses from 122 extension professionals showed that 56% offered programs targeted to specific groups. Deterrents to multicultural programs included lack of time, resources, and limited training; 95% recognized the need to address cultural differences and were receptive to learning about different groups. (SK)

Cooperative extension personnel (n=53) completed a Web-based survey analyzing the impact of the Character Counts! program on extension, their personal lives, and society. Results demonstrated that extension educators and assistants were more likely to make ethical decisions as a result of teaching Character Counts! The need for increased…

Extension educators have used a variety of instructional methods to deliver parent education. In 2001, Shawnee County (Kansas) Extension began the process of developing community support for parent education. Staff members of local social service agencies were recruited and trained in the use of a new resource, "Basic Parenting". This…

While availability of information and access to it enables education in developing countries, information alone does not secure transmission of knowledge--especially to remote learners in low-tech, infrastructure-poor communities. For this reason, 21st century distance education tools require innovative mechanisms for accessing the…

The study circle is described as a democratic and emancipatory method for learning that can be summarized in three words: learning by sharing. This method offers opportunities and possibilities for all participants to contribute their previous knowledge and experiences through open and democratic dialogue. As a method for "liberal adult…

This booklet provides extension personnel with basic information on how to help handicapped individuals through referral to the appropriate service provider. A series of steps is suggested for locating help for a client when no appropriate service provider can be readily located. Lists are then presented of possible sources of help in these areas:…