Over 3 years, agriculture and home economics faculty were matched with 21 minority undergraduate majors for 8-week summer internships. Qualitative and quantitative assessments showed that interns developed leadership skills and career awareness and had high levels of satisfaction with the professional contacts and linkages they acquired. (SK)

Volunteers priced grocery items twice per month for three months in eight rural Ohio stores, examined advertising flyers, and surveyed stores weekly for a month to track pricing trends. Advice for consumers on choice of stores and items as well as food budgeting was developed based on the results. (SK)

Survey responses and interviews of 246 (of 437) subscribers to 3 agricultural newspapers determined that supplements were a cost-effective way to reach farmers with extension information. A majority of 55 extension agents surveyed approved of supplements, but 29% opposed distributing them through extension if they contained ads; 56% approved if…

Of the 14 organizational values ranked by a majority of 146 New Mexico Cooperative Extension educators as extremely valued, 9 were extremely evident in organizational policies and procedures. A values audit such as this forms an important initial step in strategic planning. (SK)

Describes Individual Development Accounts (IDA), a federal program that combines low-income individuals' savings with matching funds for such goals as home ownership, education, and small business startup. Discusses their effect on community building and how extension educators can participate in establishing IDA programs. (SK)

Examines three cases in which changed political or other circumstances caused the Cooperative Extension Service to change its way of providing local leaders with accountability information. Suggests the establishment of ongoing accountability systems to ensure organizational protection when political or other situational changes occur. (Author/JOW)

Using logic modeling as the basis for meaningful evaluation, specific steps are outlined for measuring learning outcomes in extension education: articulating outcomes, turning outcomes into knowledge statements, and constructing a tool to measure perceived changes in knowledge. Use of this learning assessment tool enables extension faculty to…

Data were collected through interviews with campus-based faculty, telephone surveys of 84 Extension field faculty, and focus group discussions. Differences between campus and field faculty included supervision, appointment, evaluation, publication, promotion and tenure, scholarly pursuit, and funding. Ways to improve campus and field faculty…

The case of the University of Missouri Extension's role in a very controversial study on dairy compacts illustrates that care must be taken to conduct such studies in an objective and scholarly manner without unnecessarily alienating stakeholders. Academic freedom and integrity must be maintained. At the same time, Extension cannot operate…

A risk behaviors survey was administered to students in a rural West Virginia high school. Findings indicate that some issues of national concern (tobacco and steroid use) were not confirmed in this sample. Suicide and food choices were areas of concern. Nutrition education and methods of coping with depression were targeted for curriculum…

Rural agricultural development is facing challenges of poverty, hunger, and environmental quality, necessitating sustainable, profitable, and productive practices. Extension education is challenged to increase diversity, relevance, and financial support. Examples of World Bank innovations illustrate some pathways for agricultural extension. (SK)

The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service transformed a traditional textile/clothing program into a home-based business program. It was delivered by multiple methods including meetings, printed materials, audiovisual resources, and, in the second phase, videoconferencing. (SK)

Agricultural extension in Vietnam is in transition as the economy moves to a market orientation. The national extension service created in 1993 is constrained by lack of funding, staff, and access to current extension knowledge. (SK)

Pennsylvania Extension youth and family educators (n=62) participated in an inservice program on enhancing community youth development programming. Participant evaluations showed significant gain in knowledge and understanding of community youth development concepts and support for the importance of developing a common framework and language for…

A survey of 4-H school enrichment programs (813 responses) found that they reach large numbers of diverse youth and develop credibility with community and schools. Long-term programs such as 4-H clubs have proven effective in helping youth develop life skills, but Extension must carefully consider the purpose and consequences of diverting…