A panel of 29 extension faculty/staff members who work well with the media were interviewed to identify ways to improve their media relations. Reasons for working with the media, ways to develop relationships with media representatives, and suggestions for creating a more favorable climate for media relations in universities were noted. (JOW)

As extension faculty are more integrated into tenure-track positions, extension-based graduate education offers nontraditional opportunities. The informal nature of much extension work leads to contentious and timely issues for graduate student research. (Author/SK)

A study used Kolb's Learning Style Inventory to assess the learning styles and computer training preferences of 200 extension personnel listed in the Iowa State University Extension Directory (184 respondents). It found that 29% had a converger-type learning style; 26% a diverger style; 25% an accommodator style; and 20% an assimilator style. (JOW)

The following methods for reaching new extension audiences were used by a small ranch water quality program in Nevada: agency collaboration in identifying audience needs and idiosyncracies; an array of teaching techniques (workshops, individual visits, print materials); audience participation in program development; and maintenance of interest…

Telephone interviews with 26 extension field staff and 53 nutrition specialists about use of impact indicators found that field staff saw little incentive for conducting evaluations and thought systemwide measures neglected individual program nuances. Specialists considered evaluations important but cited lack of time and resources as barriers.…

Of participants in forest stewardship workshops; 63 controls were surveyed upon arrival, a second group (n=77) after viewing slides, and a third (n=56) after slides and field demonstrations. Knowledge increases were higher for the second group than for controls and highest for slide/demo group. Only the latter indicated acceptance of the…

Responses from 678 British farmers, 30 environmental professionals, and 30 land managers identified constraints on training: cost, time, remoteness, complexity of the training infrastructure, farmers' place in the life-cycle, and attitudes about past training. Other means besides training may be needed for developing new skills. (SK)

Results of study to measure the effectiveness of Discover&Enlighten, a newsletter of the University of Missouri's College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, indicate that respondents (n=150) desire a mix of stories, have a positive perception of the newsletter, and consider it to be truthful. (Contains 17 references.) (JOW)

Participants in cooperative extension family life programs (N=916) identified family strains, coping, quality of life, self-esteem, stress, and willingness to support extension services with tax dollars. The resulting normative data can be used to measure the impact of cooperative extension programs. (SK)

Describes Idaho cooperative extension projects funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Decisions for Health Initiatives, focusing on community development and health. Explains how the projects succeed with limited funding and resources. (SK)

Weak links among research, education, and extension often result from their informal nature, national agriculture policy environment, and funding shortages. An integrative systems approach can strengthen links to improve agriculture technology systems. (SK)

A learner-centered extension approach was used to develop visual materials to teach Ghanian farmers about weed control. The method was inexpensive, easy to transport, and suitable for a low-literate audience. Evaluation revealed the need to train extension staff in use of the materials. (SK)

Outlines an educational process designed to help provide communities with economic, social, and political information using community economic impact modeling. Describes the process of community meetings using economic impact, community demographics, and fiscal impact modules and the local preconditions that help make the process successful. (SK)

Extension educators and local agencies surveyed 500 local residents (144 responses) to identify sources of stress. Five variables were significantly associated with stress levels: financial problems, job stress, too little time, major life changes in the past year, and being a woman. A Vision to Action outreach program was designed to help…

When users of an extension home study course on investing (68 print, 127 online) were surveyed, 44-45% rated it valuable/very valuable; those with no prior experience found it most helpful; 70% had made investments. Changes included use of new resources (63.4%), increased knowledge of fraud (56.1%), and investigation of specific investments…