Using questionnaire responses from 24 out of 25 area extension agents, this Ohio Cooperative Extension Service study investigated the number and kind of area extension program development committees currently organized or used by these agents, the number of committees planned for future use, the structure and functions of the committees, how agents were using the committees, and reasons for use or nonuse. Findings included the following: (1) the agents are using, or planning to use, committees for program development; (2) agents look to committees for most help in identifying problems and determining broad objectives; (3) they consider committees somewhat helpful in program evaluation and least helpful in implementation; (4) they see influential agricultural producers and representatives as active committee members along with selected agents; (5) most favor using county extension agents on committees and feel strongly that coordination and liaison with county programs is extremely important; (6) agents favor geographical distribution of committee members throughout the area served while limiting committee size to about 15 members. One major suggestion was for detailed inservice training in ways of working effectively with committees. (ly)