The recent conceptualization of organizations as "open" adaptive systems rather than "closed" systems has lead to increased interest in the relationship between the organization and its significant environmental influences. In order to study the perceived sources of internal (organizational) and external (environmental) influence on Agricultural Extension Programs, County Extension Agents throughout Kentucky were asked to complete a six-page questionnaire in which they rated the actual and ideal extent of influence exerted by eleven groups having the potential to affect their programs. Responses of 349 agriculture agents, 4-H/youth agents, and home economics agents were compared. All agents saw their respective client groups as having the most influence on their programs; county extension councils were ranked second and college administrations, third. Only agriculture agents saw research faculty as having an important influence on their program. The ideal-actual comparisons showed that 4-H and home economics agents wanted research staff to have a greater influence on their work and that all three agent groups felt the actual influence of college administrations was greater than ideal. This research has implications for several Extension policies including agent accountability and the relationship between Extension and the research activities of the Land Grant University. (JH)