Trends in farming and farm household incomes in Ireland are presented in the context of global competitiveness. Addresses the issue of extension's dilemma in providing fee-based service while relying on public monies. (SK)

British census and survey data show that at least one-third to one-half of farmers have further or higher education qualifications. Better-educated farmers tend to use more information sources, perceive a need for change, and be receptive to training and responsive to economic demands. (SK)

Wageningen University's extension science program shifted from a positivist to a constructivist foundation. Participatory methodologies and interactive policies are being developed, and the program's name has been changed to Communication and Innovation Studies. (SK)

Describes how the American Farm School in Thessaloniki, Greece, simultaneously offers secondary and postsecondary programs and continuing training activities. (SK)

Describes a systematic curriculum development approach in Dutch and French universities for a modularized curriculum on biodiversity. Suggests that it is effective, efficient, and adaptable to new research results. (SK)

Interviews with 20 British agricultural educators with less than 5, 5-15, or more than 15 years of teaching experience identified the main influences on their development of expertise to be colleagues and administrators. Primary inhibiting factors were policy, rules, terminology, and timetables. Those who used reflection actively advanced most…

The CAMPFIRE program in Zimbabwe is based on principles of active local participation in wildlife management projects. However, community participation seemed restricted to program implementation and benefits were not equally shared within the community. (SK)

When agricultural innovations are not adopted, there is often a gap between what people know they ought to do and what they do. Extension practice needs to expand from technology transfer. The knowledge systems approach is useful in dealing with the introduction of innovation in increasingly complex and uncertain situations. (SK)

Reviews changes in the economy and agriculture, proposing that higher education must prepare students to cope with change through knowledge for being. In addition to knowledge for knowing and doing, knowledge for being involves information exchange and analysis, group work, critical thinking, and problem solving. (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)

Discusses three worldwide policy trends--privatization, revitalization, and decentralization--and their impact on economic development and extension education. (SK)

Wageningen Agricultural University's use of systems approaches and simulation for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate education suggests the following elements are necessary: (1) congruence between the aims/interests of teachers and participants; (2) appropriate course level; (3) applicability to relevant research fields; and (4) a range of…

The experience of the International Centre for Research in Agriculture shows that successful interdisciplinary research requires (1) appreciation of systems concepts; (2) common understanding of goals and objectives; and (3) effective communication and management procedures. (SK)

Observations of and discussions with four Scottish farmers showed that learning processes were more effective than classic planning processes in dealing with change in farm management. Their stages of learning resembled stages of the strategic planning process. (SK)

Cross-sectional analysis of 19 agricultural extension projects conducted by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation in Asia and Africa identified influential features: open attitude, participatory analysis, and focus on priorities of the target group. Among the problem areas were superficial analyses of situations and methodological…