Extension has developed a strong evaluation culture across the system for the last 15 years. Yet measures are still limited to the private value of programs, looking at problems in a linear way and at isolated efforts. Across the country, Extension evaluators and administrators need to step up to help answer the "so what?" question about…

With education failing nationwide and economic restraints affecting both rural and urban educational institutions, Extension should be taking a more aggressive stance instead of operating in what has now become the way of Extension and "collecting numbers." Why isn't Extension more visible in the urban populations that reside in our own backyards?…

As North Carolina FCS celebrates its 100-year centennial, it is time to reflect. For a century, FCS professionals have helped families apply research-based knowledge and principles. This article describes how American families have changed and how we have met those changes in our Extension roles. We also challenge FCS professionals to view the…

U.S. Department of Agriculture-sponsored cooperative extension systems and university programs offered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development may find themselves in collaboration or conflict as both expand urban outreach activities. A case study in Des Moines, Iowa, illustrates how collaboration can occur and redundancy…

From interviews with six mentor/protege pairs of extension agents (half of whom had negative experiences) were derived the following factors for effective mentoring: similar program responsibilities, geographic proximity, frequent information sharing, successful initiation of the relationship, friendship, clear expectations, and good mentor…

Evaluation data about extension programs are subject to variation. Program improvement requires control of this variance. Statistical quality control charts provide a means of measuring variation, determining sources, and making modifications. (SK)

Extension has been described as "knowledge applied" or "knowledge extended." The research community has begun to recognize Extension's role in creating knowledge. A collaboration in which extension agents served as full research partners revealed challenges to research design and methodology, extension practice, and organizational style and…

Extension's current administrative techniques are based on the assumptions of classical management from the early 20th century. They are fundamentally flawed and inappropriate for the contemporary workplace. (SK)

The Internet offers new opportunities to the Cooperative Extension Service, for example, in facilitating community access as part of outreach, publishing extension documents electronically, enhancing youth club activities, and ensuring that local resources and information are available online. (SK)

Promotion of innovations is enhanced by understanding market segments and their different needs. The Innovativeness-Stages matrix is a way of identifying market segments by their receptiveness to innovation and stage in the adoption process. (SK)

Leaders of ad hoc teams lack traditional influence tools to exchange for cooperation. Transformative leadership is not based on exchange but on individualized consideration, intellectual stimulation, inspirational motivation, and idealized influence. A survey of 10 leaders and 47 team members found that these qualities have a very strong positive…

Participatory Environmental Action Research involves novices, scientists, and local residents in exploring environmental problems, facilitated by extension professionals. Educational benefits of the expeditions include learning research techniques and teamwork; scientists develop skills in adult education and interpreting science for…

Asserts that youth need to develop understanding of the reality of the world of work and a broader perspective of life beyond work. Suggests that 4-H career programs examine their philosophy and approach to presenting the world of work to youth. (SK)

Reviews past extension reporting systems--Extension Management Information System, Narrative Accomplishments Reporting System, and Program Planning and Reporting System--and the mandates of the new Government Performance and Results Act. Highlights potential conflicts among the information needs and quality indicators of local, state, and federal…

Analysis of data of two cooperative extension studies suggests that research costs can be lowered by reducing sample size without compromising results, descriptive studies can have a larger margin of error in calculating sample size without compromise, and comparative studies' results are unaffected by a 3% margin of error but are dramatically…