AN INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE WAS USED TO DISCOVER HOW 85 ELECTED COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN THE NORTHEASTERN EXTENSION DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA PERCEIVED THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE. THE EXTENT TO WHICH TENURE AS A COMMISSIONER, OCCUPATION, EDUCATION, AGE, AND INVOLVEMENT IN EXTENSION ACTIVITIES WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PERCEPTION OF EXTENSION'S PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION, THE ROLE OF COUNTY AGENTS, LEADERS' FUNCTIONS IN PROGRAMING, AND EXTENSION CLIENTELE, WAS EXAMINED. THE COMMISSIONERS PERCEIVED EFFICIENCY IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, ASSISTING PEOPLE IN MANAGING NATURAL RESOURCES, AND TEACHING FAMILIES HOW BETTER TO MANAGE THEIR RESOURCES AS THE MOST IMPORTANT EXTENSION GOALS, AND TEACHING UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES OF FARMING AND HOMEMAKING AS THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF COUNTY AGENTS. THEY WERE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT EXTENSION ORGANIZATION AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT. THE COMMISSIONERS INDICATED THAT LEADERS COULD ASSIST AGENTS IN PROGRAM PLANNING, AND CONSIDERED AGENTS IN THEIR DISTRICT WELL QUALIFIED. FARM GROUPS WERE CONSIDERED EXTENSION'S CHIEF CLIENTELE. WAYS IN WHICH THE FIVE PERSONAL FACTORS RELATED TO COMMISSIONS' PERCEPTIONS WERE CITED. THIS MASTERS THESIS IS AVAILABLE FROM NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY. 184 PAGES. (LY)