This study investigated factors deterring county Extension agents from participating in professional development activities, such as in-service training, continuing education, and formal coursework, designed to help them grow as professionals. The Deterrent to Participation Scale-General, which was divided into eight factors, was designed so that a higher degree of agreement indicated a deterrent to participation. Responses were received from 321 extension agents, a response rate of 61%. Descriptive statistics were used to develop a respondent profile and to determine which factors received the highest rating, and thus prevented agents from participating in professional development activities. An item analysis showed the five items with the highest means were inconvenient location, inconvenient time, time away from family, time required for completion, and lack of interest. Of the five items with the highest means, two were from the factor Time Constraints and two were from the factor Lack of Convenience. The findings of this study indicate the survey population was homogeneous and that convenient location and time were critical to decisions to participate. When professional development activities were not seen as relevant, convenience became more important. (Contains 19 references.) (SLD)