Winter 1992 // Volume 30 // Number 4
Editor's Page
Editor's Page
The Board of Directors has begun a pilot study to examine electronic delivery of the Journal through Internet, which may ultimately reduce our production costs. This issue is the first to be placed on the system, and should be accessible to any person connected to the Internet.
Feature Articles
Addressing Mega-Issues of the '90s
Nuckton, Carole Carter, Harold O. Cleaves, David A.
...Extension Service needs to achieve a delicate balance between old concerns and new demands in serving its broadened base. By pulling together all perspectives of an issue and providing objective research and reporting...can help Extension move important policy debates forward, while fulfilling its role as a public educator.
Strategic Planning in Extension
Fitzsimmons, Ellen L. Campbell, Gerald R.
The key lesson to be learned from strategic planning is the importance of looking outward as we define our future. That idea is under continual threat in an academic world characterized by increasing specialization and the compartmentalization of knowledge.
On the Hunt for "Fiscal Fuel"
Stiehl, Ruth E. Bessey, Barbara A. Schmall, Vicki L.
As Extension staff, we not only have to develop and deliver quality educational programs to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve, but now we're sent into the woods to hunt for the "fiscal fuel" we need to keep our fires burning.
Developing Life Skills in Youth
Boyd, Barry L. Herring, Don R. Briers, Gary E.
This research indicates participation in the 4-H program is positively related to perceived leadership life skill development. The study also indicated that the level of leadership life skill development increased as the level of 4-H participation increased.
Teens Reaching Youth
Groff, Judy M.
Teens Reaching Youth, a peer helper program, is a model that can be useful throughout Extension. Teen volunteers can be trained with adults to conduct educational programs in a variety of subjects. The teens learn valuable leadership skills, are respected, have fun, and do interesting work.
Who's Responsible for Computer Competence?
Donald Z. Goode, Jr. Elliott, Graydon Ed
County level personnel and secretarial staff must be encouraged to take more responsibility for their own computer-related competence and to take advantage of training opportunities. Only through cooperative acceptance of responsibility can personnel develop and maintain the technological competence required to keep Extension competitive in the educational marketplace.
Building Community Leadership
Langone, Christine A.
In response to the need for leadership development...The program was designed to help develop or expand the leadership base in counties and equip local leaders with skills to manage and direct change in their own towns and cities.
Letters to the Editor
To The Point
Addressing Societal Issues
Jones, Bernard M.
Extension should address those needs of the total population within its base of competence. Increased funding for educational programs will go to quality programs. I...believe the American people are willing and capable of funding education that addresses the societal issues most important to them.
Serving Agriculture Is Serving Society
Jordan, C. Wayne
Jones says, "Our greatest challenge will be to identify the most critical issues, while our greatest opportunity will be to obtain funding." It may be more accurate to state the greatest challenge is to get society to agree on the issue Extension should address and to fund the agency's efforts.
Vision Should Direct Extension's Mission
Walla, Walter J.
Before we can discuss, or even define our mission, all of us...must have a futurist vision for our organization. Our clientele will ultimately decide whether we're delivering high-quality educational programs that meet societal needs. ...as an organization our greatest weakness is communicating our accomplishments at the grassroots.
Futures
Staffing Extension for the 21st Century
Harriman, Lynda C. Daugherty, Renee A.
Future Extension staffing patterns should reflect the difference between clients' needs for information versus education...As Extension's viability increasingly depends on program accountability and research-based programming, staff must also further their skills in scientific investigation and program evaluation.
Forum
Begrudging Ag Resources Won't Solve Funding Problems
Bahn, Henry M.
Instead of begrudging agricultural Extension's slice, isn't it time to work together to increase the whole pie? Resources are scarce throughout Extension. Coveting those of other program areas serves only to polarize CES at a time when the entire system is vulnerable to criticism and embarrassment.
Forging One Extension System
Conone, Ruth M.
By articulating system rather than program foci, by communicating impacts and budget requests in a systems framework, and by identifying the relationships among educational efforts rather than the discrete entities within our system, we can become increasingly known as one system addressing key needs of people.
Ideas at Work
Day Care Training Reaches Underserved Clientele
Duncan, Stephen F.
...day care business programs can provide useful education for audiences often underserved by Extension.
Postcard Newsletter Evaluation
Smith, Sanford S. Kiernan, Nancy-Ellen
Using a simple and inexpensive but carefully designed postcard survey, we evaluated The Woodlander, a one-page, monthly newsletter written for private nonindustrial forestland owners in three northwestern Pennsylvania counties.
Teen Community Leadership College
Hodson, Susan
With the help of an FCL volunteer, five county 4-H Extension agents designed and coordinated an intensive three-day leadership training for 22 teenagers selected by their county agents.
The Me I Can Be
Casey, Maxine E. Waltemire, Mary Ellen
A one-day youth program like this offers an excellent way for county agents to begin addressing the youth at risk issue.
Worksite Programming
Blase, Sharon P.
Meeting challenges by creating new program methods can be risky...Worksite outreach will be among the new methods used by Extension to attract new audiences, discuss new issues, and strengthen accountability.
Calendar Delivers Environmental Issues Information
Relf, Diane
An Extension calendar can provide timely information and repeated exposure to reinforce the importance of this educational message.
High Potential of Low-Power Radio
DeYoung, Bruce
New communication tools can enable audiences to receive customized information at their convenience. A case in point is the innovative use of low-power radio for outreach in the Pacific Northwest.
Dismissing a Volunteer
Floyd Branson, Jr. Long, Norman D.
How can an Extension professional or 4-H Council dismiss a volunteer appropriately? It's necessary to have a process, including a probationary system, in place before termination for inadequate performance problems occur.
Research in Brief
Prevention Awareness
Turner, L. Jo Frock, Rhonda
The fact that 86% of these youths know someone abusing alcohol and/or other drugs highlights the importance of prevention programming for 4-H Club members. Concrete data helps support prevention education in the club structure.
Knowledge Retention from a One-Time Program
Gaydos, Beth d.
This study suggests that reinforcement of concepts is needed if consumers are to retain knowledge about dietary fats and cholesterol. The same could be true for many complex subjects treated in one-time Extension programs.
Measuring the Success of Teacher Training
Turner, Josephine Travnichek, Rebecca j.
This project was done to address a serious problem in America-many people don't know how to manage their financial resources. Teachers, however, often feel insecure when faced with teaching financial management concepts to students.
