Attitudes Toward Internationalizing

Extension has been challenged by ES-USDA to integrate international perspectives into all programs and help staff and clientele in developing global competence. Yet, how do our clientele feel about internationalizing Extension? When the Ohio Cooperative Extension Service began to internationalize its program, a study of faculty and staff was conducted by the Extension International Committee. Extension staff were positive about adding an international dimension to programming, but some identified lack of clientele support as a barrier. Research to determine the accuracy of this perception was needed.

During the Summer of 1991, a survey was mailed to 385 Ohio leaders. The target population consisted of three groups: county agricultural leaders, metropolitan leaders, and state level agricultural leaders. A proportionate stratified random sample was identified from names provided by faculty in the College of Agriculture. Included were 96 (25%) county agricultural leaders, 185 (48%) metropolitan leaders, and 104 (27%) Ohio agricultural opinion leaders. Demographicl information was collected about those studied and a five-point, Likert-type scale was used to measure attitudes.

Questionnaires were returned by 316 (82%) leaders. Overall, the groups targeted for study were positive in their attitude toward internationalizing Extension, but not strongly so. County agricultural leaders, agricultural opinion leaders, and metropolitan leaders indicated Extension should develop programs to educate U.S. farmers, agribusinesses, and rural leaders about competing in global markets and encouraged Extension staff to receive training to become more knowledgeable about global marketing. This reinforces ES-USDA recommendations.1 Respondents also indicated strong support for the concept that Extension staff in Ohio have a role to play in helping clientele understand global issues. Leaders indicated we can learn from the culture and technologies of other countries and indicated citizen exchanges between countries improve the ability of participants to understand and care about how other people live.

Ohio's traditional agricultural constituency were more reluctant than their metropolitan neighbors to support internationalizing Extension. Analysis of variance and the Scheffe post hoc test showed metropolitan leaders to be significantly (p<.05) more positive in attitudes than county agricultural or state agricultural opinion leaders. County agricultural leaders had the most negative atti-tudes toward Extension involvement in global education.

Analysis of variance showed neither age, educational level, nor out-of-country experience significantly (p<.05) affected reactions to adding a global dimension to Extension programming. In all instances, attitudes toward Extension involvement were positive. The groups surveyed were well-educated and traveled, with 98.7% completing high school and 91.4% attending college or going on to earn an advanced degree. Twenty-five percent had obtained post-graduate degrees. Seventy-seven percent had traveled outside the United States and 71% read a daily newspaper.

The final question on the survey offered respondents the chance to make written comments about Extension staff incorporating global concepts in their educational programs. A total of 114 leaders responded. Fifty-six percent were supportive, 20% were negative, and 24% offered mixed reactions. Metropolitan leaders were the most positive in their comments.

In addition to developing curriculum for clientele and inservice training for staff, marketing the concept of internationalizing Extension to clientele groups is advisable. Traditional county agricultural constituency should be targeted for marketing and educational programming.

1. Global Perspectives for Extension (Washington, D.C.: Extension Service-USDA, 1989).