Editor's Page

We are at the midpoint of the second year of the electronic Journal of Extension. Manuscript submissions continue to remain strong, which is very encouraging. We are doing our best to process and make decisions on manuscripts as quickly as possible. However, the time lost in converting to our new electronic format has not been easy to make up. It is interesting to note that in hard copy, publication decisions were made rather quickly and the authors typically had to wait to see their publication in print. In the transition to the new electronic format, authors have had to wait for a publication decision, but they see their manuscript published almost immediately after the decision is made.

There are several items I would like to bring to your attention concerning the Journal. We will be participating at the National Extension Technology Conference in Vermont in July. We will have a table at the registration desk and sponsor a poster session. We encourage you to stop by, especially state technical and institutional representatives, to learn more about the Journal of Extension.

At the Journal of Extension Board meeting in June, the idea of presenting an award for the best article in each of the Journal submission categories was discussed. We think this is a great idea and are planning to act on it. In the near future, we will be developing a process and set of criteria to judge the best articles in each of the Journal categories.

In light of the recent national strategic framework effort just completed, we strongly encourage Extension professionals to submit manuscripts on this important topic. If we receive enough of these, we may consider devoting a special issue of the Journal to this matter. This is an excellent example of a way the Journal can serve to foster the exchange of ideas to further advance the Extension mission. Please get these to us as soon as possible.

Finally, at the end of this year, the editorial responsibilities for the Journal will be passed on to a new editor. We have a number of excellent, well qualified candidates for this position. However, I was quite surprised that we did not have more institutions inquiring about this responsibility (especially after a national call). I was asked recently if the editorship of the Journal was considered prestigious for the institution. I replied yes. But the small number of responses to the call for assuming the editorial responsibilities gave me cause to wonder. As stated in the manuscript submission document:

     The Journal of Extension is the official refereed
     publication of the Cooperative Extension System.  The
     Journal expands and updates the research and knowledge base
     for Extension professionals and other adult educators to
     improve their effectiveness.  In addition, the Journal
     serves as a forum for emerging and contemporary issues
     affecting Extension education.  It's written and edited by
     Extension professionals, sharing with their colleagues
     successful educational applications, original and applied
     research findings, scholarly opinions, educational
     resources, and challenges on issues of critical importance
     to Extension educators.

If the Journal is a viable mechanism for serving these important purposes, then why are so few institutions vying for this critically important and prestigious responsibility? I would appreciate your perspectives and opinions on this issue.