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■ Extension field staff and specialists use a variety of educational methods — public 

 presentations, demonstrations, publications, computer networks, satellite and 

 video, newspapers, radio, and television — to reach their audience. Extension 

 curricula and programs are enhanced through collaboration with public and 

 private agencies and organizations. 



As the name implies. Extension has a cooperative relationship among the three partners, 

 as well as with 2.8 million volunteers in which the three partners "mutually agree" on 

 the program to be carried out. No one partner dominates— that may be rather unique 

 among Federal agencies. 



5. How much of Extension's work is rural development related? 



About seven percent of the total Cooperative Extension System FTEs are devoted 

 specifically to rural development as indicated by states and counties through the national 

 reporting system. These FTEs are focused mainly on the Extension Initiative, 

 Communities in Economic Transition, providing education for: (1) community level 

 strategic planning for economic development; and (2) enterprise development and 

 business assistance. This effort is fully integrated with other program areas and is most 

 often delivered through the same staff at the local level. The seven percent figure does 

 not include the considerable Extension woric that contributes to rural development 

 through agriculture, natural resources, home economics, and youth programs. 



The national Cooperative Extension System has collaborated with the National 

 Association of Counties on joint projects related to rural community development. In 

 addition, many programs and educational opportunities exist at the state and local level 

 for elected officials and community leaders. Through this mechanism, CES multiplies 

 many-fold what seems to be a low level of effort. 



6. How is Extension adapting to the communications age and how has the increase in 

 technological communications enhanced the effectiveness of the Extension Service? 



Extension recognized the importance of the technological communications age nearly 

 three years ago when it established the national Future y^plication of Communication 

 Technology (FACT) committee. Today, the Cooperative Extension System is linked to 

 its partners in research as well as many other organizations and agencies nationally and 

 internationally. CES is well down the road in reinventing its technology systems and 

 practices consistent with what will become the norm in the 21st century. CES is 

 networked so that all staff can program cooperatively increasing quality and efficiency 

 through computer and satellite technology. We may be the only nationwide, grassroots, 

 decentralized, science based, computer and satellite networiced organization in the United 

 States. 



