EFFECTIVENESS OF EXTENSION IN REACHING RURAL PEOPLE 
States Department of Agriculture in the conduct of extension work 
but six years. i 
A measure of the effectiveness of extension work is the adoption 
of better farm and home practices by farmers and home makers. 
The use of such improved practices advocated by the extension 
service was reported by 2,912, or 74 per cent, of the 3,954 farms 
studied, and 9,833 practices, or an average of 3.4, were reported 
adopted on these farms. (Table 4.) Agricultural practices only 
were reported adopted on 68 per cent of the 3,954 farms and home- 
economics practices only in 32 per cent of the homes. 
The highest percentage of farms adopting agricultural practices 
only was 82 in a county employing a county agricultural agent 12 
years, and the lowest 52 in a count}- employing an agent 6 years. 
1 
Fig. 2.— A pruning demonstration. The influence of the field, barn, and home demonstrations was 
reported in connection with 42 per cent of the improved practices adopted 
In the case of home-economics practices, the highest percentage of 
homes reporting the adoption of practices taught by the extension 
service was 47 in a county where a home-demonstration agent had 
been at work 6 years, and the lowest percentage 22 in a county 
where a home-demonstration agent had been at work but 2 years. 
Table 4. — Farms and homes reporting the adoption of new or better practices 
Item 
Number 
Percent- 
age 
Average 
Farm and home records obtained 
3,954 
ino 
Farms reporting some changed practices... 
2,912 74 
Practices changed 
9,833 
2,687 
3.4 
Farms reporting agricultural practices changed 
fig 
Agricultural practices changed T 
6, 979 2. 6 
],2S5 3o 
Home-economics practices changed 
2.854 
2.2 
The 9,833 new or better farm and home practices adopted on these 
farms as a result of extension effort represent, in so far as possible, 
