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This proceedings contains session topics: extension systems, extension programs, extension evaluation, program impacts, extension management, extension reform, experiential learning, program delivery, farming systems research, professional training and development, program strategies, teaching effectiveness, organizational leadership, extension programming, extension models and extension program evaluation. (CCM)

This proceeding contains the following session topics: communicating technology, extension curricula, rural development, adoption of innovations, instructional technology, communications technologies, international education; extension programming, extension training, and technology transfer. (CCM)

A research project was conducted to determine the methods of information delivery preferred by targeted clientele of extension offices in North Carolina, and what methods clients might prefer in the future. Eleven North Carolina Cooperative Extension agents representing all areas of the state cooperated in the study. The agents developed educational programs with objectives from the four major subject areas of agriculture, home economics, youth (4-H) organizations, and community development. They randomly selected a sample of 77 clients from their potential audience of 994 people. The 77 clients were interviewed using a questionnaire developed for the project. Interviewees mostly had agricultural interests; they included community leaders, environmentalists, urban home owners, school teachers, day care providers, and production agriculture workers. The study found that, even though great diversity existed in the interests of the targeted audiences, their preferences of delivery methods were remarkably similar. Personal visits, meetings, newsletters, demonstrations, and workshops were preferred methods. Computer instruction, faxes, and videotapes were expected to become more important in the future, although these methods were the most unfamiliar to the clients. Regardless of the delivery methods, clients strongly preferred information that was customized for them. (KC)

Nearly all burley tobacco farmers in the mountains of North Carolina are small or part-time farmers who have limited time for seeking information. Although they desire accurate, user-friendly, timely, and relevant information, their willingness or opportunity to spend time in face-to-face contacts or grower meetings is becoming severely limited. These farmers seek and use information at nontraditional times and locations. A research project sought to determine the feasibility of using selected distance education delivery methods to meet the informational needs of burley growers for controlling three insect pests of burley tobacco. These delivery methods were as follows: a fact sheet, a fact sheet plus an audiocassette, and the extension bulletin, "Scouting Tobacco." Twenty growers of burley were randomly selected from a list of 97 growers with 10 or fewer years of experience obtained from a county office and interviewed personally. The study showed that 17 of the 20 farmers involved in the research preferred the fact sheet and audiocassette combination for gaining the needed insect information. Age, education level, or size of farming operation generally had no influence on the farmer's preferences. Knowledge gained by the farmers increased substantially via this preferred combination of delivery methods. (Contains 13 references.) (KC)