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This field training guide outlines the program devised for prospective assistant Extension agents in the area of home economics. The field training program provides enough time for the trainee to gain some understanding of planning, executing, and evaluating Extension work under the supervision of experienced Extension workers. The teaching objectives, learning experiences, training responsibility, courses to be completed, and program regulations are briefly noted. The guide points out the phases of major emphasis and presents the questions to be completed by the trainee. Included also is a program evaluation form to be completed by the trainee. (JS)

A study was made of eight former Area Winning Community Clubs in Middle Tennessee. Sixteen club representatives and five County Agents were interviewed for the purpose of identifying and describing certain factors that contribute to the organization and continuation of community clubs. The study revealed that every primary reason for original organization and/or continuation came from within the group that constituted the club. The most important single reason for the above, as viewed by club representatives and agents, was that the community as a whole was interested in a specific project and felt that through group action their goal could be more easily attained. The primary reason for continuation of organization over time was because of a desire for recreation and fellowship which could be enjoyed by the group. The community improvement program was shown to be an important channel for Extension teaching. During all three time periods studied, the primary problem was to get members of the community interested in the organization. During the original organization year, the projects undertaken initially were usually simpler, less expensive, and required less time to complete than in later years. (Author/DB)

Eighty-one randomly selected cotton producers in Lauderdale County were interviewed for the purposes of: (1) characterizing those in different cotton yield groups, (2) determining which practices were being used by those in different yield groups, and (3) identifying some of the factors influencing the farmers to use or not to use the 12 practices studied. When highest and lowest yield groups were compared, it was found that the latter had: (1) a higher educational level, (2) a larger average size of farm, (3) more average acres of cropland, (4) a larger cotton allotment, (5) planted a larger acreage of cotton, and (6) harvested more average acres of cotton mechanically. With regard to adoption of 12 recommended cotton production practices studied, farmers in the highest yield group had the highest total average practice diffusion rating. Some other factors influencing cotton practice adoption included: (1) the net returns received per acre, (2) the adequacy of machinery and equipment, (3) the amount of technical knowledge of the operator, (4) the relative cost of the practices and benefits received, and (5) the seriousness of land preparation, planting and harvesting problems peculiar to cotton. (Author/CK)

This study was undertaken to determine the homegrounds improvement situation among 4-H families in Polk County, Tennessee. It was conducted for the purposes of: (1) obtaining information concerning characteristics of homeowners and renters, (2) determining which recommended homegrounds improvement practices they were using, and (3) identifying some of the factors influencing them to adopt practices. Representatives of 84 4-H families (65 homeowners and 19 renters) were interviewed in random samples for comparison. Data were analyzed in numbers and percent, and adoption levels of homeowners and renters were compared on the basis of practice diffusion ratings. Findings disclosed that the average interviewee in this study in 1966 had the following characteristics: (1) was about 44 years of age, (2) had completed about nine years of schooling, (3) was a rural non-farm resident, (4) was a housewife, and (5) lived in a house built between 1950-59. Homeowner families were more often farm families, older, first occupants of their homes, lived in homes built between 1950-1959, and spent more money for plants than did renter families. With regard to the adoption of 27 recommended practices studied, homeowners were consistently farther along than were renters on nearly all practices. With regard to eight attitude toward landscaping statements and eight attitude toward nurseries statements, renters had better attitudes than did homeowners on most of the statements. More owners than renters reported larger inventories of trees and shrubs. (Author/CK)

The study was made to consider cultural factors related to the acceptance or nonacceptance of farm practices. Some major conclusions were: (1) demonstrators should be in the age group 30-45, (2) reading material should be at the seventh or eighth grade level, (3) meetings should be convenient for small or disadvantaged farmers to attend, (4) neighborhoods and other locality groups should be identified, (5) recommended farm practices should be compatible with the local value systems, (6) annual work plans should be based on the needs of people, and (7) varied sources of information available should be considered. It is recommended that extension workers be provided with inservice training on how farmers accept new farm practices or ideas and that a summary of the findings and implications of farm practice diffusion research be prepared for their use. (A 138-item bibliography is included.) (Author/MS)

This study in Knox County, Tennessee, was done to determine how those attending Extension clothing construction workshops differed from others; which recommended clothing instruction practices were being used; and factors influencing respondents to adopt or reject practices. Forty-five participants and a random sample of 45 nonparticipants were interviewed. Data were analyzed by numbers, percentages, and adoption ratings. Results indicated that the average home demonstration club member in the county in 1967 was about 49, had three family members, reported a gross family income of $7,867, was not employed, had some training in home economics, and had used two information sources on clothing construction during the previous year. Adoption ratings (including overall scores) were higher for participants than for nonparticipants on all 14 practices. Greatest differences (cited in order) were on clean finishing, trimming seams, applying zippers, staystiching, reading labels and hang tags when buying fabrics, using interfacing, and making darts. Factors influencing adoption included employment status, sources of assistance and instruction in clothing construction, and the types of training received. (Authors/ LY)

Ninety selected negro home demonstration club members active in Madison County, Tennessee in 1969 were studied to determine their consumer credit practices. Specific purposes were to: characterize club members in high, middle, and low income groups; determine which recommended practices they were using; and identify some of the factors that influenced them to adopt or reject the practices. It was found that all members were interested in the 34 practices and all were using about one third of them. High income respondents were closer to practice adoption than the low income respondents on 29 of the 34 recommended practices. Home demonstration club meetings, television, and the daily newspaper were the major sources of information on credit practices used by all respondents. The majority (94%) of all respndents were interested in attending one or more meetings on consumer credit. (Statistical tables and a bibliography are included.) (PT)