Clientele Differences of a Cooperative Extension Program as Related to Base of Organization.

Conducted in Nebraska and Missouri, this study compared the clientele of an area specialist dairy testing program with the clientele of generalized county based programs to determine significant differences and their implications. Comparisons were made by age, educational level, size of farm business, farm ownership, participation in short courses and workshops, innovativeness, farm practice score, attitudes toward credit, experience in dairy testing, farming experience, ranking of information sources, and attitudes toward the Cooperative Extension Service (CES). Combined data for both states showed that, compared to their counterparts in generalized county based programs, the area specialist clients were younger, operated smaller farms as measured by acreage, cows milked, and gross receipts, and ranked dairy specialists higher as information sources. (Author/LY)