Download or read book Perceptions of Texas County Extension Agents on Volunteers who Assist with Planning and Implementation of Extension Educational Programs written by Allen Z. Matthies and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The objective of the study was to determine and evaluate county extension agents' perceptions on volunteer management competencies related to their county program. General perceptions related to volunteer management were also assessed. The research was conducted on Texas county extension agents working in the fields of agriculture and natural resources and family and consumer sciences. The purpose of this study was to make inferences concerning volunteer management based on self assessment data gained from study participants. The secondary purpose was to identify concerns and provide solutions for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service to enhance this organization. Five research questions were examined by the researcher: 1) What are the demographics of county extension agents working for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, 2) What are the county characteristics of extension volunteers and volunteer programs in Texas, 3) What are the differences in volunteer management based on location factors such as population size and staff size, 4) Is the ISOTURE model for volunteer management utilized by county extension agents working for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, and 5) How do county extension agents perceive their volunteer programs are viewed by the clientele they serve? The population of county extension agents was 451 at the time of data collection. Two hundred seventeen (217) responses were collected. The instrument for this study was in electronic format and was divided into three sections; general volunteerism, specified volunteerism as it relates to "Your Volunteer Group," and demographic data. The participant was asked to select a specified volunteer group which had eight predefined groups and one blank for "Other." The results of this study identified seven significant findings with seven recommendations for Texas AgriLife Extension Service regarding professional development, volunteer utilization, and volunteer structure. Conclusions reached from this research show county extension agents utilize the volunteer management model adopted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Furthermore, differences in environment such as population, staffing pattern, and volunteer utilization have influence on how volunteers are utilized in different counties. Finally, the researcher identified seven areas of further research.

Download or read book A Study to Determine the Effectiveness of Agriculture Natural Resource Program Area Committees on the Texas Agrilife Extension Service Program Planning Process written by Whit Holland Weems and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Volunteers play a critical role to Extension by assisting with program planning, provide input and guidance in what direction local Extension programs should take, and provide assistance with program implementation and evaluation. Extension volunteers have been utilized in Extension for over 50 years, serving on program area committees to develop programs that meet the needs of local clientele. This study evaluated Agriculture and Natural Resource Program Area Committee (Ag/NR PAC) members located in 36 Texas counties. The selection of counties was based upon Texas AgriLife Extension Service county categories. A quantitative, ex post facto, survey instrument was developed that consisted of Likert type statements that focused on the purpose, responsibilities, qualifications, time obligations, County Extension Agent interaction, subject matter specialist interactions and assisting with educational event implementation and evaluation. The survey was mailed with a postage paid return envelope and return surveys were accepted for 45 days. The data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0 for Windows software. The findings of this study showed that Ag/NR PAC members have an overall understanding of the purpose, responsibilities and qualifications of PAC's. Overall, the data shows that County Extension Agents are remaining involved with the program area committees. However, 42 percent of the respondents disagreed or remained neutral to subject matter specialists being utilized in committee meetings. The open ended questions show that program area committee members consider personnel education as a motivational factor for serving on the Ag/NR committees. Committee members feel strongly about assisting with program planning and attending the educational programs but are not remaining actively involved in the evaluation or interpretation phase of the programs. The findings of this study resulted in seven associated recommendations related to working with Ag/NR PAC's. In addition, six areas were identified for areas of research to be considered for the future. The results found that Ag/NR PAC's are still a crucial part of Texas AgriLife Extension Service and they play an important role in identifying issues at the local level. The information found within the study will contribute to working with volunteers to enhance the program planning process.

Download or read book A Study of the Perceived Role of County Extension Agents in Program Planning in Florida and Kansas written by Alto Alfred Straughn and published by . This book was released on 1963 with total page 630 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Resources in Education written by and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 756 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book A Descriptive Study of the Two Texas Extension Programs written by Sonja Latrice Stueart-Davis and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Texas is one of 17 states with both 1862 and 1890 Extension programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the partnership amongst agents of Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Cooperative Extension Program, in counties that have both Extension programs. Seventy-eight agents participated in the study, of which, 73% (N=57) were employed by Texas AgriLife Extension Service and 24% (N=19) were employed by the Cooperative Extension Program. Cohen's D Effect Size was used to determine the practical significance of differences among agents' perception of the relevance of Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie View A & M University, along with the agents' understanding of the partnership, willingness to partner and knowledge of the Operational Guidelines. As part of the study, agents also identified strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities of having two programs in the State and provided recommendations for strengthening the partnership. Among agents, there was a high degree of relevance for Texas AgriLife Extension Service, while there was a moderate degree of relevance for the Cooperative Extension Program-Prairie View A & M. Cohen's D Effect size suggested a large practical difference amongst agents in their perception of both Extension programs. Findings indicated a moderate degree of knowledge of the Operational Guidelines and understanding of the partnership amongst agents. Cohen's D Effect size value (d =.1.29) and (d =1.30) suggested a large practical differences amongst agents, from the two programs, in relation to their willingness to partner and understanding of the partnership respectively. Strengths of having two Extension programs identified by agents were the Extension programs ability to reach new and diverse audiences and address community and state needs. Weaknesses identified were agents competing against one another for audiences, two programs causing confusion to clientele, and a lack of understanding on how to collaborate. Opportunities of having two Extension programs identified were collaborating on programs, reaching diverse audiences, and the ability to provide more services. Agents provided recommendations of better communication to understanding the partnership and how to partner, clearer job descriptions to prevent duplication and competition, and making the citizens the priority instead of the Extension programs.

Download or read book The District Extension Leaders and the Beginning County Extension Agents Perception of the Beginning Agents Role Definition and Role Fulfillment written by Edward Frederick Schlutt and published by . This book was released on 1959 with total page 642 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Research in Education written by and published by . This book was released on 1970 with total page 936 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Partners in Action written by and published by . This book was released on 1986 with total page 28 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book A Study of Mississippi County Extension Agents Perception of the Purpose and Organization of 4 H Club Work written by Charles B. Duke and published by . This book was released on 1963 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Perceptions of District Extension Directors and County Extension Agent Chairmen Regarding the Roles and Functions of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service written by Pang S. Asngari and published by . This book was released on 1982 with total page 432 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Texas Extension Agents Perceptions of Organic Agriculture and Its Implications for Training written by Patrick Terrell Lillard and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this study was to determine Texas AgriLife Extension agents' perceptions of organic agriculture (OA) and implications for training. Primary variables of interest included level of interest in OA in their respective counties, previous training received, interest in future training, perception of OA and Texas AgriLife Extension's involvement in OA. A random sample of agents was selected (n = 151) and a response rate of 81.5% was achieved. A majority of agents indicated interest in OA in their respective counties had increased over the past five years (n = 60), but noted demand was still low (n = 39) to moderate (n = 42). Agents from urban or suburban counties reported higher levels of interests in OA than did agents from rural counties. Agents were most interested in training on organic soil fertility, insect, weed, and disease management and least interested in training on organic certification and transitioning to OA. Agents indicated traditional information resources would be the most useful delivery methods for communicating information about organic farming, which included print publications, a website with organic information and extension workshops. Agents' perceptions of OA and their perceptions of Texas AgriLife Extension's involvement in OA were measured using attitudinal statements using a five point summated scale with reliability estimates r = 0.76 and 0.76 respectively. It was found that agents neither agreed nor disagreed with statements affirming the viability of OA (M = 2.80) and statements advocating Texas AgriLife Extension's involvement in OA (M = 3.38). A stepwise multiple regression was run on the primary variables of interest to determine which variables predicted agents' interest in training. Perceptions of Texas AgriLife Extension's involvement, perceptions of OA, and current level of interest in their county accounted for over 50 percent of the variability. This research concluded that due to agents' general ambivalent attitude toward OA, Texas AgriLife Extension administration will need to advocate more training and programming in OA if they wish to increase their role in OA. For there to be any significant change in the advancement of OA, though, it will require a paradigm shift in the land grant university system (LGUS).

Download or read book Research in Education written by and published by . This book was released on 1973 with total page 1092 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Determination of Texas County Extension Agent Inservice Training Needs Relevant to Community Resource Development written by Clark D. Leedy and published by . This book was released on 1974 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Volunteers a challenge for extension workers written by United States. Extension Service and published by . This book was released on 1976 with total page 12 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Characteristics and Barriers Impacting the Diffusion of E extension Among Texas Cooperative Extension County Extension Agents written by Amy Marie Harder and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The overall purpose of this study was to understand the influence of selected factors on the adoption of eXtension by Texas Cooperative Extension County Extension agents. Specifically, the study looked at how the relationships between stage in the innovation-decision process, characteristics of agents, characteristics of the innovation, and barriers to adoption affect the diffusion of eXtension. A random sample of 237 agents was selected for participation in the study. A majority of agents reported they were in the knowledge stage (52%); 31% had no knowledge of the innovation; 8% were in the implementation stage; 3% were in the persuasion stage; 3% were in the decision stage and 2% were in the confirmation stage. Respondents had positive perceptions of relative advantage, compatibility, complexity and trialability as those characteristics related to eXtension. They had the most positive perceptions of complexity. They did not perceive eXtension to have a high degree of observability. Agents perceived at least five barriers existed to the adoption of eXtension. Reducing or eliminating these barriers, particularly the barrier related to concerns about time, would be expected to positively affect the rate of adoption. Agents' perceptions of complexity and compatibility significantly differed by primary agent role and gender, respectively. The differences may be attributable to varying job experiences based upon role and gender. Agents' perceptions of a lack of eXtension incentives significantly differed by education. Significant relationships existed between selected characteristics of eXtension and potential barriers to the adoption of eXtension. Based on the findings, offering monetary incentives may increase the rate of adoption, and decrease agents0́9 financial concerns. Significantly more respondents reported they were in the "no knowledge" stage in the innovation-decision than would be expected to occur by chance. Agents may have ignored repeated messages about eXtension because it was not perceived as consistent with their attitudes and beliefs. This implication should be noted by those hoping to increase the diffusion of eXtension. On a broader level, these findings support expanding the model of the innovation-decision process to include the "no knowledge" stage.

Download or read book Partners in Action written by and published by . This book was released on 1987 with total page 230 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book A Study of County Extension Agents Program Planning Role in North Carolina Ohio and Virginia written by William Franklin Farnsworth and published by . This book was released on 1963 with total page 572 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: