1. Seth C. Urbanowitz Dr. Michael D. Wilcox The Role of Extension in Community Resource and Economic Development as Perceived by Administrators and Directors of the Cooperative Extension Service

2. Purpose of Study Ascertain the attitudes and perceptions of Extension administrators and directors in regard to the perceived role, function and direction of CRED Extension activities as well as the social- environmental factors that could be affecting system resources.

3. Objectives of the Study Research objectives developed for the study: –Gain insight into regional and national CRED Extension efforts. –Describe the political and social issues facing CRED Extension program area and Extension as a whole. –Examine perceptions and attitudes regarding research and programming priorities. –Examine the perceived role of CRED professionals.

4. Methodology E-mailed all 115 administrators and associate administrators of the Extension System. Four e-mail reminders where sent dating from May 13 to June 2. Two were from S-PLN colleagues and two from the graduate student, with personalized, regional or state focus. MANOVA/ANOVA and Chi-squared analyses conducted to test for regional variation or national consensus.

5. Response Rate 42 total responses. Thirty-five 1862 institutions and seven 1890 institutions responded. 36.5% overall response rate –North Central (16.6%) –Northeast (26.1%) –South (40.4%) –West (16.6%)

7. CRED and the Extension Mission There is a clear role for community development in Extension. However, there remains confusion on how best to achieve Extension’s community development objectives.

8. Extension’s Current and Future Involvement in CRED Strengthening current priorities and identifying emerging opportunities will allow Extension to continue to provide effective programming that meets the needs of the public.

9. Perceived Importance of Specializations Consensus on specializations CRED Extension professionals should obtain to effectively work in community and economic development.

10. Threats Failing to adequately serve all members of our nation’s communities or meet the needs of the public as the outreach service of the Land Grant System will negatively affect system resources and organizational image.

11. Opportunities Strengthening external partnerships and mass media use will improve political support and awareness of organizational purpose and make-up.

12. Variation in Regional CRED Efforts

13. CRED Allocations as % of Total Budget

14. Recommendations Increase the capacity of CRED Extension to better serve multi-cultural, minority, and limited resource populations. Continue the use of consistent programmatic and research themes across state boundaries. Increase the use of various forms of mass media to communicate the appropriate image and build awareness. Strengthen external organizational linkages to improve effective programming and build political support.

15. Recommendations Consistently engage diverse audiences at the county-level to ensure awareness and effective programming that meets the needs of the public. Help to ensure relevant research and programming that meets the needs of the public through increased joint research-extension appointments. Develop a more unified voice across regions as to how best to achieve Extension’s community development objectives.