My research examined farmers' knowledge and practices of farmers supported by Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns (VEDCO), a non-governmental organisation in Central region of Uganda. Farmers in VEDCO were trained in modern farming methods, and were supposed to apply them on their farms. I worked with farmers over a period of eight months, which is a full agricultural year, to understand how farmers negotiated their way around risk in different seasons of the year using their own knowledge. I was interested in understanding the knowledge they drew on to survive. The study was qualitative and employed a case study methodology. It relied on participant observation, focus group discussions, seasonality calendars, trends' analysis, informal interviews and document review to collect data. The livelihoods of farmers and the extension education intervention by VEDCO provided an opportunity to understand the concept of knowledge, risk and livelihoods security. In this regard, the theories of Paulo Freire (1972, 1973, 1973a,1985), Ulrich Beck (1992, 1998, 2000) and Robert Chambers (1983, 1991, 1995) formed the framework for theorising knowledge, agricultural extension education, risk and livelihoods in this research. The thesis engages with what constitutes livelihoods for poor people and what that means for survival and risk reduction. In the discussion, it becomes evident that knowledge for poor people is worthwhile if it enables them meet their livelihood needs. In the discussion it also becomes apparent that poor people's livelihoods security is dependent on many aspects, and they pursue livelihoods security in a multi-disciplinary, negotiated manner that incorporates all those aspects. And unfortunately, sometimes the way modern agricultural extension pedagogy is planned and executed puts livelihoods at risk in a context where farmers' own local knowledge is not enough to confront the challenges they have to confront. The gap created by both local and modern knowledge processes resulted into the emerging of a subsistence risk society (Beck, 1992, 1998). The thesis concludes with a discussion of a concept of really useful agricultural extension education drawn from the idea of 'really useful knowledge (Jane Thompson, 1997). The emerging really useful agricultural extension education is drawn partly from the livelihoods' analysis of poor people. And partly RUAEE is drawn from an emerging understanding developed, that adult education is not just about meeting needs, rather it is about confronting systems and structures that enable social injustice and livelihoods insecurity. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2011.

The purpose of the study was to systematically analyze three existing Cooperative Extension Service 4-H staffing models for costs associated with each of ten selected measures of program effectiveness. The study was designed to provide empirical information for the Cooperative Extension Service with regard to cost/effectiveness expected from applied 4-H staffing models.An important consideration in development of the study was the potential usefulness and direct application by Extension professionals. The study provided a pioneering step toward analyzing impact of existing 4-H staffing models for delivery of informal educational programs to youth.Documentation produced by the study offered new base line data and information to enhanceefforts by Extension professionals in obtaining financial support through quantitative evidence of program quality to be expected from selected categories of resource input. The study demonstrated feasible methods for assessing cost/ effectiveness of alternative 4-H staffing models.The population was defined as all 4-H administrative units in each of the three selected North Central Extension Region states of Iowa, Indiana and Ohio, in which the existing 4-H staffing model: (1) was characteristic of a prototype model selected for the respective state; (2) had been in operation two or more years; and (3) contained a majority of Extension professionals employed two or more years. The total sample consisted of 60 4-H administrative units with 20 administrative units randomly selected from each of the three states. Observations of the three models were limited to 4-H program years 1974, 1975, and 1976.Data for each model were obtained from six sources: (1) federal and state Extension Management Information System; (2) Yearly 4-H Summaries; (3) Extension business office records; (4) 1970 U.S. Census Reports; (5) State 4-H Departmental records; and (6) Survey instruments administered to Extension professionals in 60 4-} administrative units and to 1800 4-H members. A minimum of 30 4-H members were randomly selected from each of the 60 administrative units.Results showed the three models were clearly different in cost/effectiveness utilizing the following ten selected measures of program effectiveness. 1. percentage of eligible population enrolled in 4-H;2. percentage of re-enrollment of 4-H members; 3. percentage of 4-H members completed; 4. percentage of 4-H projects completed; 5. mean tenure of 4-H membership; 6. mean tenure of volunteer: 4-.7 adult leaders;7. ratio of 4-H members enrolled to volunteer 4-H adult leaders;8. ratio of 4-H members enrolled to total enrollments in 4-H projects, events and activities reported;9. mean number of 4-H projects, events and activities in which one or more 4-H members participated;10. mean number of 4-H hours spent by members enrolled in 4-H in contact with Extension professionals, paraprofessionals and volunteer 4-H adult leaders.Analysis of the data pointed out an enormous need for refinements and further development of program effectiveness measures as well as improved 4--H accounting procedures to assess the status of 4-H programs. Size and magnitude of the 4-H program appeared to directly effect the cost/ effectiveness indexes selected for the study.Model III clearly demonstrated more cost/effectiveness than did Models I and II. However, Model III was operated with considerably lower population and 4-H enrollment than was either Model I or II. Increasing the use of paraprofessionals and volunteer 4-H adult leaders to service 4-H programs appeared to be a cost/effective approach in the use of Extension resources and personnel. Cost/effectiveness appeared to be a strong potential management tool for evaluation and accountability of 4-H programs.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin, 1976. / Extension Repository Collection. Typescript (photocopy). Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-150).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1957. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-122).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1959. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 213-216).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1958. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin, 1963. / Extension Repository Collection. Typescript (carbon copy). Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-128).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin, 1957. / Typewritten carbon copy. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-91).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin, 1966. / Extension Repository Collection. Typescript (carbon copy). Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-77).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin, 1962. / Extension Repository Collection. Typescript (carbon copy). eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-118).