Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-87). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-87). Also available on the Internet.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The purpose of this creative project was to develop a program on video tape that would briefly explain the local Cooperative Extension Office, the programs and the assistance available. Audio-visual material available prior to this consisted of one slide tape set approximately 10 years old. In the new video tape a short history of Extension, and an overview of each area of the local Extension Office are explained, using examples of how the local Extension Agents provide assistance to the community. The disciplines include 4-H, Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences and Community Development.Development of the video tape included planning, script writing, filming, editing and documentation of the project. The major task was to present the best, most informative material explaining the role of Extension with-out being long and boring. By showing preliminary tapes to control groups and making changes as suggested. A final format was established that should most effectively explain the Extension Office and its services.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 154-163). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 154-163). Also available on the Internet.

This study determined the attitudes of part-time and full-time beef producers in southwest Virginia toward the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and their assessment of the methods used by the agency in disseminating information to its clientele. Descriptive research design was utilized for this study. The population consisted of 1202 beef producers located in Carroll, Grayson, Russell, Washington, and Wythe counties in southwest Virginia. Beef production is their main source of farm income. A random sample of 300 beef producers was systematically selected for the study. Based upon the percentage of annual gross income from beef production, the producers were categorized as part-time and full-time producers. Data were collected by use of a structured questionnaire developed by the researcher with assistance from a panel of experts. The instrument was divided into three parts; part one was used to obtain background information, part two (Likert-type scale) was used to measure respondents' attitudes, and the third part was used to measure respondents' assessment of the methods of disseminating Extension information. Mailed instruments were returned by 201 producers (67%) in usable form. Information collected from the survey instruments was transferred to the computer and analyzed via the SPSSX program at the Virginia Tech Computer Center. Statistical procedures used in analyzing the data included frequencies, measures of central tendency, an independent t-test, and the Pearson Product-Moment Coefficient of Correlation. Six research questions were used as a guide for analyzing and reporting the data. The following major conclusions were reached: (1) that both parttime and full-time beef producers possessed a slightly unfavorable attitude toward the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service beef cattle program; (2) that both part-time and full-time beef producers had a slightly unfavorable attitude toward the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service overall agricultural program; (3) that both part-time and fulltime beef producers possessed a slightly unfavorable attitude toward the qualifications of the local Virginia Cooperative Extension Service agricultural agents; and (4) that both part-time and full-time beef producers assessed the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service methods of disseminating information to farmers as more effective than ineffective. / Ed. D.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension Service is considering a set of procedures to evaluate agent performance. In an attempt to help this consideration process, this study was undertaken to investigate the standards of the Performance Review, Analysis and Planning (PRAP) system. Adaptations of the FRAP system have been utilized by Extension organizations in other states. However, validation procedures have not been conducted by those states. Because of the history and concerns of the Cooperative Extension Service in Virginia, this research effort focused on the effects of race and gender in assessing the level of performance described in the PRAP standards and the relevancy of the standards to the job of an Extension agent. Also studied were the effects of program area, position, and employment location of the rater. Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies were used in the study. The sample for the quantitative portion of the study consisted of the Virginia Extension field staff population. An eighty-three percent (83%) instrument return rate was experienced. The qualitative portion involved twelve field interviews with agents in two of the six Extension administrative districts. The PRAP standards were found to be relevant to the job duties and responsibilities of Extension agents in Virginia. Furthermore, no significant differences were found by program area, position, or geographic location of employment. Significant statistical differences were found by gender and race. Qualitative evidence was found to support the race differences, however, differences by gender were not found in the qualitative data. / Ed. D.