Emerging community issues and concerns were identified in focus groups of 104 Defiance County (Ohio) citizens and survey responses from 180 of 380 households. The research demonstrated the usefulness of capacity assessment as a participatory process in which community members are actively involved in identifying community assets as well as…

Extension educators can extend and accelerate the community-shaping process by using action research processes like Appreciative Inquiry, which helps a community design and work toward an ideal future. One adaptation, the Porch Cookie Project, helped a community create new knowledge and shape its culture. (SK)

A program that enables young people to understand economic practices of business and industry, originally conceived at the 1972 National 4-H Congress but expanded to include many agencies, is described. A format of four one-day modules is suggested. Businessmens' involvement, local advisory committees, and coordination are important aspects…

The author questions how a community measures its quality-of-life. The author's emphasis is on people and the communities goals in terms of people. Extension education must confirm dealing with people problems rather than community problems. (MS)

Community-based agencies (extension, women's association, public health department) initiated a health promotion project using adult learning approaches (experiential learning, storytelling, and networking) to enable participants to examine their experiences of health and factors affecting health in their communities. Assessment tools were…

The expertise of Extension or community health educators can be used to mobilize actual and potential patients, professionals, lay people, community groups and specific agencies; program innovations at the state and local levels in Maryland are reviewed. (Editor)

Lack of teamwork hinders the development of programs which best meet clientele needs. Developing cooperation between agencies can help Extension plan comprehensive programs to achieve community goals. (JOW)

Reports an interview survey of 200 community leaders in Louisiana regarding the general quality of life, government, economy, human development, and physical facilities. Special attention is given to implications for extension programing. (JT)

The article presents a strategy for identifying and contacting racial minority groups and organizations in Polk County, Iowa, in order to increase their involvement in extension programs. The research approach was to interview key informants from whose information a directory of such organizations was developed. (MF)

A project integrated community service learning with community development by involving high school students in conducting a community survey with extension staff. Students learned about needs assessment and their community and were motivated to seek future involvement. The community used information gathered to develop a youth recreation program…

Interviews with federal, state, and local officials about the federally funded youth-at-risk grant program found that federal and state philosophy and goals were similarly focused on developing community coalitions to address youth issues, whereas local leaders focused on developing school-age child care activities and viewed coalition-building as…

High school students surveyed 200 businesses in Immokalee, Florida, using the findings to create a business directory. Students learned about elementary statistics, interviewing, public relations, and data reporting. The project benefitted school-community relations and made students more aware of their community. (SK)

The author describes the Wisconsin Lake Management Program, the conflict between economic growth and environmental quality, and the role of the University of Wisconsin-Extension in a nontraditional area of public service education in bringing together county agents and lakeshore community leaders. (MF)

Summarizes the historical background of extension services, where extension is today, and some of its future concerns. (EM)

A Management Information Exchange is suggested as a tool for the extension professional to be more effective in his work with small businessmen. It is organized and operated at the community level and makes the expertise of some businessmen available to others. (EB)