The effects of farm size on farmers' participation in agricultural development programs initiated by the government in Rivers State (Nigeria) were studied. Results for 300 farmers with varying holdings indicated no effect of farm size on participation, suggesting that extension work could advance without regard to farm size. (SLD)

Assessment of a participatory rural appraisal project in Ethiopia indicated that decentralization of extension in sub-Saharan Africa is an opportunity for farmers and extension agents to collaborate. The congruence of experiential learning and participatory approaches can contribute to the transformation of "top-down" extension…

A study analyzed the use of extension services by traditional Arab farmers in Israel (Nazareth region) and in the Gaza Strip. The study was an attempt to follow up on work done in the l960s and the early l970s by Arnon. The research questions for this study were as follows: (1) How strong is the demand for extension now? (2) Which are the most…

Rwanda, a small country in Africa, has experienced declines in per capita food production. Fish culture is one part of a many-stranded effort to increase food production and food security by intensifying the use of land resources to produce a much-needed protein crop. Beginning in 1983, the Rwanda National Fish Culture Project has assisted farmers…

A study of rural Indian villages was undertaken to determine the availability of agricultural publications and the extent of use by farmers. Low utilization was related to illiteracy, inaccessibility of villages, and lack of government and university extension activity. Recommendations included increasing the publication and distribution of farm…

A survey of limited income farmers in Georgia indicates that they are younger and more educated than their predecessors and have increased their contacts with county extension agents. (LRA)

A research project in the San Luis Valley of Colorado sought to isolate a few unique farm types that could become target groups for the design and implementation of agricultural research and extension programs. Questionnaires were completed by 44 of 65 farmers in one watershed area of Conejos County. Analysis revealed a complex pattern of…

Interviews with 940 Iowa farm operators and their wives were conducted during 1977 to address the question of perceived extension effectiveness (the degree to which the respondent perceived the Cooperative Extension Service as meeting his/her needs). Two models of organizational effectiveness were advanced and suggested as being consistent with…

The main objective of the program was to obtain qualitative data on the value of Radio Farm Forums (RFF), to both the farmers and the extension service, in terms of facilitating two-way communication between the two parties. The concept of RFF is to provide agricultural information through integrated use of mass media and interpersonal…

Two approaches to providing information about beef cattle preconditioning to randomly selected farmers were compared in a study involving 12 small and part-time farmers in Madison County, North Carolina. Half the farmers received the information from an extension agent via face-to-face consultations, telephone conversations, and an educational…

A questionnaire was sent to 1,705 Texas farmers and ranchers who had either purchased farm management software provided by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service (purchasers) or had participated in Extension Service short courses and had purchased farm management software (participant/purchasers). A total of 489 farmers/ranchers responded.…

Two diverse extension audiences in Polk County, North Carolina were surveyed to determine their levels of use of extension information and their preferred means for receiving information. Information was gathered through mailed surveys returned by 48 beef producers and 40 county government workers (about a 67 percent return for each group). Nearly…

Nearly all burley tobacco farmers in the mountains of North Carolina are small or part-time farmers who have limited time for seeking information. Although they desire accurate, user-friendly, timely, and relevant information, their willingness or opportunity to spend time in face-to-face contacts or grower meetings is becoming severely limited.…

This survey of North Carolina farmers focuses on the impact of important social changes and their interplay with ongoing changes in agriculture. It provides information for policymakers and education researchers to prepare for possible changes in the rural education system. State farmers were interviewed in 1987 and again in 1988. Of 883 people…

Interviews with 725 North Carolina farm operators revealed: the extent of economic, social, and emotional stresses on farm families; perceptions of the future of agriculture; the degree of reliance on off-farm income; financial management practices; and programs needed from the Agricultural Extension Service. Almost 66% viewed their future in…