Seth C. Urbanowitz
Dr. Michael D. Wilcox

• 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 socialenvironmental factors that could be affecting system resources.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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%)

There is a clear role for community development in
Extension. However, there remains confusion on how best to achieve Extension’s community development objectives.
Dependent Variable
The Extension System at my institution has a significant role to play in CRED in my state.
CRED programming is essential in achieving the mission the Extension System at my institution.
'CRED Extension efforts can be accomplished through our family and consumer science, agriculture and natural resource and/or 4-H youth development programming.'
Mean
(strong disagree=1; strong agree=5)
4.43
4.38
3.31
Std. Deviation
.668
.854
1.316

Strengthening current priorities and identifying emerging opportunities will allow Extension to continue to provide effective programming that meets the needs of the public.
Programming % Yes
Leadership and Civic
Engagement
92.9%
Economic
Development
81.0%
Sustainable
Development
Natural
Resources and Env.
Mgmt.
Health and
Nutrition
71.4%
66.7%
59.5%
Research
Sustainable
Development
Ecnomic
Development
Natural
Resources and Env.
Mgmt.
Agriculture in
Transition
Health and
Nutrition
% Yes Emerging Issues % Yes
61.9%
Sustainable
Development
64.3%
61.9%
Workforce
Development
64.3%
59.5%
54.8%
Ecnomic
Development
Natural Resources and Env. Mgmt.
61.9%
57.1%
47.6%
Population
Change/Immigration
57.1%

Consensus on specializations CRED Extension professionals should obtain to effectively work in community and economic development.
Dependent Variable
Leadership and Civic Engagement
Economic Development
Group Process and Facilitation
Organizational Development
Local Government
Public Issues Education
Workforce Development
Natural Resources
Mean
4.60
4.57
4.43
4.31
4.24
4.17
4.05
4.02
Std. Deviation
.544
.630
.590
.715
.759
.660
.825
.841

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.
Dependent Variable
CRED Extension programming serves limited resource individuals adequately.
CRED Extension programming serves minority populations adequately.
Current programming done by CRED county-level professionals matches the needs of those counties.
Current research done by CRED university-based specialists matches your state’s needs.
Mean Std. Deviation
2.83 .294
2.88
2.48
2.36
.861
1.21
.95

Strengthening external partnerships and mass media use will improve political support and awareness of organizational purpose and make-up.
Dependent Variable
Increased external organizational linkages would improve political support for CRED
Extension efforts at my institution.
Mass media should be used more to build awareness of what Extension has to offer.
Mean
4.12
4.00
Std. Deviation
.504
.911

Dependent Variable Region (I) Region (J)
Mean Difference
(I-J)
Region (I) Mean Significance
-.26
-1.35
*
South
Northeast
North Central
1.64 .767
.001
West
The number of funded
FTE's devoted to
CRED Extension programming is sufficient at your institution.
Northeast
North
Central
South
North Central
West
South
Northeast
West
South
West Northeast
North Central
*signifies significant regional variation.
.08
.26
-1.09
*
.34
1.35
*
1.09
*
1.43
*
-.08
-.34
-1.43
*
2.09
2.71
2.42
.995
.767
.013
.750
.001
.013
.003
.995
.750
.003

1%-5% Independent
Variable
Region South*
Total
Count
% within Region
Northeast
Adjusted Residual
Count
% within Region
Adjusted Residual
North Central Count
% within Region
West*
Adjusted Residual
Count
% within Region
Adjusted Residual
Count
% within Region
*Signifies significant regional variation.
10
58.8%
2.6
3
27.3%
-.7
2
28.6%
-.4
0
.0%
-2.2
15
35.7%
6% or more Total
7 17
41.2% 100.0%
-2.6
8 11
72.7% 100.0%
.7
5 7
71.4% 100.0%
.4
7 7
100.0% 100.0%
2.2
27 42
64.3% 100.0%

• 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.

• 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.