The group has strongly defended controversial decisions reached and has suffered some personal criticism. Frontline staff need encouragement and support from their peer groups and management, especially during those periods when client criticism is at its highest and action to address the issues seems distant and irrelevant. Extension administrators should be aware that this frustration can spill over into other parts of the Extension program. Staff credibility can be hurt by their seeming inability to address real issues. We hope the above discussion has raised some concerns about the direction of Extension.
Agriculture is a mature industry and depends heavily on government support.
As other sectors of society increase their demands for government resources and services, farmers can no longer expect government to spontaneously address their particular concerns. Lobbying by a host of special interest groups is becoming the norm. To ensure that the decision-making process of government can continue to function effectively and efficiently, Extension workers can play a key role in helping these groups learn the skills and knowledge that are key to success. Elected officials are swamped with demands, and they appreciate groups that are well-organized, capable of expressing their needs with clarity and directness, and are able to negotiate a reasonable settlement of the issue. Inc. ISSN 1077-5315.