Extension tries its hardest to cover all issues for all of its users. The Extension System sets priorities at the national, state, and county levels on a continuous basis to remain proactive to issues facing citizens. Currently, Extension is focused on seven base programs with eight targeted initiatives within these base programs. Thus, Extension may be something to a lot of people, but it is not everything to everybody. Extension is often criticized for not paying enough attention to large, commercial farmers.
Farmers primarily get their information from the private sector farm suppliers and consultants.
Farmers are facing ever-increasing complex production, management, and marketing decisions. Therefore, they seek information from a variety of sources, including Extension. Extension is involved in programming that complements that of social service agencies. Extension programs, such as youth and family development, family resource management, and human nutrition, are educational programs that complement the service-oriented programs of other agencies. Furthermore, Extension collaborates their educational programs at the local, state, and national levels with the various social service agencies.