Agricultural agents, for example, often know about natural resource policies and problems in their local areas. Local public officials, meanwhile, are faced with difficult and complex policy decisions over issues such as zoning, solid waste handling, farmland preservation, and water resource management. The high turnover among local public officials means agricultural agents might provide educational programs on natural resource issues for new officials, perhaps in co-educator partnerships with others such as the Soil Conservation Service and soil conservation district personnel. Home economists' knowledge also lends itself to local government programs. For example, local governments have become more interested recently in promoting energy and water conservation among households.
Home economists have specialized skills to aid in promoting conservation.
They also have knowledge and experience that can help with the development of local government policies and services for children, the elderly, the handicapped, and other family members. Agents have found local public officials receptive to arrangements whereby 4-Hers accompany and help officials in their duties. Community development agents, most of whom have already worked with local governments, are likely to find an increased demand for their help because of trends now under way. Growth in the size and heterogeneity of rural communities will create new challenges for effective citizen involvement in local government affairs. Agents as brokers and facilitators of knowledge networks will also be challenged to identify and incorporate emerging electronic databases and new analytical techniques into their efforts.