Nevertheless, Extension personnel have recounted troubles with territoriality, and with public credit for Extension's contribution. The challenges of working with extenders are apparent. It takes a kind of energy and commitment quite different from managing an independent educational program. It's essential that training and servicing extenders doesn't become an end in itself, that we don't get caught up in meeting their needs at the expense of solving a real client problem. Extension program goals need to focus on problem resolution in which extenders have a true stake, not just on information transfer.
Much more experience is needed to determine appropriate roles for extenders.
Some of these will be action, advocacy, and policy activities, which Extension is less capable of taking the lead on. Challenge is one we will benefit from addressing. Growing populations, dwindling staff resources, new client demands, and political pressures to deliver solutions to imposing social problems demand that we extend ourselves, form new partnerships, and give up going it alone. Inc. ISSN 1077-5315. Articles appearing in the Journal become the property of the Journal.