First, domestic experience is both valuable and limited . For instance, the land-grant university and Cooperative Extension System exemplify important ideas and practice, such as, close linkages between the education and agricultural sectors and the technical, political, and democratic value of farmer participation in Extension. But transferring U.S. ideas of overlapping political authority and participatory democracy is difficult, in some cases perhaps impossible, at least for the moment. Second, while it's important to know our own system's strengths and weaknesses, we also need to know more about other extension systems and their strengths and weaknesses . We need to develop a better understanding of models of international work, to study the lessons from international experience, and to be familiar with what works, what doesn't, and under what conditions.
Varied systems exist and each is suited for different purposes.
Fourth, in principle, Extension is flexible, but procedures are needed to ensure that its organization evolves along with changes in its target audiences and technologies . To increase their professionalization, internationally trained U.S. land-grant faculty and Cooperative Extension specialists should consider further involvement in the study and practice of developing responsive Extension institutions. Fifth, the costs and financing of public Extension are paramount concerns . Overseas projects must be built on solid financial footing, with adequate capital and recurrent costs built into these organizations. To know whether our expertise will be valid and viable, we must watch accounts and the sustainability of our efforts.