Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book addresses the dilemmas facing Extension as it defines its role as an educational agency. It focuses on the level of satisfaction of clientele with Extension programming. The book provides the Systems Effectiveness Model, discusses the major organizational elements, and outlines their relationships. It also focuses on county programs. The book describes the relationship between educational methods and client response. The Cooperative Extension Service (CES) as a publicly supported educational agency is continually struggling to define its proper function and purpose in a changing society. The book reviews the historical development of the CES as a public agency. It aims to provide a comprehensive historical picture but, rather, to identify a number of critical elements that have influenced the development of Extension over time.