Transforming Extension Education
for the Global World
Presented by Amy Beaudreault
The Ohio State University
October 17, 2008
MWERA Annual Conference
Columbus, OH

Objectives
 Describe the U.S. Extension System.
 Explain and provide examples of globalization Extension efforts.
 Describe the benefits and need for globalizing Extension.
 Describe future of globalizing Extension.

What is Extension Education?
 Smith-Lever Act 1914
 U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research,
Education and Extension Service
 Land Grant University Mission: Education, Research & Extension

Defining Globalization
• Ingle (1990) defined internationalization as:
“The incorporation of international content,
materials, activities, and understandings into
the teaching, research, and public service
function of universities in an increasingly
interdependent world” (p. 18).

Timeline of Extension Globally
1975: Title XII of the International Development and Food
Assistance Act of 1975
1983: Extension Committee on Policy (ECOP) commissioned an
International Task Force to articulate the international role of
Extension.
1989: Extension Committee on Policy (ECOP) Global Perspectives
for Extension Report
1990s: Globalization of Extension Research
2000s: eXtension

Globalization Extension Research
• Poston and O’Rourke (1991) attitudes of Extension Service
directors and administrators towards globalization
• Ludwig (1999) current level of activity and interest of
Extension educators related to the globalization of programs
to their local communities
• Zhai and Scheer (2002) influence of participation in study
abroad programs on college students’ level of personal
development
• Selby et al. (2005) assessment of current involvement, staff
needs, and perceived barriers in international programming
• Lundy, Place, Irani, and Telg (2006) studied U.S. Extension
agents’ attitudes of initiatives to internationalize Extension

Globalization Extension Research
Ludwig and Barrick (1997) concluded five characteristics that make
an Extension System international.
1. lientele develop a fundamental understanding of global and
C
national interdependence.
2. Extension faculty/agents recognize the relationship between basic
international issues and the Extension mission.
3. Extension educational programs within the United States stress
the impact of international economic forces on agricultural markets.
4. Extension educators incorporate international perspectives into
on-going activities.
5. Personnel evaluation systems recognize international efforts.

Benefits of Globalization
Youmans (2005) provided some benefits of international
Extension.
1. Agriculturalists have returned from abroad and now engage in
the propagation and cultivation of crops seen only
internationally.
2. Natural resource Extension agents have witnessed offshore
mistakes internationally and have returned to the United States
to witness the same mistakes for economic growth.
3. Extension agents have learned internationally about
absentee male populations and reverse gender roles.

Research Findings
1. Acknowledge globalization as important and pertinent.
2. Encourage diversity and international educational activities.
3. Recognize and incorporate international Extension audiences.
4. Recognize and reward globalization efforts.
5. Change within organization.

Questions & Discussion