Educational Outreach Programs.
The educational programs are multi-faceted to reach a diverse clientele. Agricultural field days, farmers days and on-farm research form the foundation of the extension education program to the agricultural community and these are supplemented by printed information of the results in both University and popular publications. The objective of the field/farmers days is to share with the farmers information that has been obtained locally or statewide that would help them in their management practices and decisions. The on-farm research provides a special educational system where local problems are solved locally and the one-on-one relationship between cooperator and scientist creates a rapport which builds confidence in the University and the College of Agriculture. Over the past five years we have been involved with 20 agricultural field days and 16 farmers days with attendance of 1500 and 700, respectively. More than 800 on-farm visits have been made in conjunction with more than 170 field trials in this same time period. Success from these programs is demonstrated by the majority of agricultural producers who follow the University recommendations with respect to variety selection and management practices.
Urban and special educational field days are held throughout the year to address particular needs in the community. Pruning and gardening demonstrations and lectures are given and are supplemented by advice given to homeowners who walk in or phone with particular problems. Students from middle school to college are taught about science and agriculture and how these subjects affect their lives. Success in these programs is measured by repeated requests of our programs. In 1996, we had face-to-face contacts with more than 1500 people. These programs are also supplemented by radio talk show visits and newspaper articles that reach thousands.