A study of the knowledge and attitudes held by county extension lay leaders and members relative to the 1966 reorganization of the Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County, New York

In January, 1966, six counties in New-York State reorganized their respective Cooperative Extension Service organizations. The Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County, one of the six, was chosen for this study.

Objectives of the study were to determine (1) levels of knowledge and attitude held by lay leaders and members of the Extension reorganization, (2) the relationships between the levels of knowledge and attitude of the leaders and members, and (3) the relationships of the levels of knowledge and attitude held by leaders and members when compared with certain variables.

The two groups studied consisted of all 36 leaders and a five percent sample of the Extension membership or 116 members. The instrument of observation was an interview-schedule. Data were obtained through personal interviews. Chi-square tests for significance were accepted at the .05 percent level. Findings included:

(1) Leaders had a significantly higher level of knowledge and a more favorable attitude of the Extension reorganization than members. (2) Extension participation was significantly higher in the leader group than the member group. (3) Attitude and knowledge were not significantly related to each other in either the member or leader groups. (4) Knowledge of the Extension reorganization was not significantly related to the variables of age, education, sex, occupation, income, residence, tenure and Extension participation in either study group. (5) In the member group, women had a significantly more favorable attitude toward the Extension reorganization. Sex was not significantly related to attitude in the leader group. (6) None of the remaining variables of age, education, occupation, income, residence, tenure, and Extension participation were significantly related to attitude in the member or leader groups.