Introduction

Abstract

For over 75 yr, the Cooperative Extension Service has provided assistance to agricultural endeavors and to the public by being innovative leaders in the transfer of technology for its practical application on the farm. Regional programs are not new, but due to reductions in funding, to increased concentration of the industries, and to fewer students, cooperative intrastate and interstate programs are being viewed as an alternative to more traditional programs.Regionalization provides many opportunities to improve Extension's ability to respond to changing needs of the industries and of society. However, to be successful, real and perceived problem areas must be addressed and overcome, as they can be if the goal of assistance to the industries and society is the determining factor in the establishment of regional programs. Regional programs will be successful to the extent that these altruistic principles are applied. Formal and informal regional programs must supplement existing state programs, and should be implemented only after consultation with affected industries and after careful consideration by university personnel.