The Environment for Scholarship in Agricultural Economics Extension

Abstract

Although opportunities and challenges for the Cooperative Extension Service have been addressed in the agricultural economics literature, little attention has been paid to the extension scholar. This article relates Boyer's scholarship concepts and subsequent scholarship assessment articles to agricultural economics extension and describes some unique features of the extension scholar's operating environment. Organizational framework, leadership, staffing, funding, accountability, and evaluation are addressed. Data from a survey of agricultural economics department heads are used to supplement personal experience in describing the current operating environment and constraints for extension scholars.