What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to identify the support needs of county directors in Cooperative Extension.

May 28, 2026

Supporting the Critical Administrative Leadership Role of County Directors

Key Points

The research aims to identify the support needs of county directors in Cooperative Extension.
Survey conducted among California county directors regarding their administrative workloads and challenges.
Data analyzed focused on their satisfactions, frustrations, and needs for support.
County directors reported feeling inadequately supported in their leadership roles.
Need for policy changes to recognize community networking efforts as valuable for merit reviews.
Recommendations include restructuring support systems to enhance the role of county directors.

Abstract

With a foot in both the university and local communities, Cooperative Extension county directors have unique opportunities to network, scan opportunities, identify assets, design and market programs, build public support, and solve problems. A survey of the administrative workload, satisfactions, and frustrations of California county directors finds these leadership roles are insufficiently supported. The data suggest the need to 1) alter merit review policies to reward community connections and networking, 2) reinvent university support bureaucracies to treat county directors as valued customers, and 3) reassert a robust vision of county-based Extension at the highest levels of the organization.

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