The Best Little Programming Tool in Extension
M. F. Smith, M. E. Swisher · Journal of Extension · 1986
Audience identification helps determine needs and justify programs.It seems logical that the audience for an Extension program would be identifiable and identified.How else would you discover the needs and problems for which to plan programs?How would you justify funding requests?How would you be accountable for use of funds?Logical?Right.Nearly always the case?Wrong.Identification of specific clientele groups has become more and more difficult as audiences have increased and diversified, and more and more important as resources have diminished.This article discusses audience identification using the small farmer as an example.Four aspects are explored: (1) how the identification process for the farmer audience has changed, (2) one way to approach the identification process, (3) how to use the information generated, and (4) implications for other programs.