Purpose: The purpose of this exercise is to familiarize yourself with clientele of the Cooperative Extension unit in which you are serving.

Assignment: Identify 3-4 clients served by your cooperating unit. Select a person who frequently attends Cooperative Extension programs or otherwise actively uses Cooperative Extension services. You will want to visit with people who participate in different program areas.

Interview the clients, recording your observations. A list of suggested questions is provided. Share your findings with your supervising Extension agent.

Conduct multiple interviews to get different opinions. Then develop a synopsis of what the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats might be to Extension based on this person’s perceptions. How does this match your expectations? Are there things you would like to explore more closely related to changes that might improve the program or its accessibility?

Interview Questions:

How did you first become involved with Cooperative Extension?
In what ways are you involved in Cooperative Extension?
What do you feel are the greatest accomplishments of Cooperative Extension?
What do you feel are the greatest challenges facing Cooperative Extension?
Why do you work with Cooperative Extension?
What do you see as the role of the county Extension agent?
How does the agent interact with clients? County government? Other agents?
What does Cooperative Extension do for you?
What would you like to see in Cooperative Extension that is not currently being offered?