Planned Programs. The Extension Service has an ongoing program planning process. This process typically consists of needs assessment in the winter, program planning team meetings in spring and early summer, program development during the summer and early fall, and program implementation during the fall, winter and spring. As part of this process, the NDSU Extension Service forms partnerships with groups and individuals to identify issues and deliver program. County and multi-county advisory committees often identify needs that must be addressed. Specialists and researchers may identify emerging issues they believe should be discussed with citiens. Other states or our fedeal partners may identify an issue in one part of the country that has implications for North Dakota. At the county level, an agent may observe a situation that calls for a program.

Eight program planning teams guide the program development process. These teams consist of county area and state staff and include researches at NDSU and its research extension centers. Many teams involve producers, agency membes and clientele in their discussions.

The teams are:

• Community, Economic Development and Leadership

• Competitiveness and Profitability of Animal Systems

• Cropping Systems in the 21st Century

• Farm and Family Economics

• 4-H youth Development

• Human Development and Family Science

• Natural Resources and Environmental Management

• Nutrition, Food Safety and Health

Planners identify needs, determine objectives or learner outcomes, choose delivery methods and determine the impacts made by the program. Most programs include large and small group meetings, mass media, newsletters, individual consultation with clients, cooperation with other agencies and groups, and various applications of technology.

Responsive programs. Often, programs must address the urgent situation that has occurred. Examples include excessive rain, hail, tornadoes, floods, serious financial problems, child abductions, and food borne illnesses. The NDSU Extension Service has an excellent track record inquickly and effectively addresses those issues. Urgent situations require that the extension service be ready for ation with little preparation time.

Community Issues. Extension staff are involved in public issues that have many viewpoints and no simple answer. In these situations, the role of the extension staff is to provide accurate information about all sides of issues and lead communities through a process that can bring about resolution. This work is not easy because communities can become polarized.