Global Perspectives of Agricultural and Metropolitan Leaders

Extension systems across the country are being challenged to integrate international perspectives into programs and to assist staff and clientele in developing an awareness of global concepts. Skinner (1991), in an address to the American Home Economics Association, noted that in a world which is increasingly interdependent, Extension does itself and its clients a disservice if it does not prepare them for an increasingly internationalized society and economy. &terns of Chu (1991). a report of the Cooperative Extension Service Strategic Planning Council, discussed the impact of the “shrinking global village. ” The United States Department of Agriculture in April of 1989 published Global Perspectives for Extension. The document established goals for integrating international perspectives into all Extension programs and reaffirmed the importance of global competency for Extension staff and clientele. In October of 1989. another USDA publication, Goine Global, further outlined the importance of clientele developing an understanding of global markets. Little is known about the attitudes of agricultural or community leaders in Ohio which help to shape their global perspectives. Surveying leaders from both Extension’s traditional agricultural constituency and its growing metropolitan clientele was identified as one way to better understand citizen attitudes towards global concepts. Once information was gathered, curriculum development and staff inservice education could be based on identified needs rather than assumptions. Purpose and Objectives The purpose of the study was to identify the attitudes of Ohio agricultural and metropolitan leaders toward three international concepts. Specific objectives of the study were to: Ascertain the attitudes of Ohio leaders toward third world development and pover ty. Ascertain the attitudes of Ohio leaders toward international trade, Ascertain the attitudes of Ohio leaders toward other cultures. Describe differences in attitudes that exist among the groups sampled