People Make The Program

"People Make the Program" is one of a kind. It includes interview with some of the true pioneers of Cooperative Extension and pictures of all of those interviewed. Information was collected in 1980 when the average age of the respondents was 84! The oldest former Extension professional was born in 1883.

Respondents represented all regions in the country. Primary focus was on county staff but respondents included district supervisors, Extension specialists and administrators. It was evident those interviewed were happy to share their early experiences and seemed pleased to have someone interested in their careers.

The original project was done by Director Emeritus, Maynard C. Heckel while on sabbatic leave from the University of New Hampshire . He is also the book's author. It proved to be a very satisfying and enlightening experience and contributes further to the understanding and appreciation of the outreach effort of our Land Grant universities.

The book's title is evident in the emphasis the pioneers placed on the importance of being close to the people with the focus on "helping people help themselves". This further points out the reason for the continued success of Cooperative Extension in sharing the knowledge within our Land Grant universities in so many ways.

"People Make the Program" would be useful in any educational efforts in adult and extension education. It also would be helpful to new staff and appreciated by retirees. Further, the content can be valuable in countries that are in the early stages of Extension type work.

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