Evaluating Extension Based Leadership Development Programs in the Southern United States

Abstract

The ability to evaluate and accurately articulate the outcomes associated with leadership development programs is critical to their continued financial and administrative support. With calls for outcome-based accountability, the need for rigorous evaluation is particularly relevant for those programs administered through the Cooperative Extension Service (CES). Using Bandura’s (1977) Social Learning Theory, a robust evaluation of agricultural leadership development programs administered through the CES in the southern region of the United States was conducted. Several key findings are examined, specifically: program participant demographics match parity requirements for CES programming; program participants are highly satisfied with their program experience; and program participants have held a large number of leadership roles within their communities and industries.