The Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service provides a broad range of programs within the areas of agriculture, home economics, 4-H, and community development. During FY 1986, MCES received $24,776,255 from state, federal, and local sources; of this amount, 56% came from state general funds.
Given the current status of the state’s farmers and farm economy, the importance of an effective agricultural extension service cannot be understated. PEER concludes that while MCES has established programs to serve the citizens of this state, the agency has done so without statistically valid needs assessment methodology. In addition, MCES management has not developed a system to determine program cost or relative worth to prevent a proliferation of unnecessary programs. As a result, MCES cannot ensure that its 219 programs are meeting the needs of recipients.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.