Examination of Cooperative Extension as a Bridging Organization to Enhance Cross-boundary Collaborative Water Management

Authors

Mark E. Burbach, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Stephanie M. Kennedy, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Weston M. Eaton, National Renewable Energy LaboratoryFollow
Kathryn J. Brasier, The Pennsylvania State UniversityFollow
Daran R. Rudnick, Kansas State UniversityFollow
Walt Whitmer, The Pennsylvania State UniversityFollow

Volume

63

Issue

3

Abstract

We explored stakeholders’ familiarity with, the trustworthiness of, perceived competence of, and shared vision with Cooperative Extension on water-related issues in two states to determine the degree to which Extension is positioned to be an effective bridging organization. Results of surveys in Nebraska and Pennsylvania showed that overall neither agricultural producers nor non-farm households were very familiar with Extension. However, both stakeholder groups perceived Extension to be trustworthy, competent, and have similar goals on water-related issues. Extension should renew efforts to bolster their familiarity among these groups to enhance their effectiveness as a bridging organization.

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Recommended Citation

Burbach, M. E., Kennedy, S. M., Eaton, W. M., Brasier, K. J., Rudnick, D. R., & Whitmer, W. (2025). Examination of Cooperative Extension as a Bridging Organization to Enhance Cross-boundary Collaborative Water Management. The Journal of Extension, 63(3), Article 4. https://open.clemson.edu/joe/vol63/iss3/4